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Biomedical subjects

N S Ali

Publications and source records attributed to N S Ali.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Association of iron deficiency anaemia in children of 1-2 years of age with low birth weight, recurrent diarrhoea or recurrent respiratory tract infection--a myth or fact?

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate for the presence or absence of any association between low birth weight, recurrent diarrhoea or recurrent acute respiratory infections with iron deficiency anaemia in Pakistani children aged 1-2 years. METHODOLOGY: From July 1993 to July 1995 a case control study was conducted at the Community Health Centre (CHC). Fifty cases and 100 controls were included. Informed consent was taken from mothers for the blood tests of their children and a questionnaire was administered to them. Data obtained from the completed questionnaires was analyzed by chi-square and t-tests. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in low birth weight (p = 0.712), recurrent diarrhoea or respiratory infections between anaemic and non-anaemic children at 1-2 years age (OR of 1.71 and 1.48 respectively). CONCLUSION: This study does not uphold the belief that low birth weight, recurrent diarrhoea or respiratory infections have a causal association with iron deficiency anaemia in 1-2 years children.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗
PubMed2002

Is there a value of mantoux test and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in pre-employment screening of health care workers for tuberculosis in a high prevalence country?

SETTING: Pre-employment screening of health care workers (HCWs) is practiced widely. Research needs to be carried out to evaluate the screening procedure in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Mantoux test and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB), in pre-employment screening of HCWs, in a high prevalence country. DESIGN: Pre-employment screening of all new employees was reviewed from June to September 2000. The screening consisted of history, physical examination, blood and urine tests, Mantoux test and a chest radiograph. Patients with clinical, laboratory or radiological features suggestive of active TB were referred to a specialist. RESULTS: Out of 207 employees, a Mantoux reaction of > or = 10 mm and ESR of > or = 25 mm/first hour was noted in 90 (43.5%) and 21 (10.1%), respectively. One person had symptoms suggestive of TB and was already on anti-tuberculosis therapy at the time of screening. All other employees were asymptomatic. Based on radiographic findings, four (2%) cases were referred and one was given anti-tuberculosis therapy. An additional 48 (23.1%) employees were referred on the basis of positive Mantoux or elevated ESR; none were found to have active TB. CONCLUSION: In high prevalence countries use of Mantoux test and ESR in pre-employment screening of HCWs is not recommended for detection of active TB.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The relationship of socio-demographic factors with iron deficiency anaemia in children of 1-2 years of age.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between different socio-demographic factors with iron deficiency anaemia in Pakistani children of 1-2 years of age. METHODOLOGY: A case control study, with 50 cases and 100 controls, was conducted at the Community Health Centre, an outpatient clinic of the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan, between July 1993-July 1995. Informed consent was taken from mothers for their children's blood tests and a questionnaire was administered to them. The data was analyzed using chi-square, t-tests and logistic regression. RESULTS: The numbers of pregnancies, live births and living children were more among cases than controls but the differences were not statistically significant. Although father's education did not show a significant association (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.22-8.33), maternal education was significantly associated with the children's anaemic status (OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.40-9.02). The difference in monthly incomes between families of cases and controls was the most significant variable among all those studied (p-value 0.006). CONCLUSION: This study showed that while lack of maternal education and low monthly family incomes are both significantly associated with the development of childhood anaemia, low monthly income is most significant.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2000

ACC/AHA guidelines as predictors of postoperative cardiac outcomes.

