Political Awareness and Media’s Consumption Patterns among Students-A Case Study of University of Gujrat, Pakistan

This research examines the role of different media outlets in creating political awareness among students. This study shows that students of University of Gujrat consume mass media for both entertainment and political information. However, Television considered the best source of political information. Through this study agenda and framing theory used which revealed that media has an effect on its target audience. While, survey method has used to gauge the media consumption among university students. Mass media is considered a source of information that has the power to change choice of people. Media present issues to its audience with an effect that public forms opinion according to media’s emphasis on issue. Keywords: Mass Media, Consumption Pattern, Political Awareness, Media Agenda, Media Framin

Renal cortical necrosis: A case series of nine patients & review of literature

Background: The purpose of this study is to review cases of renal cortical necrosis (RCN) which we came across during a period of five years, confirmed on needle biopsy specimens, with literature available so far.Methods: All renal biopsy records between January 1996 to December 2001 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan were reviewed to identify patients with histologically proven renal cortical necrosis. Seven patients were also referred by the department of Nephrology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan. Patients\u27 medical records were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and follow up data.Results: There were total of nine patients identified with renal cortical necrosis. The mean age was 26.21 +/- 13.01 year. Five cases (55.5%) were caused by obstetric complications. The most common histology type of RCN was patchy cortical necrosis in seven patients (77.8%). Three patients were alive at last follow up; remaining patients were lost to follow up.Conclusion: Obstetric complications remain the leading cause of renal cortical necrosis in our setting. The recognition of this entity and value of renal biopsy in cases of acute renal failure needs to be emphasized as this helps in establishing diagnosis, to assess prognosis and to aid in selection of a rational approach to therapy

Perceptions on bioethics among patients presenting to family physicians at a teaching hospital in Karachi

Objective: To study the perceptions on bioethics among patients presenting to family physicians at a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan Study design: Questionnaire based cross sectional survey Settings: The study was carried out at the family practice center, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi Main outcome measures: Perceptions on the broad principles of bioethics Results: Majority of the respondents were young and well educated and better placed socioeconomically. Respondents reported the moral duties of a physician and their reaction in the event of the death of a close relative due to a doctor`s negligence. The majority agreed that a doctor is next to god . Other issues studied include discontinuation of artificial life support, giving of gifts by pharmaceutical companies to doctors, sickness certification, organ donation, human cloning, disclosure of information to cancer patient and patient confidentiality. Conclusion: We have found interesting patient`s perceptions on Bioethics with important implications for clinical practic

Patient complaints among emergency room patients at a teaching hospital in Karachi

OBJECTIVES: To study the chief presenting complaints among patients presenting to the Emergency Medical services. SETTING: This study was conducted at the Emergency Room of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi during March and April, 2003. METHODS: A survey was carried out by the study investigators. This survey included patients who were not very sick and were selected at random. Demographic profiles of the respondents were noted. EPI-info and SPSS computer software programs were used for analysis of the results. RESULTS: One hundred patients were surveyed. The majority was relatively young, married men and women, well educated and better socio-economically placed. The majority of complaints were related to Gastroenterology, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Orthopedics services. CONCLUSION: We have documented the chief presenting complaints of emergency room patients. These findings have important implications for medical practice and planners of emergency medical services

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding immunization among family practice patients

Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices about immunization among family practice patients. Design: A questionnaire based survey. Patients and Method: A questionnaire was developed in line with the study objectives. It was administered to patients visiting family physicians, after they were administered, informed consent and assurance with regards to confidentiality was provided. Epi-info and SPSS software was used for data management. Results: A total of 97 patients were surveyed. The majority were men (59.8%) with a mean age of 29.69 years. Majority was unmarried (51.5%), with graduate and post-graduate education (73%), and in government and private service (48%). Vaccination was believed to prevent disease by 94%. Majority was informed about immunization by doctors and parents (94%). Media provided information about immunization to 62% of the patients. A 58% would recommend vaccination to others. Source about harmful effects of immunization was provided by friends and parents (80%). Hurdles against immunization were lack of education and lack of funds according to 43 (45%) and 29 (30%) respondents respectively. Education of population and mothers were ways to promote immunization according to 23 (24%) and 19 (20%) respondents respectively. Immunization exists against Hepatitis C and Malaria according to 35 (36%) and 10 (10%) respondents respectively. Immunization were received against polio, measles and hepatitis B by 86 (89%), 51 (53%) and 26 (27%) respondents respectively. Conclusion: The study results have identified a strong need for education program for the masses about immunization, since major deficiencies have been identified. Further studies are strongly recommended along with debate on this important public health issue

