Examining the ICT skills of university librarians in a developing country: a study from the University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the awareness level of librarians about various ICT applications in University of the Punjab (PU) and to examine the constraints and issues they are facing in acquisition of modern ICT skills. Methodology A questionnaire was developed and administered to 80 professional librarians having graduate and postgraduate qualification. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 19.0). Findings Data analysis revealed that 99% of the participants are computer literate, having good knowledge of library automation and digitization. The knowledge of web based services such as e-mail, search engine, chatting, e-resources search, knowledge of OPAC/Web OPAC, etc by professionals is quite encouraging. However, majority of them have less knowledge of programming languages, whereas, HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) is comparatively more popular programming language. Lack of training culture, poor infrastructure, and tight working schedule have been among the most common constraints in the acquisition of ICT skills identified by the participants of this study. Key Words University Librarians, ICT Skills, Library Automation, Digitization, Web Services, Web OPAC, HTML, Developing Countries, Pakistan

Measuring the Impact of Coronavirus at Grassroot Level in Pakistan: Perils, Pitfalls and Preventive Strategies

At the forefront of strategists and policymakers' minds stand the catastrophic circumstances of COVID-19 in Pakistan. Severe trauma of unprecedented economic shocks and financial crises brought the country's mechanism to experience a sudden halt.  It is necessary to consider how to accelerate recovery and mitigate the spread of negative consequences affecting sectors, industries, institutions, and diverse ventures. Amidst the existing vulnerabilities imposed by inadequate resources and constrained mobility of necessities, the sustainable measures balancing costs and benefits will equip Pakistani communities to fight the corona war proficiently. We analyze the size of adversities hurting various types of individuals, variations in an inflow of economic and financial activities, and reactions to massive disturbances, albeit to different levels. Aligned with in-depth insights and findings, the development of preventive strategies in these desperate times can protect Pakistan's economy from long-lasting disruptions, landing on the safe zone over the coming years. Received Date: October 13, 2020   Last Received:  December 10, 2020  Acceptance:  December  30, 2020   &nbsp

Seroprevalence of Dengue Virus by Detection of IgG Antibodies: A Tertiary Care Hospital Study in Rawalpindi

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of dengue virus infection by detecting IgG antibodies in a tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Virology department, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Rawalpindi, July 2021 to December 2021. Materials and Methods: A total of one hundred and fifty healthy general population of Rawalpindi aged 15 – 45 years were included in this study. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was performed for the detection of dengue immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in serum samples of patients. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to analyze the data. Results: Among 150 patients, 71 (47.3%) were males and 79 (52.7%) were females. Out of total patients, 50 (33.3%) were positive and 100 (67.7%) were negative for dengue IgG antibodies. Majority of dengue IgG positive patients were 25-40 years of age. Acute febrile illness was present among 37 (24.6%) patients and was absent in 113 (75.3%) patients. Participants provided history of presence of waste points and stagnant water in surrounding areas of 84 (56%) patients. Conclusion: This study shows that there was a high exposure of dengue virus in Rawalpindi population. This can be problematic from public health point of view in future as sensitized population against dengue virus is more prone to dengue fever and serious effects of dengue virus reinfection

Examining the ICT skills of university librarians in a developing country: a study from the University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the awareness level of librarians about various ICT applications in University of the Punjab (PU) and to examine the constraints and issues they are facing in acquisition of modern ICT skills. Methodology A questionnaire was developed and administered to 80 professional librarians having graduate and postgraduate qualification. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 19.0). Findings Data analysis revealed that 99% of the participants are computer literate, having good knowledge of library automation and digitization. The knowledge of web based services such as e-mail, search engine, chatting, e-resources search, knowledge of OPAC/Web OPAC, etc by professionals is quite encouraging. However, majority of them have less knowledge of programming languages, whereas, HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) is comparatively more popular programming language. Lack of training culture, poor infrastructure, and tight working schedule have been among the most common constraints in the acquisition of ICT skills identified by the participants of this study. Key Words University Librarians, ICT Skills, Library Automation, Digitization, Web Services, Web OPAC, HTML, Developing Countries, Pakistan