A Micro Level Study Explaining Happiness Level in Pakistan

The aim of this paper is to propose a Happiness Index for Pakistan by looking into the determinants of the complex idea of happiness attainment. The concept of happiness dwells on dimensions ranging from financial well-being to subjective well-being and it would be very crude if we treat this variable through an objective lens of economic well-being. We aim to find how trust on people, confidence in institutions, personality dynamics, health status, and income level can impact happiness and satisfaction level of individuals. In this paper, we collected primary data from various areas (rural and urban) of Pakistan through survey with sample size of 763. The binary logistic regression framework has been used to model Happiness Index as it has been converted into dichotomous level. Results showed positive and significant relationship for Big Five traits (extraversion and neuroticism), confidence in Armed Forces, life satisfaction, and age whereas negative association of Happiness Index was observed with press media, and trust on strangers. From a policy perspective, it is suggested that the Government of Pakistan estimate Happiness Index on a national level. This will make sure that in transition, effects of different complex variables, such as political regimes, growth encouraging steps, development policies can be gauged; their nexus with Happiness can be delineated

Effect of Economic Growth, Trade Openness, Urbanization, and Technology on Environment of Selected Asian Countries

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of trade openness, urban population, technology and economic growth on environment of Asian economies i.e. Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The specific objectives of this study are tend to evaluate the effect of trade openness, technology, urbanization and economic growth on surroundings and environment (CO2 and SO2 emission). This study measures environmental effect through Stochastic Impact by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology framework in selected Asian developing countries. Data covers the time period from 1980 to 2014. This study utilize panel unit root, panel cointegration, DOLS estimator and causality tests in order to establish the association between environment and selected macro-economic variables. The results obtain from carbon dioxide emissions model show the significant impact of growth and technology on carbon emissions. While results of sulfur dioxide emissions model indicates the existence of inverted U-shaped EKC hypothesis. The study concluded that there should be research and development programs at public and private level to control pollution through new technologies

The Impact of Educational and Gender Inequality on Income Inequality in South Asia

This paper examines the impact of educational and gender inequality in education on income inequality in South Asian countries for the time period of 1980 to 2010. Random effect model (REM) and fixed effect model (FEM) are used for estimation. Using the concept of education Gini the study find that there exist a positive relationship between educational and income inequality. The results also indicate that gender inequality in education at primary and tertiary level has positive and significant impact on income inequality but gender inequality at secondary level has negative and significant impact on income inequality. On the other hand, gender inequality at primary and tertiary level of education has negative impact on per capita income, while at secondary level has positive impact. The results also confirm that there exist U shaped Kuznets curve for the relationship between average year of schooling and inequality in education

The Impact of Educational and Gender Inequality on Income Inequality in South Asia

This paper examines the impact of educational and gender inequality in education on income inequality in South Asian countries for the time period of 1980 to 2010. Random effect model (REM) and fixed effect model (FEM) are used for estimation. Using the concept of education Gini the study find that there exist a positive relationship between educational and income inequality. The results also indicate that gender inequality in education at primary and tertiary level has positive and significant impact on income inequality but gender inequality at secondary level has negative and significant impact on income inequality. On the other hand, gender inequality at primary and tertiary level of education has negative impact on per capita income, while at secondary level has positive impact. The results also confirm that there exist U shaped Kuznets curve for the relationship between average year of schooling and inequality in education

Approach of MBBS Students receiving Modular vs Students receiving Conventional Mode of education towards Health Research: A Comparative Study

Introduction: Health research training is an important component of the medical curriculum. This study was conducted to compare the approach of medical students being taught through an integrated modular curriculum with the students receiving conventional mode of education towards health research. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 3rd-year MBBS students following Lecture Based Learning and Problem Based Learning (groups A and B respectively). A self-designed pretested questionnaire was filled by 153 students of each group (from group A in 2019 and group B in 2020) through a simple randomized sampling technique. Analysis was done using SPSS 21. P-value <0.05 was considered to be significant for all purposes. Results: Mean knowledge score of PBL students was 50% against a score of 55.5% of LBL students (p-value=0.114). However, the mean attitude score of PBL students was 79.2% against a score of 67.4% of LBL students (p-value< 0.000). Over 49.6% of LBL students and 41.8% of PBL students had satisfactory knowledge. 19.7% of LBL students and 82.3% of PBL students had a satisfactory attitude.  Conclusion: Significantly higher attitude of PBL students was found. However, the level of knowledge was found to be the same in both groups. PBL curriculum has a positive influence on students on their attitudes towards health research

Evaluation of Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Sauce and Formulation of Tamarindus indica (L.) And Prunus domestica (L.) Fruits

