FACTORS INFLUENCING DESTINATION IMAGE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE PRE-PURCHASE PERIOD OF TOURISM IN PAKISTAN

Due to the technological advancements, people start depending on social media for various matters. As social media provides a tool for developing an image of the destination, it became an essential component in the process of decision-making regarding traveling. This study aims to investigate the influence of user-generated content (UGC), Information Quality (IQ) and Tourist’s Motivation (TM) on destination image through social media in the pre-trip period of tourism in Pakistan. The empirical analysis was conducted by using the survey method through online Google forms. Data was collected from social media (Facebook) users who were the members of the Facebook tourism groups in Pakistan. The findings of the study revealed that UGC does not significantly affect the destination image in the pre-purchase period. Whereas, information quality and tourist’s motivation significantly affect the destination image of Pakistani tourists. The research concludes that tourist’s motivation before experiencing tourism and the information they have exposed to plays a significant role in developing a destination image in the tourism market. Furthermore, this research contributes to the tourism sector of Pakistan by providing information regarding factors developing destination image. This information may help in developing a positive image of the destinations in Pakistan. Also, this study contributes by providing the tourism sector an understanding of the tourist’s behaviors in the pre-purchase period of traveling in Pakistan

FACTORS INFLUENCING DESTINATION IMAGE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE PRE-PURCHASE PERIOD OF TOURISM IN PAKISTAN

Due to the technological advancements, people start depending on social media for various matters. As social media provides a tool for developing an image of the destination, it became an essential component in the process of decision-making regarding traveling. This study aims to investigate the influence of user-generated content (UGC), Information Quality (IQ) and Tourist’s Motivation (TM) on destination image through social media in the pre-trip period of tourism in Pakistan. The empirical analysis was conducted by using the survey method through online Google forms. Data was collected from social media (Facebook) users who were the members of the Facebook tourism groups in Pakistan. The findings of the study revealed that UGC does not significantly affect the destination image in the pre-purchase period. Whereas, information quality and tourist’s motivation significantly affect the destination image of Pakistani tourists. The research concludes that tourist’s motivation before experiencing tourism and the information they have exposed to plays a significant role in developing a destination image in the tourism market. Furthermore, this research contributes to the tourism sector of Pakistan by providing information regarding factors developing destination image. This information may help in developing a positive image of the destinations in Pakistan. Also, this study contributes by providing the tourism sector an understanding of the tourist’s behaviors in the pre-purchase period of traveling in Pakistan

Consumption of commercial and traditional sugar-sweetened beverages among adolescents in Pakistan: evidence from a national survey

BackgroundPakistan faces a growing burden of adolescent overweight, early-onset diabetes, and one of the world’s highest adult diabetes prevalence rates. Yet, nationally representative data on adolescents’ sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption are lacking. This study addresses this evidence gap by examining consumption patterns and sociodemographic determinants of SSB intake, including both commercial (packaged) and traditional (home-prepared) drinks, among 10–16-year-olds in Pakistan.MethodsWe analysed data from the nationally representative TAP (Tobacco & Adolescent Health in Pakistan) survey, conducted from December 2023 to May 2024, including 14,232 adolescents (63% in-school, 37% out-of-school) from nine districts. Weekly frequency of two SSB categories (‘commercial’ (packaged) including soft drinks, fruit drinks, energy drinks; and ‘traditional’ including traditional sweetened home-prepared beverages) was assessed. Consumption was categorised as low, moderate, or high. Weighted descriptive statistics and proportional/generalised ordinal logistic regression were used to examine associations with sociodemographic variables.ResultsOverall, 70.5% of adolescents reported high total SSB intake (>7 times per week). High consumption was reported in 22.3% for commercial SSBs and 38.1% for traditional SSBs. In adjusted models, males (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.16–1.51), older adolescents (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.20–1.61), and out-of-school youth (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.26–1.74) had greater odds of high total intake, while higher female caregiver’s education was protective (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.54–0.86). Patterns for commercial SSBs were broadly similar, though male caregiver’s education was positively associated. Traditional SSBs also followed these trends, with stronger associations for out-of-school adolescents (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.77–2.37) and rural residence (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01–1.28).ConclusionSSB consumption including both commercial and traditional beverages is widespread among adolescents in Pakistan. Intake patterns vary significantly by sex, schooling, caregiver education and urbanicity. Policies should prioritise both school and community interventions, implement fiscal and labelling policies, and engage caregivers. Future research should assess portion sizes, nutrient profiles, and strategies to shift social norms around sugar use in beverages

