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Biomedical subjects

Qudsia Anjum

Publications and source records attributed to Qudsia Anjum.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Morbidity pattern and utilization of a primary health care center in a low socioeconomic area of Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the morbidity pattern according to age, gender and seasonal variation using the ICD coding and the utilization of Primary Health Care (PHC) center services in a demographically defined community. METHODS: The data collected from 2001-2003 was analyzed using the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) coding for identifying the morbidity patterns presenting at the PHC Center. The age and gender distribution of the patients and the seasonal variation of few diseases were noted. Only the residents of the area visiting the center for preventive or curative services were included. A structured performa was designed to enter the age, gender, disease and ICD codes. The faculty was trained for using the coding system. RESULTS: A total of 13,519 patients visited the PHC during three-year period. On an average, 376 patients were seen during a month with male to female ratio of 1:2. The most common diseases presented belong to the respiratory system, followed by infections or parasitic infestations and diseases of the reproductive system. The women presented for first visit of antenatal check up were 960 out of 4614 women of reproductive age group. Among the adult population, 391 (6%) presented with hypertension, 64 (1%) were Type 2 diabetics and 86 (1.3%) were asthmatics. The paediatric population analysis showed that 918 (13%) had upper respiratory infections and 1339 (19%) had diarrhoea. CONCLUSION: Problem oriented medical records from health centers, computerized in a uniform standardized way, can give extensive information about the content and burden of health problems in family practice and presumably public health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Awareness about common diseases in selected female college students of Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of awareness about five common diseases, namely: Tuberculosis (TB), Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS among college female students of Karachi. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of female students aged 16-21 years from three colleges selected by convenient sampling method was conducted from January to May 2004. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: A large number of students (71%) knew that typhoid spreads by eating contaminated food and drinking infected water. Majority (84%) knew about cough as a mode of spread for TB whereas 69% thought that TB could spread through sneeze of a TB patient. Regarding AIDS, 90% knew that it is sexually transmitted. Majority (87%) knew about the association of hepatitis B and contaminated needles; 64% were aware of hepatitis C and abuse of contaminated needles; 88% knew about the spread of HIV by the use of contaminated needles. A large number (92%) mentioned television as their main source of information. CONCLUSION: The general level of awareness regarding HIV/AIDS transmission was satisfactory among college girls in this study. The level of awareness of the young educated females about the modes of spread of typhoid, TB, hepatitis B and C is low. This study emphasizes the effectiveness of health education campaign regarding common infectious diseases, especially in young girls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Knowledge of students regarding hepatitis and HIV/AIDS of a private medical university in Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and assess the level of awareness among students of a private medical college regarding HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C. METHODS: A survey was conducted to assess the awareness of medical students on HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C. They were asked to fulfill a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The variables accessed were their knowledge of disease regarding etiology, mode of transmission, and prevention. RESULTS: A total of 267 students participated, with 117 (43.8%) students from pre-clinical years and 150 (56.2%) from the clinical years. The male female ratio was 1:2, mean age of respondents was 21 +/- 1.5 years. Majority of the students (98%) agreed that an infected person is a major source of transmitting these infections. Almost all (95%) students knew that blood transfusion was an important source of transmitting these infections. Wearing gloves (87%) and safe disposal of sharps waste (98%) were known by the students to be the ways to protect against these infections. A significant difference was noted on comparing the knowledge between preclinical and clinical students regarding medical / surgical procedures causing these infections (p<0.001) and also regarding the ways to protect against these diseases (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a lack of awareness among the medical students entering into the profession. It is the need of the hour to emphasize on practicing universal precautions. In addition, some preventive measures should be taken by the management of the universities and medical students to avoid the occurrence of these problems.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2005

Risk factors assessment for hypertension in a squatter settlement of Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk factors for hypertension in adults (age more than 15 years) in a squatter settlement of Karachi. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of adults more than 15 years old in a squatter settlement of Karachi through random sampling method. RESULTS: A total of 327 adults were approached, 165 (50.5%) were males and 162 (49.5%) females. Blood pressure was measured in 63 (38%) males and 135 (83%) females. Out of which, 11 (17.5%) males and 19 (14%) females were screened hypertensive. Hypertensives were older as compared to normotensives (p < 0.001). The mean BMI of hypertensives (25.6 +/- 4.5 kg/m2) was significantly higher (p = 0.008) than normotensives (22.9 +/- 5.0 kg/m2). Hypertensives were 9.7 times more likely to be diabetic as compared to normotensives in this study (p < 0.001). On analyzing the relationship of hypertension with other variables, no significant difference was noticed for education (p = 0.68), smoking status (p = 0.46), family history (p = 0.31) and occupation (p = 0.27). CONCLUSION: Prevention and control of hypertension is essential as the life expectancy is increasing in developing countries as well. The main emphasis according to this study, should be on controlling the BMI through weight reduction and regular exercise. Awareness about the risk factors for hypertension among the population is required to decrease the double burden on the society.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Hydrocephalus in children.

