Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 452 in total

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  1. Siddiqui A, Ahmed A, Tanveer M, Saqlain M, Kow CS, Hasan SS
    Vaccine, 2021 08 31;39(37):5251-5253.
    PMID: 34364719 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.07.072
    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  2. Siddiqua, A.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: The purpose of the present study was to identify reverse culture shock among returnee high school students. Methods: It was an observational study conducted at an International High School of Islamabad, Pakistan on overseas-experienced returnee Pakistani students. A 15 statements questionnaire was used to measure reverse culture shock. Results: Mean index score on survey questionnaire was 4 indicative that these returnees were experiencing high reverse culture shock. Conclusion: For being feeling different in own cultural set up the returnees usually suffer from reverse culture shock and develop personal problems associated with it.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  3. Shukar S, Zahoor F, Omer S, Awan SE, Yang C, Fang Y
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Dec 06;19(23).
    PMID: 36498446 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316373
    This study aimed to examine the current situation of anti-cancer drug shortages in Pakistan, namely its determinants, impacts, adopted mitigation strategies, and proposed solutions. Qualitative semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 pharmacists in oncology hospitals in Pakistan from August to October 2021. Data were collected in person and online, recorded, and subjected to inductive thematic analysis after being transcribed verbatim. Most participants experienced anti-cancer drug shortages that increased during the pandemic. Etoposide, paclitaxel, vincristine, dacarbazine, and methotrexate were frequently short. Important causes included the compromised role of regulatory authorities, lack of local production, and inventory mismanagement. The impacts were delayed/suboptimal treatment and out-of-pocket costs for patients, patients' prioritization, increased workload, negative work environment, and patients' trust issues for pharmacists. The participants proposed that a cautious regulator's role is needed to revise policies for all stakeholders and support all stakeholders financially at their level to increase access to these medicines. Based on the outcomes, it is clear that anti-cancer medicine shortages are a current issue in Pakistan. Governmental authorities need to play a role in revising policies for all levels of the drug supply chain and promoting local production of these drugs. Stakeholders should also collaborate and manage inventory.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  4. Shrestha N, Shad MY, Ulvi O, Khan MH, Karamehic-Muratovic A, Nguyen UDT, et al.
    One Health, 2020 Dec 20;11:100180.
    PMID: 33072836 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2020.100180
    Globalization has altered the way we live and earn a livelihood. Consequently, trade and travel have been recognized as significant determinants of the spread of disease. Additionally, the rise in urbanization and the closer integration of the world economy have facilitated global interconnectedness. Therefore, globalization has emerged as an essential mechanism of disease transmission. This paper aims to examine the potential impact of COVID-19 on globalization and global health in terms of mobility, trade, travel, and countries most impacted. The effect of globalization were operationalized in terms of mobility, economy, and healthcare systems. The mobility of individuals and its magnitude was assessed using airline and seaport trade data and travel information. The economic impact was measured based on the workforce, event cancellations, food and agriculture, academic institutions, and supply chain. The healthcare capacity was assessed by considering healthcare system indicators and preparedness of countries. Utilizing a technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), we calculated a pandemic vulnerability index (PVI) by creating a quantitative measure of the potential global health. The pandemic has placed an unprecedented burden on the world economy, healthcare, and globalization through travel, events cancellation, employment workforce, food chain, academia, and healthcare capacity. Based on PVI results, certain countries were more vulnerable than others. In Africa, more vulnerable countries included South Africa and Egypt; in Europe, they were Russia, Germany, and Italy; in Asia and Oceania, they were India, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey; and for the Americas, they were Brazil, USA, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. The impact on mobility, economy, and healthcare systems has only started to manifest. The findings of this study may help in the planning and implementation of strategies at the country level to help ease this emerging burden.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  5. Shivji Z, Jabeen A, Awan S, Khan S
    J Neurosci Rural Pract, 2019 4 20;10(2):178-184.
    PMID: 31001002 DOI: 10.4103/jnrp.jnrp_370_18
    Introduction: Most neurophysiology departments around the world establish their own normative data. However, ethnic differences are not taken into account. Our aim was to establish normal nerve conduction studies (NCS) data for routinely tested nerves in individuals of Pakistani (South Asian) origin and to compare with Western published data.

    Materials and Methods: One hundred healthy adults' nerves were assessed, using standardized techniques. Individuals were grouped into age groups. Gender differences were assessed.

    Results: Of the 100 volunteers, 49 were female and 51 were male. Their mean age was 39.8 years. Findings showed statistically significant prolongation of median distal motor latency (DML) and F-wave latency with age and reduction of median, ulnar, and sural sensory amplitudes as age increased. Gender differences showed consistent difference in the normal values for median, ulnar, and peroneal DMLs and respective F-wave latencies, which were significantly shorter in females. Sensory amplitudes of tested upper extremity nerves were significantly lower in males. Comparing with available data, our findings are similar to the Saudi population but significantly different from the American and multiethnic Malaysian populations. Pakistani individuals generally have significantly higher amplitudes and faster conduction velocities with similarities to South Asian studies.

    Conclusions: We recommend normative NCS parameters for commonly tested nerves for the Pakistani population, using standardized techniques to ensure highest quality testing and outcomes.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  6. Shehzad A, Bashir MJK, Horttanainen M, Manttari M, Havukainen J, Abbas G
    Environ Technol, 2018 Jul;39(14):1841-1850.
    PMID: 28595513 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2017.1340350
    The present study explores the potential of MSW gasification for exergy analysis and has been recently given a premier attention in a region like Pakistan where the urbanization is rapidly growing and resources are few. The plant capacity was set at 50 MW based on reference data available and the total exergetic efficiency was recorded to be 31.5 MW. The largest irreversibility distribution appears in the gasifier followed by methanation unit and CO2 capture. The effect of process temperature, equivalence ratio and MSW moisture content was explored for inspecting the variations in syngas composition, lower heating value, carbon conversion efficiency and cold gas efficiency. Special attention of the paper is paid to the comparative assessment of MSW gasification products in four regions, namely Pakistan, USA, UAE and Thailand. This extended study gave an insight into the spectrum of socioeconomic conditions with varying MSW compositions in order to explain the effect of MSW composition variance on the gasification products.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  7. Sharif F, Mahmood F, Azhar MJ, Asif A, Zahid M, Muhammad N, et al.
    J Pak Med Assoc, 2019 May;69(5):632-639.
    PMID: 31105281
    OBJECTIVE: To compare the occurrence, distribution and management of clefts of lip and palate in local patients with the available data from India and China.

    METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at the Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised data related to a three-month period from January to March 2015 at two medical centres in Lahore. Data from Pakistani centres was analysed based on province, gender, age and clefts of lip and palate conditions and Spearman's correlation matrix.

    RESULTS: Of the 1574 cases, 1061(67.4%) were from Punjab, 361(23%) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 85(5%) Sindh and 67(4.2%) were from Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The incidence of clefts of lip and palate was higher in males than females. There was higher awareness of the need for timely management in new borns with clefts of lip and palate. Some patients seeking secondary treatment were also being surgically corrected. There is no national registry of children born with cleft defect, making it difficult to assess the full scale of the problem..

    CONCLUSIONS: Based on available data, it is likely that there are many adults who have not been treated when younger..

    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan/epidemiology
  8. Shakeel S, Rehman H, Hassali MA, Hashmi F
    J Infect Dev Ctries, 2020 Oct 31;14(10):1117-1124.
    PMID: 33175705 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.12714
    INTRODUCTION: With the increase in the incidence rate of COVID-19, healthcare professionals (HCPs) being at the frontline of the outbreak response are at higher risk of getting exposure and suffering from the infection. The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and precautionary practices of HCPs towards COVID-19.

    METHODOLOGY: The current study was a descriptive, cross-sectional, online study directed to the HCPs working in a metropolitan city of Karachi, during February 2020 and March 2020 using a self-administered questionnaire. A systematic random sampling approach was adopted.

    RESULTS: A total of 286 completed surveys were incorporated in the investigation with a response rate of 74.28%. The median (interquartile range, IQR) knowledge score was 18.79 (17.64-19.57). Physicians were found to be more knowledgeable (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 0.17-4.26, p = 0.003) as compared to other HCPs. Similarly, the HCPs working in private work settings (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.54-2.79, p=0.001), having more experience (OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.64-2.78; p < 0.005) were found to be more well-informed than HCPs working in public sector (OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.63-0.72; p = 0.004). The correlation between the knowledge and attitude of respondents was found to be significantly correlated (correlation coefficient: 0.13, p < 0.005).

    CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study revealed that HCPs were well conversant and have an optimistic attitude towards COVID-19. Further contemplates are required to evaluate the understanding of HCPs at a national level so that viable mediations could be planned to combat this pandemic.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  9. Shakeel S, Nesar S, Rahim N, Iffat W, Ahmed HF, Rizvi M, et al.
    J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2017 Oct-Dec;9(4):266-271.
    PMID: 29456378 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_327_16
    Aims: Despite an increased popularity of print and electronic media applications, there is a paucity of data reflecting doctors' opinions regarding efficient utilization of these resources for the betterment of public health. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the perception of physicians toward the effect of electronic and print media on the health status of patients.
    Setting and Design: The current research is a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2015 to July 2015. The study population comprised physicians rendering their services in different hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan, selected by the nonprobability convenience sampling technique. In this study, 500 questionnaires were distributed through email or direct correspondence.
    Methods and Materials: Physicians' perception toward the impact of electronic and print media on the health status of patients was assessed with a 20-item questionnaire. Different demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, institution, position, and experience of respondents, were recorded. Quantitative data were analyzed with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 20.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL). The association of the demographic characteristics of the responses of physicians was determined by one-way ANOVA using 0.05 level of significance.
    Results: In this study, 254 physicians provided consent to show their responses for research purposes. A response rate of 50.8% was obtained. Nearly one-third of the respondents negated that patients get health benefit using electronic and print media. The majority did not consider electronic and print media as lifestyle-modifying factors. Physicians thought that patients particularly do not rely on mass media for acquiring health information and consider healthcare professionals as unswerving information resource.
    Conclusions: Mass media can be productive resources to augment awareness among patients, although physicians seem unconvinced about the extended usage of print/electronic media.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  10. Shahzad MI, Ashraf H, Aslam A, Parveen S, Kamran Z, Naz N, et al.
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2019 Nov;32(6):2751-2756.
    PMID: 31969311
    Avian influenza or bird flu is a common problem of domestic and wild birds. Some of its strains are able to cross the species barrier and cause infection in various members of class Mammalia. In view of relatively lesser efficacy of vaccines, antiviral therapies remain the only choice for the sustenance of mammals acquiring this highly devastating infection. This study is based on the evaluation of antiviral potential of methanol extracts of eleven selected Cholistani plants. The methanol extracts were prepared by using dried plants material followed by concentrating in a rotary evaporator and finally air dried before dissolving in nanopure water. The suspension was filter sterilized and subjected to in ovo antiviral assays. The allantoic fluids were harvested and haemagglutinin (HA) titers were determined. Among the eleven plants evaluated all methanol extracts were found effective against AIV H9N2 except S. baryosma extract. The medicinal plants O. compressa, N. procumbens, and S. surattense were found to be more effective than others and they retained HA titers at 0 after challenge. The next in order were extracts of O. esculentum, H. salicornicum and S. fruticosa which kept HA titers at 4, 8 and 16 respectively. The extracts of H. recurvum, P. antidotale, S. icolados and A. aspera were found less effective than above mentioned plant extracts and they kept the HA titers at 32, 64, 128 and 256 respectively. These results led us to conclude that the medicinal plants of Cholistan region are a rich source of antiviral agent(s) against AIV H9N2 and could be a source of cost effective alternate therapeutics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  11. Shahzad MI, Anwar S, Ashraf H, Manzoor A, Naseer M, Rani U, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Dec 01;37(4):1129-1140.
    PMID: 33612765 DOI: 10.47665/tb.37.4.1129
    Herbal medicines are becoming more popular and acceptable day by day due to their effectiveness, limited side effects, and cost-effectiveness. Cholistani plants are reported as a rich source of antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, and anticancer agents. The current study has evaluated antiviral potential of selected Cholistani plants. The whole plants were collected, ground and used in extract formation with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. All the extracts were concentrated by using a rotary evaporator and concentrate was finally dissolved in an appropriate vol of the same solvent. All of the extracts were tested for their antiviral potential by using 9-11 days old chick embryonated eggs. Each extract was tested against the Avian Influenza virus H9N2 strain (AIV), New Castle Disease virus Lasoota strain (NDV), Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and an Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Hemagglutination test (HA) and Indirect Hemagglutination (IHA) tests were performed for different viruses. The overall order of the antiviral potential of Cholistani plants against viruses was NDV>IBV>IBDV>AIV. In terms of antiviral activity from extracts, the order of activity was n-butanol>ethyl acetate>n-hexane. The medicinal plants Achyranthes aspera, Neuroda procumbens, Panicum antidotale, Ochthochloa compressa and Suaeda fruticose were very effective against all four poultry viruses through their extracts. The low IC50 values of these extracts confirm the high antiviral potential against these viruses. It is worth to mention that Achyranthes aspera was found positive against IBDV through all its extracts which overcome the problem of unavailability of any known drug against IBDV. In short, the study proved that Cholistani plants are rich source of antiviral agent and their extracts can be used as good source of antiviral drugs both in crude and in purified form.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  12. Shahzad HB, Awais F, Kazmi F, Arshad AI, Manzar S, Rashid S, et al.
    Int J Adolesc Med Health, 2023 Jun 01;35(3):283-290.
    PMID: 37145020 DOI: 10.1515/ijamh-2023-0032
    OBJECTIVES: Most research has focused on determining how popularity and peer pressure impact behaviours, rather than identifying a key feature such as dental aesthetics and studying its impacts in relation to popularity and peer pressure.

    METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on a sample of 527 children from four schools located in Lahore, Pakistan. A 14-point questionnaire was developed, using existing measures of peer pressure, and popularity. The selected questions were modified to investigate the issues of dental aesthetics and integrated into the WHO oral health questionnaire for children.

    RESULTS: More than 50 % of the participants indicated popularity issues regarding dental aesthetics. 63.5 % of the responses indicated an influence of relatives and friends, whereas 38 % responses reported of harassment and bullying at schools. Regression analysis shows that the females were 1.99 times more likely to get comments from relative or friends about their teeth and 2.17 times more likely to be bullied or harassed at school due to their teeth when compared to the males. Fathers with a higher education brought about higher popularity and peer pressure issues. Mothers with a higher education were less likely to cause popularity and peer pressure issues than mothers with a lower education. Popularity and peer pressure were both significantly related to higher dental visitation.

    CONCLUSIONS: Popularity and peer pressure have a direct link to dental aesthetics in an individual and are impacted by gender, family relatives and parental influences. The area of popularity and peer pressure related to dental aesthetics can be targeted in health education programs to empower children to adopt better oral health behaviours.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan/epidemiology
  13. Shahid F, Alam MK, Khamis MF
    Eur J Dent, 2016 4 21;10(2):176-182.
    PMID: 27095892 DOI: 10.4103/1305-7456.178299
    OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment planning are essential in a successful orthodontic practice. The purpose of this study is to determine and compare intermaxillary tooth size discrepancy (IMTSD) using traditional digital caliper (DC) measurement on plaster dental models and stereomicroscopic digital dental models (SM).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The samples were randomly selected from different states of Pakistan. Total 7168 variables were measured on plaster dental casts (128) and SM digital dental models (128) according to the selection criteria. For IMTSD, the 6 variable measured as for anterior tooth size (maxilla, mandibular), overall tooth size (maxilla, mandibular), Bolton's anterior ratios (BAR), and Bolton's overall ratios (BOR). The independent t-test and ANOVA were used for statistical analyses.

    RESULTS: Significant sexual disparities in the sum of anterior tooth size and overall tooth size via DC and SM methods. No significant sexual disparities for BAR and BOR. No statistically significant differences were found in BAR and BOR between DC and SM. No significant differences were found on IMTSD ratio among different arch length and arch perimeters groups.