Frequency of Sensorineural Hearing Loss among Children with Pyogenic Meningitis

Aim: To find out the frequency of sensorineural hearing loss among children with pyogenic meningitis.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross-sectional.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted at Ziauddin university hospital during the period of July 2019 to February 2020.&#x0D; Methodology: About 96 participants were enrolled in the study between the age group of one month up to 12 years. Patients were included on the basis of clinical presentation and laboratory findings of pyogenic meningitis. An expert audiologist performed the brainstem evoked response audiometry test before discharging the patient from the hospital. For data analysis SPSS version-20 was used. All the quantitative variables were calculated as mean with standard deviation while qualitative data were presented as frequency and percentages. To find out association between variables, the Mann Whitney U-test and chi-square test was applied while P-value ≤0.05 was considered as significant.&#x0D; Results: Mean age with standard deviation was 6.8 ±2.3.  Majority of the study participants were boys (57%). The frequency of sensorineural hearing loss was 17%. It was more among females than their male counter parts that was 64.7% and 35.3% respectively but no significant association was reported. The younger age group was having higher frequency of sensorineural hearing loss (47.1%), followed by the age group of 6-8 years (29.4%) and the very small number of participants were affected from the age group of 9-12 years (23.5%) but all the age groups were having no significant association with frequency of hearing loss.&#x0D; Conclusion: It can be concluded that sensorineural hearing loss is the most common complication reported among the children with pyogenic meningitis in current setup so there is a need of early evaluation of hearing problems in all patients diagnosed with pyogenic meningitis.</jats:p

Frequency of Fungal Nasal Polyposis and its Associated Risk Factors

Objective: To find out the exactfrequency of fungal nasal polyposis and its associated risk factors. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted atENT department of Jinnah Postgraduate medical center (JPMC) from August 2020 to March 2021. The demographic data, detailed history and clinical examination of all the participants were noted. Specimen was sent in formalin solution for histopathological examination while another was sent in normal saline for culture and sensitivity of fungal infection. Gomorri Methylamine Silver stain and Periodic Acid Schiff stain were used to confirm the fungal hyphae. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze the data. p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 30.29 ± 11.42. On histopathological findings, the Fungal nasal polyposis was reported among 43% of the individual while remaining were having allergic type of polyps. Out of 84 positive fungal cases, about 65.7% were aspergillus while remaining 34.3% of mucormycosis. About 17.2% of the cases were having BMI less than 30 and have no significant association. It had been found that majority of patients (43%) were farmers while about 39.9% were immunocompromised. Very few of them (22.6%) were having personal history of allergy. Conclusion: There is a high frequency of fungal nasal polyposis that is 43% in current setup. The disease is multifactorial and is predominant in farmers and in immunocompromised individuals. Keywords: Nasal polyps, Fungal rhino-sinusitis, Chronic rhino-sinusitis, Fungal nasal polyposis</jats:p

Prevalence of Sign and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in Pakistani Population at Sheikhupura, Lahore: A Gender comparison

