To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its associated risk factors in urban population.The cross-sectional study was carried out at four union councils of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from May to September 2014, and comprised members of the general public.A questionnaire was administered to obtain information about demographic characteristics and risk factors. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were obtained from the participants. Venous blood samples were taken for measuring glycated haemoglobin. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis.Of the 404 participants, 181(44.8%) were men and 223(55.2%) were women. The overall mean age was 42.3±13 years. Overall prevalence of diabetes was 133(32.9%) and that of pre-diabetes was 151(37.4%). The prevalence of diabetes was 203(50.3%) in 50-65 years age group and 143(35.4%) among obese subjects. Diabetes was significantly associated with increasing age (35-49 years (p<0.05); 50-65 years (p<0.01), positive parental (p<0.05) and sibling (p<0.05) history of diabetes, hypertension (p<0.01) and central obesity (p<0.05).The prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes was very high. Prevalence increased with increasing age and body mass index. Major independent risk factors were increasing age, central obesity, and family history of diabetes and hypertension.
Background: The ongoing global pandemic of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection has created unrest and fear among frontline healthcare workers worldwide. Objective: To investigate the mental health status of medical staff working in the COVID-19 outbreak, and to compare anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic distress syndrome among healthcare workers dealing directly and indirectly with confirmed COVID-19 patients.Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out in seven tertiary care hospitals as designated COVID-19 centers, between July and September 2020 with a response rate of 76.3%. The study population comprised of medical staff working in COVID-19 dedicated tertiary care hospitals managing COVID-19 patients. Mental health assessment was done by using GAD-7, ISI-7, and IES-R-22 standardized scales to evaluate depression, anxiety, insomnia, and distress among healthcare workers.Results: 458 healthcare workers participated in the study, 254 (55.5%) males and 204 (44.5%) females with a mean age of 31.98±7.18 years. Study participants were divided into two groups based on their interaction with confirmed cases of COVID-19. More number of healthcare workers directly dealing with COVID-19 patients (Group A) were at risk of developing anxiety (GAD score ≥10) with crude odds of 3.16 (adjusted OR=3.40, 95% CI 2.1 – 5.7, p<0.001) as compared to those indirectly or not dealing with COVID-19 patients (Group B). Similarly, Group A was more likely to suffer from insomnia (ISI score ≥15) and post-traumatic distress syndrome (IMS-R score ≥33) with crude odds of 2.88 (adjusted OR=2.14, 95% CI 1.2 – 3.8, p<0.001) and 3.36 (adjusted OR=3.2, 95% CI 2.0 – 5.3, p<0.001) respectively.Conclusion: A significant number of healthcare workers were found to be suffering from mental health illnesses during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Objective: To estimate the direct cost and its determinants in type2 diabetic patients visiting outpatient department of
private tertiary care hospitals.
Study Design: A descriptive cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This research was carried out in the diabetic outpatient department of Shifa international
hospital and Ali medical Centre from 15 November 2014 to 15 February 2014.
Materials and Methods: The descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 108 diabetic patients (male 52%, female
54 %). By employing simple random sampling technique the data was collected from patients having diabetes from at least
5 years, with age limit between 30 to 80 years, with or without having complications through pretested interview
administered questionnaire. The structured questionnaire was used for collecting data. SPSS 20.0 was used for data
analysis. The percentages and frequencies were drawn in order to draw the results.
Results: The results showed that the average direct cost spent by a patient was 7704 PKR per month. More than half
(66.7%) of the study subjects have suffered from diabetes since 5‐10years. A larger group of respondents (50%) was
treating diabetes with oral hypoglycemic.
Medication, consultation, and lab investigation charges were the main determinants of diabetic cost. Per month
medication charges were 3997 PKR, followed by lab investigation charges of 2441PKR per visit and consultation cost was
1298 PKR. Most of the patients (86.1%) were having one complication due to diabetes. The cost of treatment increased
with the increasing age and morbidities.
Conclusion: Diabetes is very expensive disease to manage. The affluent charges of managing diabetes and its day by day
increased cases will put tremendous burden on the society.
Coronavirus pandemic is affecting the whole world. The number of cases have been sharply increased in Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan have taken multiple measures in order to control the epidemic. National actionplanhasbeendesignedtotackletheoutbreak.Smartlockdownwasimposedinmanydistricts. Thirty- five tertiary hospitals were declared treatment centers for the corona virus patients, 2942 isolation beds were specified and 57 quarantine facilities were provided in 139 districts of Pakistan. Diagnostic facilities all across the country took up to forty-six thousand test per day. Massive public awareness campaigns regarding prevention were introduced. All these timely measures resulted in remarkable control of coronavirus cases. The purpose of this short communication is to review the healthcare measures taken at national level to combat against the pandemic.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to estimate prevalence of domestic violence and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending the Federal General Hospital Islamabad.
Study design:
Descriptive cross sectional study.
Place and duration of study:
This research was conducted out in the Federal General Hospital Islamabad from May 2014 to October 2014.
Material and Methods:
A descriptive cross sectional survey was carried out on 150 pregnant women by employing systematic sampling. Pregnant women without any serious medical complication were selected for study. Standardized, pretested, domestic violence questionnaire based on PDHS 2012-2013 was used to assess domestic violence during pregnancy. A SPSS version 16.0 was used for data entry and analysis. Descriptive analysis of all categorical variables in form of frequencies and percentages along with binary logistic regression was applied.
Results:
Overall, (24.3%) women experienced one form of abuse, answering yes to at least one of the five domestic violence questions.
This study demonstrates the educational level of pregnant women; income, parity, year since married and women empowerment were significantly (p
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