Geoelectrical Survey for the Exploration of Ground Water using Vertical Electrical Sounding: A Case Study of Androt District Rawlakot, Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) method has been widely used to depict the subsurface lithology, thickness and structure based on resistivity of layered media with the ultimate objective of evaluating groundwater potential. In this investigation, VES was used to outline subsurface geology to produce a 2D subsurface resistivity model based on the resistivity contrast of layered rocks, for evaluating the accessibility of groundwater in the Siwaliks group of Androt District Rawlakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K). The Schlumberger electrode configuration was used with spacing arrangement of current electrode (AB/2) going from 1.5 to 250 meters and potential electrode (MN) 1 to 50 meters. The VES data was qualitatively analyzed by using iteration software (IPI2win) which showed that the area is composed of clay, shale, fractured sandstone with intercalation of clay based on resistivity contrast. At depth of 40m-100m along VES indicates good prospects for ground water potential, associated with sandstone beds of Siwaliks group. The resistivity depth section maps at potential depth of 30m, 40m, 60m and 80m are prepared for the demarcation of potential reservoir beds at various depth. The interpreted sounding curves are interpreted qualitatively and pseudo section, Resistivity section and geological log are prepared based on resistivity contrast which shows agreement with geology and hydrological condition of the area. The favorable reservoir rock as an aquifer demarcated in the study area is fractured sandstone with intercalation of clay beds, with apparent resistivity range of 80Ωm to 100Ωm and thickness of 20m to 50m at different sites. The apparent resistivity sections revealed that the North East (NE) and North West (NW) regions are comparatively good potential reservoir for ground water

Renovascular hypertension: factors affecting the outcome following surgical revascularisation

This study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan to evaluate factors that affect outcome following revascularisation in patients with renovascular hypertension. We included all the patients diagnosed to have renovascular hypertension, confirmed by renal angiography, between July 1997 and September 2000. Of the total 15 patients, nine were males and six were females. Eleven patients received venous grafts, three received polytetraflouroethyline (PTFE) grafts while one patient underwent angioplasty and stenting. All were followed-up for a period of nine months (median) with the range from 2 to 84 months. A total of 33.3% of the study patients were completely cured, as they became normotensive without anti-hypertensive therapy after operation, while 27% showed marked improvement in blood pressure control post-operatively. Thus, extended cure or improvement of renovascular hypertension was achieved in 60% of patients. Normal pre-operative serum creatinine level, high pre-operative unstimulated peripheral renin levels and renal vein renin ratio of at least 1.75:1 were the most significant predictive factors for favorable outcome (p \u3c 0.012). The pre-operative severity and duration of hypertension as well as degree of disparity in kidney sizes did not predict the post-operative improvement in renal function and blood pressure control

Osmotic drug delivery system of valsartan

The objective of this study is to design and evaluate a new EOP called swellable elementary osmotic pump (SEOP) of the freely water soluble drug, amitriptyline hydrochloride (1 g /mL) by adding water swellable polymers in the core. The hydrophilic polymers included in the core retard the highly water soluble drug by producing hydrogel within the core, which may restrict and delay the solvent contact with drug molecules and may increase the diffusional length of the solvent to achieve a constant release rate. Thus, this technology can be exploited to achieve constant drug release at predetermined rate especially for highly water soluble drugs

Perceptions on bioethics among general practitioners in Karachi, Pakistan

Objective: To study the perceptions on bioethics among general practitioners in Karachi, Pakistan. Design: A questionnaire based cross sectional survey. Settings: 85 general practitioners in Karachi were surveyed at their clinic premises. Main outcome measures: Perceptions on the broad principles of bioethics. Results: The majority of general practitioners were males, with mean age of 36.3 years, had minimal postgraduate qualifications and continuing medical education. They reported the top five moral duties of a physician and their reaction in the event of the death of a close relative due to a doctor\u27s negligence. A significant number of respondents agreed that a doctor is next to God . Other issues studied include discontinuation of artificial life support, giving of gifts by pharmaceutical companies to doctors, sickness certification, organ donation, human cloning, disclosure of information to cancer patient and patient confidentiality. Conclusion: We have documented the perceptions of general practitioners on broad principles of bioethics. These views have significant implications for medical practice

Families of Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan Their Paramount Support or Dreadful Obstacle

Purpose: This research aims to identify some female entrepreneurs and their relationship profiles with their families, which are categorized by families having a prominent part in influencing their decisions, activities, and behavior. Methodology: The qualitative technique was used as it is well suited to examining the experiences of different people. Open-ended Interviews with Pakistani female entrepreneurs using a semi-structured questionnaire were used to obtain data. The research allowed us to focus on one of the most pressing concerns affecting female entrepreneurs: integrating life with family, work, and their goals related to their profession. Findings: Evidently, knowing and understanding the importance of the household in the entrepreneurial experiences of women is critical to deciphering the reasons why enterprises that are owned by women thrive or crash, as family relations will invariably influence their performance. Conclusion: The research revealed that female entrepreneurs and their families have a significant linkage with their entrepreneurial experiences i.e., individual decisions of women to become entrepreneurs and the features of their businesses cannot be fully comprehended unless the family dimension is also considered