Factors affecting consumer’s healthy-package food consumption intention

Eager of convenience is the natural phenomena of all mankind. Similar pattern has been observed in food related decisions. Owing to the rising trend of individuals towards the consumption of packaged food the transition of disease pattern from acute to chronic has also been noticed. Psychologically, individuals’ intention is the foundation of their actual behavior. Individuals’ intention and actual behavior are correlated with each other, therefore, it is expected that positive strong intention direct towards actual purchase of any object. Furthermore, the research on consumers’ intention towards packaged food in developing and under developing countries are still far behind to figure out the solution on this issue. Therefore, this study has targeted Pakistani consumers to examine their intention towards healthy packaged food consumption. The objective of the study was accomplished with traffic lights symbols, health claims, user friendly food label, subjective norm, self-efficacy, attitude towards food label, five personality traits and intention to consume healthy packaged food. Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior was used as the underpinning theory. For data collection self-administered questionnaire was employed to target MBA students of fourteen universities. The sample size was 537 and technique was systematic random sampling. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the complete model. The traffic lights symbol was having ineffective for Pakistani consumers whereas health claims and user friendly food label indirectly influenced consumers’ intention with the mediation of attitude. In addition to, subjective norm and self-efficacy were having positive significant effect on intention to consume healthy packaged food. Moreover, conscientiousness and agreeableness were supported for moderation effect. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed. Finally, this research provides suggestions for future research

Frequency of Reactions Due to Whole Blood Transfusion in Obstetrical and Gynecological Patients

Objective: To investigate the frequency of transfusion reactions after whole blood transfusion in gynecological and obstetrical patients.Study Design: Descriptive case series, Place and duration: Completed in the department of obstetrics and gynecology THQ Samundri, DHQ Khanewal and Nishtar Hospital, Multan from 20 August 2017 to 30 April 2018. Methodology: A total of 200 patients included in the study and main variables to be assessed were age, pregnancy status, early transfusion reaction, fever, rashes, shortness of breath, hypotension. Non probability consecutive sampling was used. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data and probability value ≤0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Early transfusion reaction was observed in 14.5% women. Fever was noted in 8% women. Rash was observed in 5.5% women. Shortness of breath was observed in 8.5% women. Hypotension and itching was noted in was observed in 11.5% and 1.5%women respectively. Conclusion: We concluded that frequency of early transfusion reactions is not too much high (14.5%), transfusion of blood components is safer than whole blood transfusion. Whole blood therapy should be restricted and avoided to overcome reactions due to transfusion. Keywords: Early transfusion reaction, Whole blood, Pregnancy, Gynecology, Obstetrics

Efficacy of Intraumbilical Vein Injection of Syntocinon on Preventing the Complication of Third Stage of Labor

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of injection of Syntocinon in umbilical vein on preventing the complication of 3rd stage of labor. Study Design: Randomized Control Trail. Study Place and Duration: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics THQ Samundri, DHQ Khanewal and Nishtar Hospital, Multan from August 2017 to April 2018. Material and methods: Two hundred and thirty eight patients were enrolled for study and were divided randomly into two equal groups, cases and controls. Comparison between the two groups was done on the basis of duration of labor, mean Hb level decrease, difference of Hb before and after six hours of delivery and requirement of manual delivery of the placenta. Comparison between the two groups was carried out by using the Chi square test. Chi square test and independent t test was applied to check the statistical difference between two groups and P value ≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Postoperative hemoglobin concentration was 11.53±1.28 g/dl and 11.69±1.06 g/dl in the cases and controls, respectively (p =0.295). Of the cases, 6.7% (8) patients experienced nausea and vomiting, while 4.2% (5) of the controls experienced nausea and vomiting (p =0.392). The difference between groups regarding postoperative hemoglobin levels and the incidence of nausea and vomiting was not statistically significant. There was need for manual placental removal in 4 (3.4%) of the cases and in 15 (12.6%) of the controls (p=0.009). Mean duration of third stage of labor was 5.09 ± 3.01 minutes in the cases and 9.22 ± 4.14 minutes in the controls (p <0.001). The statistically significant difference was observed in the manual removal of placenta and time period of 3rd stage of labor among the two groups. Conclusion: On clinically administration of Oxytocin into intraumbilical vein immediately after the delivery of the fetus, the overall time period for the 3rd stage of labor was reduced effectively. Keywords: Intraumbilical Vein, Syntocinon, Injection, Complications, Postpartum Hemorrhage, Oxytocin, Labo

Effect of Implementation of COVID-19 Guidelines on the Lives of Haemophilia Patients Registered with the Haemophilia Treatment Centre, Rawalpindi

Introduction: The development of isolation strategies to prevent spread of COVID -19 could affect the lives of Haemophilia patients beyond the risk of infection. In order to prevent this, the Haemophilia Treatment Centre, Rawalpindi, adopted additional combat strategies including the use of telephonic and video consultations, dispensing medicine at home and single day treatments.Objective: To assess the impact of COVID -19 pandemic and associated lockdown and changes in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on the working of Haemophilia Treatment Centre, Rawalpindi and on the lives of its registered patients.Methods: An observational study was carried out at the Haemophilia Treatment Centre, Rawalpindi, between September, 2019 and August, 2020. Written records of frequency of virtual/physical visits to the Centre, treatment compliance, bleeding episodes, musculoskeletal health, psychosocial health, pain, disability and inhibitor status were obtained from six months pre pandemic and followed prospectively six months into the pandemic.Results: The Haemophilia Treatment remained open and functional throughout the study period. All staff members followed specially developed Haemophilia Treatment Centre guidelines vigilantly. Since telemedicine was encouraged , a rise in telephonic consultations was observed and therefore, no difference in overall visits was observed among the Pre- and Intra- Pandemic eras. The option of at-home dispensing of medicine via courier was available, and therefore, all patients remained treatment compliant. Among patients on Low Dose Prophylaxis (LDP) regimen, no difference in musculoskeletal health, bleeding episodes, inhibitor status, psychosocial health and nutritional status was observed among the two time periods. None of the staff members or patients were affected by the Covid-19.Conclusion: Our study shows that timely anticipation of potential impact of a pandemic and prompt development of modified mechanisms can indeed make the working of a Health Care Centre successful and prevent side effects on the lives of its patients

Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among adult fishermen in coastal areas of Karachi.

