Determinants of Voluntary and Involuntary Underemployment in Pakistan

Having to work in a sub optimal capacity is a socio economic problem which is apparently veiled but it is equally detrimental as having no work to do. This study intends to compare the demographic factors of Pakistan which determine underemployment and two sub components such as voluntary underemployment non-voluntary underemployment which lacked focus in past studies conducted in Pakistan. The present study filled this gap by measuring the different dimensions and the determinants of underemployment using the micro data from Labor Force Survey (2010-11). The estimates indicate that females, people living in rural areas and the province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) have higher tendency to be voluntarily underemployed, head of households are less likely to be underemployed. Employees are less likely to be voluntary underemployed. Out of underemployed persons, only a small percentage of people have involuntary reasons for working less than 35 hours otherwise a high percentage of employed people have voluntary reasons. This shows the presence of voluntary underemployment at a very large extent in Pakistan

Association Between Scapular Dyskinesis and Forward Head Posture in Badminton Player: A Cross-Sectional Study

AbstractObjective: To determine the association between scapular dyskinesis and forward head postureamong badminton players.Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted recruiting 120 recreational badmintonplayers using non-probability convenience sampling. Badminton players of either gender, aged 18-35years with head-forward posture were participants in the study based on the predefined eligibilitycriteria after ethical approval. Scapular dyskinesis was measured using the Modified Lateral ScapularSlide test in three testing positions. The data was evaluated using SPSS version 26.0 and a chi-squaretest was implemented to find the association, and P≤0.05 was deemed significant.Results: In resting position, Scapular Dyskinesis was evident in 39.2% of badminton players while itwas 65% and 54.2% evident respectively in dynamic hands-on-hip position and scapular plane withone kg weight in both hands. In addition, out of 120 players the prevalence of moderate forward headposture was greater as compared to the mild and severe forward head posture. Scapular dyskinesiswas significant in hands on hip and with one kg weight in hands position (p≤0.05).Conclusion: It was found that badminton players with forward head posture had significantlydifferent scapular kinematics in dynamic scapular positions when compared to static scapular positions.Key Words: Scapular Dyskinesis, Forward Head Posture, Overhead Sports, Badminton Playe

Efficacy of exogenous application of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) on growth and yield of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

The growth and yield promotion of mungbean in response to the use of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D) was investigated through a pot study which was arranged in the wire house of Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The study was comprised of five treatments and three replications (control, 0.2 ppm 2, 4-D, 0.5 ppm 2, 4-D, 0.8 ppm 2, 4-D, and 1 ppm 2, 4-D). The suggested dose of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) was applied at the amount of 20, 60 and 25 kg ha-1 added as Urea, DAP and SOP, respectively at sowing time. The data regarding growth (plant height, root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh and dry weight, and total biomass), yield (grain weight, number of grains plant-1) and NPK analysis in plants and soil was recorded and statistically analyzed. The response of exogenous application of 2, 4-D was significant at all levels in improving the performance of all the growth parameters and yield as compared to untreated control treatment. Maximum performance of all the parameters was recorded at 0.8 ppm application of 2, 4-D. As the concentration of 2, 4-D increased the development of plants also showed positive effect but up to 0.8 ppm application after that it started to decrease which showed that at higher concentrations 2, 4-D acts as growth retardant

ANALYSIS OF HYPOALBUMINEMIA AS PROGNOSTIC INDICATOR IN GUILLAIN-BARRÉ SYNDROME (GBS) PATIENTS AMONG LOCAL POPULATION OF PAKISTAN

Introduction: Despite the use of plasma exchanges and intravenous immunoglobulins, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) still carries non-negligible morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the psychosocial consequences of GBS may persist longer than expected. Aims and objectives: The basic objective of the study is to analyze the level of hypoalbuminemia as prognostic indicator in GBS patients among local population of Pakistan. Material and methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Mayo Hospital, Lahore during March 2018 till October 2018. The data were collected from 50 patients of GBS which also include adults and child. The data were divided into two parts one include adults and one group include children. Venous blood samples were drawn from all patients within the first 24 hours after admission. Complete blood count, renal function test, and hepatic function test were performed within 24 hours of hospital admission and before the treatment, and serum CRP, albumin, neutrophil, lymphocyte, thrombocyte, CRP, NLR, and PLR levels were recorded. Results: The data were collected from 50 GBS patients. The mean age was 48.5±18.95 years in adults and 5±8.21 years in GBS-P. No significant relationship was found between NLR, PLR, CRP, and albumin levels and the demyelinating and axonal subtypes in both the GBS-A and GBS-P patient groups. In the GBS-P group, on the other hand, the mean NLR level at third month was significantly higher in the HDS≥3 group, but there was no significant difference with the other inflammatory markers. Conclusion: It is concluded that inflammatory markers including and albumin levels may be used a

Postpartum Physical Activity among Multiparous Women with Diastasis Recti

​Pregnancy is a natural physiological process, which is generally experienced by every normal woman throughout her life. Multiparity is more than one but less than five live births1. It is always a big task for the physiotherapist to treat women during their pregnancy or postpartum period. Different structural and functional changes happen during pregnancy. In the third trimester, the individual muscle cell of the uterus grows to 10 times from the previous length when there was no pregnancy. In the third trimester, the abdominal muscles, especially both margins (right and left) of the rectus are extended to their elastic limit; this significantly lessens the​ ​ability of muscles to produce strong abdominal contractions1. Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is characterized as a disability with partition from the middle of the two rectus abdominis muscles at the level of linea alba2

SERVICE QUALITY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PHYSIOTHERAPY INSTITUTES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN LAHORE

