Risk factors for urinary bladder cancer in Baluchistan.

BACKGROUND: Urinary Bladder cancer is a life threatening and aggressive disease. This retrospective study was conducted in Baluchistan for assessing the risk factors for urinary bladder cancer. METHOD: A questionnaire was developed in order to collect the requisite information about the characteristics like age, drinking habits, smoking history, family history of cancer and others factors. Interview method was used to obtain the information from 50 cases and 100 controls from two hospitals of the province. Binary logistic regression model was run to study the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for cigarette smoking, fluid consumption and higher use of fruits were [26.064; 7.645-88.856], [0.161; 0.059-0.441], and [0.206; 0.059-0.725] respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The higher risk of urinary bladder cancer was observed in smokers as compared to non-smokers. Higher consumption of fluid and fruits are protective factors against the disease.

Assessment of patients' satisfaction in medical and surgical wards in a tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND: Evolution is the natural process that is not limited merely to the biological world but to the social world as well. The standards of living and the expectations change with time. This study was done to generate data that can help doctors and hospital administration to identify and solve problems. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study conducted at a major tertiary care hospital of KPK through the month of July 2012. An interviewer based patient satisfaction questionnaire was used to estimate patients' satisfaction by asking questions regarding admission procedure, referral, clinical and lab investigation services, attitude of doctors and nurses, nursing services, cleanliness condition of the wards and overall level of satisfaction. RESULTS: Study included 305 patients, 205 from surgical wards (144 males, 61 females) and 100 from Medical wards (52 males, 48 female). Satisfaction level was high among females than males. Most of the patients having low level of education and unemployed patients were satisfied. Cleanliness condition of wards and bathrooms was highly criticised. Attitude of doctors and nurses was much appreciated. About 70% of the patients were satisfied with explanation regarding their disease. More than half (59%) were not aware of post-surgical complications, and 67% were not aware of the use and possible side-effects of medication. About half of the patients couldn't utilise hospital lab. Overall satisfaction level was 68% in medical wards and 77% in surgical wards. CONCLUSIONS: Overall level of satisfaction was fair in both wards. Attitude of doctors and nursing staff was appreciated, but cleanliness conditions were criticised. There is a need for availability of free medicine and improvement of laboratory services and cleanliness.

Comparison of FNA vs surface swab culture in isolating core flora in recurrent tonsillitis.

BACKGROUND: Tonsillitis is one of the most common childhood afflictions. This prospective study was designed to explore the possible role of fine needle aspiration of recurrently inflamed tonsils in determining their core flora. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients at DHQ Hospital Haripur undergoing tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis were included in the study. Colonies grown from fine needle aspirate and surface swab were compared with tonsillar core culture obtained after tonsillectomy. The pathogens isolated by fine needle aspiration culture were not greatly different from surface swab results in comparison to core isolates. CONCLUSION: The results of fine needle aspirate do not appear to confer any advantage over surface swab in representing core flora. These findings indicate no preferred clinical use for fine needle aspiration in the management of recurrent tonsillitis.