PURPOSE: Recently, the American College of Cardiology - American Heart Association (ACC-AHA) published guidelines and an associated algorithm for preoperative cardiovascular evaluation of patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Our purpose was to (i) test guideline's ability to predict adverse cardiac events within seven days after surgery, (ii) determine whether medical clinical predictors or surgical risks was a better predictor of cardiac events. METHODS: Retrospective review of 119 cardiology and anesthesia consultations over 15 mo, ending March 31, 1998. Patients were classified into their respective medical clinical predictor and surgical risk groups, as outlined in ACC-AHA guidelines. Associations between the medical predictor and surgical risk scores and adverse cardiac outcomes were quantified via multiple logistic regression analysis. Two outcomes were employed. Outcome I, included: myocardial infarction/ischemia; angina; congestive heart failure, arrhythmia or death. Outcome 2 expanded the definition to include "cancellation of surgery due to cardiac risk" as a negative cardiac outcome. RESULTS: Diabetes, Canadian Cardiovascular Class (CCS) III or IV angina, and MI within six months before surgery were strongly associated with the two cardiac outcomes. For outcome 1 and 2, medical predictors and surgical risks, considered simultaneously, performed with a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 46-51%. When considered separately, major clinical medical predictors had a sensitivity of 87-89%, while surgical risks showed a specificity of 89% in predicting the two outcomes. CONCLUSION: Medical predictors in ACC-AHA classification scheme were highly sensitive whereas surgical risks were more specific in predicting adverse post-operative cardiac events. Prospective study is needed to confirm these observations.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Predictors of quality of life in women: hormone therapy self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviors.

Osteoporosis and coronary heart diseases (CHD) are two major health problems that affect postmenopausal women. The literature emphasizes that prevention of osteoporosis and/or CHD through the practices of health-promoting behaviors and hormone therapy usage can improve quality of life (QOL) for women. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of health-promoting behaviors and hormone therapy self-efficacy on QOL. The sample contained 210 women between the ages of 45 and 84 years of age, who completed three instruments developed specifically for this study. The majority of the participants perceived moderate satisfaction with their life as a whole, performed many health-promoting behaviors, and perceived slight confidence in their ability to continue hormone therapy. Among current users of hormones, hormone therapy self-efficacy beliefs explained 31% of the variance in QOL. Among non-users of hormones, health-promoting behaviors explained 7% of the variance in QOL. In the entire sample, health-promoting behaviors explained 10% of the variance in QOL. There were significant differences between current users of hormones and non-users of hormones in QOL and in health-promoting behaviors. The study has implications for intervention and for future research.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of traditional classroom teaching methods versus course delivery via the World Wide Web.

Higher education is moving with deliberate speed to an electronic classroom. Much has been published on faculty experiences with World Wide Web (WWW) course delivery. However, little research exists on the evaluation of these methods. The purpose of this study was to evaluate students' perceptions of two approaches to teaching: classroom and WWW modules. Classroom methods were rated significantly higher in relation to content, interaction, participation, faculty preparation, and communication. Technical skills were rated higher for WWW modules. Critical thinking and time allotted for assignments were not significantly different between classroom and WWW instruction. Open-ended comments were rich and supported both positive and negative aspects of classroom and WWW-based modules. Implications call for creativity in course development, course redesign and orientation, active communication with students, support for technical problems, faculty development, and university-wide planning through partnerships.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1998

The hormone replacement therapy self-efficacy scale.

This study describes the initial development and psychometric evaluations of an instrument to measure self-efficacy in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use. The development of the scale was based upon Bandura's self-efficacy construct. The sample was 116 women who were 50 years old and above and who were current or past users of HRT. Factor analysis was used to develop construct validity and Cronbach's alpha was used to compute reliabilities. Factor analysis isolated two factors, efficacy beliefs in HRT (EBs-HRT) and outcome expectations in HRT (OEs-HRT). The developed tool contains 14 items, eight items compose the EBs-HRT subscale and six items make-up the OEs-HRT subscale. The two subscales and total instrument were found to have good internal reliabilities. Implications for HRT intervention using the developed tool are discussed.

Factor Analysis, Statistical↗
PubMed1998

Nocturnal enuresis in children.

