Use of Mobile Phone by Rural Women in Their Daily Activities: A Systematic Review

Abstract Purpose: This study analyze the literature on the use of mobile phone by the rural women, the challenges they are being faced, the opportunities connected with this usage and mobile phone supports by the rural women in their daily Activities. Method: A systematic review was used following the PRISMA guidelines. Three major scholarly databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus and HEC digital library Summon search were used to find the relevant material. Finally, 20 articles have been selected fulfilling the inclusion criteria for this study. Findings: The findings revealed that Access and use of Mobile Phones by Rural Women, Mobile Phone Supports Rural women in their daily Activities, Challenges and opportunities of Mobile Phone are categories in this study to better understand of access and use of mobile phones in their daily activities. They want to play games, listen to music, and connect with family members on their phones. Additionally, people feel closer to their loved ones and friends when they use their phones. The difficulties faced by rural women primarily fall into these broad areas. Lack of access to technology, digital gap, poor network coverage, language barrier, slow internet speed, lack of confidence, lack of connectivity, lack of electricity, lack of education, lack of training for handling mass media, lack of communication, lack of family support, lack of free time, social and cultural challenges, domestic issues. Implications: The practical and decision making described that Women in rural areas have access to and use mobile phones in their daily activities. In a male-dominated society in developing nations, there are numerous barriers that prohibit women from using mobile phones. Mobile phones can play an important role in empowering rural poor women to campaign for and demand a higher priority for themselves by enhancing access to information that can help them make better decisions

Effects of letrozole alone or letrozole in combination with low-dose intramuscular injection of human menopausal gonadotropin on ovulation and pregnancy of 150 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Objective of the study was to explore the effects of letrozole (LE) in combination with low-dose intramuscular injection of human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) on the ovulation induction and pregnancy of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Methods: The study comprised of 150 couples who were randomly divided into two groups of 75 each. Group “A” received letrozole (LE) in a dose of 2.5 mg to 5mg /d. LE was started orally starting on 3rd to 5th day of menstrual cycle for 5 consecutive days. Group “B” received letrozole in a dose of 2.5 to 5 mg/day starting on the 3rd to 5th day of menstrual cycle for 5 consecutive days. Starting from the day of oral administration of letrozole, 75 IU HMG was injected intramuscularly on alternate days for 5 consecutive doses. The ovulation induction parameters and pregnancy outcomes were observed.Results: The Group A (LE group) had the most completed cycle (310 cycles), 157 (52.3%) of which had ovulation. The Group B (LE+HMG) group completed the fewest cycles (258 cycles), with 168 (65.1%) of them ovulating. This difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). On HCG injection day, both the endometrial thickness (11.5±1.2) and number of mature follicles (2.1±1.3) of the Group B were significantly higher than those of Group A (P<0.001), but the follicle diameters were similar (P>0.05) The pregnancy rate of the Group B was 54.7%, which was significantly higher than that of the Group A (29.3 %) (P<0.05) The average medication cycle of the Group B group was significantly shorter than that of the Group A (P<0.05).Conclusions: The regimen using LE in combination with low-dose intramuscular injection of HMG has satisfactory therapeutic effects on ovulation induction, short medication cycle and high clinical pregnancy rate, which is promising for treating patients with PCOS infertility

A study of outcome of caesarean myomectomy in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Uterine leiomyoma (i.e. fibroid or myoma) are benign clonal tumours arising from the muscle cell of the uterus .Uterine myomas are the commonest tumour over the age of 30 years and seen in 2% pregnant women. The impact of uterine myomas on pregnancy depends on the size, number and location of myoma. Myomectomy is a surgery to remove one or more fibroids. Recently, it has been suggested that caesarean myomectomy is a safe surgical modality if is performed in carefully selected patients. The aim of the study was to assess the safety and feasibility of performing myomectomy during caesarean section.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Postgraduate Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics for a period of one and a half year in Government Lalla Ded Hospital – an associated hospital of Government Medical College, Srinagar which is the sole tertiary care referral centre in the valley.Results: A total of 54 patients were taken for caesarean myomectomy. Majority of the patients were in the age group of 26-30years and were of para-1 or 2. Mean blood loss was ≤500 ml during surgery. Most common intraoperative complication was haemorrhage and post-operative complication was fever.Conclusions: From the present study, it is concluded that with the advent of better anaesthesia and availability of blood, caesarean myomectomy is no longer a dreaded job in the hands of an experienced surgeon and in a well-equipped tertiary institution

Molecular Epidemiology of Bovine Babesiosis in Punjab, Pakistan

Background: Babesiosis is endemic in Pakistan and is one of the most important bovine diseases that causes huge economic losses and high mortality in young animals. This disease is transmitted by a protozoan parasite babesia which belongs to genus Babesia (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida: Babesiidae). This disease is very much prevalent in summers followed by rainy season because humid environment is favorable for the growth of these parasites. An epidemiological and molecular study was conducted to unveil the prevalence and associated risk factors of Babesia bigemina (B. bigemina) and Babesia bovis (B. bovis) in selected districts i.e., Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh and Jhang of Punjab, Pakistan.Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 518 (Cattle = 360, Buffalo = 158) blood samples were collected. The samples were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR (n-PCR) targeting apocytochrome b-genes (CYTb). Chi-square test for univariate analysis was used to analyze the data. The overall prevalence in summer based upon microscopic analysis was 20.55% (37/180) and 13.92% (11/79) in cattle and buffaloes respectively and in winter was 8.80% (16/180), 5.06% (4/79)) in cattle and buffaloes respectively. The samples were further analyzed through conventional PCR (c-PCR) and nested PCR (nPCR). The overall results of conventional PCR in summer showed that 72 cows and buffaloes were infected with babesiosis. The conventional PCR based results of summer showed that prevalence of babesiosis was 29.44% (53/180) in cows and 24.05% (19/79) buffaloes. The results of cPCR during the winter season showed that 12.77% (23/180) and 13.92% (11/79) buffaloes were positive for babesiosis. The overall results of conventional PCR in winter showed that 34/259 cows and buffaloes were infected with babesiosis. On the other hand, the nested PCR results of summer season showed that the prevalence of babesiosis in cows was 32.22% (58/180) and 29.11% (23/79) in buffaloes. In total, 81 cows and buffaloes were infected with babesiosis during summer season. The nPCR results of winter showed that 15% (27/180) cows and 20.25% (16/79) buffaloes were infected with babesiosis. In total, 43 cows and buffaloes were infected with babesiosis. The results have shown that sensitivity of n-PCR is more as compared to conventional PCR. This study is the first molecular evidence of B. bigemina and B. bovis and its associated risk factors in Punjab province, Pakistan.Discussion: Dairy sector in Pakistan is one of the fastest growing sectors. Despite of remarkable growth, dairy industry is facing many problems one of them is tick borne diseases (TBDs). TBDs are more prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas of the world and leads to huge economic losses to dairy industry in terms of decreased milk, meat and wool production. Babesiosis is characterized by increased fever, decreased production, poor quality wool, anemia, hemoglobinuria, paleness of mucous membrane. The risk factors analysis of summer and winter data revealed that, adult animals were more prone to babesiosis (24.00%) [P = 0.032] and (8.50%) [P = 0.048]. In both seasons (summer and winter), females were more infected with babesiosis (20.19% and 8.17%) [P = 0.049 and P =0.021] as compared to males, high prevalence in females was might be due to that females were reared for longer period of time. Babesiosis was more occurred in non-cemented floor system (26.01% and 13.51%) [P = 0.028 and P = 0.044] in summer and winter, respectively. Disease was found more prevalent in closed housing system in summer and winter (27.27% and 10.93%) [P = 0.043 and P = 0.034] as compared to open housing. Weak animals were more infected with babesiosis (30.84%) [P = 0.045] and (12.80%) [P = 0.042] in summer and winter, as compared to healthy ones. The animals with high tick infestations were more suffered with babesia infection (25.49% and 13.34%) [P = 0.036 and P = 0.003] in both seasons as compared to less tick burden. Keywords: apocytochrome gene, babesiosis, bovine, nPCR, PCR, season

Comparative analysis of non-descent vaginal hysterectomy versus total abdominal hysterectomy in benign uterine disorders

Background: Hysterectomy is the most common operation performed by gynecologist, next to caesarean section. Currently, there are three main types of hysterectomy operations in practice for benign diseases-Abdominal hysterectomy (AH), vaginal hysterectomy (VH) and Laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH). Vaginal route for non-descent uterus is an acceptable method of hysterectomy. The objective of present study was to compare the operating time, intraoperative and postoperative complications between VH and TAH in non-descent uterus.Methods: The study was conducted in the Postgraduate department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics for a period of 18 months between April 2013 to October 2014 in the Government Lalla Ded Hospital - an associated hospital of Government Medical College, Srinagar; which is the sole tertiary care referral centre in the valley.Results: Over the study period 100 patients were taken, 50 patients underwent non-descent vaginal hysterectomy and labelled as group A and 50 patients were under went total abdominal hysterectomy and labelled as group B. It was seen that intraoperative complications and postoperative complications were less in group A patients and operating time is also less with group A patients when compared with group B patients.Conclusions: From the present study, it was concluded that NDVH is associated with less blood loss during surgery, quicker recovery, and early mobilization, less operative and less postoperative morbidity when compared to TAH. NDVH is a less invasive technique with shorter hospital stay and faster convalescence

