Unveiling the Dynamics of Religion and Social Cohesion in Kabul: Perspectives from Kabul University Academics

This study delves into the complex relationship between religion and social solidarity among professors at Kabul University, aiming to uncover the factors influencing community cohesion within the academic environment. Employing a mixed-methods approach, documentary research and field surveys were conducted to gather data. The primary instrument, a structured questionnaire, captured personal demographics and assessed respondents' perspectives on various dimensions of religion. Through expert consultations and pilot testing, questionnaire validity and reliability were ensured. Descriptive analysis revealed significant correlations between social cohesion and dimensions of religious beliefs, norms, rituals, and individual religiosity. Furthermore, regression analysis unveiled noteworthy findings: religiosity positively influenced social cohesion, with a significant coefficient (B = 0.422, p < 0.05), while norms derived from religious teachings exhibited a non-significant effect (B = 0.072, p > 0.05) on social behavior. Additionally, ethnic diversity within the university community had varying impacts on social solidarity, with significant coefficients for Tajik and Hazara ethnic groups. These findings shed light on the intricate interplay between religion, ethnicity, and social cohesion within academic settings, offering valuable insights for policymakers, community leaders, and scholars seeking to foster inclusivity and collective well-being in diverse urban contexts

Rural Healthcare Infrastructural Disparities in India: a Critical Analysis of Availability and Accessibility

Health and well being of human resource plays an important role in the economic as well as social development of the country. To ensure better health of the people an adequate healthcare infrastructure is of primary importance. Inadequate infrastructure generally leads to poor quality of health services which is positively dangerous to health and welfare of the community at large. About 68% of India’s population still lives in rural areas, yet healthcare infrastructures in these areas are in pathetic condition. There are very few government health centers and even those are devoid of most of the medical facilities and personnel’s. Although the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), launched in 2005 has made significant progress in the healthcare infrastructure (mainly in physical infrastructure) in rural areas and has impacted the lives of rural masses to some extent but it has simultaneously failed to bring desired results because of lack of implementation. So the accessibility and availability of health facilities as well as delivery of quality services in the rural areas deserve considerable attention from planners, researchers and healthcare workers. In this context, the present paper critically examines and evaluates the disparities in availability as well as accessibility of health infrastructure in rural areas of India

Corrosion trends of Ti based Shape Memory Alloys having biomedical applications: A perspective study

Ti-based shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been investigated as materials for medical devices and as a biomaterial that can be implanted in a living system as an alternative of any part. The behavior of such materials is evaluated by its activity, corrosion resistance, stability and compatibility with the living body. The direction of this paper is to deliver a brief description of the trends of corrosion in these materials. Titanium (Ti) shows satisfactory resistance to corrosion in natural and acidic environment but it has a trend toward corrosion in reducing acids. The shape memory alloys based on Ti are much favorable corrosion resistant materials to use in reducing acids. Normally human body fluid is analogous to a solution of about 0.9% NaCl which has a pH value 7.4. During surgery this value can be changed, with an increase of 7.8 and then dropping it to 5.5. Later some days the standard pH value of 7.4 can be re-gained. To evaluate corrosion rate of Ti based shape memory alloys in human body fluid, 0.9% NaCl solution was used as a medium. The basics of the shape memory material i.e. the mechanisms for shape memory, the shape memory effect and characterization of the evaluation of corrosion in systems based on Ti shape memory alloy is also reviewed in this article

Organ Donation: Demand and Supply

With its widening indications, the need for organ transplantation is growing globally. Currently, there is a crisis of organ shortage and a dire need to adopt ways and means to overcome it to save lives and improve the quality of life of patients with end-stage organ failure. In this regard, on the one hand, efforts should be made to eliminate the barriers to organ donation, such as people’s ignorance about organ donation and ethical and religious concerns. On the other hand, strategies should be implemented to enhance organ donation, which in the case of deceased donors, include accelerating the donation process, instituting a policy of presumed or mandated consent, and utilizing extended criteria for donors. In the case of living donors, these include accepting the paired donation and removing disincentives to donation. Organ donation can also be boosted by allowing restricted compensation or reward. Using social media platforms to educate people, facilitate contacts, and match with unspecified donors is also worthwhile. In the future, xenotransplantation is also showing some promise

Nexus between energy pricing and carbon emission. A policy mix response of developing economies