This common condition can be managed by the general practitioners. The key answer to nocturnal enuresis is nocturnal self-awakening and recently more emphasis is given on this which is an area of greatest promise. Behavioural modification in conjunction with an enuretic alarm also teaches this skill and has the highest cure rate and the lowest relapse rate. Enuretic alarms can be used any time from age 5 onwards. But drugs are only indicated when there is need for short term dryness e.g. when the child has to be away from home.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Cancer prevention and early detection among Egyptians.

Although cancer is frequently not perceived as a significant health problem in developing countries, cancer death in developing countries is higher than in developed countries. Therefore, cancer prevention and early detection in developing countries is becoming a universal challenge to health care providers. The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to cancer prevention and early detection among Egyptians. Data were collected from 99 people, and the design was descriptive and correlational, using a self-administered survey. Results showed that the Egyptians surveyed had some knowledge about warning signs of cancer as well as prevention and early detection strategies. In addition, results indicated a significant difference between males and females in warning signs of cancer as well as prevention and early detection methods. Participants were less likely to believe their lifestyle behaviors affect their chances of developing cancer. Current practices undertaken included dietary behaviors, abstinence from smoking, check-up for minor suspicious symptoms, and annual complete physical examinations. Barriers to undertaking practices included factors related to lack of preventive resources, lack of information about preventive strategies, family financial concerns, and specific attitudes toward cancer. The study findings indicate the need for providing people with information to help them make decisions regarding undertaking cancer prevention and early detection practices.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Health promotion and osteoporosis prevention among postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Although there is a plethora of literature about osteoporosis, little is known about the attitudinal variables that may predict osteoporosis-preventive behaviors (OPBs) among postmenopausal women. This study examined the relationship between variables from the Health Promotion Model (HPM) and OPBs of calcium intake, exercise participation, and taking of estrogen/hormone replacement therapy (ERT/HRT). METHODS: One hundred women completed measures of benefits and barriers to calcium intake, exercise participation, ERT/HRT usage; self-efficacy; control of health; importance of health; and health status. Participants also reported their actual calcium intake, exercise participation, and use of ERT/HRT: RESULTS: Participants consumed an average of 1,243 mg of calcium from milk, yogurt, calcium-rich foods, and supplements; 81% participated in weight-bearing and resistant training exercise but on an irregular basis; and 31% were users of ERT/HRT at the time of data collection. There were significant relationships between some of the HPM variables and calcium intake and exercise participation. There was a significant difference between past and current users of ERT regarding benefits and barriers to taking hormones. Hormone users reported higher calcium intake and greater exercise participation than nonusers. CONCLUSION: There is early evidence that variables of the HPM are associated with OPBs. After continued testing, intervention programs for osteoporosis prevention may use variables of the HPM as a theoretical base for behavior changes.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1993

A comparison of American and Egyptian cancer patients' attitudes and unmet needs.

The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare and contrast similarities and differences in statements made by American and Egyptian cancer patients who expressed their attitudes toward cancer and reported their unmet needs. A total of 61 American and 66 Egyptian patients, who were receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or a combination of the two treatments at the time of data collection, participated in the study. The American sample was drawn from patients at a large midwestern hospital, whereas the Egyptian sample was drawn from patients at the largest university hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Data were collected through a structured interview method in both patient populations. Analyses of responses showed five categories of attitudes for the American patients: (a) fighting spirit and adaptation, (b) fear/anxiety/disbelief, (c) hope, (d) passivity in plan of care, and (e) faith. For Egyptian patients, seven categories emerged: (a) stoicism and fatalism, (b) dependency, (c) compliance with the medical regimen, (d) anxiety/fear/insecurity, (e) powerlessness, (f) hope and optimism, and (g) family support. American cancer patients reported their unmet needs as (a) information, (b) needs related to treatment side effects, and (c) psychological support. Egyptian cancer patients reported their unmet needs as (a) relief from dependency, (b) relief from physical symptoms, and (c) information. These findings have implications for international oncology nursing, and imply the need for further research to determine if attitudes and unmet needs affect coping effectiveness and quality of life among cancer patients.

Adaptation, Psychological↗