Assessment of socio-economic profile and residents’ satisfaction living in apartments and single unit houses in Islamabad, Pakistan

Cities in Pakistan, because of rapid pace of urbanization, are unable to provide adequate housing supply to cater to the needs of the people. Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, has a population of two million with a growth rate of six percent. Construction of apartment buildings, as one of the alternatives to fulfil the housing needs, is on the rise. However, apartments are being designed without considering the needs of the residents. This research focuses on assessment of socio-economic profile and satisfaction of residents of single unit houses vis-à-vis of those living in apartments. Fried and Gleicher’s approach was used in this research. This study analysed the socioeconomic characteristics, level of satisfaction of residents; drivers and barriers that influence the residential satisfaction of residents in two types of residential units in Islamabad. This study finds that residents of both housing types were equally satisfied with housing attributes and surrounding neighborhood while the residents of single unit houses were more satisfied with facilities, maintenance and culture. This study suggests that more focus should be given to factors like open space, basic amenities, privacy while designing an apartment building

Relationship between Kinesiophobia, Fall Risk and Activity Level among Elderly Females after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Objective: To determine the effect of Mulligan’s Mobilization on unilateral tibiofemoral osteoarthritis. The objective of the study was to evaluate co-relation between fall risk, kinesiophobia, and physical- activity level among elderly females after one year of TKA. Methodology: This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted on females who had their Total Knee arthroplasty from Ghurki Trust & Teaching Hospital and Punjab Medical Centre, Lahore. Data was collected from 200 (n) elderly females who had undergone their Total Knee Arthroplasty at least one year before the study was conducted. Fall risk (Berg Balance Scale), fear of movement (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia), and physical activity (IPAQ) were the key outcome measures. Results: Pearson correlation determined higher levels of association between fall risk, fear of movement and physical activity. Higher the berg balance score, lower the score of Kinesiophobia i.e. negatively significant correlation; r (198) = -.54, p=0.00. Higher berg balance scores were also found to be positively related to higher minutes of low, moderate and vigorous exercise per week. Kinesiophobia was found to be negatively significant for physical activity of low, moderate and vigorous intensity i.e. r (198) = -.11, p= .01, r (198) = -.03, p=.00 and r (198) = -.07, p= .02 respectively.   Conclusion: A significant negative correlation was observed between fall risk and Kinesiophobia. Moreover, a significant positive correlation was observed between fall risk and physical activity in elderly females who have had TKA. Key words: Berg balance scale, fall risk, kinesiophobia, Total Knee Arthroplast

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice toward COVID-19 among UAE Residents: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: COVID-19 is an emerging respiratory virus which was initially reported to the WHO on December 31, 2019 and declared as a public health emergency by the WHO on March 11, 2020. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the public knowledge, attitudes, and practice toward COVID-19. Method: This is an online cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was in both Arabic and English languages and consisted of 4 segments (demographic, knowledge, attitude, and practice). The results were collected anonymously. The data were entered in Excel sheets and then exported and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: A total of 1,602 UAE residents completed the questionnaire. The mean knowledge score is 71%, which reflects good knowledge. The mean attitude score is 78%, which reflects a positive attitude. The mean practice score is 76%, which reflects good practice. Ninety-four percent of the population avoid handshakes, 93.3% wear face masks regularly, 85.5% use hand sanitizers, and 66% wash their hands, 22.7% drink honey with ginger, 13% still prefer to take garlic, and 82% chose to constantly update themselves with information about COVID-19; however, only 10% relied on purely medical sources. Conclusions: This study showed that UAE residents have satisfactory knowledge and favorable practice, with an overall high positive attitude. However, it is still encouraged to continue efforts in spreading awareness and public health education across all platforms, as well as increase awareness campaigns and correct misconceptions circulating on nonmedical platforms since they are a major source of information for the public

