Initial assessment of community midwives in rural Pakistan

The goal of this Population Council study, funded by USAID through the Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns (PAIMAN) project, was to assess the potential of community midwifery services in rural Pakistan in order to provide necessary evidence for future decisions regarding the training, practice, and placement of community midwives (CMWs). The introduction of a new cadre of skilled birth attendants is significant, especially at a time when Pakistan is working toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The report makes the following recommendations: 1) opportunities for practical training should be followed meticulously; 2) selection criteria should be revised especially for age and adherence to the requirement of being resident in the respective rural community; 3) uniformity of assessment must be ensured through the development of an assessment board; 4) the placement of CMWs must be linked with other program activities to facilitate referrals and promote health education; and 5) since supervision is a critical component for ensuring a high quality of services, standards should be developed for monitoring CMWs

Dual properties of Nigella Sativa: Anti-oxidant and Pro-oxidant

Nigella sativa [NS] or Black seed has been used for the treatment of various disorders for centuries. Experimentally, seed extract or thymoquinone [TQ] which is the main constituent of its oil has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic and anticancer properties. Interestingly, the published data demonstrates that NS acts as anti-oxidant in various diseases simultaneously it behaves like a pro-oxidant for cancer cells. Here, we have summarized the dual properties of this medicinal plant. Current review is systematic, based on search from PubMed. Pubmed data indicated that NS has both anti-oxidant and pro-oxidant properties in different cell types hence should be used carefully because it acts as a cytoprotective or cytotoxic agent in inflammatory and malignant conditions respectively

Effect of Peer Assessment on English Writing Mechanics and Writing Apprehension of Undergraduate Students

Writing as communicative skill plays significant role in human life. Writer can communicate well by incorporating writing mechanics properly. Writing apprehension hinders the writers to write what they want to communicate. An experimental study was conducted to find out the effect of peer assessment as an instructional technique on English writing mechanics and English writing apprehension of undergraduate students. Pre-and post-test control group experimental design was used to measure the effect of peer assessment. Researchers selected forty (40) undergraduate students randomly from a public sector associate college from district Lahore. The sample was divided into two equal groups. Peer assessment was used as intervention with the experimental group for 12 weeks. English writing mechanics were assessed through a test with three extended response items. English writing apprehension was measured through Likert type scale of English writing apprehension inventory. Data were analyzed by applying paired and independent samples t-test statistics. Findings reveal that peer assessment is effective to improve English writing mechanics and to reduce English writing apprehension of undergraduate students. Undergraduate level English teachers are recommended to use peer assessment as an instructional technique to improve students English writing mechanics and to reduce English writing apprehension

Assessing the potential acceptability of a new cadre of community midwives for pregnancy and delivery related care in rural Pakistan: Findings from a qualitative study

The Population Council designed an operations research study to assess the potential acceptability of a new cadre of community midwives (CMWs) for pregnancy and delivery-related care in rural Pakistan. Specific objectives of the study were to determine the need for skilled birth attendants, identify any misconceptions in the community about CMWs, determine levels of acceptance in the community, and explore barriers to the placement of CMWs in the community. The report recommends sensitizing family members so they are more willing to grant permission for pregnant women to consult CMWs, developing flexible fee structures, giving clients greater accessibility, building a network of resources, and establishing collaborative networks with local TBAs

Effect of micron (micronutrients) fertilizer on the growth and yield of Wheat variety Sarsabz

The Department of Chemistry Soil Section Agriculture Research Institute, Tando Jam, conducted an examination in order to find out how micron (micronutrient) fertilizer affected the growth and yield of the wheat variety Sarsabz. Three replicates of a Randomized Complete Block Design were used to investigate the effects of micron (micronutrients) fertilizer utilized at rates of 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1 having a plot size of 46 m x 44 m. The results of the study revealed that applying micronutrient fertilizer to crops significantly altered the crop’s parameters. The application of Micron (micronutrients) fertilizer applied at a rate of 150 kg ha-1, with proposed N (168) and P (84) doses, resulting in the maximum wheat plant height (101.73), more tillers plant-1 (9.73), spike length (13.7), more grain spike-1 (51.66), heavier seeds (39.3), and higher grain yield (3453.3 kg ha-1). Therefore the micro nutrient is essential for achieving maximum yield production and should be applied with recommended doses on the wheat crop, performed better results in soil conditions of Tando Jam

Assessing the feasibility of home administration of misoprostol in the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in rural Pakistan