BACKGROUND: Migrant populations are at high risk of Human Immuno Deficiency Virus infection (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Studies of HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes and practices among fishermen in developing countries have shown gaps in knowledge and fear of contagion with ambivalent attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and inconsistent universal precautions adherence. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among adult fishermen in a coastal area of Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: Community based cross sectional study was conducted among fishermen in coastal area of Karachi from June to September 2012. A total of 297 adult fishermen were selected by using simple random sampling technique from different sectors of coastal village. Data were collected using a structured validated questionnaire. The frequency distribution of both dependent and independent variables were worked out. Comparisons of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding HIV/AIDS by socio-demographic characteristics were made using logistic regression. RESULTS: Out of 297 fishermen, majority had in-appropriate knowledge (93.6%), negative attitude (75.8%) and less adherent sexual practices (91.6%). In univariate analysis, lower education and higher income were significantly associated (OR 2.25, 95% CI, 1.11, 4.55), (OR = 3.04 CI 1.03-9.02, p value 0.04) with negative attitude and un-safe practices towards HIV/AIDS respectively, whereas no significant association of socio-economic characteristics with knowledge, attitude and practices were observed in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that fishermen had very poor knowledge, negative attitudes towards HIV and AIDS and had unsafe sexual practices which suggest that they lack the basic understanding of HIV/AIDS infection. Extensive health education campaign should be provided to the vulnerable sections of the society for the control of HIV/AIDS

Patients Perceptions of Doctors Empathy in MMCH.

Patients Perceptions of Doctors Empathy in MMCH *Aiman Mustafa, **Muhammad Zeeshan Zafar, ***Muhammad Asad Khan *Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas, **Rashid Latif Medical College, ***Kind Edward Medical University.   Abstract Introduction: Empathy is defined as understanding of patient’s experiences, concern and perceptive, combined with a capacity to communicate and intention to help. Patient takes doctors empathy as his good will for successful treatment of his patient while understanding his misery. This study was designed to in investigate the perception of patients regarding doctor empathy and to examine their satisfaction and personal interest or indications of patient compliance. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August 1, 2015 50 August 26, 2015. 100 patients selected purposively from OPD and ward. A self-administrated Likert styled questionnaire originally developed by Hojat et al at Jefferson school of Medicine with Urdu translation was administered. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: Among the total of 100 patients, 98%patients accept that their Doctor has been taking care of them, 74% patients were satisfied that the Doctor explain the reason for  any test, 94% thought that their  Doctor explained  things clearly to them, 96% strongly agreed that their  doctor had knowledge and skills, 100%  were satisfied with the care their  doctor  provided, while 82%claimed that their doctor encourage  them to explain  the disease to him, 94% wanted their  doctor to be present in any medical emergency. Conclusions: This study reveals a high degree of patient’s satisfaction with empathy of Doctors of MMCH, although some improvement is still possible.   Key words: Patient, empathy, concern, satisfaction, MMC

Colorectal carcinoma, preoperative evaluation by spiral computed tomography

Objectives: To assess the capability of spiral computed tomography (CT) scan in preoperative evaluation of colorectal carcinoma (CRC).Methods: A cross sectional study on 52 patients with recent histopathologic diagnosis of CRC was conducted over a period of one year at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. All these patients underwent spiral CT with oral and intravenous contrast administration. Surgery was subsequently done in all cases and surgical specimens were sent for detailed pathologic analysis. The radiologic findings on the CT scans were compared with the pathological findings.Results: The results proved that spiral CT had 60% sensitivity and 83% specificity for assessment of local spread of disease, 66% sensitivity and 76% specificity for the evaluation of lymph nodal metastases and 89% sensitivity and 94% specificity for hepatic metastases. In all the cases, the visualized tumour growth with wide zone of resection and regional nodal chains were surgically removed. It was however, the distant metastases which made a difference to the type of curative or palliative surgery planned and in this study spiral CT had 92% accuracy for detection of hepatic metastases.CONCLUSION: With technological advances and improvement in imaging protocols the results for local tumor spread are expected to improve, however based on the accuracy in detecting hepatic metastases in clinically unsuspected patients, this study proves that spiral CT has a significant role in preoperative evaluation and subsequent management of CRC

STRATEGY FORMULATION, STRATEGY CONTENT AND PERFORMANCE: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS IN PAKISTAN

This study tests the effects of strategy formulation and strategycontent on the organizational performance by using the frameworksuggested by Andrews, Boyne, Law and Walker (2009). Theindependent variable strategy formulation includes rationalplanning, logical instrumentalism and strategy process absence;whereas the independent variable strategy content, following thestudy of Miles and Snow (1978), includes prospecting, defendingand reacting. Three hundred and twenty five questionnaires weredistributed of which two hundred and seventeen were selected forinclusion in the study. The sample drawn was from organizationsspread across Pakistan. The unit of analysis was departments as eachdepartment has a different strategy. Results show that rationalplanning affected positively while logical incrementalism and strategyabsence negatively affect organizational performance. While forstrategy content, prospector, defenders and reactors were found to bepositively significant with organizational performance. Implicationsand future recommendations are provided