Background: Ever since quality of services is gaining importance in every industry as it is the indicator of consumer/customer satisfaction, it is of utmost importance to measure service quality of educational institutes to determine the satisfaction of students. Thus, the study aimed to determine the important factors in service quality dimensions which contribute to the satisfaction of students. Methods: This was a Comparative Cross Sectional study in which final year department of physical therapy (DPT) students were included from three private and three public physiotherapy institutes. Results: The largest mean Positive Gap scores for Public Physiotherapy Institutes was 0.18 for accessibility and affordability 0.18. The largest negative mean gap score for Private Physiotherapy domain was “Accessibility and Affordability” found to be -1.96. Conclusion: Students were satisfied with service quality of private institutes in all domains except for the “Accessibility and Affordability” whereas, in Public Institutes largest negative quality gaps were found in “Empathy” and “Assurance”

MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN AMONG UNDERGRADUATE PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS: SINGLE CENTERED SURVEY

Background: Musculoskeletal discomfort not related by a syndrome is very communal in juvenile and puberty getting lifetime prevalence as great as 40%. It affects student’s quality of life and their productivity in education. So, the main objective of current study was to access musculoskeletal pain among undergraduate physical therapy students. Methods: A Descriptive type of cross sectional survey was conducted at Lahore Medical and Dental College (LM&DC) for duration of almost six months from April 2018 to October 2018. Sample size recruited was 321 physical therapy students and they were included according to inclusion exclusion criteria. Assessment of Musculoskeletal pain was done using Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. An analysis was done using SPSS 21. Results: The findings showed that musculoskeletal pain among students was most commonly prevalent in lower back region constituting 65.4% (n = 210) followed by upper back 53.9% (n = 173) and neck region 48.6% (n = 156). Conclusion: Musculoskeletal pain was highly prevalent among medical students and most commonly found in lower back region

Balance Among Patients after Six Months of Total Knee Arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an orthopedic surgical technique in which the knee joint surfaces, the femoral condyles and tibial plateau, are substituted with prosthetic components.TKA is found effective for improving perambulating purposes, but some other impairment such as proprioception, muscle strength, and balance may continue postoperatively. Balance is defined as an individual’s ability to maintain a desired position within their base of support. The aim of the study was to asses balance among patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty post six months. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted for a period of 6 months from August 2018 till January 2019 at Ghurki Trust and Teaching hospital and Horizon Hospital Lahore, in which 26 subjects (7 Males and 19 Females) were included according to inclusion criteria. Permission from the Ethical Committee of the Lahore College of Physical Therapy was obtained. The sampling technique used was convenient sampling. Balance of each patient was assessed with Berg Balance Scale. The Berg Balance Scale grades execution on 14 different tasks, utilizing a scale of five points ranging from 0 to 4; the isolated scores are summed, for a total score of 56 where greater scores show enhanced stability of task execution. The results of the study showed that out of the total (n = 26) patients, 19 patients had low risk of fall, 6 patients had moderate risk of fall, while only one patient had high risk of fall. The study concluded that patients, who underwent total knee arthroplasty, had low risk of fall when balance was assessed with Berg Balance Scale after six months of Total knee Arthroplasty procedure

Diagnosis of Stage II Rheumatoid Arthritis through Functional Evaluation of Wrist and Hand among Adult Females

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a commonly prevailing disease among women. Disease progression deformities such as ulnar and radial shift of the wrist, Boutonnière, swan neck deformity and mallet finger become evident, which results in marked limitation of hand function. Patients usually lose the ability to hold, grasp and pinch thus activities of daily living are compromised. This study aimed to diagnose stage II Rheumatoid Arthritis through assessing the limitations of hand functions in adult females. Methods: A sample of 37 adult females with Stage II RA presenting to the rheumatology department of National hospital, Lahore and Combined Military Hospital, Lahore were recruited in the study. Patients with clinically diagnosed Stage II RA presenting with pain and dysfunction of the hands and wrist joints were included. Patients with any traumatic condition or any other bone disease that limits hand function were excluded from the study. The scale used for the assessment was Patient Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) with the reliability of >0.75 and validity of 0.7. Results: In a sample of adult women with a mean age of 42, 39% reported moderate pain and 61% had severe pain whereas the functional limitations was reported to be moderate in 47.3% while 52.7% had severe limitation of hand function. These results prove that there is a negative impact of hand malformations on hand function. Conclusion: The adult females with stage II Rheumatoid Arthritis had severely limited hand function. The functional limitations of hand were increased with disease progression especially in adult females

Identification of Precompetitive Anxiety among Professional Footballers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Pakistan’s Context

Background: Precompetitive anxiety refers to an indistinct but unrelenting feeling of uneasiness and dread in hours prior to the competition. Precompetitive anxiety has been shown to affect an athlete at various levels including match performance, sporting injuries, rehabilitation of sports injuries, return to activity and risk or re-injury. It has become a common practice to differentiate between the two common forms of anxiety. Therefore, the purpose of current study was to assess precompetitive anxiety in footballers of Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross section survey was conducted on 58 male footballers aged between 18-26 years. The data was collected from Pakistan football federation club and Fame football club. Total 34 footballers were assessed at the Pakistan football federation club and 24 at the Fame football club. The sampling strategy utilized was non-probability convenience sampling. The study was conducted over a period of 6 months from July 2018 to January 2019. Competitive state anxiety inventory was used to assess precompetitive anxiety 1 hour preceding the competition. Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21and results were presented in the form of frequency and percentages. Results: Out of 58 participating footballers, 44.8% (n=26) reported moderate levels of somatic state anxiety, 72.4% (n=42) reported moderate levels of cognitive state anxiety and 48.3% (n=28) reported moderate levels of self-confidence. Conclusion: The study concluded that moderate to low levels of somatic state anxiety, moderate levels of cognitive state anxiety and moderate to high levels of self-confidence were present in majority of participating footballers