COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers of Teaching Hospitals Affiliated with Rawalpindi Medical University

Objectives: To overview COVID-19 scenario among healthcare workers in teaching hospitals of Rawalpindi Medical University Subjects & Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive research was done among 482 coronavirus infected healthcare professionals from three teaching hospitals (Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and District Head Quarters) that were affiliated with Rawalpindi Medical University during January 2021. Healthcare workers with COVID confirmation via RT-PCR testing reports were included in the study through consecutive sampling. Their demographic profile, workplace attributes, clinical manifestations, oxygen saturation, source of infection, re-infection, hospitalization, requirement for oxygen supply and disease severity according to COVID-19 adult cases categorization were inquired. Data analysis was done by means of SPSS version 25.0. Results: Mean age of 482 healthcare workers was 29.6 ± 5.7 years. Mainstream (69.1%) of our study participants was constituted by female healthcare staff. Majority (34%) were postgraduate trainees followed by 29% nurses and 20% house officers. Mean duration of sickness was 13.6 ± 6.4 days. About 63.1% of study subjects were COVID infected during July –December 2020. About 4.8% healthcare personnel were asymptomatic and 78% caught infection from their workplace. Approximately 82% suffered from fever while 71.4% and 55.8% went through bodyaches and cough respectively. Out of 39 hospitalized workers, 23 required oxygen supply for their vitality. Severe COVID infection was determined only among 5.4% healthcare professionals. Conclusion: Healthcare workers are more susceptible to acquire COVID infection from their workplace. In view of this vulnerability, firm compliance to preventive measures against coronaviurs infection by healthcare staff and general public is deemed necessary for their viability

Side effects of Sinopharm Vaccine experienced by healthcare professionals of Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Objectives: To determine the gender and age based disparities in side effects among healthcare workers in response to COVID-19 (Sinopharm) vaccination Subjects & Methods: Total 216 healthcare workers were vaccinated against COVID-19 by administering Sinopharm vaccine during February and March 2021 at Infectious Diseases Department of Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi were enrolled in the study through consecutive sampling. Data for this cross-sectional descriptive study was gathered pertinent to age, gender and side effects of Sinopharm vaccination. The information regarding vaccination side effects was inquired through telephonic calls. Data was analyzed by means of SPSS version 25.0. Results: Mean age of healthcare workers in our study was 35.7 ± 9.5 years. Most (54.6%) of them were females. About 79.2% of health professionals were 21-40 years old. Side effects after first dose of Sinopharm vaccine were experienced by 46.3% males and 42.4% females. About 45.2% and 42.3% males and females respectively overlooked the second jab adversity. Greater proportion (43.6%) complained of vaccine related side effects after the second dose than 37.5% subjects who noted side effects after the first dose of vaccine. Bodyaches, injection site pain, headache and fever were established as the commonest post-vaccination side effects. Conclusion: Side effects resulting from Sinopharm vaccine among our healthcare personnel were minimal. Fortunately none of them complained of serious aftereffects. Despite the COVID vaccination, our healthcare workers should strictly adhere to COVID SOPs amidst pandemic in order to avoid catastrophe in future

Comorbidity of COVID-19 related Fatalities in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Objectives: To assess the COVID-19 associated fatalities with respect to demographics, comorbidity, critical illness, and length of hospital stay in tertiary care hospitals. Subjects & Methods: A retrospective hospital data-based research was done among 216 COVID-19 associated mortalities registered in 4 tertiary care hospitals Holy Family Hospital (HFH), Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), District Head Quarters Hospital (DHQ) and Rawalpindi Institute of Urology & Transplantation (RIU & T) affiliated with Rawalpindi Medical University from 29th March-15th June 2020. The data was gathered by consecutive sampling pertinent to demographics, hospital stay, comorbidity, critical illness, and ventilator or oxygen support. The length of hospital stay among fatalities with and without comorbidity was compared by an independent sample z-test. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Of the total 216 COVID-19 related mortalities, 150(69.4%) were males and 66(30.6%) were females. The mean age of fatalities was 55.66 ± 13.97 years. About 76.7% of dying males were 41-70 years old while 56.1% of females dying of COVID-19 were 41-60 years old. Most (60.8%) of study subjects had hypertension followed by diabetes (53.8%), Ischemic Heart Disease (17.5%), and respiratory disorders (12.3%). About 75% of the critically ill patients needed a ventilator for respiratory support. Length of hospital stay was determined to have a statistically insignificant association (P > 0.10) with the presence or absence of comorbidity among COVID-19 patients. Critical illness had a highly significant association (P < 0.000) with ventilator support among COVID-19 related mortalities. Conclusion: People 41-70 years should preferably adopt stringent precautions for protection against COVID-19. Comorbid states chiefly hypertension, diabetes, cardiac and respiratory diseases need special consideration amid COVID-19 pandemic to abstain from adverse health outcomes

Isolation, characterization, pharmacological evaluation and in silico modeling of bioactive secondary metabolites from Ziziphus oxyphylla a member of Rhamnaceae family

Purpose: To investigate the pharmacological properties of the medicinally active metabolites of Ziziphus oxyphylla. Methods: Compound I-IV were isolated form the root of Ziziphus oxyphylla (compound I = Stigmasterol, II = Betulinic acid, III = 1,2,3 benzene triol and IV = 5-Pentadecanoic acid). Various spectroscopic techniques were used to identify and characterize the isolated compounds. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays were employed to determine the antioxidant potentials of these compounds. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition potential of the isolated compounds were also evaluated. Results: Amongst the isolated compounds, compound IV was the most potent antioxidant against DPPH and ABTS free radicals, exhibiting half-maximal concentration (IC50) values of 64 and 65 μg/mL, respectively. All the compounds exhibited good inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. However, stigmasterol was more potent than the other isolated compounds, showing IC50 of 85.10 ± 1.45 and 84.81 ± 1.17, respectively, against AChE and BChE. Conclusion: Although, all isolated compounds inhibited the selected free radicals (DPPH and ABTS) and cholinesterases, stigmasterol and 5-penatadecanoic acid were more potent than other two compounds. Thus the former can potentially be used to treat oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases. Keywords: Ziziphus oxyphylla, Stigmasterol, 5-Pentadecanoic acid, Antioxidant, Acetyl Cholinesterase, Butyryl cholinesteras

Knowledge attitude and practices among urban women of Karachi, Pakistan, regarding breast cancer

Objective: To determine the knowledge,attitudes and practices of urban women regarding breast cancer and its available screening modalities.Methods: The cross-sectional, questionnaire-based, descriptive study was conducted in the urban population of Karachi in November 2010. Female attendants (n=373) visiting a tertiary care centre and four of its urban outreach centres during the study period were administered a questionnaire. The answers were then scored with regard to their knowledge. Frequencies and percentages were computed through SPSS 17, and analysis of variance was used to confirm significance.Results: Of the 373 participants with a mean age of 32.4+/-10.9 years, 293 (78.6%) were married, and 257 (69%) were housewives. The education level was considerably high; with 214 (57.4%) graduates. The mean score for knowledge of risk factors was 2.84 out of a total of 13; which was significantly associated with marital status and income. Age \u3e 40 years, education level, income and employment status were also significantly associated with higher mean screening awareness scores. Nearly 182 (48.8%) had heard about Breast Self Examination and 142 (38%) knew how to perform one. However, only 97 (25.9%) regularly performed such an exam. Almost all 3621 (97%) women wanted more media awareness campaigns regarding the issue.CONCLUSION: There is a real need for comprehensive health education programmes focusing on breast cancer awareness in Pakistan