Abstract Smoking worsens tuberculosis (TB) outcomes. Persons with TB who smoke can benefit from smoking cessation. We report findings of a multi-country qualitative process evaluation assessing barriers and facilitators to implementation of smoking cessation behaviour support in TB clinics in Bangladesh and Pakistan. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews at five case study clinics with 35 patients and 8 health workers over a period of 11 months (2017–2018) at different time points during the intervention implementation phase. Interviews were conducted by trained researchers in the native languages, audio-recorded, transcribed into English and analysed using a combined deductive–inductive approach guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and Theoretical Domains Framework. All patients report willingness to quit smoking and recent quit attempts. Individuals’ main motivations to quit are their health and the need to financially provide for a family. Behavioural regulation such as avoiding exposure to cigarettes and social influences from friends, family and colleagues are main themes of the interviews. Most male patients do not feel shy admitting to smoking, for the sole female patient interviewee stigma was an issue. Health workers report structural characteristics such as high workload and limited time per patient as primary barriers to offering behavioural support. Self-efficacy to discuss tobacco use with women varies by health worker. Systemic barriers to implementation such as staff workload and socio-cultural barriers to cessation like gender relations, stigma or social influences should be dealt with creatively to optimize the behaviour support for sustainability and scale-up.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health problem in South Asia. Tobacco use increases the risks of TB infection and TB progression. The TB& Tobacco placebo-controlled randomised trial aims to (1) assess the effectiveness of the tobacco cessation medication cytisine versus placebo when combined with behavioural support and (2) implement tobacco cessation medication and behavioural support as part of general TB care in Bangladesh and Pakistan. This paper summarises the process and context evaluation protocol embedded in the effectiveness-implementation hybrid design.We are conducting a mixed-methods process and context evaluation informed by an intervention logic model that draws on the UK Medical Research Council's Process Evaluation Guidance. Our approach includes quantitative and qualitative data collection on context, recruitment, reach, dose delivered, dose received and fidelity. Quantitative data include patient characteristics, reach of recruitment among eligible patients, routine trial data on dose delivered and dose received, and a COM-B ('capability', 'opportunity', 'motivation' and 'behaviour') questionnaire filled in by participating health workers. Qualitative data include semistructured interviews with TB health workers and patients, and with policy-makers at district and central levels in each country. Interviews will be analysed using the framework approach. The behavioural intervention delivery is audio recorded and assessed using a predefined fidelity coding index based on behavioural change technique taxonomy.The study complies with the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethics approval for the study and process evaluation was granted by the University of Leeds (qualitative components), University of York (trial data and fidelity assessment), Bangladesh Medical Research Council and Bangladesh Drug Administration (trial data and qualitative components) and Pakistan Medical Research Council (trial data and qualitative components). Results of this research will be disseminated through reports to stakeholders and peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.ISRCTN43811467; Pre-results.
Aim: Hypertension, a prevalent chronic condition, significantly contributes to cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Effective management of hypertension is highly dependent on patient adherence to prescribed medications, as the correct dose at the right time can lead to desirable therapeutic results. This study aims to analyze medication adherence among hypertensive patients in Islamabad and Rawalpindi through an open survey. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 17th March 2024 to 30th May 2024, targeting hypertensive populations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. 246 patients were recruited using a sample size formula, and a General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS) questionnaire was used to collect data. All the tests were conducted as two-sided, with a significance level of P < 0.05 using Python. Results: Among 246 participants (mean age 57.1 years), most were married, literate, and living with families, 63% were from Islamabad, and 78.9% were employed. The study found high adherence in behavior-related areas but low adherence due to costs. Gender showed a statistically significant correlation (P = 0.03) by independent t-test. At the same time, ANOVA tests revealed that educational level (P = 0.02), monthly income (P = 0.001), family support (P = 0.04), and medication costs (P = 0.001) significantly impacted adherence, while factors like social status, employment status, and smoking did not have a considerable influence. Conclusions: 72.4% of patients adhered to their prescribed therapy, and 27.6% did not highlight a critical issue that requires urgent intervention. Variables like gender, educational status, social status, occupation, and living with family are strongly associated with adherence. Common problems include taking multiple medications, lack of awareness about the importance of adherence, and financial constraints.
About 20% of injuries presented in the emergency room that require surgical repair involve the hand. Most of these injuries result from sharp objects such as glass and knives, and blades in case of suicide. In Pakistan, the most common injuries occur at the junction between the transverse distal crease on the wrist and the forearm muscles (zone 5). Wrist injuries are difficult to repair since they result in the tendon, ulnar and median nerve and arteries abrasion. In addition, an inadequate approach could damage abrasion and swelling of the flexor muscles, risking the functioning of the hand. A good outcome necessitates prioritizing the flexor muscles to avoid swelling and hand dysfunction. The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Belfast rehabilitation in the treatment of flexion tendon injury. The process of rehabilitation was carried out for a period of 2 years. Using the Belfast regime as a post-rehabilitation regime ensures no adhesion formation, swelling, or delayed healing.
Abstract Background: Brief behavioural support can effectively help TB patients to quit smoking and improve their outcomes. In collaboration with TB programmes in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan, we evaluated implementation and scale-up of cessation support using four strategies: i) brief tobacco cessation intervention ii) integration of tobacco cessation within routine training iii) inclusion of tobacco indicators in routine records and iv) embedding research within TB programmes.Methods: We used mixed methods of observation, interviews and routine data within WHO’s ExpandNet framework for scale-up. We aimed to understand the extent of, and strategies which facilitated vertical scale-up (institutionalisation) within 59 health facility learning sites in Pakistan, 18 in Nepal and 15 in Bangladesh and horizontal scale-up (increased coverage beyond learning sites). We observed training and surveyed 169 TB health workers to measure changes in their confidence to deliver cessation. Routine TB data from the learning sites was analysed to assess delivery of the intervention and use of TB forms revised to report smoking status and cessation support provided. A purposive sample of TB health workers, managers and policymakers were interviewed (Bangladesh: n=12; Nepal n=13; Pakistan n=19;). Costs of scale-up were estimated using activity-based cost-analysis. Results: Routine data indicated health workers in learning sites asked all TB patients about tobacco use and offered them cessation support. Qualitative data showed use of intervention materials, often with adaptation and partial implementation in busy clinics. Short (1-2 hours) training integrated within existing programmes increased mean confidence to deliver cessation by 17% (95% CI: 14% to 20%). A focus on health system changes (reporting, training, supervision) facilitated vertical scale-up. Dissemination of materials beyond learning sites and changes to national reporting forms and training indicated horizontal scale-up. Embedding research within TB health systems was crucial for horizontal scale-up and required dynamic use of tactics e.g. alliance-building, engagement in wider policy process, use of insider-researchers, and deep understanding of health system actors and processes. Conclusions: System-level changes within TB programmes may enable routine delivery of cessation support to TB patients. These strategies are inexpensive and, with concerted efforts from TB programmes and donors, tobacco cessation can be institutionalised at-scale.
Background: Since the 1980s, autologous fat grafting has been one of the most widely used methods in plastic surgery to treat volume and contour problems. There are many advantages of autologous fat, i.e., it is cheap, biocompatible, and readily available autologous tissue in large quantities, minimal morbidity. Objective was to compare the outcomes of fat grafting combined with STSGs and STSGs alone in patients with chronic non-healing wounds presenting at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: It was a prospective cohort study carried out at the Department of plastic surgery, Civil hospital Karachi, Pakistan from 11th April to 12th October 2023. Patients aged 18–60 years with chronic non-healing wounds due to burn, trauma, or infection lasting at least six weeks were included. Group A received fat grafting followed by STSGs, while Group B received STSGs alone. Follow-up for both groups continued for 4–5 weeks, focusing on graft uptake and healing, with successful graft take defined as wound healing upon clinical examination. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 25. Results: Overall, the mean age of the patients was 36.47±8.57 years. In Group A, the median width was 8.00 cm, and in Group B, it was 7.00 cm, this difference was statistically significant (p=0.005). The proportion of healing in group A was significantly higher as compared to group B (66.7% vs 30%, (p=0.001). The odds of wound healing were 0.21 times lower in group B as compared to group A (95% CI=0.07 to 0.63). After adjusting for duration and width of wound, the odds of wound healing in group B remains significantly lower as compared to odds of wound healing in group A (OR=0.13, 95% CI=0.03 to 0.54). Conclusion: The combination of fat grafting with split-thickness skin grafts holds promising result for improved wound healing in patients with chronic non-healing wounds.