    CONCLUSIONS: Norms were developed based on DC and SM for IMTSD. Sexual disparities were observed in the sum of teeth size. However, no significant differences in BAR and BOR for IMTSD between the two methods.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  14. Shah S, Abbas G, Chauhdary Z, Aslam A, Rehman AU, Khurram H, et al.
    J Am Coll Health, 2022;70(8):2499-2504.
    PMID: 33513316 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1865984
    Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of students regarding the use of antibiotics in Punjab, Pakistan. Participants: 525 medical and non-medical students from Punjab in Pakistan. Methods: The t-test and ANOVA were used to compare the average response of respondents. Chi-square test was used to measure the association of different elements. Results: The mean age was 20.78 ± 2.10%. About 14% of the students agreed about the appropriateness of antibiotics for viral infections, and 15% of students said they stopped taking the drugs when symptoms subsided. 65.7% of students took antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor and 54% bought antibiotics without prescription. Statistically significant results were found among the students who had heard about the antibiotic resistance (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  15. Sattar MU, Palaniappan S, Lokman A, Shah N, Riaz Z, Khalid U
    J Pak Med Assoc, 2021 Jul;71(7):1730-1735.
    PMID: 34410236 DOI: 10.5455/JPMA.22992
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of design parameters on the user experience of virtual reality medical training.

    Methods: The quantitative study was conducted at Punjab (Pakistan) from July 2018 to October 2018, and comprised final year students from eight medical colleges in Pakistan. Each respondent was given to experience laparoscopy operation in text, video and virtual reality-based learning methodologies. User experience and usefulness was assessed against a pre-validated scale and compared with the three learning methodologies.

    RESULTS: Of the 87, students, 50(57.5%) were male and 37(42.5%) were female. The overall mean age was 22.5±4 years. Result of virtual reality was better than others (p<0.05). Data was analysed using SPSS 20.

    CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality-based learning provided better user experience than traditional learning methodologies.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  16. Sattar MU, Palaniappan S, Lokman A, Hassan A, Shah N, Riaz Z
    Pak J Med Sci, 2019;35(3):852-857.
    PMID: 31258607 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.35.3.44
    Objectives: To determine the need of contemporary immersive approaches (Virtual Reality) in teaching and training at medical sector. The main objective of this study was to explore the effects of text, video and immersive technologies learning methodologies for participants' learning in public and private medical colleges and universities of Pakistan.

    Methods: In this quantitative research 87 medical students of 4th year from three public and five private medical colleges and universities participated. A laparoscopy operation was selected in consultation with senior medical consultants for this experiment. The experimental material was arranged in virtual reality, video and text based learning. At completion of each of which, participants completed a questionnaire about learning motivation and learning competency through the different mediums.

    Results: Statistical t-test was selected for the analysis of this study. By comparing the mean values of virtual reality, video, and text based learning methodologies in medical academics; result of virtual reality is at top of others. All performed model are statistically significant (P=0.000) and results can be applied at all population.

    Conclusion: Through this research, we contribute to medical students learning methodologies. In medical studies, both theoretical and practical expertise has a vital role, while repetition of hands-on practice can improve young doctors' professional competency. Virtual reality was found best for medical students in both learning motivation and learning competency. Medical students and educationist may select virtual reality as new learning methodology for curriculum learning.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  17. Sarwar A, Khan J, Muhammad L, Mubarak N, Jaafar M
    J Nurs Manag, 2021 Jan 04.
    PMID: 33394539 DOI: 10.1111/jonm.13241
    AIM(S): This paper investigated the impact of organisational dehumanization on nurses' deviant behaviours in the Pakistani health sector directly and indirectly through job stress. The study also examined the moderation role of occupational self-efficacy on the relationship between organisational dehumanization and job stress.

    BACKGROUND: While the attitudinal outcomes of organisational dehumanization have been a focus of research, its behavioural outcomes are a relatively ignored research area.

    METHOD: Data were collected from 295 nurses working in hospitals across Pakistan via self-administered questionnaires with two measurement points to test the direct and indirect effects of organisational dehumanization.

    RESULTS: The hypothesized relationships were tested with SPSS 25 and the Process Macro Model 7. The results showed that organisational dehumanization increased deviant behaviours among nurses directly and indirectly via job stress. Moreover, occupational self-efficacy plays moderation role and weakens the relationship between organisational dehumanization and job stress.

    CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the existing literature by concentrating on predictors that trigger deviant behaviour among nurses. It also assessed the mediating impact of job stress, an essential endeavour for researchers and practitioners.

    IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The study outcomes can help the health sector improve their strategies to address organisational dehumanization and deviant behaviour among nurses.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  18. Sarfraz M, Sajid S, Ashraf MA
    Saudi J Biol Sci, 2016 Nov;23(6):761-766.
    PMID: 27872574
    In diabetes mellitus dyslipidemia is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In type 2 diabetes mellitus early detection and treatment of dyslipidemia can avoid risk for cardiovascular disorder. The present study was carried to determine the prevalence and pattern of hyperlipidemia in patients with hyperglycemia. The cross sectional study was done in different laboratories of Pakistan, the laboratories served patients referred from different government and private hospitals between July 2014 and June 2015. All known cases of diabetes mellitus were evaluated for their lipid profile. Totally 200 diabetic patients were included in the study in which 120 (60%) were males and 80 (40%) were females. Prevalence of dyslipidemia among diabetic males was 97.18% while for females 87.15%. Among dyslipidemic male the proportion with mixed dyslipidemic patients was 17.5%, combined two parameters dyslipidemia was 47.5% and isolated single parameter dyslipidemia was 35%. In females these proportions in mixed, combined two parameters and isolated single parameter were 16.25%, 51.25% and 32.5%, respectively. Majority of hyperglycemic patients were dyslipidemic. The most prevalent pattern among male was combined dyslipidemia with high triglycerides (TG) and low High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and in female it was high Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and low HDL. The most prevalent lipid abnormality in our study was low HDL followed by high TG.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
  19. Saqlain M, Ahmed A, Nabi I, Gulzar A, Naz S, Munir MM, et al.
    Front Public Health, 2021;9:629015.
    PMID: 34026708 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.629015
    Objectives: Effective mitigation of coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) pandemic requires true adoption of precautionary measures by the masses, that primarily depends upon their knowledge and practices behaviors. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge; practices of Pakistani residents regarding COVID-19 and factors associated with adequate knowledge and positive practices. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 15-April 2020 to 20 May 2020 among 689 Pakistanis by using a validated self-administered questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha 0.77). The questionnaire included questions on the assessment of demographics, the source of information, knowledge, and practice of COVID-19 on google forms and shared links with the WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages and other online platforms. Regression analysis was applied to find potential predictors of knowledge and practices. Results: Of 689 participants, 431 (62.6%) were male, 64.3% (n = 443) were aged <30 years, and\328 (47.6%) of participants were married. 48.19% (n = 332) had adequate knowledge; 81% (n = 555) had positive practices regarding COVID-19 and majority (66.62%, n = 459) seek knowledge from social media. Knowledge was significantly higher (OR > 1.00, p < 0.05) among educated and higher income participants. Positive practices were significantly (OR > 1.00, p < 0.05) related to the older age (≥50 years), higher education, higher income and good knowledge regarding COVID-19. Conclusion: The study concluded that Pakistani residents had average knowledge and good practices toward COVID-19 yet there are gaps in specific aspects of knowledge, and practice that should be focused in future awareness and educational campaigns. The study recommends the ministry of health authorities to promote all precautionary and preventive measures of COVID-19-consisting of a better-organized approach to all strata of society: less privileged people, older ones and less educated people, in order to have equilibrium of knowledge about COVID-19; hence effective implementation of precautionary measures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan/epidemiology
  20. Sandipan Gupta
    Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:1217-1222.
    Sperata aor is a freshwater catfish of Bagridae family which is distributed throughout Indian subcontinent including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar. It is a popular food fish due to its good taste and high nutritional value. Recently it has also made its entry in domestic ornamental fish markets of India and has been reported to have moderate export price too. Earlier, few works on different aspects of its morphology and biology have been carried out but no consolidated review is available on these aspects. Therefore, the current work was done to sum up all available information on these aspects to fill the information gap that will be beneficial to its future fishery. Considering all available information, knowledge on food and feeding habit of this fish species is satisfactory, except detail information on spatial variation of its breeding periodicity, proper information on other aspects are still lacking. No work has been conducted to examine its captive culture potential or for induced breeding. Further work should be done to explore its future fishery.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pakistan
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