God should give daughters to rich families only: attitudes towards childbearing among low-income women in Punjab, Pakistan

We evaluated perceptions and experiences of bearing sons and daughters among 42 women in Punjab, Pakistan, with special emphasis on son preference, changes in women's status within the marital family and resulting health effects. Data were collected through repeated, in-depth interviews in Urdu or Punjabi in an urban area in Lahore and a village 40 km. outside of Lahore. For triangulation purposes, four focus group discussions were performed with additional women, as well as in-depth interviews with eight mothers-in-law, three traditional practitioners and three medical practitioners. In general, these women felt that they had limited control over their lives, and this was exemplified by early marriages, high expectations on newly wed women to conceive and poor access to contraceptives. Women frequently expressed a strong preference for sons, mostly for economic reasons, reflecting women's subordinate position in society and the low economic value placed on women's work. Mothers of sons mainly discussed health problems during pregnancy and health effects of repeated childbearing. Mothers of daughters and women without children spoke of harassment in the family as well as in society. The results should be of importance in the public health planning in Pakistan as well as for those engaged in women's health issues internationally.Childbearing Pakistan Women Son preference Infertility

Images of health and health care options among low income women in Punjab, Pakistan

We studied women's beliefs and experiences of health and health care among 42 women in an urban slum area in Lahore and a village 40 km outside of Lahore. Data were collected through repeated, in-depth interviews in Urdu or Punjabi totalling 200 hours. For triangulation purposes, four focus group discussions with additional women were performed, as well as in-depth interviews with eight mothers-in-law, three traditional practitioners and three medical practitioners. The women's images of health reflected expectations on the women in society. Women from the village and women from the lowest socioeconomic stratum (SES) spoke of health in terms of physical strength; women from the city and women from low SES spoke of health in terms of mental strength; and women from medium SES discussed it in terms of cultural competence. Overall, health had a very low priority in these women's lives. Two health problems were reported by all women: mental tension leading to headache and white vaginal discharge leading to body pains and fatigue. These health problems were seen as part of womanhood; if treatment was sought, it was often from traditional healers. Village women had a flexible, pragmatic attitude toward health care resources and used all types until treated. Their relation to the doctor was specific; they were mostly concerned with the medical treatment. In contrast, city women chose health care providers depending on type of illness, and being met with respect was for them of equal concern. Childbearing experiences influenced the perceptions of health and health care. Mothers of daughters were seen to both need and deserve less food, health care and attention. These mothers were less vocal about health complaints. Women without children spoke of health in terms of physical strength. These women may have less access to health care because children cannot be used as an "excuse", and because they are not worth spending resources on.women health health care reproduction Pakistan

Adsorption and Photocatalytic Properties of Tris(4-aminophenyl)amine-based Polyimide/Graphitic Carbon Nitride Composites for Organic Dye Removal

Adsorption and degradation of harmful organic molecules in aqueous wastewater streams is a considerable challenge, and materials featuring both properties are highly sought after. Tris(4-aminophenyl)amine-based polyimide (TP) is well-known for its significant adsorption properties, yet it features limited photocatalytic performance. To overcome this limitation, graphitic carbon nitride (CN) is combined with TP to form TPCN composites in order to improve the adsorption and photocatalytic properties for the degradation of organic molecules. Characterization of TPCN composites via UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) showed improved charge separation, slow recombination of electron–hole pairs, and enhanced light absorption. Subsequent analysis of rhodamine B adsorption and photodegradation showed high activity of the composite material (99% degradation under visible light in 40 min), indicating the favorable interaction of both components. Therefore, TPCN composites might be an avenue for the application of organic industrial pollutant removal