Study of amniotic fluid and its co-relation with pregnancy outcome in high risk pregnancies

Background: Amniotic fluid is an important part of pregnancy sac and helps in fetal development. There is a consistent association between low AFI and conditions like pregnancy induced hypertension, postdated pregnancy and IUGR resulting in poor fetal outcome. In fact, high risk patients with low amniotic fluid index need to deliver quickly. So, an assessment of amniotic fluid volume has become an important component of antenatal testing for the high risk pregnancy. The objective was to study the correlation between Amniotic fluid index less than 5 cm (AFI˂5) and adverse perinatal outcome in high risk pregnancies.Methods: It was a hospital based prospective, comparative study. 150 high risk patients were selected from inpatient department of obstetrics and Gynecology Government Medical College Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India over a period of one and half year. High risk pregnancies belonging to study group with AFI˂5 were demographically matched with high risk pregnancies with AFI >5 serving as comparison group. Perinatal outcome, rate of caesarean section and early intervention need were compared between the two groups.Results: 77.3% women in study group underwent caesarean section as compared to 28% in control group to prevent adverse perinatal outcome. 60% babies in study group had APGAR score less than 6 at 1 minute compared to only 8% in control group. 61.4% babies in study group needed NICU admission compared to 10.7% in study group.Conclusions: AFI is predictor of adverse outcome for high risk pregnancies. The early recognition alerts an obstetrician to prevent perinatal catastrophe if timely intervention is done along with antepartum and intrapartum fetal monitoring

Relationship of insulin resistance with recurrent pregnancy loss

Background: The recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as two and more failed pregnancies as documented by ultrasound and histopathological examination and suggested some assessment after each loss with a thorough evaluation after three or more losses. RPL is one of the most frustrating and difficult areas in reproductive medicine because the aetiology is often unknown and there are few evidence based diagnostic and treatment strategies.Methods: 150 Non pregnant females were taken as both cases and controls in the study. All the pregnancy losses were documented by ultrasound or histological examination after uterine curettage. The control group consisted of women with no RPL with at least one live birth. These two groups were matched on the basis of age and BMI. All the women underwent following examinations, viz. Hysterosalpingography, karyotype of both partners, serum TSH, FT4, prolactin and antibodies for APLA. In addition blood sample were taken for fasting serum glucose and serum insulin level later insulin resistance was calculate using three parameters Fasting insulin > 20IU/ml. Diagnostic of Insulin Resistance. (2) Fasting glucose / Fasting insulin. A ratio of 4.5 being diagnostic of insulin resistance.Results: 150 patients were enrolled in this study among which 75 were selected as cases and 75 as controls after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria with mean age cases group was28.4+2.37 years and 29.1+2.70 years in control group mean miscarriage rate in study group was 3.17+83 and control group with 0.35+0.48 with statistically significant difference. Mean fasting glucose (96.5+ 7.86) mg/dl, Fasting Insulin (14.1±5.91) IU/ml. Mean Glucose Insulin ratio (8.1±3.39), HOMA-IR (3.4 ±1.51) in the study group and in control group mean fasting glucose was (87.1+11.49) mg/dl, Fasting Insulin (6.9 ± 4.99) IU/ml. Mean Glucose Insulin ratio (17.8 ±11.44), HOMA-IR (1.5 ±1.27) respectively with statistically significant difference.Conclusions: In women with recurrent pregnancy loss fasting insulin and insulin resistance are higher than those in women without spontaneous abortion. The most sensitive parameter for calculating insulin resistance was found to be fasting insulin followed by HOMA – IR and followed by fasting glucose/fasting insulin ratio. It is therefore important to recommend a fasting insulin and fasting glucose level while evaluating a case of recurrent pregnancy loss to assess for insulin resistance

Response surface optimization of gamma radiation-induced variation in functional quality of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome flour at various particle sizes

The cumulative effect of particle size (PS), gamma radiation dose (GRD), and suspension period (SP) on the functional quality of N. nucifera rhizome flour was optimized. A tri-factorial central composite design was constructed at five levels of each of PS, GRD, and SP. The N. nucifera rhizome flour at the selected particle sizes (50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 μm) was subjected to gamma irradiation at the selected levels of GRD (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 kGy) followed by the analysis of its functional properties at different levels of SP (6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 h). The response-surface analysis showed a statistically significant linear positive effect of PS on the water absorption capacity (WAC) and swelling capacity (SC) and a linear negative effect on protein solubility index (PSI) ( p=0.000-0.028). The GRD showed a significant linear positive effect on oil absorption capacity (OAC) and PSI while a linear negative effect on WAC and SC (p=0.000-0.008). The PS and GRD showed significant quadratic negative effects on WAC, OAC, and SC. However, the SP showed no significant linear effect on the studied functional properties of the flou