Background: No adherence to antiepileptic drugs is a considerable problem for epileptic suffered children and their families. Aim: To determine self-management and adherence to antiepileptic drugs among epileptic children. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Methodology: Present study conducted at Children Complex Hospital, Multan. Sample size was 105. Data was collected after taken the informed consent from the study participants. Institutional approval was taken. Data analyzed through latest version of SPSS 25, including mean, percentage and frequency. Results: Majority 6(81.9%) agreed that doctors/nurses fully explained seizures/epilepsy (diagnosis). Significant correlation was seen between gender and dependent variables (transportation available and medications) with p-value of less than 0.05. Conclusion: This study clearly showed that most patients were well aware about their diagnosis told by doctors and had a knowledge about consequences due to non-adherence with their treatment. Keywords: Adherence, Self-Assessment and Anti-Epileptic Drugs.
Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of belfast protocol in Flexion tendon injury of zone v through TAM scoring. Methodology: A prospective study will be directed to find out the outcome of Belfast protocol in flexor tendon injury in the premises of plastic surgery ward civil hospital Karachi, we were use non probability sampling technique to enlist the patient .we were systematized a well-designed questionnaire and through TAM scoring to measure the intervention outcome in term of functional ADL. Results: The results showed that there were 76% male and 24% female patients were affected. Most of the injury happened at work in 29% and at home 21% patients.44% patients were (21-30 ) years of age , 36% patients were (31-40) 4% of patients were (41-50) , 2% of patients were (51-60). TAM Score was observed that total 22 patients had excellent outcome (Score 100), 19 patients had good outcome (Score 75-99), 4 patients had fair outcome (score50-74 ) and only 5 patients had poor outcome. It was observed that treatment was effective in 45 patients because their TAM Score was >50 and in only 5 patients the treatment was ineffective because their TAM Score was <50. Conclusion: We concluded that belfast regime (early passive and active range of motion of fingers the rate of tendon adhesion and rupture rate was very low and gave good result , most commonly men was affected with the injury that’s 76% and commonly injury happened at work place by accident . There is no standard protocol and therapist must communicate with the surgeon and patients before selecting an appropriate therapy program.. Keywords : Rehabilitation ,Flexor injury , Zone V, Early mobilization ,Belfast technique.
Background: Scars are inevitable after effect of wound healing, a natural process that restores tissue integrity following injury, burns or surgery. They can be aesthetically displeasing and functionally impairing, depending on their location, size, and depth. Depending on the severity of the injury, scars can be hypertrophic, atrophic, or keloid. These variations can lead to pain, itching, contractures (limited movement), and psychological distress, impacting a patient's quality of life. Objective was to evaluate the efficacy of autologous fat grafting in improving the appearance and quality of scars, with a focus on patients presenting with facial scars due to burns, trauma, surgery or acne at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 patients of age 18 years to 60 years, irrespective of gender having facial scar because of burn, trauma, surgery or acne were included in the study. A comprehensive scar assessment was performed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) before treatment, and follow-up evaluations were conducted on the seventh day, at three months, and at six months post-fat grafting. Fat grafting was executed using a tumescent technique based on Klein's formula, with the aspirated fat injected into the subdermal plane of the scar. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. Results: The patient cohort had a mean age of 26.77 years, with a predominance of female participants (73.3%). Trauma was the most common cause of scars (50%), with the forehead being the most frequent location (36.67%). Significant improvements in scar quality were observed, with both patient and observer POSAS scores showing notable reductions from baseline to 6 months (p<0.05). All patients (100%) demonstrated an improvement in scar appearance. Conclusion: Fat grafting presents a promising treatment for improving the appearance and quality of facial scars.
'%3e%3cpath fill='%23012169' d='M0 0v30h60V0z'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23fff' stroke-width='6' d='m0 0 60 30m0-30L0 30'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23C8102E' stroke-width='4' d='m0 0 60 30m0-30L0 30' clip-path='url(%23b)'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23fff' stroke-width='10' d='M30 0v30M0 15h60'/%3e%3cpath stroke='%23C8102E' stroke-width='6' d='M30 0v30M0 15h60'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
'/%3e%3cpath fill='%23fff' d='m8.751-17.959 10.11 11.373L3.997-9.844l13.94-6.1-7.692 13.129z'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)
'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23b' transform='matrix(1 0 0 -1 0 549)'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)