Problems Faced and Difference in Quality of Life Among The Elderly Population of Suburban Areas of Twin Cities

Objective: To evaluate the problems faced and the difference in the quality of life among the elderly population of three suburban areas of twin cities of Pakistan.Setting and duration: This study was conducted in three suburban setting around Islamabad and Rawalpindi in a duration of six months from February to August 2017.Methodology: A total of 110 participants consisting on 55 males and 55 female were selected for the study. This cross sectional survey was conducted on a geriatric population of age more than 60 years. The elders having any disease, psychological or physical disorder were excluded from the study. In this study, we used the Quality of life Instruments developed by WHO (WHOQOL-BREF) which is a validated and one of the most widely used tools in QoL research. Informed consent was taken from all the participants prior to the study. The data form all the participants was collected through face to face interviews and entry with analysis was done through SPSS v. 21.Results: Majority 58 (52.73%) of the participants were of age interval of 60-64 years followed by 39 (35.45%) in the age group of 65-69 years. A large number 41 (37.27%) of elderly participants were uneducated. Most 63 (57.27%) of the participants of the study were living in the extended family system. Main bulk 49 (44.55%) of the study sample belonged to families having a monthly income of 16000-25000 rupees, followed by 25 (22.73%) families having an income of 26000-35000 rupees. The main source of income was a dependency on children. The most common 24 (21.82%) problem faced was related to financial issues, followed by loneliness 22 (20%). Majority 68 (61.82%) of the study sample replied that the bahaviour of family members is friendly and politely with them. The QoL score for physical health, psychological health, social relationship and environment were significantly higher in male participants as compared to female counterparts. The overall quality of life on the basis of the quality of life score QoL was significantly better in male participants as compared to female participants.  Conclusions: The overall quality of life on the basis of quality of life score QoL was significantly better in male participants as compared to female participants. Their busy children or family conflicts and misapprehensions instigate their miserable moments of older life

The scope and role of family medicine in health care system of Pakistan: perceptions of health care professionals

Objective: To assess and compare the discernments of medical students and healthcare professionals about family medicine as a distinct speciality, and effect of awareness session on their comprehension.  Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 4th year and final year under graduate students and professional doctors working in different hospital of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A lecture on “family medicine and its scope as a career” was arranged for the students of 4th year and final year students. Similarly, a workshop on “family medicine and its scope as a career” was arranged and professional doctors were invited. A predesigned self-administered questionnaire already used by a similar study, was given to all the students before and after the awareness session to students and doctors. Results: A total of 225 participants were included consisting on 170 undergraduate students and 55 professional doctors working in different hospitals of twin cities. There were 68 (40%) male participants in undergraduate and 30 (54.54%) male participants among professional doctors. The mean age of undergraduate students was 21.45+1.26 years and mean age of professional doctors was 32.65+3.35 years. Less than half 80 (47.06%) of the undergraduate students had knowledge about the family medicine as speciality but in professional doctors almost all 50 (90.91%) participants know family medicine as speciality. Almost all undergraduate students 145 (85.29%) and professional doctors 52 (94.54%) feel that family medicine can improve the health care in Pakistan. Conclusion: It is necessary to include the family medicine as part of curriculum for undergraduate medical students to develop interest in this newly emerging vital speciality, which can help in betterment of health care in this country

Impact of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Overweight and Obese Individuals

Objective: To determine the effect of Vitamin D3 supplementation on overweight and obese individuals Methodology: This descriptive Cross Sectional Study was done. The participants in the study were selected from medical outpatient departments of three public sector hospital of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, from January to June 2018. All overweight of obese patients were  randomly divided into two equal groups of 88 participants in each group, by random number table method. Group A was an intervention group who were given vitamin D3 and Group B, was given placebo. Vitamin D3 (dose) supplementation was given for 12 weeks. Anthropometric parameters including BMI, waist circumference, and waist to hip ratio was recorded at the start of the study and was noted on a predesigned performa. After completion of treatment repeat serum Vit. D3 level and anthropometric measurements were done. Results: The mean age in vitamin D group was 38.46 ±7.28 years and in placebo group 37.85±8.25 years. There was insignificant (p-value > 0.05) difference in body weight (76.56±11.25 vs. 75.85±10.76) before and after intervention among participants of vitamin D group. The comparison of waist circumference (92.78±7.35 vs. 92.24±7.21) and hip circumference (107.74±7.45 vs. 106.45±7.12) showed no any significant (p-value > 0.05) change after the intervention. There was a minor change in BMI on baseline 29.65±3.26 and after three months of intervention 29.38±3.1 kg/m2 but this difference was not statistically significant (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion: The supplementation with vitamin D3 during 12 weeks did not improve the anthropometric parameters like body weight, waist and hip circumference and BMI. So the correction of serum vitamin D3 level does not help in decreasing the anthropometric parameters

