Professional Practices Promoting Health of Healthcare Workers: Comparison of Public and Private Hospitals in Pakistan

Background and Objectives: Health and safety of healthcare workers (HCWs) is a determinant of the quality of healthcare delivered to the population at large. This study aimed at comparing various dimension of HCWs’ health and safety between public and private hospitals (PHs) in the Pakistan context. Methods: A sample of 1146 HCWs from 2 public and 2 PHls in a metropolitan city were invited to response to a structured questionnaire, assessing various aspects of health and safety promotion practices in their hospital. Categorical data were compared using chi-square test or Fisher exact test or likelihood ratio tests. Findings: According to the responders, lack of written policies and guidelines for health promotion was 84% in public hospitals (GHs) vs. 22% in PH (P\u3c.001), communication of health policies, 64% vs. 42% (P\u3e\u3c.001), lack of access to health policies, 68% vs. 40% (P\u3e\u3c.001), lack of professional employees in safety 64% vs. 49%, lack of health promotion activities 91% vs. 51% (P\u3e\u3c.001), and absence of encouragements to participate in healthrelated activities 87% vs. 24% (P\u3e\u3c.001)…. vs. 24% (P\u3c.001). Conclusions: As revealed by our study, there is a large gap in HCWs’ health and safety promoting practices between public and PHs. The situation calls for increased budget and focused program to improve health and safety of HCWs in Pakistan’s GH

UNDERSTANDING HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS IN PAKISTAN

Background: Health seeking behaviour refers to the behaviour of people towards seeking their own health through provided health services. The medical professionals are at a higher risk of avoiding health seeking behaviour because they believe they are aware of the diseases and their symptoms as well as the pharmaceutical management of the disease. The aim of this study was to understand the healthcare seeking behaviour of nurses and doctors as well as the factors affecting it in hospitals of a major city in a developing country. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed and a self-report questionnaire was distributed to healthcare workers at four tertiary care hospitals from July, 2012 to December, 2014. A total of 1015 participants responded. There were 234 (23%) doctors, 664 (65%) nurses, 60 (6%) ....BOTH GROUPS

Effect of Berberine Phytosome on reproductive, dermatologic, and metabolic characteristics in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a controlled, randomized, multi-centric, open-label clinical trial

Background: Berberine is a poorly absorbed natural alkaloid widely used as nutraceutical to counteract diarrhoea and to lower cholesterol and hyperglycaemia. It has also been reported to reduce signs and symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Objective: To explore, through a multi-centric, randomized, controlled and prospective study, the possible role played by a form berberine that is more easily absorbed (Berberine Phytosome®, BP) in 130 Pakistani women with a diagnosis of PCOS and fertility problems due to menstrual and ovary abnormalities.Results: Ninety days of supplementation with BP, administered at 550 mg x2/die, determined (i) resumption of regular menstruation in about 70% of women (versus 16% in the control group; p < 0.0001), (ii) normalization of the ovaries anatomy in more than 60% of women (versus 13% in the control group; p < 0.0001), (iii) acne improvement in 50% of women (versus 16% in the control group; p = 0.0409) and (iv) hirsutism reduction in 14% of women (versus 0% in the control group; p = 0.0152). The metabolic and the hormonal profiles of the women in the two groups did not significantly differentiate at the end of the study. BP was well-tolerated and no specific side-effects were registered. Respectively after one, two and 8 years of trying, three women supplemented with BP became and are currently pregnant.Conclusion: Our study showed the positive effects of BP supplementation in women with PCOS and confirmed the high safety profile of this nutraceutical.Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT0548067