A comparative study of life satisfaction and psychological stress levels among male and female allied health college students

Gender differences in psychological disorders have distinct gender profiles, with males more susceptible to aggressive behavior, hypertension, and substance abuse and females more prone to depression and anxiety. Likewise, stress responses among both genders vary physiologically and psychologically, which could lead to complications in many ways. Therefore, this study aimed to determine gender differences in life satisfaction and psychological stress levels among allied health college students. Using a purposive sampling technique, a comparative cross-sectional study recruited 190 male and 190 female students. The self-administered questionnaire included questions related to sociodemographics and two validated scales, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Descriptive statistics were calculated for the study variables, and the students' locality was compared by gender using the chi-square test. Moreover, other sociodemographics, PSS, and SWLS scores were compared by gender using the Mann‒Whitney U test, and the chi-square test was used to determine gender differences in the outcomes of SWLS. The study results showed that the PSS and SWLS scores were higher among female students than their male counterparts, which were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Furthermore, female students were more satisfied with their life than male students, which was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). Our study highlights that female first-year allied health students are more likely to encounter psychological stress, despite being more satisfied with their lives than male students. Therefore, establishing a student support committee within the allied health faculty or university is recommended to provide counseling and guidance in healthy ways to cope with psychological stress for both male and female students

Knowledge about the health risks of cigarette smoking in young adult smokers and nonsmokers university students: a comparative cross-sectional study

Tobacco use and related exposure in Pakistan are responsible for approximately 110,000 deaths. While previous studies have reported improved knowledge about the health risks of cigarette smoking among the general population due to ongoing tobacco control programs, fewer studies have investigated such knowledge in young adults. Thus, we conducted a comparative cross-sectional study of 220 young adult students aged 22 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 2) enrolled at a public university to assess their knowledge of the health risks of cigarette smoking and to compare this knowledge between smokers and nonsmokers. The self-administered semistructured questionnaire collected sociodemographic data, cigarette smoking status, and knowledge about the health risks of cigarette smoking. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and the Mann‒Whitney U test. Overall, most young adults were nonsmokers (69.09%), and the remaining 30.91% of smokers smoked an average of 5.31 ± 2.40 cigarettes daily for 3.80 ± 1.33 years, primarily in rural areas (p < 0.05). Nearly half of the young adults showed good knowledge of the health risks of cigarette smoking, irrespective of smoking status (smokers = 54.41%, nonsmokers = 53.29%). Conversely, few young adults demonstrated poor knowledge (smokers = 10.29%, nonsmokers = 6.58%) about the health hazards of cigarette smoking. Our findings showed that smoking rates were higher among young adults in rural settings than in urban areas. In addition, knowledge of gender-specific health risks associated with cigarette smoking, such as pregnancy-related complications in female smokers and male impotence in male smokers, was low. Nonetheless, almost half of the young adults displayed good knowledge of most of the potential health risks of cigarette smoking, regardless of their smoking status

Effects of mattress firmness and usage duration on low back pain: a hospital-based study from Lahore

Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent global health issue that causes significant discomfort and disability. Previous research highlights the crucial role of mattress quality, particularly firmness and usage duration, in LBP management. This study aimed to examine sociodemographic and mattress usage characteristics, assessing LBP severity, comparing pain across different mattress firmness levels, and analyzing the correlation between mattress usage duration and LBP severity. This exploratory study was conducted at Hussain Memorial Hospital, Lahore, over two months in 2023. Using the purposive sampling method, this study recruited 130 male and female patients, aged 18 to 60 years, diagnosed with mechanical back pain through a positive Kemp test and who have been using the same mattress for over a year. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire that incorporated the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI). Analysis was performed using SPSS 25.00, with significance set at p-value ≤ 0.05. Most of the patients reported moderate disability (78.46%) and preferred medium mattress firmness (29.23%), with an average mattress usage of 7.18 ± 3.49 years. Kruskal‒Wallis tests revealed significant differences in LBP severity across mattress firmness levels (p < 0.001), with medium firmness associated with less pain. A positive correlation was found between mattress use duration and LBP severity, with r = 0.250 (p = 0.004). This study established a link between mattress firmness and LBP severity, with medium firmness potentially offering optimal relief. Additionally, a correlation exists between extended mattress usage and heightened LBP symptoms, suggesting that the age of a mattress may aggravate LBP. These insights highlight the importance of selecting a mattress by carefully considering both its firmness and usage duration as key factors in effective LBP management

