Arab Spring: Women’s Empowerment in Algeria

The Arab Spring brought turmoil, upheaval and regime change in its wake. But these winds of change barely touched Algeria, and when it did we did not hear or see any women. In order to answer the two questions, the paper explores the status of women in present-day Algeria within a historical social and political context. Understanding the status of women is done by delving into some of the historical processes that Algerian women have had to confront. In order to understand the empowerment process, the study uses the empowerment framework as outlined by the Beijing Platform of action and modified by Moghadum

Women’s Rights: Tunisian Women in the Workplace

Tunisia is unique among Arab nations, due to the fact that women have been granted equal rights by the Constitution. Tunisia obtained its independence from France in 1956. During the colonial period, women were marginalized, and they little access to education. Economic activity was largely confined to the household, while wearing of the veil was widespread. Since 1956 Tunisian women have made great strides toward achieving greater rights, but has it been enough. This study describes the current status of women in Tunisia given the changing socio-political scene. Have women’s rights progressed or has they been hampered by cultural and religious forces in the region? The study finds that while women’s rights have not regressed, women have not made much inroads in the workplace. Further analysis using structural conditions is needed to understand the status of women in Tunisia

ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED WITH PRE-ECLAMPSIA OR HELLP SYNDROME: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Background This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and its clinical characteristics and outcomes among pregnant women in the Indian state of Bihar with pre-eclampsia or Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelet (HELLP) syndrome. Methods A retrospective unit study was conducted at tertiary care facilities in Bihar on women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome during pregnancy. All the gathered data, including demographic information, obstetric history, test results, and maternal and foetal outcomes, originated from medical records. A statistical analysis was conducted on the incidence rates of AKI and the associated risk variables. Results One hundred pregnant women participated in this study, in which 15% of pregnant participants with pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome, suffered with acute kidney damage. Acute kidney damage risk factors include maternal age over 35, first-time pregnancy, severe hypertension, and delayed antihypertensive drug initiation. Acute renal injury caused respiratory distress, pulmonary oedema, and dialysis in mothers. AKI-compromised pregnancies exhibited more significant rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and perinatal mortality. Conclusion Pregnant women in Bihar with pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome have a significant rate of AKI. First, identify risk variables and then quickly apply management techniques to avoid and control AKI in this population. Prenatal care, regular blood pressure monitoring, and early antihypertensive treatment are crucial to lowering AKI prevalence and severity. Recommendation For improved management of AKI in expectant women with pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome, blood pressure and urine protein levels should be routinely monitored as part of prenatal care. Protect against AKI by initiating antihypertensive treatment promptly and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration for the overall management of high-risk pregnancies. Promote research and surveillance to evaluate and improve current AKI preventive measures, and establish long-term follow-up programmes to assess postpartum kidney health

A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON ASSOCIATION/CORRELATION OF SERUM LACTATE LEVEL AT ADMISSION OF SEVERE PRE-ECLAMPSIA WITH MATERNAL COMPLICATIONS.

Background This study aimed to determine whether severe pre-eclampsia is associated with an increased risk of birth-related complications based on serum lactate levels determined at hospital admission and to find potential markers that could be used to predict the occurrence of complications in pregnant women previously diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia. Methodology Patients diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia in the Indian state of Bihar between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, were subjected to a retrospective analysis of hospital admission information. The patients who participated in this study were female. At the time of admittance, a record of the mother's difficulties and a serum lactate analysis were obtained. The nature of the relationship between maternal issues and serum lactate levels was investigated using statistical methods such as association and logistic regression. Results  Seventy-five percent of the 200 female participants in the study encountered at least one problem while hospitalized. 45% of the patients developed eclampsia, 32% developed acute renal impairment, and 24% developed disseminated intravascular coagulation. Serum lactate levels and obstetric complications were found to have a significant positive correlation (r = 0.72, p 0.001 for both statements). A logistic regression analysis revealed an association between an increased risk of maternal difficulties and a higher odds ratio per unit increase in lactate level of 1.58 (95% confidence interval: 1.31-1.80, p 0.001). Conclusion This study indicated severe pre-eclampsia admissions with high serum lactate levels were associated with maternal problems. Serum lactate levels may indicate complications in severe pre-eclampsia. Early detection of elevated lactate levels helps clinicians monitor high-risk patients for consequences. Recommendation Further prospective research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the best lactate threshold for predicting severe pre-eclampsia problems

