METHODS: For this descriptive-analytical study, we recruited the mothers of one-year-old children attending primary health centers in Gonbad-e-Kavoos city, Iran. The data was collected using a questionnaire comprising the World Health Organization Domestic Violence, Ages and Stages Questionnaire-12; and queries related to the participants' socio-economic, obstetrics, demographic, and anthropometric characteristics. The body mass index z (BMI z) scores of the children were divided into five categories based on the World Health Organization's classification: severely underweight (z < -3), underweight (-3 ≤ z < -2), normal (-2 ≤ z < 1), overweight (1 ≤ z ≤ 2), and obese (z > 2). The data were subjected to descriptive analysis, chi-square test, and regression.
RESULTS: A total of 596 of mother-child dyads were included in this study. The prevalence of psychological, physical, and sexual IPV was 29.5%, 7.4%, and 2.4%, respectively. Most children (91.7%) had normal weight while the rest were overweight or obese. Developmental problems were reported in 1.7% of children. The education level of the father was significantly related to IPV (p =0.001) while the type of his occupation was related to delay in child growth (p =0.020). There was no significant difference between BMI z-score and developmental disabilities in the children of women exposed and not exposed to any type of IPV.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of psychological IPV was high while those of physical and sexual IPV were low. The rates of poor child growth and development were also low. The father's educational and socio-economic status influenced IPV and the children's growth deficits.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2012 in five private sector hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. A convenient sample of nurses (n=377) were enrolled in this study. Data was obtained through a previously validated questionnaire. Responses were statistically analyzed using SPSSv.17.
RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned giving a response rate of 63.6% of which 20 were unusable (n=240). Out of the remaining 220, 24.1% (n=53) responded that they never or rarely interacted with a pharmacist. Respondents who expect pharmacists to collaborate with nurses to solve drug related problems were 45% (n=99). Nurses' experience of pharmacists was not substantial as only 44.5% (n=98) respondents consider pharmacists as a reliable source of clinical drug information.
CONCLUSION: The role of pharmacists is not well appreciated among nurses in Pakistan. Hence, pharmacists must bridge the observed gap and use a more strategic and consistent approach to build a more positive image in line with other healthcare professionals and in providing patient-centred pharmaceutical care. This research would impress upon the pharmacists the need to redefine their role in the healthcare settings.
METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, patient blood samples that showed a positive peak in zone 2 of CE were selected. Hemoglobin and DNA of the samples were investigated to ascertain the presence and levels of non-deletional and deletional α thalassemia. The results were statistically analyzed.
RESULTS: Of the 137 samples investigated, 118 (86.1%) were positive for termination codon Hb CS mutation. Heterozygous Hb CS was found in 92 (67.2%), compound heterozygous Hb CS in 22 (16.1%), and homozygous Hb CS in four (2.9%) samples. The ranges of Hb CS level for heterozygous Hb CS, compound heterozygous Hb CS, and homozygous Hb CS were within 0.2-2.7%, 0.3-2.2%, and 4.5-5.5%, respectively. Significant hematological differences in the Hb level, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, red cell distribution width, red blood cell count, and Hb CS level were observed between heterozygous, homozygous, and compound heterozygous Hb CS.
CONCLUSIONS: In view of the overlapping prevalence range of Hb CS level for heterozygous and compound heterozygous Hb CS, only Hb CS level within the range 4.5-5.5% was helpful in the diagnosis of homozygous Hb CS.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study from July to October 2019 that included all patients with gout who attended the clinics. Data on clinical demographics and laboratory results were collected. Comparison between tophaceous and non-tophaceous groups was performed using descriptive analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 421 patients with gout were involved in this study, 83 (19.7%) patients had visible tophi and were categorized into the tophaceous group, while the other 338 (80.3%) patients were categorized into the non-tophaceous group. The majority of patients were male with a mean age of 57.6±12.8 years. Three factors found to be significantly associated with tophaceous gout were age at symptom onset [tophaceous (45.6±13.3 years) vs. non-tophaceous (49.7±13.9 years), p = 0.026], mean disease duration of gout [tophaceous (105.2±92.6 months) vs. non-tophaceous (77.6±88.6 months), p = 0.013], and baseline serum uric acid level [tophaceous (622.3±129.1 µmol/L) vs. non-tophaceous (582.6±102.3 µmol/L), p = 0.021].
CONCLUSIONS: Tophaceous gout is associated with longer disease duration, higher baseline serum uric acid level, and younger age at symptoms onset. Hence, early initiation of urate-lowering therapy with a treat-to-target approach is crucial to prevent tophi formation.
METHODS: R-hf risk score is derived from the product estimated glomerular filtration rate (mL/min), left ventricular ejection fraction (%), and hemoglobin levels (g/dL) divided by N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pg/mL). This was a multinational, multicenter, prospective registry of heart failure from seven countries in the Middle East. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was applied.