The formulation and sauce of Tamarindus indica  (L.) and Prusnus  dometica (L.) are very popular recipes across globe. But, not even a single study existed on free-radical scavenging activity (FRSA) of afore-mentioned recipes. So, the present study was designed to bridge this gap of information. The FRSA of individual samples were also determined and compared with that of combinations of both. The highest value for FRSA among all samples was that of T. indica (158.9732 ± 12.658 % at 100 μg ml-1). It was followed by that of individual extract of P. domestica fruit (96.647 ± 0.554 %). The percent FRSA of both combinations was less than that of individual sample extracts. The highest SA recorded was 93.886 ± 0.471 % and 77.64 ± 16.391 % respectively. The fruit length was 10.18 ± 0.34 cm and 4.7 ± 0.2 cm for T. indica  and P. domestica  respectively. The width of fruit was 1.6±0.3 cm and 4.55 ± 0.12 cm for T. indica  and P. domestica  respectively. The weight of fruit was 7.2 ± 0.6 g and 44.8 ± 0.37 g for T. indica  and P. domestica  respectively, Pulp weight was 48 ± 0.43% and 94.58±0.352% for T. indica  and P. domestica  respectively. The stone weight was 30 ± 0.421 % and 5.42±0.224  %  for T. indica  and P. domestica  respectively. The values of squared R reflected that there was a strong correlation between the concentrations and percent SA for all the studied samples (p \u3c 0.05) with values of R2 0.896 and 0.946 in case of T. indica and P. domestica extracts respectively and 0.980 and 0.875 for sauce and formulation respectively. It was concluded that the mixture of both ingredients has considerable potential for scavenging free radicals

Comparison Of Naproxen And Diacerein In The Treatment Of Knee Joint Osteoarthritis

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a common disease in older age. Pain and limitation of movement are the main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Many pharmacological options are available for symptomatic relief but NSAIDs are mostly prescribed. Diacerein is also prescribed for osteoarthritis but data regarding its efficacy is still controversial. Moreover, studies regarding the comparison of diacerein with NSAIDs are deficient in Pakistan. Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the clinical efficacy of naproxen (NSAID) with diacerein in treating knee osteoarthritis. Methodology: Patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were included in the study. After written informed consent 60 patients of knee osteoarthritis were included in the study. They were divided randomly into two groups. Group A (n=30) was prescribed with tablet naproxen 500mg twice daily and group B (n=30) was given capsule diacerein 50mg twice daily for 12 weeks. Baseline VAS and WOMAC scores of the patients were noted. These scores were compared with scores achieved 12 weeks after intervention. Intra-group comparison of the scores was also carried out. SPSS version 23.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: WOMAC and VAS scores comparison of the two groups (A & B) before intervention showed an insignificant p-value that is 0.815 for the WOMAC score and  0.509 for the VAS score. After intervention means WOMAC score i.e.10.50 ± 2.46 of group A (treated with naproxen) was better than the mean 29.62 ± 7.03 of group B (treated with diacerein) showing significant p-value (< 0.001). Similarly mean VAS of group A 1.92 ± 0.58 improved more than the mean VAS of group B i.e 3.38 ± 0.75 with significant p-value (< 0.001). Intra-group comparison of the groups also showed a significant p-value. Conclusion: Clinical efficacy of naproxen is better than diacerein in treating knee osteoarthritis

Comparison of Fully Deflated with Partially Inflated Technique for Ease of Insertion of Laryngeal Mask Airways in Adults

Objective: To compare the frequency of ease of insertion of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) between fully deflated and partially inflated laryngeal mask airway, in anesthetized mechanically ventilated adult patients undergoing different non-emergency short-term surgical and gynecological procedures. Methodology: A total of 104 patients were recruited in this RCT. Using computer generated random numbers, patients were allocated to two groups: fully deflated LMAs in A and partially inflated LMAs in B. Pre-operative assessment was done and informed consent was taken. All subjects were 20–40 years of age, ASA-I and ASA- II, planned for short surgical and gynaecological cases (elective) that required general anaesthesia with mechanical ventilation. Premedication with 2 mg midazolam IV was done 30 minutes before the start of the operation. Monitors were attached. One 18G cannula was maintained. IV fluids were administered to each patient as per patient’s and procedure's requirements. Pre-oxygenation was done with 100% oxygen with a face mask for three minutes. Glycopyrrolate IV 0.2mg/kg and nalbuphine IV 0.15mg/kg were given to all at induction by an anesthetist. Results:  In Group A, 98% of patients had ease of insertion while 2% of patients didn’t have ease of insertion, whereas in Group B 90% of patients had ease of insertion and 10% of patients didn’t. Ease of insertion was measured by the number of attempts (first attempt insertion – ease of insertion). Conclusion: Our study concludes that the fully deflated technique is superior as compared to the partially inflated technique in terms of easier insertion in Laryngeal mask airways

Impulsivity in patients with attempted suicide presenting at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of impulsivity in patients who attempted suicide presenting at a tertiary care hospital, Karachi. STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional study. STUDY SETTING: Study was led in the Psychiatry Department, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi. DURATION OF STUDY:Six month after approval of synopsis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data was prospectively collected from patients after taking verbal consent. Permission was taken from ethical review committee. 95 patients presenting to the Psychiatry Department who met the inclusion criteria were included. A brief history about suicide attempt and demographic data was taken from the patient and confirmed by an attendee. The researcher himself interviewed the patient in a conducive environment assuring the patient\u27s confidentiality. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) which consists of 30 self administered questions, marked out of 120 and rated from 0-4 was used to measure impulsivity. Demographic data was presented as simple descriptive statistics giving mean and standard deviation and qualitative variables was presented as frequency and percentages. Effect modifiers were controlled through the stratification of age, gender, marital status, educational status, socioeconomic status and occupational status to see the effect of these on the outcome variable. Post stratification chi square test was applied, taking p-value of ≤0.05 as significant