Indigenous men's perspectives on long-acting reversible contraceptives: a qualitative study of relationship dynamics and infidelity fears

Annually, approximately 74 million women worldwide face unintended pregnancies, which are particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), notably Africa. Effective contraception is crucial for mitigating the substantial risks to maternal and child health posed by unintended pregnancies. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) play a pivotal role in addressing these risks by facilitating pregnancy spacing and reducing maternal mortality rates. However, challenges persist in their global adoption, particularly in regions such as Uganda, where inadequate male partner support contributes to low usage rates, thereby exacerbating the associated health risks. The objective of this study was to examine how women's use of LARCs affects relationship stability and fears of infidelity among rural Ugandan men in Nyamweru subcounty, Rubanda District, to develop strategies for increasing LARC use. This qualitative study focused on understanding the perspectives of indigenous Bakiga men in the Nyamweru subcounty, Rubanda, Uganda, regarding LARCs. Fifteen participants were purposefully selected from areas characterized by low LARC usage, high fertility rates, and elevated maternal mortality. In-depth focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with men aged 20 – 49 aimed to explore their perceptions of and beliefs about LARCs. Data saturation guided sample size determination to ensure comprehensive exploration of the perceptions. Analysis revealed prevalent misconceptions among indigenous Bakiga men regarding LARCs, including beliefs that their use makes women more attractive to other men and increases the likelihood of extramarital affairs and relationship breakups. These misconceptions reflect men's insecurities about their partners' contraceptive choices. Dispelling misconceptions and addressing insecurities surrounding LARCs among indigenous men are essential for improving the support and acceptability of LARCs by women. Tailored interventions, such as behavior change communication, proper health education, and counseling on LARCs, are crucial for fostering acceptance among men and advancing reproductive health outcomes

Surgical fixation versus conservative management for rib fractures caused by blunt chest trauma: a comparative study

Rib fractures are a frequent consequence of blunt chest trauma and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in cases of flail chest or multiple displaced fractures. While conservative management remains the traditional approach, surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRFs) has gained increasing attention for its potential to improve outcomes. This prospective comparative cohort study, conducted between April 2018 and August 2023, compared the effectiveness of SSRF with that of nonoperative management. A total of 114 patients with respiratory compromise from unstable rib fractures were enrolled, 57 of whom underwent SSRF via custom-made titanium plates and screws (Group A) and 57 of whom received conservative treatment (Group B). Baseline demographics and associated injuries were comparable between the groups, although flail chest was more common in the surgical cohort (40.4% vs. 19.3%, p = 0.012). By discharge, patients in the SSRF group reported significantly lower pain scores (3.6 vs. 7.5, p < 0.001) and demonstrated superior pulmonary function at follow-up (FEV₁ at 3 months: 2.84 ± 0.40 L vs. 2.06 ± 0.36 L, p < 0.001). Oxygen dependence was shorter in the surgical group (2.5 ± 0.7 vs. 5.1 ± 0.8 days, p < 0.001), and fewer patients required ventilatory support (12.3% vs. 29.8%, p = 0.022). Among ventilated patients, 50% in the SSRF group were weaned within 3 days, whereas none were weaned in the conservative group (p < 0.001). The length of hospital stay was nearly halved with surgery (4.4 ± 1.5 vs. 9.4 ± 2.3 days, p < 0.001). Mortality was lower in the surgical group (5.3% vs. 15.8%), although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.062). Importantly, return-to-work rates at one month were markedly higher following SSRF (59.6% vs. 16.2%, p < 0.001). Compared with conservative management, SSRF offers significant benefits in terms of pain control, respiratory recovery, and functional outcomes. These findings support broader adoption of SSRF, particularly in patients with flail chest or multiple displaced rib fractures, and highlight the feasibility of custom-made implants in resource-limited settings

Pharmaceutical industry and academia linkage in Pakistan: a prevalent challenge

The pharmaceutical industry and academia together play a pivotal role in addressing drug-associated issues, formulation, and processing errors. Therefore, the waste of expensive therapeutic moieties and problems such as batch failure during pharmaceutical dosage form production processes can easily be overcome. This partnership can also reduce the economic burden at the patient’s end. Understanding that trust is a prime factor in establishing strong linkages between the pharmaceutical industry and academia is pertinent. However, before making such commitments, organizations must revisit their capacities. Academia should focus on updating and improving the existing curriculum by including subjects with practical significance, such as biotechnology, rheology, particle processing, formulation technologies, and material sciences, to promote problem-based learning among students