The Socio-Economic and Demographic Determinants of Women Work Participation in Pakistan: Evidence from Bahawalpur District

The analysis of labour market participation is useful for formulating employment and human resource development policies. Females form almost more than half of the total population in Pakistan play a very important role in the country. The present study endeavors to estimate the various factors which affect the women work participation. The study is based on the cross-section data collected through field survey. The logistic regression technique is employed to estimate the determinants of female labour force participation. Educational attainment levels turn out to be very significant determinant. Female’s labour force participation rises with increasing level of education. Presence of children in early age groups reduces the female labour force participation. The results of the study conclude that female education is necessary for better employment opportunities.&nbsp

Determinants of Potato Prices and its Forecasting: A Case Study of Punjab, Pakistan

Potato figures among the principal crop in Pakistan. This paper describes the determinants of potato prices in Punjab, Pakistan. Annual data for the period 1998-2014 were analyzed to identify factors affecting the prices of potato. Results indicated that temperature and world oil prices were significantly affecting price. Seasonal variation of prices are also analyzed in this paper. This paper also use ARIMA and ARMA model to forecast the prices. These results suggest that temperature increase above the limit will lead to increase in prices and support prices also

Determinants of Potato Prices and its Forecasting: A Case Study of Punjab, Pakistan

Potato figures among the principal crop in Pakistan. This paper describes the determinants of potato prices in Punjab, Pakistan. Annual data for the period 1998-2014 were analyzed to identify factors affecting the prices of potato. Results indicated that temperature and world oil prices were significantly affecting price. Seasonal variation of prices are also analyzed in this paper. This paper also use ARIMA and ARMA model to forecast the prices. These results suggest that temperature increase above the limit will lead to increase in prices and support prices also

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Knowledge Sharing Channels used by Medical Students in Pakistan

Purpose: This study aimed at exploring the preferred and effective communication channels used by medical students, and the reasons for choosing these for knowledge sharing (KS). Method: A survey questionnaire was used to collect the data from voluntarily participated 194 undergraduate medical students selected by proportional stratified simple random sampling technique from the University College of Medicine of The University of Lahore. A total of 149 (77%) questionnaires were returned. Findings: Some major findings showed that the medical students mostly preferred and considered face-to-face and SMS (Short Messaging Services) effective communication channels for KS. They used these channels due to their convenience and accessibility. Female students preferred face-to-face and telephonic conversation an effective communication media for KS as compared to male students. Originality / Value: There was a lack of studies focusing on the communication channels used by medical students for KS. It was important to explore various communication channels used by medical students as they were likely to join the workforce after their graduation. The findings will support students to achieve better performance by knowing the importance and value of channel richness to improve learning in their learning environment

Welfare State in Theory and Practice: A Comparative Study of India and Pakistan

As the world became aware, the nations in the world started raising their voices for their rights, taking into consideration the rights, when the states started making their provision as their main objective, these states started to be called welfare states. This term of the welfare state continued to improve with each passing day after World War II. Gradually, every state started moving towards making itself a welfare state, but this term is many times more complicated than it seems. The researcher has put two basic questions in this research one is, how is the welfare state evolving in the contemporary ecosphere? And second is, on what grounds do India and Pakistan meet the criteria of welfare state? To complete this research, the theory of the welfare state and its historical background are described. Qualitative methods and secondary resources have been used in this research. This study compares Pakistan and India as welfare states, as both neighbouring countries call themselves welfare states. The parameters of the welfare state that have been defined in the study have been checked against the two states to see which principles both states meet and which do not

Knowledge Sharing Channels used by Medical Students in Pakistan

Purpose: This study aimed at exploring the preferred and effective communication channels used by medical students, and the reasons for choosing these for knowledge sharing (KS). Method: A survey questionnaire was used to collect the data from voluntarily participated 194 undergraduate medical students selected by proportional stratified simple random sampling technique from the University College of Medicine of The University of Lahore. A total of 149 (77%) questionnaires were returned. Findings: Some major findings showed that the medical students mostly preferred and considered face-to-face and SMS (Short Messaging Services) effective communication channels for KS. They used these channels due to their convenience and accessibility. Female students preferred face-to-face and telephonic conversation an effective communication media for KS as compared to male students. Originality / Value: There was a lack of studies focusing on the communication channels used by medical students for KS. It was important to explore various communication channels used by medical students as they were likely to join the workforce after their graduation. The findings will support students to achieve better performance by knowing the importance and value of channel richness to improve learning in their learning environment

Management of unstable thoracolumbar spinal injuries by posterior short segment spinal fixation

Fifty patients with thoracolumbar fractures were treated operatively between July 2000 and December 2001. The average age of the patients was 33.6 years (range: 20–50 years), 36 were males and 14 were females and the follow-up averaged 59 months (range: 49–68 months). A fall from a height, usually a tree, was the most common cause of injury. Twenty six patients had unstable burst fractures and 13 had translational injury. There were 15 patients with complete neurological deficit, 17 had partial neurological lesions, while 18 had no neurological deficit. All patients were treated by posterior short segment fixation (Steffee VSP). The average pre-operative kyphotic angle was 21.48°, which improved to 12.86° in the immediate post-operative period. The loss of kyphosis averaged 3.46° (0–26°) at the final follow-up. The average pre-operative anterior vertebral body height was 44.7% (range: 36–90%), which improved to 72.0% (range: 55–97%) in the immediate post-operative period. The loss of body height averaged 3.0% (range: 1–15%) at the final follow-up. No neurological deterioration was seen, and in 24 cases a one grade or better improvement was observed. The mean pain score was 1.6, and the mean functional score was 2.8. We found that the application of posterior instrumentation resulted in a reasonable correction of the deformity with a significant reduction in recumbency-associated complications; there were, however, significant other complications

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population.The aim of this study was to inform vaccination prioritization by modelling the impact of vaccination on elective inpatient surgery. The study found that patients aged at least 70 years needing elective surgery should be prioritized alongside other high-risk groups during early vaccination programmes. Once vaccines are rolled out to younger populations, prioritizing surgical patients is advantageous