Student Perceptions of Gender Studies as an Academic Discipline in Pakistan

The article aimed to highlight the varied perceptions of students studying Gender Studies as an academic discipline at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Pakistan. The research objective of this article was to document the students’ experiences, perceptions, misconceptions, and anxieties regarding Gender Studies. This research is the result of a continuous journey in this field where we have actively engaged and interacted with students studying in various semesters. The research was qualitative in nature and in-depth interview guidelines were employed to conduct interviews with the students of the Center of Excellence in Gender Studies (CEGS) at QAU, Islamabad. The sample size consisted of 20 students who hailed from different geographical areas of Pakistan and belonged to diverse socio-cultural and economic backgrounds. Additionally, the sample was purposely selected to include only students in their final semester. The study revealed that the instructors teaching Gender Studies were accused of propagating Western theories, and this had become a cause of concern and provocation for many students. A large number of students have indicated that they were unaware or ignorant of this academic discipline and were familiarized only after securing admission based on merit. The research demonstrates that these students were unsure of the scope of the subject and the employment opportunities it offered upon completion of their degree in Gender Studies. The respondents were under the impression that this academic discipline is not only antagonistic to their Pakistani culture but also promotes a Western agenda. A few respondents shared their experiences and pointed out that feminism faces a strong backlash in Pakistani society; hence, they found it difficult to see the relevance of feminism in Pakistan. The research also revealed that studying the discipline of Gender Studies has helped the respondents to introspect, deconstruct, and criticize their preconceived notions about gender and women. While Gender Studies as an academic discipline has equipped the students to deal with gender-based issues, it has also stirred arguments with their families. Lastly, Gender Studies created awareness related to gender issues and helped the students to overcome their misconceptions

Hyperprolactinaemia induced by proton pump inhibitor

A case of a 13 year old girl who manifested hyperprolactinaemia and galactorrhea induced by Omeprazole, a commonly used proton pump inhibitor is presented

Cerebral salt wasting syndrome in tuberculous meningitis

Case of a seventy year old female, who developed cerebral salt wasting syndrome in association with Tuberculous Meningitis is presented

Determinants of Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change by Farmers in District Sargodha, Pakistan

Pakistan is one of the most affected countries vulnerable to climate change. Additionally, being a predominantly agricultural economy, farming community is more at risk and climate change is predicted to decrease crop yields in Pakistan as a result of higher temperature, variability in rainfall and floods. Understanding the perception and adoption strategies to climate is important to preparing farming community for climate change impact. The present study was aimed to explore determinants of adaptation strategies to climate change by farmers. The data were collected through interview schedule. Logit regression model was used to explore the factors influencing the decision of farmer adaptation strategies to climate change. The study explored that education, farming experience, annual farm income, access to television, access to extension services, access to climate change information and membership in community based organization are main factors influencing the decision of farmers to climate change adoption. The study recommends that Government must ensure extension service, climate information and credit schemes to farmers to alter the production strategies in response to climate change

Factors Affecting Intention to Use of Small-scale Renewable Energy Technologies in District Sialkot, Pakistan

Due to existing energy shortage; there is need to adopt renewable energy technologies. Low awareness and acceptance are major barriers to development of renewable energy technologies. The present study was conducted to explore factors affecting intention to use of small-scale renewable energy technologies in Pakistan at household level. This present study was conducted in Sialkot District. and non-probability sampling technique was used to select the respondents. There were 160 respondents participated in this study. The theoretical model in this research was developed based on Technology Acceptance Model, Theory of Reasoned Action, and Innovation Diffusion Theory by Rogers and Theory of Planned Behavior. Major findings of this study highlighted that socio-economic factors, facilitating conditions perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, knowledge, persuasion, and subjective norms are significant determinants of intention to use small-scale renewable energy technologies. The study recommended that government and other stakeholders should use strategies to create awareness and sensitized the people about benefits of adopting small-scale renewable energy technologies and setting up awareness centers at local and national level for encouraging people to adopt small scale renewable energy technologies

Factors Affecting Intention to Use of Small-scale Renewable Energy Technologies in District Sialkot, Pakistan