RESULTS: A total of 776 patients (mean age = 62.0±14.0 years, 62.4% males; mean left ventricular ejection fraction = 33.0±14.0%) were included. Of these, 459 (59.1%) presented with acute decompensated chronic heart failure. The R-hf risk score group (≤ 5) was marginally associated with a higher risk of all-cause cumulative mortality at three months (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.28; 95% CI: 0.90-20.30; p =0.067) and significantly at 12 months (aOR = 3.84; 95% CI: 1.23-12.00; p =0.021) when compared to those with the highest R score group (≥ 50).
CONCLUSIONS: Lower R-hf risk scores are associated with increased risk of all-cause cumulative mortality at three and 12 months.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 455 neonates between June and December 2020. Two milliliters of cord blood were analyzed with CareStart Biosensor 1 and dried cord blood spots with FST. Data was recorded and statistically analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated to determine the performance of FST at specific G6PD cut-off values; Cohen's kappa analysis assessed the agreement between the two methods.
RESULTS: The sensitivity of FST at 30% cut-off G6PD activity level was 91.0%, (95% CI: 57.0-100) and specificity of 97.0% (95% CI: 95.0-98.0). At 60% cut-off, the FST sensitivity sharply declined to 29.0% (95% CI: 19.0-40.0) with a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 98.0-100). The overall prevalence of G6PD deficiency was 5.1% as measured by FST and 17.8% by Biosensor 1 (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: In this study, FST missed a significant proportion of cases of intermediate G6PD levels. FST also misclassified several G6PD intermediate individuals as normal, rendering them susceptible to oxidative stress. Biosensor 1 reported a significantly higher prevalence of G6PD deficiency.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among diabetic patients attending 11 health clinics in the Terengganu region from June 2017 to November 2018. The selected participants were administered a tuberculin skin test (TST). Simple and multivariate logistic regressions were applied to evaluate the significant associated factors of LTBI.
RESULTS: The total number of participants were 703 DM patients. The factors found associated with LTBI were poor diabetic control status (odds ratio (OR) = 8.53; p=0.008), being a healthcare worker (OR = 7.91; p=0.001), history of contact with TB patients (OR = 5.69; p < 0.001), bronchial asthma (OR = 5.28; p=0.019), coronary heart disease (OR = 3.45; p=0.026), and nephropathy (OR = 0.34; p=0.040). The presence of LTBI was found in 34 (4.8%) participants.
CONCLUSIONS: At 4.8%, the prevalence of LTBI among DM patients in Terengganu is relatively low. Diabetics with poorly controlled blood glucose levels, nephropathy, bronchial asthma, coronary heart disease, history of TB patient contact, or working in the healthcare profession should be periodically tested for LTBI.
METHODS: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study involving older persons aged % 60 years. An interviewer-guided questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and physical assessments were administered to operationalize healthy aging based on a multidimensional concept.
RESULTS: Among the 765 older persons surveyed, only 14.1% (95% CI: 11.64?"16.59) were classified as healthy agers. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that superior intrinsic religiosity (odds ratio (OR) = 3.42; 95% CI: 1.34?"8.73), higher social interaction (OR = 2.82; 95% CI: 1.32?"6.04), larger calf circumference (OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.24?"3.38), taking water intake % 5 cups per day (OR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.23?"3.30), better gait speed (OR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.04?"2.80), having savings (OR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.10?"2.66), and normal waist circumference (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.04?"2.55) were found positively associated with healthy aging.
CONCLUSIONS: Only one in 10 older persons in the state met all the criteria for healthy aging. Specific aspects of religious status, social interaction, socioeconomic, behavioral, physical, and nutritional factors were found to predict healthy ageing in this population. These important determinants should be considered in developing a well-defined and comprehensive public health policy to promote healthy aging in the nation.
METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 40 patients with chronic knee OA who received GNB, 20 of whom underwent treatment with the USG technique and the other 20 with the ALG technique. Pain, stiffness, and functional limitation scores were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Questionnaire (WOMAC) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) at baseline and post-treatment day one, three weeks, and six weeks.
RESULTS: Both groups reported a significant reduction in WOMAC and NRS-11 scores as per their feedback on day one, three weeks, and six weeks post-treatment. Greater reductions in WOMAC and NRS-11 scores were reported by patients who received GNB via USG than by ALG technique, the difference achieving statistical significance at six weeks after treatment (p =0.026).
CONCLUSIONS: GNB administration using USG and ALG techniques are both effective in significantly reducing pain, stiffness, and functional limitation in patients suffering from chronic knee OA. Among the two techniques, USG appears to be more effective. Nevertheless, GNB guided by ALG continues to be a viable treatment modality, especially in healthcare settings with limited to no USG facilities.