Brain Eating Amoeba: Alarming Rise of Naegleriasis in Pakistan

Naegleriasis also known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a fulminant brain infection is caused by a single-celled, ameboflagellate known as Naegleria fowleri. Naegleria fowleri has been difficult to eradicate since its growth is typically found in bodies of warm freshwater, unchlorinated, piped water, swimming pools and moist soil. This letter focuses on characteristics and route of spread of infection caused by Naegleria Fowleri and preventative measures that can be taken to limit its spread. A thorough literature review was performed to identify different route of spread of Naegleria Fowleri infection and specific measures that should be taken to limit its spread. We found that Naegleria follows a nasal route of infection, migrating along the olfactory nerve, through the cribriform plate into the brain where it evokes a substantial immune response causing a widespread inflammation, hemorrhage and necrosis eventually leading to death. The at-risk population includes individuals associated with swimming, diving and water skiing in freshwater and poorly chlorinated swimming pools and individuals performing ablution. Therefore, specific measures should be taken to limit the spread of Naegleria Fowleri infection which includes education and awareness of the public as well as of the health professionals regarding Naegleriasis and its preventative measures

Development and validation of perceived sexual resentment scale for women (PSRS-W)

Objective: To develop a valid and reliable scale to asses perceived sexual resentment among married women. Method: The cross-sectional validation study was conducted from September 2018 to July 2019 at the International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and had three phases. Phase I comprised initial generation/selection of items regarding sexual resentment among married women. Phase II comprised pilot testing of the perceived sexual resentment scale for women items before applying the scale on the actual sample. Phase III determined convergent validity by estimating correlation of the  newly developed scale with the Sexual Coercion in Intimate Relationship Scale, and its divergent validity by finding correlation with the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Results: The pilot study, done on 20 married women, established the internal consistency of the newly developed scale (?=0.82). Overall, three factors emerged following factor analysis. The scale had 29 items and reliability analysis of the entire scale indicated adequate internal consistency (?=0.93). The convergent validity of the scale and the Sexual Coercion in Intimate Relationship Scale was positive (p<0.001), and the correlation with the Satisfaction with Life Scale was negative (p<0.01), indicating that the newly-developed instrument had a good convergent and divergent validity. Conclusion: The Perceived Sexual Resentment Scale for Women was found to be a precise and concise 29-item self-reporting tool developed to assess sexual dislikes and displeasures among married women. Continuous...

PREVALENCE OF MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT BACTERIAL GASTROENTERITIS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Multidrug resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) associated diarrheal diseases are the most prevalent health problems in Karachi, Pakistan. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical experiences of individuals suffered from gastroenteritis and also to determine the prevailing sensitivity / resistance pattern of E. coli among the population of Karachi. A cross-sectional retrospective survey was conducted by distributing questionnaires to a total of 150 individuals in December, 2014. The data collected from the questionnaire was statistically analyzed. Majority of the surveyed population was found to be infected by gastroenteritis lately or sometime in their life. On asking the questions about the possible reasons for being infected, it was revealed that the use of untreated water was the major source for the occurrence of the infection. Diagnostic tests were not carried out in most of the cases. Evaluation of questionnaire also indicated that physicians prescribed 2nd line of drug therapy due to the failure of treatment by cephalosporins, quinolones and fosfomycin. The susceptibility pattern of E. coli against selective antimicrobials agents was determined by using disc diffusion method. A total of 50 non-duplicate isolates of bacteria were collected from clinical laboratory of tertiary care hospital. The results were evaluated according to the guidelines of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The findings of sensitivity determination supported the retrospective data indicating that cefexime and ceftriaxone failed to inhibit the growth of 80% of the bacterial sample while ciprofloxacin was also found to be less effective since 65% of the isolates showed resistance to it. A 50% resistance pattern was observed against cefoperazone and sulbactam. The most effective antibiotic against E. coli was found to be colistin (100% sensitive) followed by amikacin (90%), merepenem (90%) and gentamicin (70%). Hence, the in-time monitoring of infection through diagnostic procedures is suggested to avoid treatment failure

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality