Trends of Using Contraceptive Methods among Married Females of Reproductive Age Group in Village Mangokivirkan, District Gujranwala, Pakistan

Background: Use of contraceptives in developing countries is very low, particularly in Pakistan it is 34%. Objective: To study trends of contraceptive use among married females of reproductive age group in a rural area of Pakistan and to identify possible risk factors influencing the use of contraceptives among the sample population. Methods: It was a descriptive cross sectional study. A total of 213 married females of reproductive age were included in the study and multistage cluster sampling technique was applied. Study variables included socio demographic variables along with knowledge and practice of respondents regarding the use of contraceptives. Data collection instrument was a self-developed questionnaire and data was collected from 220 females. Results: Mean age was 29.6±6.19 and only 38% were using contraceptive method and 62% were not using any contraceptive method. Among the respondents 40% were counseled for Family Planning (FP) by some source. Highly significant association was found between contraceptive use and duration of marriage, decision making, family type, desired number of children, counseling for FP, in favor of FP, and number of children alive. Probable influencing predictors were found to be decision making of females, type of family, desired number of children, counseling for FP, and in favor of FP. Conclusion: FP counseling needs to be enhanced on war footing at all levels with due cooperation of community participation

Contact Tracing: A Forgotten Tool?

Contact tracing is done to interrupt the spread or transmission of the causative agent to others who are in close contact with the index case and are vulnerable by not being immune. Public health experts have relied on contact tracing to reduce the spread of infections throughout history. Now the same method is being used for COVID 19. The healthcare systems in developing countries are ill-equipped to respond to pandemics of this kind. Our healthcare facility effectively employed the traditional contact tracing tool that formed the basis of a strong support system for all those employees who contracted Corona virus infection

Graphene Based Functional Hybrids: Design and Technological Applications

Because of the versatile chemical, physical, and electrical properties, graphene as well as its nanocomposites are regarded as the backbone of engineering and scientific innovation. Different physical and chemical methods are used to create sustainable carbon materials. Furthermore, fabrication methods are employed in order to produce the composites, which are of constituents with desirable properties. Because of their biocompatibility, graphene nanomaterials have enormous potential for improving biology and drug delivery. The proposed chapter provides a variety of fabrication methods for sustainable graphene composites and highlights various applications of graphene. Furthermore, graphene nanocomposites are promising multifunctional materials with improved tensile strength and elastic modulus. Despite some challenges and the fact that carbon nanotube/polymer composites are sometimes better in some specific performance, graphene nanocomposites may have a wide range of potential applications due to their outstanding properties and the low cost of graphene. Because these graphene composites have a controllable porous structure, a large surface area, high conductivity, high temperature stability, excellent anti-corrosion properties, and composite compatibility, they can be used in energy storage as electrocatalysts, electro-conductive additives, intercalation hosts, and an ideal substrate for active materials. Meanwhile, the chapter summaries the graphene nanocomposites requirements for technological innovation and scientific applied research

It’s Time to Make Inclusivity and Positive Rehabilitation The Basic Right of Children With Down Syndrome: A Pakistani Perspective

Social inclusion and positive rehabilitation of children with Down syndrome (DS) is the need of the hour in our society; which can be achieved by following the right principles and strategies. The current status regarding this issue at the local level has been analyzed and compared with the global status, and gaps have been identified. The author of this paper has put forward the argument that inclusivity of persons with DS ought to be the norm of this society, and early intervention onset and support mechanism of a comprehensive nature can develop these children into self-supporting independent persons. Priorities and a way forward are suggested through a very comprehensive model for the local setup in Pakistan

Dual Informants Reporting: Do we Observe Behavioral Problems in Primary School Children?

Introduction: World Health Organization states that 20% of young children have emotional and behavioral problems. Aims & Objectives: 1) Identify the pattern of behavior problems among primary school students in Lahore upon dual informant report. 2) Measure the association of demographic variables and behavior problems in primary school students in Lahore. Place and duration of study: Study was conducted in Lahore and completed in one-year time. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in eighteen public/ private primary schools of Lahore city; selected randomly from the sample frame of the schools of the selected towns. The sample size was 396, equally divided in both sectors (198 in each); three schools of each sector and town (66); and lastly 22 students from one school in a sector. Simple random sampling technique was applied to select the study subject from the sample frame. An appropriate inclusion and exclusion criterion was applied. Data collection was done on standardized Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, using Parent and Teacher Proforma. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. P-Value < 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: After exclusion, data of 369 students were analyzed for both sector school students. The frequencies for four borderline/ abnormal behavior problems-emotional; conduct; hyperactivity; and peer problems were assessed. The parent's reported frequencies were: 44.98%; 52.15%; 37.32%; and 44.02% respectively. Comparative figures reported by the teachers were: 28%; 34.69%; 28.19%; and 40.11% respectively. A statistically significant association was found between behavior problem sub-domains and socio-demographic factors in students. A weak positive Pearson correlation of 0.323was found between parent and teacher observed total behavior problem scores. Conclusion: According to the assessment of both informants there is a significant rise in the behavior issues in its various sub-domains in students from both sectors as compared to the last statistics of 2010