Due to existing energy shortage; there is need to adopt renewable energy technologies. Low awareness and acceptance are major barriers to development of renewable energy technologies. The present study was conducted to explore factors affecting intention to use of small-scale renewable energy technologies in Pakistan at household level. This present study was conducted in Sialkot District. and non-probability sampling technique was used to select the respondents. There were 160 respondents participated in this study. The theoretical model in this research was developed based on Technology Acceptance Model, Theory of Reasoned Action, and Innovation Diffusion Theory by Rogers and Theory of Planned Behavior. Major findings of this study highlighted that socio-economic factors, facilitating conditions perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, knowledge, persuasion, and subjective norms are significant determinants of intention to use small-scale renewable energy technologies. The study recommended that government and other stakeholders should use strategies to create awareness and sensitized the people about benefits of adopting small-scale renewable energy technologies and setting up awareness centers at local and national level for encouraging people to adopt small scale renewable energy technologies

360-degree Evaluation of Postgraduate residents at Rawalpindi Medical University: Appraising the achievement of core competencies by comparing the scores of 1st &

Objectives: To compare 360-degree evaluation scores of postgraduate residents during 1st and 2nd cycles of evaluation to analyze the acquisition of core competencies. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was done to compare the acquisition of core competencies as per ACGME by MS/MD residents in 3 public sector teaching hospitals of Rawalpindi. The enrolled residents undergone 1st and 2nd cycle of 360-degree evaluation from Jan-June 2018 and July 2018 -Jan 2019 respectively. The data was gathered from supervisors, faculty, nursing staff, patients and their attendants by structured proforma. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 25.0. Specialty-wise scores were statistically presented with 95% CI. Differences in scores of core competencies during both cycles were determined by independent sample t-test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: About 93 and 113 trainees were evaluated during 1st and 2nd cycle of evaluation respectively. Most (41.70%) of them were 1st year residents. 2nd cycle of evaluation revealed statistically significant improvement (P<0.00001) in all 6 core competencies. Feedback from the patients also illustrated significant difference in scores of both cycles (P = 0.01). Trainees of MS Surgery & Allied programs were determined as highly competent with 250.06 ± 38.57 score followed by those of MD Medicine & Allied (247.59 ± 42.15) and Gynecology & Obstetrics (246.71 ± 46.26) out of total score of 331. Residents of HFH and DHQ Hospital had statistically significant enhancement of competencies (P<0.0001) than those of BBH (P=0.003). Conclusion: There was substantial enhancement of core competencies among postgraduate trainees.

Mortality Trends In Pre COVID And Pandemic Era In A Tertiary Care Setting

Objective: The coronavirus pandemic has emphasized stay-at-home and social distancing policies. Since the beginning of the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been a declining trend of hospital mortality indicating that the pandemic might keep patients from seeking emergency care in a hospital setting. This study was carried out to determine the mortality trends pre-COVID and pandemic periods in a tertiary care hospital. Methods:  Study design: Retrospective observational study Place and Duration: 1st January 2019 to December 2021 at Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC) Hospital Islamabad It was a retrospective review done on death data of pre-COVID (January-December 2019) and pandemic(January 2020-December 2021) period. Data on death was retrieved from medical male and female wards, medical ICU and isolation ward. The mortality rate was measured for both pre-COVID and pandemic periods along with co-morbid for the pandemic period. Descriptive statistics were measured with the SPSS software version. 23.  Association with age, gender and mortality was observed using a chi-square test taking p value ≤ 0.05 as significant. Result: In this study of the 366 deaths, the average age of patients in the pre-COVID and pandemic era was57.40±17.910 and 64.31±16.065 respectively. The males and females were 50.9% and 49.1% in the pre-COVID period while 61.5% and 38.5% in the pandemic period. The frequency of deaths was 46.7% in the pre COVID and 53.3% in the pandemic period with a p-value &lt;0.05. Patients with co-morbid died more in the pandemic era. Conclusion: It was observed that hospital mortality trends were in decline during the COVID-19 pandemic in our setting which may be associated with lockdown, decreased access to the hospitals or fear of going to hospital

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research