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Biomedical subjects

S F Hussain

Publications and source records attributed to S F Hussain.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Attitudes to smoking and smoking habits among hospital staff.

BACKGROUND: Health professionals should take an active role against smoking, so it is relevant to have information on their smoking habits and their attitudes towards smoking, especially with a view to identifying and offering help to those smokers who wish to stop. Staff in Llandough Hospital were surveyed to determine their smoking habits and attitudes, and the findings were compared with those of a similar survey at Llandough in 1987. METHODS: In October 1991 a questionnaire was sent to each member of staff employed half time or more requesting data on age, sex, department, smoking habit, attitudes to smoking in various areas of the hospital, and attitudes to access to smoking rest rooms for patients, staff, and visitors. Smokers were asked whether they would like to join a "quit smoking" group. Non-responders were sent a reminder four weeks later and all replies returned by 31 December 1991 were analysed. RESULTS: The response rate was 82%; of the respondents, 65% were non-smokers, 15% ex-smokers, and 20% current smokers. The prevalence of current smokers was 5% among doctors, 20% among nurses, 18% among administrative and clerical staff, and 40-42% among domestics, catering, and portering staff. Thirty eight per cent of responders wished smoking to be completely forbidden in all areas of the hospital and 90% in certain areas such as wards, offices, cafeteria, and laboratories. Nearly half wanted smoking to be allowed in rest rooms and over 60% wanted a 24 hour facility for smoking for staff, 56% for patients, and 44% for visitors. Only 39% of smokers wished to join a "quit smoking" support group. In comparison with the 1987 survey, the response rate in this study was higher (82% v 70%), the proportion of non-smokers had increased (65% v 59%), and more smokers wanted help (39% v 26%). Fewer wanted 24 hour access to smoking areas for staff and for visitors. CONCLUSION: This hospital should capitalise on these changes of attitude among staff and proceed more rapidly with the implementation of policies to further reduce smoking among staff, visitors, and patients. As a first step a smoking cessation counsellor has been appointed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Audit of a tuberculosis contact tracing clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficiency of tuberculosis contact tracing in South Glamorgan 1987-9. DESIGN: Review of records of contact tracing clinic and of data from the Mycobacterium Reference Unit. The clinic's practice was compared with 1983 British Thoracic Society's recommendations. SETTING: Health authority tuberculosis control programme. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of contacts screened, follow up attendance rates, number of secondary cases detected, and quality of record keeping. RESULTS: 101 index patients and 611 contacts were identified. 596 (97.5%) contacts were screened, of whom 139 should not have been. Of 356 contacts requiring a Heaf test, 237 were tested, seven refused the test, and 112 had chest radiography without a Heaf test. 95 contacts were unnecessarily tested. 87 contacts had chest radiography unnecessarily and seven should have had radiography but did not. 34 contacts were given follow up appointments inappropriately and seven were overlooked for follow up. Tuberculosis was diagnosed in five asymptomatic contacts, all at initial screening and all close contacts of index patients with pulmonary disease. CONCLUSION: Inadequacy of data, non-adherence to contact tracing guidelines, and failure to define the term highly infectious index case resulted in many contacts being unnecessarily screened or followed up. IMPLICATIONS: The efficiency of tracing contacts would be improved by specifying smear results and ethnic origin of the index case on the notification form, clearly classifying contacts as close or causal, and clearly defining the term highly infectious.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Tuberculosis contact tracing: are the British Thoracic Society guidelines still appropriate?

The value of contact tracing in South Glamorgan for the period May 1987 to December 1989 was assessed. Tuberculosis was diagnosed in six (3.5%) of 170 close contacts. All were young and were detected in the initial screening. Tuberculosis was not found among 441 casual contacts. The value of follow up of contacts after the initial screening and of screening casual contacts in districts with a low prevalence of tuberculosis is questioned.

Contact Tracing↗
PubMed1988

Verrucous carcinoma of the endometrium. A case report.

Curettage of a sixty-four-year-old white woman with post-menopausal metrorrhagia revealed pyometra and squamous papilloma, thought to be arising from the cervix. Presence of parakeratotic squamous epithelial cells in endometrial curettage, three years after the first clinical presentation, aroused suspicion of verrucous carcinoma of the endometrium. Uterus revealed a warty tumour with a histological picture characteristic of verrucous carcinoma. Radical surgical excision was followed by a disease-free observation period of 2 1/2 years.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A hospital based preliminary report on sleep disordered breathing in Pakistani population.

BACKGROUND: Sleep Disordered Breathing is an important medical condition leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Western studies have shown its prevalence in middle age to be 9% in women and 24% in men. The aim of this study was to have a preliminary assessment on the frequency of Sleep Disordered Breathing in Pakistani subjects. METHOD: Patients attending a medical clinic were surveyed. A sleep questionnaire elicited information about snoring, witnessed apnea, nocturnal choking and excessive daytime sleepiness. Data were recorded for age, height, collar size and weight. Epworth Sleepiness Scale was used to assess excessive daytime sleepiness. Statistical analysis was by chi square test, t-test and Fisher's exact test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 123 subjects (M:F = 2:1) were included in the study. The frequency of snoring was found to be 46%. Snoring with apnoea was reported in 7% and snoring with apnoea and excessive daytime sleepiness in 3%. Snorers were more obese (p < 0.001), older (p < 0.003), with higher body mass index (p < 0.001) and larger collar size (p < 0.006) than non-snorers. Hypertension was more common in patients with sleep disordered breathing (35%) as compared to those without (16%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first preliminary data on sleep disordered breathing from Pakistan that reflects that the prevalence is similar to that seen in the West. The risk factors and association with hypertension are also comparable.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Smoking prevalence, knowledge and attitudes among medical students in Karachi, Pakistan.

A survey of smoking prevalence and attitudes was made among medical students randomly selected from classes at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. Of 271 respondents, 14.4% were current smokers (22.0% male and 3.8% females) and 3.3% ex-smokers. A majority of students recognized the dangers associated with active as well as passive smoking although only 55% of current smokers planned to quit in the near future. Most smokers (96%) believed that they as well as other health professionals needed training on smoking cessation and 95% of all students believed that doctors should play a role model in smoking cessation by not smoking themselves. Specific training and counselling should be a part of the required curriculum at medical schools.

Adolescent↗