The study utilised a data set of South Asian countries of energy pricing (E.P.), carbon emission, and policy mix between 1990 and 2020. A comprehensive set of models from econometric such as fixed effect (F.E.), and panel quantile regression (P.Q.R.) is used to determine the relationship between underline indicators. Furthermore, the T.O.P.S.I.S. method from operational research was applied to determine the efficiency level of these factors in the South Asian region. E.P. and carbon emission are contributing positively to the process of household consumption (H.C.). In the policy mix scenario, H.C. is positively associated with inflation while negatively with the tax rate. Furthermore, the outcomes of the T.O.P.S.I.S. indicate that Bhutan is performing efficiently in the said parameters followed by Pakistan, while India’s performance is not impressive in this regard. This study can be helpful to policymakers for effective energy demand planning, conservation, and frame policies that would ensure sustainable H.C. and serve as motivation to search for alternative energy sources to meet the growing energy demand

Knowledge attitude and practice of obstetricians and gynaecologists towards appropriate surgical antibiotic prophylaxis prescribing in obstetric and gynaecological surgery in Kuwait : a national cross-sectional survey

Background: Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) plays a vital role in obstetric and gynaecological (OB/GYN) surgery to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs). Despite the availability of evidence-based guidelines, studies have highlighted inadequate awareness and suboptimal adherence to these guidelines. However, the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of OB/GYN surgeons regarding SAP are unknown in Kuwait. Objectives: This study assessed the overall baseline KAP of gynaecologists and obstetricians to appropriate surgical antibiotic prophylaxis. Methods: Design: A national cross-sectional survey among OB/GYN specialists, with various distributions from July 9th to October 10th, 2023. Setting: All public (n=5) and private hospitals (n=21) in Kuwait. Participants: OB/GYN surgeons at a variety of grades in both public and private hospitals. Data Collection: A validated 46-item standardised self-administered KAP questionnaire, in both hard copy and electronic format via Qualtrics. Outcome measures: The primary outcomes were KAP among OB/GYN surgeons based on the American OB/GYN guideline (ACOG), with categorisation using modified Blooms cut-off points. Results: A total of 89 respondents (response rate: 11.6%) completed the survey, with the majority being female (57.3%, n=51). Most participants were from the public sector (78.7%, n=70), predominantly registrars or specialists (60.1%, n=54). The majority were trained in the Middle East (mainly Egypt and Kuwait) (78.8%, n=70). A significant proportion of participants were unaware of international guidelines (55%, n=49), although 60.7% (n=54) were familiar with local guidelines. Knowledge gaps were evident, particularly regarding SAP indications for different surgery types and appropriate timing and duration. Attitude and practice scores tended toward neutrality attitude and basic practice, with a notable consensus on the necessity for national SAP guidelines in Kuwait and staff education. Conclusions: This survey revealed insufficient knowledge and neutral attitudes and practices among respondents regarding appropriate SAP. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational initiatives to enhance SAP prescribing practice and guideline adherence in Kuwait's healthcare settings. Further research and development of educational interventions are warranted to bridge these knowledge gaps and improve SAP practices effectively

A national point prevalence survey to assess surgical antibiotic prophylaxis duration and timing in obstetrics and gynaecological surgery in Kuwait

Background: Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) is prescribed to reduce the prevalence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in obstetrics and gynaecological (OB/GYN) surgery. Global guidelines recommend SAP administration within 60 minutes of the start of surgery as a single dose, but SAP practices in Kuwait for OB/GYN surgeries remain uncertain. Objectives: This study assessed the duration and timing of SAP in OB/GYN surgery in Kuwait. Methods: Design: A national multi-centre point prevalence survey (PPS) followed the Global Point Prevalence Survey (GPPS) protocol. Setting: All public hospitals (n=5) and in 4 selected private hospitals in Kuwait from December 2022 to March 2023.Participants: All OB/GYN surgical patients admitted to wards who received at least one dose of SAP within 24 hours of the start of surgery were included. Data Collection: Data were collected by inspecting patient files and medication charts in each ward, with each ward's survey completed on the same day. Outcome Measures: The primary outcomes were SAP duration and timing in Kuwait. The secondary objective included comparing SAP practices between public and private hospitals. Results: Of 233 surgical patients who received SAP, 163 (68.5%) patients received multiple doses of SAP for over 24 hours, with a median duration of 3 days (IQR=2-7 days). IV antibiotics were administered for a median of 2 days (IQR = 1-3 days), while oral prophylaxis lasted for 5 days (IQR =5-7days). The public sector hospitals had a median of 2 days (IQR = 1-3 days), while the private sector had 7 days (IQR = 6-8) (Z=-8.84, p-value < 0.001, r=-0.57). For timing, 139 of the 233 patients (59.6%) received SAP before surgery, with only 98 patients (42.1%) doses administered within 1 hour. Meanwhile, 54 patients (23.2%) received SAP during surgery, and 40 patients (17.2%) received SAP post-surgery. In the public sector, 84 of 155 patients (54.2%) received SAP before surgery, with 63 patients (40.6%) within 1 hour before the procedure. In the private sector, 55 (70.5%) of 78 patients received SAP before surgery, with 35 (44.8%) receiving it within 1 hour. The odds of receiving SAP within 1 hour of surgery were significantly lower in public hospitals compared to private (OR= 0.257, 95%CI=0.092-0.716, p=0.009). There was a statistically significant association between SAP timing and hospital type (χ² = 18.05, df = 5, p < 0.003, Cramer’s V=0.28). Conclusions: This study reveals a concerning level of inappropriate prescribing of SAP in Kuwait for OB/GYN surgery in terms of prolonged duration and inappropriate timing. Improved adherence to SAP protocols is crucial to enhance patient safety, reduce SSIs, mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and optimise healthcare practices in OB/GYN surgery in Kuwait

Prevalence and patterns of antibiotic prophylaxis in Kuwaiti obstetric and gynaecological surgery : a national point prevalence survey

Background: Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) is prescribed to reduce the prevalence of surgical site infections (SSIs) and is recommended in obstetrics and gynaecological (OB/GYN) surgery such as caesarean section. International guidelines for OB/GYN surgery advocate the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics for specific surgery to minimise the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, to mitigate the cost and escalation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, the utilisation of SAP and its prevalence in Kuwait's OB/GYN departments have not been established. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and describe the use of SAP in Kuwait in OB/GYN surgery at a national level. Methods: Design: A multi-centre point prevalence study guided by the Global point prevalence survey (GPPS) protocol. Setting: five public and four selected private hospitals in Kuwait between December 2022 and March 2023. Participants: All OB/GYN surgical patients admitted during this period were surveyed for SAP usage in the 24 hours prior to surgery. Data collection: Each patient file was checked for SAP. Each ward was surveyed once, and each hospital was completed within 3 weeks. Outcome measure: The primary outcome measure was the prevalence of SAP in OB/GYN surgical patients, both eligible and non-eligible. The secondary outcomes included the quality of SAP prescribing and the frequency of specific antibiotics prescribed. Results: Of 238 OB/GYN surgical patients, 233 (97.9%) were prescribed SAP. Among them, 215 (90.3%) were eligible for SAP, with 213 (99.1%) receiving SAP, while 23 (9.7%) were non-eligible, with 20 (87%) receiving SAP. A total of 521 antibiotics were prescribed, with the majority (n=490, 94.0%) prescribed to eligible patients. The most commonly prescribed SAP was metronidazole (n=156, 29.9%), cefuroxime (n=123, 23.7%), ceftriaxone (n=97, 18.5%) and co-amoxiclav (n=50, 9.5%). The majority of SAP were prescribed post-operation (n=301, 57.8%), often as ceftriaxone and metronidazole combination (n=69, 29.6%) or cefuroxime and metronidazole (n=52, 22.3%). Conclusions: The survey showed an extensive reliance on SAP in OB/GYN operations in Kuwait, with a notable overuse in non-eligible patients and a poor quality of prescribing shown by prescribing extended broad-spectrum antibiotics in combination post-operation. These findings highlight the need for robust antimicrobial stewardship programs and policy development to limit unnecessary antibiotic use, thereby enhancing surgical outcomes, controlling AMR growth, and reducing costs

Influence of design parameters on the performance of a refractive index sensor based on SPR in plastic optical fibers

We report a refractive-index sensor based on surface plasmon resonance in etched plastic optical-fibers. Impact of fiber residual thickness and sensing length on the sensor's sensitivity is experimentally investigated