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Amin A Gadit

Publications and source records attributed to Amin A Gadit.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Pattern of tobacco consumption among adult women of low socioeconomic community Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess pattern and to determine risk factors associated with tobacco consumption in various forms among adult women above 18 years of age in a low socioeconomic community of Manora Island, Karachi. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted and 200 adult women above 18 years of age were selected using systematic sampling with random start from a community of 5000 people in Manora Island, Karachi. There were 400 households in the community. Every 2nd household was visited and a woman above 18 years was selected. A semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire was administered to respondents by investigators. Data on tobacco consumption and other variables such as age, sex, marital status, education, employment and stress and anxiety related symptoms were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 104 (52%) reported tobacco consumption. Use of huqqa (hubble bubble) was more prevalent (79%). Women above 30 years of age, being married and living in a joint family were more likely to consume tobacco. Illiterate women as compared to women with more than five years of schooling were more likely to consume tobacco (OR = 3.16,95% CI = 1.13-7.72). Women having household income more than 5000 rupees were more likely to consume tobacco (OR = 2.63,95% CI = 1.36-5.09) and face more financial difficulties at home (OR = 4.72, 95% CI = 2.45-9.81). Women consuming tobacco reported anxiety related symptoms more as compared to women who did not consume tobacco. CONCLUSION: Our study concluded that in this particular study setting, huqqa is the commonest form of tobacco consumption among women of low socioeconomic class. They start huqqa usually in childhood and after marriage by peer pressure especially in joint families. Women consuming tobacco report more psychosomatic symptoms and financial difficulties at home.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Out-of-Pocket expenditure for depression among patients attending private community psychiatric clinics in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a serious public health problem in Pakistan because of the disabilities it causes and the cost burden for the family. About 6% of the Pakistani population suffers from this illness and approximately 50% ofthose affected seek treatment. The health budget of the country is very low, average per capita income is 430 US dollars and 35% of the population falls below the poverty line. It follows that depression puts a heavy economic burden on its sufferers. AIM: The aim of this study was to estimate the economic burden on patients suffering from depression who were attending community psychiatry clinics. METHODS: This is a prevalence-based analysis of mental health care expenditure in a sample of 200 patients with an ICD-X diagnosis of depression. The patients attended four private community clinics, run on a once-a-week basis, with all care paid for by the patients out of pocket. A questionnaire was designed with a view to gathering information on out-of-pocket treatment and travel expenditures. The data was subjected to SPSS analysis. RESULTS: Among the subjects enrolled in the study (n=200), 85% were spending over Rs. 3,133 (51.40 US dollars) per month as general expenses on health. Sixty-five percent of the subjects were earning below Rs. 5,000 ( 86.00 US dollars). The majority used the public bus for transportation, costing the family Rs. 83 (1.40 US dollars) per trip. Laboratory investigation costs were negligible as there is a lesser emphasis on lab tests in psychiatry. DISCUSSION: The high cost of depression keeps a vast majority of the population away from ongoing treatment, which contributes to the misery of the illness and the associated loss of productivity. The national budget is very low, the average income for the majority is far from satisfactory, and though partial support from charitable organizations, public sector hospitals, insurance cover and medical facilities is available, the majority of needs are unmet. It is essential to increase the health budget and enhance efforts toward preventive strategies. Further research on health economics is needed along with an appropriate government database.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Liaison psychiatry and referral rates among hospitalized patients.

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to assess the psychiatric co-morbidity among general hospital patients and their rate of referrals. DESIGN: A hospital based descriptive observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was conducted in a private teaching hospital for a period of 6 months. METHOD: All admitted patients in different disciplines were assessed on a structured proforma supplemented by detailed psychiatric interview on positive cases. Morbidity patterns were assessed on the basis of ICD-10 classification. The total referral record was also maintained and compared with the data of morbidity and the number of referred cases. RESULTS: Out of the total 487 patients seen, 180 patients were found to have psychiatric co-morbidity; depression outnumbered all psychiatric disorders followed by mixed anxiety depression and somatoform disorders. Married female formed the majority group and the vulnerable age was between 41 to 60 years. Large segment of patients belonged to the discipline of internal medicine with the lowest (12%) referral rate. Out of 121 patients, referred from department of psychiatry, 44% were seen by the department of medicine followed by the gynecology and other disciplines. CONCLUSION: There is generally a low referral rate despite significant mental health co-morbidity. Training is needed for non-psychiatrists and there is a need for development of consultation-liaison psychiatry services in hospitals

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Obsessive compulsive disorder in a fishermen community.

OBJECTIVE: To find the prevalence of obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Two years at the local community of Manora, Karachi. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An initial survey was conducted in a fishermen community at Salehabad which is located in Manora. A questionnaire inquiring about the demographic details of the patients and using the ICD-10 diagnostic research criteria along with Yale-Brown OC scale on a population of 5,000 for a period of 2 years was applied. About 150 positive cases were identified whose details were subjected to analysis. RESULTS: Out of a total population of 5,000, 3% were found to be suffering from OCD. Among these 56% (n=150) were females, 60% were married and 50% of the cases were under the age of 25. Among the obsessions contamination, pathological doubt and need for symmetry were the most common. Regarding the compulsions, checking, washing and counting were the most common. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that 3% of the population of given community was suffering from OCD, which is a significant finding. More community based studies are needed to assess the real magnitude of this illness.

Adolescent↗