Background: Temporomandibular disorders have been considered as a common orofacial pain condition. The term temporomandibular pain dysfunction (TMPD) is used synonymously with myofacial pain dysfunction disorder/syndrome, temporomandibular disorder, craniomandibular disorder and many other terms. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporo-mandibular joint disorder (TMD). Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faryal Dental College, Sheikhupura , Lahore, Pakistan from 1st February 2019 to 31st May 2021. Methodology: One hundred adolescents aged 15 to 60 years were enrolled. A detailed history about the chief complaint was taken and clinical examination was done. Temporomandibular joint examination performed included Auscultation for temporomandibular joint sounds like clicking and crepitus and palpation of both TMJs and associated muscles for evaluation of pain. Results: The most common signs of temporomandibular joint disorders were temporomandibular joint pain 78%, temporomandibular joint clicking 53% and trismus 29%. The most prevalent predisposing factors of temporomandibular joint disorders were parafunctional habits 40%, unknown factors 23% and history of road traffic accident/history of difficult extractions 9%. Male to female ratio showed female predominance (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders were prevalent in Pakistani population with a clear female predominance. Key words: Temporomandibular disorders, Temporomandibular joint, Orofacial pain, Bruxism, Headache, Pain</jats:p

Frequency of Different Bacterial Species and their Antibiogram among Patients with Chronic Otitis Media

Aim: To find out the frequency of different bacterial species and their antibiogram among the patients of chronic suppurative otitis media.&#x0D; Study Design: Descriptivecross-sectional.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the ENT department of Bahawal Victoria hospital between July to December 2020.&#x0D; Methodology: About 50 patients presented with unilateral or bilateral ear discharge and diagnosed as a case of chronic suppurative otitis media were included in the study. The disk diffusion method was used on Mueller-Hinton Agar to detect antimicrobial susceptibility. Multipledrugs were tested for checking antimicrobial susceptibility. The data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.&#x0D; Results: The mean age of the study participants was 13.89 ± 12.37 years. The majority of participants were froma younger age group i.e. less than10 years of age with female predominance. It had been found that the majority of cases (51%) were having Staphylococcus aureus infestation followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and very few with Proteus mirabilis. On the other hand, multiple drugs were tested to find out the antimicrobial susceptibility among the cases of chronic otitis media and the results reported that all the bacterial species were susceptible to Ceftriaxone while the other antibiotics were havinga variable response for different strains of bacteria.&#x0D; Conclusion: Results concluded that the Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and very few with Proteus mirabilis. It is important to identify the pathogenic organism and its sensitivity pattern before prescribing any antibiotic.</jats:p

A Comparative Analysis of Outcome of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Mandibular Fracture With or Without Intermaxillary Fixation

Aim: To evaluate the difference and functional outcome between open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and intermaxillary fixation (IMF) in mandibular fractures. Study Design: Retrospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faryal Dental College, Sheikhupura, Lahore from 1st February 2019 to 31st January 2021. Methodology: One hundred and fifty seven patients treated for fractures of mandible and reviewed their prognosis based on use of intermaxillary fixation after reduction of fracture. The patients were divided into two groups; Manual reduction group without the intermaxillary fixation and the intermaxillary fixation group. Results: Good results have been obtained in most patients after mandible fracture reduction. However, complications occurred in 19 (27.5%) patients in group 2 after surgery. 6 patients had an infection, 4 patients had a wound dehiscence, and 4 patients had osteomyelitis. No loosening of the mounting bolts and/or crack of the mounting plates was observed. Correct occlusion was achieved using posterior arch wires and elastic rings in 2 malocclusion patients. Occlusion failed in two patients in Group 1 due to osteomyelitis, and the second operation was performed under general anaesthesia. The mean complication severity scores for Group 1 and Group 2 were 1.37 and 1.38, respectively, with no significant difference. Conclusion: Among the patients treated with manual reduction, 2 patients had malocclusion and 1 patient required a new surgery. Such a simple mandible fracture can give good results even with manual reduction without intermaxillary fixation. For a simple mandible fracture, only manual reduction without intermaxillary fixation or intermaxillary fixation was recommended for a short time. Key words: Complication, Fracture, Internal fixation, Mandible</jats:p