International Tourism in Developing Nations: An Empirical Study

Theory: The literature on volume of tourism in developing nations, does not provide empirical measures necessary for rigorous hypotheses testing. While there have been ample studies on volume of tourism among developed nations, very little has been done regarding developing nations. Several theories from the dependency school, world systems and modernization offer theoretical explanations, but these explanations have not been adequately translated into empirical models, for studying the volume of tourism. Hypotheses: To improve the ability to explain volume of tourism and to identify the factors that affect the volume of tourism in developing countries, the study tests four hypotheses based on the theories of Modernization, World System and Push- Pull. Methodology: The study uses Confirmatory Factor Analysis to examine the factors that are likely to influence the volume of tourism. Shift Share analysis is also used to study regional variations in volume of tourism. Findings: The study found support for the fact that aspects of modernization are some of the most important determinants of volume of tourism. This finding has policy implications for developing nations trying to encourage tourism as an important economic sector. Shift Share analysis revealed that in the last decade Sub - Saharan Africa, East Asia Pacific and the Middle East have seen an increase in the volume of tourism compared to other developing regions of the world

ASSOCIATION OF SERUM HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS WITH UNEXPLAINED STILL BIRTHS

Background This study examines the concept that elevated homocysteine levels are associated with sudden infant death syndrome. The study aimed to determine whether elevated serum homocysteine levels were related to an increased risk of iatrogenic stillbirths. Method In this retrospective case-control study, 100 women who had stillbirths for unknown reasons and 100 who had normal pregnancies served as cases and controls, respectively. The serum homocysteine levels were evaluated using enzyme assays, and other pertinent clinical and demographic information was also gathered. Result Significantly differing homocysteine levels were found between the case group (mean ± standard deviation: 12.5 ±2.1 units) and the control group (mean± standard deviation: 8.3± 1.5 units; p0.001). After adjusting for potential confounding factors  Conclusion The results suggest that elevated serum homocysteine levels may be a biomarker for the unknown risk of stillbirth in women. Further research is required into potential treatments and prevention strategies for hyperhomocysteinemia-related pregnancy complications. This study supports the theory that elevated homocysteine levels induce sudden infant death syndrome. Significant therapeutic implications result from these findings, as systematic homocysteine monitoring throughout pregnancy may help identify high-risk patients and implement appropriate therapies to reduce stillbirths. Recommendation There is a need for additional research to validate these findings and investigate methods to reduce maternal homocysteine levels such as maternal age, smoking status, and gestational age, logistic regression analysis revealed an important association between elevated serum homocysteine levels and unexplained stillbirths (odds ratio: 2.90, 95% confidence interval: 1.70-

Evaluation of insulin resistance in adolescent girl with menstrual irregularities

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is most commonly recognized endocrinopathy in reproductive age group. The symptoms of PCOS vary with age, race, weight, and medications, which lead to the challenges of accurate diagnosis particularly in adolescent age group. Adolescent with PCOS most commonly encountered by gynecologist, for their menstrual irregularities. During early puberty, menstrual irregularities can occur normally due to immature Hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis. Early detection of PCOS is required to control high risk of insulin resistance followed by reproductive and metabolic consequences latter on in life. Also diabetes mellitus is asymptomatic at early stage of insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. Few studies have been conducted in Indian population, for prevalence of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in adolescents with PCOS, with varying results and hence further study is required. The aim and objectives of the study was to evaluate the presence of insulin resistance in adolescents with menstrual disorders persisting 2 years after menarche.Methods: A Cross sectional Study consisting of 102 adolescent girls done in Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of the Indira Gandhi Institute Of Medical Science Biochemical analysis was done on(day 3 to day 5) of menstruation for clinical/laboratory hyperandrogenism ,and various cause of anovulation. HOMA-IR value was evaluated for insulin resistance by following formula: fasting serum insulin (μU/ml) × fasting plasma glucose (m mol/l)/22.5. The 2003 Rotterdam consensus workshop criteria were used for ultrasonographic feature of polycystic ovarian syndrome.Results: Most common pattern of menstrual irregularities was Oligomenorrhea. 4 (7.84%) cases had insulin resistance (HOMA-IR >3.9) and 25 (49.01%) cases had elevated HOMA-IR values (HOMA-IR >1). PCOS was seen in 35.29% of cases and only 1.96% of control.Conclusions: Adolescents with persistent menstrual irregularities even after two year of menarche, especially with oligomenorrhea and hypomenorrhoea, more frequently have the diagnosis of PCOS and also present with elevated HOMA-IR values