Problems Faced and Difference in Quality of Life Among The Elderly Population of Suburban Areas of Twin Cities

Objective: To evaluate the problems faced and the difference in the quality of life among the elderly population of three suburban areas of twin cities of Pakistan.Setting and duration: This study was conducted in three suburban setting around Islamabad and Rawalpindi in a duration of six months from February to August 2017.Methodology: A total of 110 participants consisting on 55 males and 55 female were selected for the study. This cross sectional survey was conducted on a geriatric population of age more than 60 years. The elders having any disease, psychological or physical disorder were excluded from the study. In this study, we used the Quality of life Instruments developed by WHO (WHOQOL-BREF) which is a validated and one of the most widely used tools in QoL research. Informed consent was taken from all the participants prior to the study. The data form all the participants was collected through face to face interviews and entry with analysis was done through SPSS v. 21.Results: Majority 58 (52.73%) of the participants were of age interval of 60-64 years followed by 39 (35.45%) in the age group of 65-69 years. A large number 41 (37.27%) of elderly participants were uneducated. Most 63 (57.27%) of the participants of the study were living in the extended family system. Main bulk 49 (44.55%) of the study sample belonged to families having a monthly income of 16000-25000 rupees, followed by 25 (22.73%) families having an income of 26000-35000 rupees. The main source of income was a dependency on children. The most common 24 (21.82%) problem faced was related to financial issues, followed by loneliness 22 (20%). Majority 68 (61.82%) of the study sample replied that the bahaviour of family members is friendly and politely with them. The QoL score for physical health, psychological health, social relationship and environment were significantly higher in male participants as compared to female counterparts. The overall quality of life on the basis of the quality of life score QoL was significantly better in male participants as compared to female participants.  Conclusions: The overall quality of life on the basis of quality of life score QoL was significantly better in male participants as compared to female participants. Their busy children or family conflicts and misapprehensions instigate their miserable moments of older life

Impact of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Overweight and Obese Individuals

Objective: To determine the effect of Vitamin D3 supplementation on overweight and obese individuals Methodology: This descriptive Cross Sectional Study was done. The participants in the study were selected from medical outpatient departments of three public sector hospital of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, from January to June 2018. All overweight of obese patients were  randomly divided into two equal groups of 88 participants in each group, by random number table method. Group A was an intervention group who were given vitamin D3 and Group B, was given placebo. Vitamin D3 (dose) supplementation was given for 12 weeks. Anthropometric parameters including BMI, waist circumference, and waist to hip ratio was recorded at the start of the study and was noted on a predesigned performa. After completion of treatment repeat serum Vit. D3 level and anthropometric measurements were done. Results: The mean age in vitamin D group was 38.46 ±7.28 years and in placebo group 37.85±8.25 years. There was insignificant (p-value > 0.05) difference in body weight (76.56±11.25 vs. 75.85±10.76) before and after intervention among participants of vitamin D group. The comparison of waist circumference (92.78±7.35 vs. 92.24±7.21) and hip circumference (107.74±7.45 vs. 106.45±7.12) showed no any significant (p-value > 0.05) change after the intervention. There was a minor change in BMI on baseline 29.65±3.26 and after three months of intervention 29.38±3.1 kg/m2 but this difference was not statistically significant (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion: The supplementation with vitamin D3 during 12 weeks did not improve the anthropometric parameters like body weight, waist and hip circumference and BMI. So the correction of serum vitamin D3 level does not help in decreasing the anthropometric parameters