This report details an operations research project carried out by the Population Council as part of the Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns. The overall goal of the project was to test the feasibility of administering misoprostol for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in a home setting through community‐based healthcare providers, including traditional birth attendants (TBAs), or family members, in two districts of Pakistan. Furthermore, it aimed to identify common side effects of misoprostol and determine the reduction in demand for referral due to PPH after oral ingestion of misoprostol. The results provide a useful addition to the literature on the feasibility of home‐based administration of misoprostol in the region, furthering the case for inclusion of the drug in the protocol for active management of the third stage of labor at the community level. Our study also dispels the notion that TBAs cannot contribute to lowering maternal mortality: by introducing a simple, low‐cost, easy‐to‐use technology, TBAs can play a role in reducing one of the largest single causes of maternal deaths

COVID-19: A Global Pandemic of 21st Century

In last of 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started monitoring the outbreak of a new corona virus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes the respiratory illness now known as COVID-19. Authorities first identified the virus in Wuhan, China. More than 82542 case of Corona virus in China at 31 March 2020. Health authorities have identified many other people with COVID-19 around the world. On 31 March 2020, the virus spread more than 750890 People in the World. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency relating to COVID-19. Since then, this strain has been diagnosed in several residents of world. The CDC have advised that it is likely to spread to more people. COVID-19 has affected at least 213 countries or territories or areas. The first people with COVID-19 had links to an animal and seafood market. This fact suggested that animals initially transmitted the virus to humans. However, people with a more recent diagnosis had no connections with or exposure to the market, confirming that humans can pass the virus to each other. Corona viruses will infect most people at some time during their lifetime. Corona viruses can mutate effectively, which makes them so contagious. Information on the virus is scarce at present. In the past, respiratory conditions that develop from corona viruses, such as SARS and MERS, have spread through close contacts. On 17 February 2020, the Director-General of the WHO presented at a media briefing the following updates on how often the symptoms of COVID-19.However, while some viruses are highly contagious, it is less clear how rapidly corona viruses will spread. Symptoms vary from person-to-person with COVID-19. It may produce few or no symptoms. However, it can also lead to severe illness and may be fatal. On 11 March 2020, WHO declared Novel Corona virus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak as a Pandemic. Keywords: WHO, ICMR, SARS-CoV-2, Bats, Wuhan City, Pneumonia, Respiratory Infection, Pandemi

Convergence rate for the hybrid iterative technique to explore the real root of nonlinear problems

This study explored the convergence rate of the hybrid numerical iterative technique (HNIT) for the solution of nonlinear problems (NLPs) of one variable ( f (x) = 0) . It is sightseen that convergence rate is two for the HNIT. By the HNIT, several algebraic and transcendental NLPs of one variable have been illustrated as an approximate real root for efficient performance. In many instances, HNIT is more vigorous and attractive than well-known conventional iterative techniques (CITs). The computational tool MATLAB has been used for the solution of iterative techniques

Comparison of Early vs. Late Tracheostomy in Subdural Hematoma Operated at GCS Six or Below

Objectives:To compare the outcomes of early tracheostomy vs. late tracheostomy in post-operative patients after acute subdural hematoma at receiving GCS (Glasgow comma scale) of six or below. Method:  A quasi observational study was conducted on 30 patients with acute subdural hematoma after RTA (road traffic accident) and were operated in The Department of Neurosurgery Unit 2, Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, LGH, Lahore. The age range was 20 – 65 years. All patients were operated upon within 12 hours of RTA. Results:  In Group A, 12 (40%) patients, decompressive craniectomy with the evacuation of acute subdural hematoma and early tracheostomy were performed. In Group B, 8 (26%) patients’ craniotomy and evacuation of acute subdural hematoma were done along with early tracheostomy. In 6(20%) patients, decompressive craniectomy and evacuation were done and their tracheostomies were done at the 10th post-operative day. In 4 (13.33%) patients’ craniotomy and evacuation of hematoma done and their tracheostomies were also done at 10th post-operative day. In Group A, on 5th postoperative day GCS of 16 (53.33%) patients with early tracheostomies and fewer comorbidities improved, they were extubated, while 2 (6.67%) patients did not improve and 2 (6.67%) patients died. In Group B, in 30 patients with late tracheostomies, only 4 (13.33%) patients were improved. On 10th post-op day, GCS of 4 (13.33%) patients improved, GCS of 3 (10%) patients not improved and 3 (10%) patients died. Conclusion:  Early tracheostomy in patients with acute subdural hematoma yields good results as compared to late tracheostomy

THE TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION AND THE DYNAMICS OF ISLAMIC DA'WAH

In Islamic teachings, the effort to carry out Islamic da'wah is an obligation, so that Islam is great because of the vital flow of da'wah. In this technological era, da'wah must be continued by exploiting technology. To complete this discussion, we have conducted a series of literature searches on many online publications, including book journals and websites. In order to obtain valid findings, a series of analyzes involving the tuning coding system and critical evaluation under phenomenology have been carried out. Finally, we believe that the findings include that all Muslims must become a preacher by having Islamic knowledge and skills in using technologically advanced da'wah facilities. Hopefully, this finding will complement the study of da'wah and the technological revolution in the future