Maternal neonate and child health (MNCH) research in Pakistan: trend and transition.

Pakistan's MNCH (Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health) indicators are showing a slow progress in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targets. Relevant research is necessary for evidence-based interventions. This paper attempts to identify trends of published work and research in MNCH according to levels of health service delivery and their areas of focus in terms of policy and/or programmatic approach. A total of 342 published papers and documents relevant to MNCH from 1995-2008 were reviewed and categorized according to the level and type of research. Most of the published work specifically focusing on MNCH has been conducted in the tertiary level care facilities (48%) with maximum focus on clinical/diagnostic interventions (52.3%). A surge in publication of MNCH related articles has been observed from the year 2000 onwards. This paper illustrates that most of the research conducted is at tertiary level care facilities with focus on clinical/diagnostic interventions while lesser research was done with focus on policy and strategic planning. Where a number of commendable materials are available on 'policy and strategic planning' but these are not always based on evidence and scientific rigor and on widely disseminated lessons learnt. Thus there is a dire need to carry-out and promote more researches in the area of policy and strategic planning in MNCH.

Impact of information sources on the knowledge of adolescents about hepatitis B.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of various sources of information on school going adolescents (belonging to higher social strata between ages 14-19 years) regarding Hepatitis B; its various types, importance, symptoms and cures. METHODS: A self-administered survey was conducted among the secondary school students (9-12 grades) of a private school for this purpose. RESULTS: A total of 160 students were approached from which 158 (98%) agreed to take part in the survey. Overall 98% students claimed to know something about Hepatitis B. But only 52% of all had comprehensive and correct knowledge about symptoms, causes and measures for prevention of Hepatitis B. Their major sources of knowledge were parents (57%) and television (56%) followed by newspapers and books (31%), doctors (30%) teachers and peers (29%). CONCLUSION: Only half of the adolescents had correct knowledge about Hepatitis B, which infers that an average person's level of knowledge would have many misperceptions and myths. Television and parents are the most influential sources of imparting health education to adolescents. Thus it is imperative that these sources of knowledge strengthened to provide correct information to adolescents.