Bedbug infestation in Lahore hospitals.

Background: Bedbug infestation has been reported globally, but there are few reports about this parasite of public health importance in Pakistan. This is the first study on bedbug infestation in a healthcare setting in Lahore, Pakistan. Aims: To study bedbug infestation in public sector hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 86 wards of 2 tertiary care hospitals in Lahore during October and November 2019, using nonprobability sampling technique. Ward supervisors were interviewed using a self-developed structured questionnaire and wards were examined for bedbugs or their markers. Results: Evidence of bedbug infestation was found in 72.1% of the wards. There was no significant difference in infestation rate between the 2 hospitals but there was a significantly lower incidence of infestation in wards that implemented control measures (25.8% vs 74.2%). No control measures were implemented in 53.4% of the wards sampled. Conclusion: Bedbug infestation was rife in the 2 hospitals studied and knowledge about identification and eradication of the pest among ward supervisors was inadequate. Control measures, where applied, were substandard and not evidence-based.

Pulmonary function parameters among marble industry workers in Lahore, Pakistan.

Background: Occupational contact with dust particles is a well-known phenomenon, particularly in developing countries of the world. Crystalline silica present in marble dust is the main etiology of a rising prevalence of obstructive lung diseases in marble stone workers, who are in direct contact with marble dust in the surrounding environment during their regular work.  The purpose of this study was to compare the pulmonary function parameters of workers in marble workshops and age matched healthy individuals in the Lahore District of Pakistan. Methods: The study included 164 male individuals, 82 individuals working in marble workshops and 82 healthy individuals from the same community. Data were collected through in-person interviews using a structured questionnaire after obtaining written consent. A Spiro Lab spirometry for pulmonary function tests was used to identify any change in the lung function parameters. FVC% (forced vital capacity), FEV 1 (forced expiratory volume in first second) and FEV1 / FVC ratio were evaluated. Results: Mean age in the exposed group (marble workers) and non-exposed group (healthy individuals) were 29.92 ± 6.19 and 30.58 ± 6.37 years, respectively. The mean years of work experience of the exposed group was 11.92 ± 5.67 years. A statistically insignificant difference was observed between marble exposed workers & healthy individuals from the demographic variables. Lung function parameters in marble workers exhibited a highly significant (P < 0.001) decrease in FVC%, FEV 1 & FEV 1 / FVC ratio when compared to healthy individuals. Seventy-one percent of marble workers had abnormal pulmonary parameters whereas 34% of workers had restrictive pulmonary impairment. Marble workers who had worked for more than 15 years had a highly significant risk of developing abnormal pulmonary function (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Continuous exposure to marble dust deteriorates the lung function of marble workers.

Lifestyle factors associated with the risk of prostate cancer among Pakistani men.

BACKGROUND: Age-adjusted incidence of prostate cancer in Pakistan is 5.3 per 100,000 which is relatively low as compared to other Asian countries, but increasing numbers of cases are being reported. Data on risk factors associated with prostate cancer risk among Pakistani men are sparse. The objective of this study was to identify lifestyle factors associated with the risk of prostate cancer in Pakistani men. METHODS: An unmatched case-control study was conducted in Lahore from February to October 2011. The study enrolled 195 histologically confirmed cases of adenocarcinoma of prostate from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital and Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Lahore (INMOL) and Lady Reading Hospital. Peshawar, using purposive sampling technique. A total of 390 hospital controls were selected using convenient sampling technique from different teaching hospitals of Lahore after screening with prostate specific antigen levels. A semi-structured interview form was used to collect data through face-to-face interviews. Odds ratio was used as a measure of strength of association and was calculated using unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Farmers were found to be at higher odds of prostate cancer (OR 19.76; 95% CI 5.51-70.80; p < 0.001). No significant association was found with marital status, ethnic background, religious affiliation and consanguineous marriages. Level of physical activity was inversely associated with prostate cancer risk (OR 0.05; 95% CI 0.01-0.26; p < 0.001). Positive association was found with increased red meat consumption (OR 11.82; 95% CI 2.88-48.54; p = 0.001) and dairy products intake (11.76; 95% CI 4.23-32.67; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Red meat consumption, higher dairy products intake and working as farmers are strongly associated with increased odds of prostate cancer among Pakistani men.