The word "hydrocephalus" is derived from two Greek words: hydro meaning water; and cephalus meaning head; also known as "water on the brain". Historically it is believed to result from imbalance between CSF production and absorption, with net accumulation of fluid in the cranial cavity; characterized by increase in size of the cerebral ventricles. It is classified as: Communicating hydrocephalus, in which flow is not obstructed, but CSF is inadequately reabsorbed in the subarachnoid space and the Non-communicating hydrocephalus or the Obstructive type, in which flow of CSF from the ventricles to subarachnoid space is obstructed. This type may also be sub-classified into Congenital and Acquired. The overall incidence of hydrocephalus is not known. Approximately 55% of all hydrocephalus are congenital. The etiology depends upon the age of the child. The clinical features are increase in the size of head, with wide anterior fontanelle, prominent scalp veins, sun-setting eyes, optic nerve atrophy, nystagmus and increased muscle tone in children upto 2 years. Children more than 2 years may present with these as hydrocephalus progresses; or if the fontanelles are closed, head size may be normal. These may present with optic atrophy or papilloedema, abnormal hypothalamic functions (short stature or gigantism, obesity, delayed puberty, primary amenorrhea or menstrual irregularity and diabetes inspidus) and spastic lower limbs. Performance IQ is worse than verbal IQ and learning problems are common. The diagnostic procedures include measurement of head circumference, Plain X ray of head, Ventriculography, Pneumoencephalography, Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The management may be non-surgical and surgical.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts↗
PubMed2004

Road traffic injuries: a new agenda for child health.

This paper reviews literature related to morbidity and mortality in South Asian children due to Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs), almost all of which are preventable. In South Asia after males 15-44 years, RTIs are most common in children 0-15 years old. Under-five fatality rates are about six times higher than in the developed world. Most injuries in low income countries occur in urban areas, where pedestrians, passengers, and cyclists account for around 90% of deaths due to RTIs. This higher fatality among pedestrians is probably due to wider traffic mix and lack of safe pedestrian walking areas. The WHO estimates that RTIs cost countries between 1 and 2% of their Gross Domestic Product. This has critical financial consequences. Vital statistics in South Asia are not reliable, and this leads to an underestimation of the magnitude of RTIs that hampers efforts for its acceptance as a preventable public health problem. Rapid urbanization, high motorization rates and failure to institute preventive measures predict a substantial increase in road traffic deaths in the coming years. Creating a safer environment is important. Use of child passenger restraints, bicycle helmets and targeted education campaigns are effective preventive measures. Legislation and implementation of traffic rules and regulations, road engineering and safe pedestrian areas would help reduce injuries. These measures are in accordance with the WHO's five-year strategy to address RTIs worldwide. This strategy includes national and local capacity building, inclusion of RTI in the public health agendas in the world for prevention and control of the health consequences. Child health in South Asia needs to integrate the new challenge of road traffic injuries for the region. It is critical that interventions for reducing this burden are developed, tested and implemented.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2004

Improving vaccination status of children under five through health education.

OBJECTIVE: To improve awareness and knowledge of mothers regarding vaccine preventable diseases and the immunization status of children under five through health education messages by medical students, at Gulshane-Sikanderabad, a squatter settlement adjacent to Ziauddin Medical University, Karachi. METHODS: The undergraduate medical students' visit families in the squatter settlement. This study compared the effect of intervention by medical students on vaccination status of children under five in the intervention households versus those without intervention. A baseline study was done in 1998 and a follow-up study was done after four years to assess the differences in knowledge and practices of mothers regarding immunization. RESULTS: A total of 110 houses from block I and 207 houses from block V were selected. An increase of 22% (52% vs 30%) in block-I (p = 0.003) and 19% (32% vs 13%) increase in block V was seen in the utilization of PHC Center for vaccination (p = 0.001). Mothers' knowledge regarding the age when first vaccine is administered to the child, increased in the follow-up from 60% to 76.5% (p < 0.01) in block I and from 50% to 62% in block V. The immunization status increased significantly in block I from 46.5% to 75% after the intervention (p < 0.005), no significant difference could be seen in block V (p = 0.16). In the follow-up survey a significant difference was seen in the vaccination status between the two blocks (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The health education messages significantly increased the vaccination status of children under 5 in the intervention area.

Adult↗