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Biomedical subjects

A Altaf

Publications and source records attributed to A Altaf.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Viral hemorrhagic fever in Pakistan: awareness among health care personnel.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of knowledge regarding viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) among healthcare personnel at two largest tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: A cross sectional convenience survey was conducted in February 2001 among doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and janitors/orderlies of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Civil Hospital, Karachi. The questionnaire included demographic information with their designation and knowledge level regarding VHF management, spread and prevention. Frequencies of the answers to each question were calculated for all questions and scores were assigned. The frequencies were also calculated on the basis of the designation of the respondent so that each group could be examined separately. RESULTS: A total of 187 healthcare personnel (121 doctors, 31 nurses, 19 laboratory technicians and 16 janitors/orderlies) were interviewed. Forty three percent (81) respondents were males and 57% (106) were females. By designation 90% doctors, 71% nurses, 32% laboratory technicians and 6% janitors knew about VHF. Only 57% doctors (69) knew the common signs and symptoms of VHF. Isolation for affected patients was suggested by 65% nurses and 6% janitors. Knowledge regarding burial procedure of dead patients was low in all groups. CONCLUSION: Differences in knowledge of different groups is obvious but it is essential to raise the knowledge regarding VHF at all levels including the housekeeping staff. There is also a need for continuing medical education (CME) for all health care personnel for the emerging health problems in Pakistan.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Outbreak of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Quetta, Pakistan: contact tracing and risk assessment.

In December 1994 in a private hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, 3 health-workers contracted Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) after surgery on a bleeding patient who later died. We conducted a retrospective study to determine transmission risks among contacts. Fifty contacts gave blood for antibody tests and answered questions about exposure. Two of four people exposed percutaneously and one of five with cutaneous exposure contracted CCHE The person with cutaneous exposure was a surgeon who tore his glove during surgery and noted blood on his hand but no cut. There were no anti-CCHF antibodies or CCHF cases among persons whose skin came into contact with body fluids other than blood (0/4), who had skin-to-skin contact (0/16) with patients or were physically close to them (0/21). Three index case relatives reported that although 10 family members had cutaneous exposure, none developed CCHF. The family refused blood tests. CCHF transmission in resource-constrained settings can be limited by focusing on avoiding health worker contact with blood.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed1986

Copper IUD's and unwanted infertility: pathophysiology of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and sexually transmitted disease (STD).

The Multiload intrauterine device (IUD) and other copper IUDs cause various pathological alterations: thinning of superficial epithelial cells, superficial ulcerations and lesions, disturbances of cyclic development, pseudodecidual stroma, edema of the stroma, broadening of the capillaries, and lesions of the capillaries. The infiltration of numerous polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mononuclear cells, and macrophages in the endometrium and uterine lumen, causes the release of some embryotoxic material. There responses are associated with various pathophysiological alterations such as increased vascularity and membrane permeability of the small capillaries, and the production/release of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins in the endometrium.

Biology↗