Correct administration aid for oral liquid medicines: Is a household spoon the right choice?

Background: Correct medicine dosing is an important component in the safe and effective delivery of medicines, particularly for the pediatric population. However, there is a scarcity of public campaigns on the correct administration and choice of dosing aids for oral liquid dosage form in many countries, leading to medicine safety issues and therapeutic failures. Methods: The study targeted the assessment of the knowledge and practice of university students. It utilizes pre- and post-intervention surveys administered through google forms as a survey tool during online zoom and in-person sessions. The intervention included a short video presentation detailing the selection and use of medicine spoons and other aids for the administration of oral liquid dosage. The Fischer Exact test was used to assess the pre- and post-test shift of responses. Results: Nine-degree programs were engaged in the activity, and 108 students attended this health awareness activity after obtaining formal consent. A significant decline (CI = 95%, **** p-value < 0.05) in the choice of selecting tablespoon and a shift to a low-volume spoon, as well as rejection of an entire variety of household spoons, were observed. A significant improvement in the correct naming of spoons, the meaning of the abbreviation "tsp," and the correct volume of a standard teaspoon were also observed with a p-value of <0.001. Conclusion: A deficit in the knowledge of the proper use of measuring devices for oral liquid medicines in the educated population was observed, which can be enhanced through simple tools like short video presentations and awareness seminars.

Stress-inducing factors among occupational drivers in Karachi, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Work-related stress has become a global public health problem among occupational drivers. However, it is a highly neglected topic in the Pakistani population. AIMS: This study was conducted to identify the stress-inducing factors in occupational drivers in Karachi and to determine the relationship of stressors with sociodemographic and occupational factors among bus, minibus, rickshaw, taxi and private vehicle drivers. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to October 2017 through a validated structured questionnaire. A total of 384 occupational drivers were recruited through non-probability quota sampling. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, medical history and stress-inducing factors in drivers was obtained. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, version 21. The Chi-squared test was applied to see the association between categorical variables. RESULTS: Traffic jam was the most significant cause of stress (n = 377, 98.2%), followed by condition of the roads (n = 356, 92.7%) and the lights of other vehicles (n = 339, 88.3%). CONCLUSION: Numerous stress-inducing factors are experienced by occupational drivers in Karachi. This could possibly result in decreased precision and judgment while driving resulting in increased number of accidents.

Dietary practices of school children in Sindh, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition in Pakistan has remained an unresolved issue for decades. Data on nutrient intake and variety in children's diet is lacking. AIM: This paper describes the dietary practices of school children across eight districts of Sindh. METHODS: A school-based survey of dietary practices among 1109 students from classes 2-5 in 36 schools was conducted using a pre-tested interviewer-completed questionnaire. RESULTS: Descriptive and comparative analysis of data showed that more than 75% school children ate breakfast, lunch and dinner regularly. However, 10% children skipped breakfast and nearly one-third of them skipped mid-morning and evening snacks. Skipping breakfast and snacks was related to low socio-economic status and rural residence. Children's intake of protein-rich food items and fruits also illustrated that urban residence and better socio-economic status have a positive effect on the frequency and variety of daily protein and fruit intake. Though affordability and geographic location were key determinants of children's dietary practices, significantly higher percentages of children studying in class 2, 3 and 4 consumed different kinds of protein-rich food items, fruits and vegetables more frequently as opposed to children studying in class 5. Junk food consumption was more common in urban areas and better socio-economic strata. CONCLUSION: Development of school-based nutrition education programmes and behavior change strategies emphasizing the regular intake of meals and nutrient-rich snacks, and encouraging consumption of easily available and affordable food items such as dried seeds, fruits, vegetables, milk and its derivatives is essential for addressing nutrient deficiencies.

The Prevalence and Underreporting of Needlestick Injuries among Dental Healthcare Workers in Pakistan: A Systematic Review.

Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are a major occupational health problem among dental healthcare workers (HCWs) in Pakistan, which places them at a significant risk of acquiring blood-borne infections. However, not all NSIs are reported, leading to an underestimation of the actual prevalence. The harmful impacts of NSIs on the healthcare delivery necessitate an urgent need to measure its actual prevalence. Objectives. The aim of this study was to review literature to estimate the prevalence and reporting rates of NSIs among dental-HCWs in Pakistan. Methods. 713 potentially relevant citations were identified by electronic databases and hand searching of articles. Nine primary studies were subsequently identified to be included in the review. Results. The results of the included studies indicate that the prevalence of NSIs among Pakistani dental-HCWs was between 30% and 73%. The rate of reporting of NSIs was between 15% and 76%, and the most common reason was found to be the lack of awareness regarding the reporting system, or of the need to report NSIs. Conclusion. It is evident from the review of the included studies that there is a significantly high prevalence and a low rate of reporting of NSIs among dental-HCWs in Pakistan, suggesting the need to setup an occupational health department in dental settings, for preventing, managing, recording, and monitoring NSIs.