Residual effects of pesticides on human health as perceived by farmers in Tehsil Faisalabad Sadar, Punjab, Pakistan.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to check the farmer’s perception regarding use of chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides) in vegetables and its effects on human health in peri urban areas of tehsil Faisalabad Saddar. Instead of using organic matter, there is highly preference of fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and rodenticides in order to achieve the high yield and green revolution. Study Design: Prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Setting: Institute of Agricultural Extension & Rural Development, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Period: September 2017 to August 2019. Material & Methods: Sample size comprises 128 respondents. From two peri-urban union councils (4 villages, vegetables growing) were selected purposively. While 32 farmers were selected from each village. A pre-tested and well-structured interview schedule was developed for data collection. Result: The results indicated that various diseases were present among farmers due to use of chemicals and residual effects. The diseases were chest pain, damage of liver, diarrhea, dizziness, eye irritation, sleeplessness, dryness of throat, shortness of breath, swelling of skin, fever, hypertension, tiredness and stomach disturbance. Pearson correlation coefficient shows significant and positive relation between age of the respondents and diseases they had P<0.05. More than half 56.3% of the respondents knew that ground water becomes contaminated by the use of chemicals. A vast majority 90.6% of the respondents used to avoid storing of pesticides, fungicides and weedicides. Results also indicated that diseases and adoption of precautionary measures were directly related with lack of awareness. Conclusion: There is dire need to start campaigns through media regarding awareness about harmful effects of residues on human health and organic farming should be preferred over chemicals.

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Community Knowledge and Behavior About COVID-19 and Their Attitude Toward Public Policies Implemented Against This Pandemic in the Northwest of Iran

Shiraz E-Medical Journal ◽

10.5812/semj.113890 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol In Press (In Press) ◽

Author(s):

Sedigheh Salavati ◽

Hamid Shokri ◽

Asghar Tanomand ◽

Maryam Shirvani ◽

Ali Soleimani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Behaviors ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Public Policies ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Physical Distance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Northwest Of Iran ◽

High Risk Situation ◽

And Behavior

Background: The awareness of people’s health knowledge and behavior on COVID-19 has helped guide education and health promotion policies, and examination of people’s opinions on governance measures against this disease will guide policymakers in making more decisions and responsiveness. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate people’s knowledge and behaviors toward COVID-19 and their views on adopted public policies against this disease in Maragheh, a city in the Northwest of Iran. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, analytical study that was done in urban areas of Maragheh from 13 November to 20 December 2020. The sample size was estimated at 672 participants, and the sampling method was stratified random. The data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire that consisted of four sections: demographic information, health behaviors, respondent’s knowledge of COVID-19, and their viewpoints on adopted public policies against this disease and was shared online. The one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression were used to analyze data with SPSS version 23. Results: The mean scores of people’s knowledge (6.42 ± 1.2) out of 9 and health behaviors (34.8 ± 3.9) of 36 were moderate. The majority of respondents had high levels of knowledge and also behavior about keeping the physical distance (98.5%) and proper handwashing (97.9%). Knowledge (β = 0.23) and male (β = -0.27) were the predictors of health behaviors (p < 0.001, F = 12.47). The investigation of myths on COVID-19 indicated that 17% and 41.1% of the respondents believed that alcohol consumption and using garlic and herbal drinks are effective in the prevention and 57.7% of them believed that holding the breath for 10 seconds is a sign of being healthy. People’s views on the COVID-19 control policies were assessed to be at the medium level (48.2 ± 7.5) of 65. The most effective policies against COVID-19 from the people’s opinions consisted of lockdown policies (96.4%), schools’ closure (95.9%), and constraints on intercity trips (91.3%). Conclusions: It seems necessary to strengthen measures on health knowledge promotion and implementation of health education interventions on protective behaviors of COVID-19 in such a way that right beliefs are replaced with wrong ones. Based on positive public opinions on Lockdown interventions, re-applying these policies is recommended to get the cities out of the high-risk situation.

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TB-DOTS PROGRAM;

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2008.15.04.2941 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 15 (04) ◽

pp. 524-532

Author(s):

MUHAMMAD ANWAR SULEHR ◽

AYUB `ALI

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Program Design ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Age Group ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Direct Supervision ◽

Suspect Identification ◽

Study Setting

Objectives: To assess the performance of Lady Health Workers (LHWs) in collection, storage & distribution of drugs andevaluate their effectiveness regarding TB suspect identification, referral, directly observing the intake of medicine, default identification andhealth education in TB-DOTS program. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: In district Toba Tek Singh. Period: From January to Sep2006. Materials & Methods: One hundred and Two LHWs were selected randomly and interviewed using a structured pre-tested questionnaire.Results: Among 102 LHWs, 76.5% were trained in TB-DOTS. Sixty four (62.7%) had qualification matric and above. Collection of the drugswas being performed properly by 87.3%, while 83.4% were storing the anti-TB drugs at proper places. Anti-TB drugs were being distributedto patients daily by 95.1%. Under the direct supervision of LHWs 69.6% of TB patients had completed treatment. In the areas of 58.8% LHWs,TB patients were declared cured after 8 months treatment. Defaulted TB cases were present, in the areas of 19.6% LHWs, while 12.8% of theLHWs had relapsed TB cases in their areas. Most of the LHWs (85.3%) had proper record of medicine and of the patients (84.3%). Conclusion:The experienced and TB-DOTS trained LHWs of urban areas, in the age group of 41-50 years had overall good performance. The LHWs havingqualification matric and above had better performance than the LHWs having middle qualification. TB-DOTS program in district Toba Tek Singhwas working successfully and it should be continued with some improvements and innovations.

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Epidemiological Pattern of Poisoning in Children under the Age of 15 Admitted to the Referral Teaching Hospitals of Yazd and Taft Cities (2014-2019)

Journal of Environmental Health and Sustainable Development ◽

10.18502/jehsd.v6i3.7243 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mahdieh Momayyezi ◽

Parisa Peigan ◽

Hossein Fallahzadeh

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

P Value ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Epidemiological Pattern ◽

Poisoning In Children

Introduction: Understanding the epidemiological pattern and causes of poisoning is the first step to prevent and reduce complications and mortality due to poisoning in children. Given that no study has been conducted on this subject in Yazd, this study aimed to determine the epidemiology pattern of poisoning in children admitted to the referral teaching hospitals in Yazd and Taft cities during 2014-2019. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 238 children under the age of 15 who have been admitted to Shahid Sadoughi hospital in Yazd and Shahid Beheshti hospital in Taft city during 2014-2019. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20.0 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and Chi-square. In all the statistical analyses, a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The results showed that the frequency of poisonings was higher in girls (58%), in summer (31.1%), and in urban areas (82.8%). Most cases of poisoning aged less than 15 years (75.1%). The main cause of poisoning in children was drug poisoning (60.5%), followed by cleansing products (10.1%). The most common clinical manifestations included neurological signs (33.6%). During 2014-2019, the frequency of drugs and pesticide poisonings decreased; while poisoning due to drug-opioids and cleansing products increased (P = 0.04). Also, 3 deaths occurred due to poisoning during this period. Conclusion: The higher prevalence of drug and cleansing products poisoning in children under the age of 15 indicates involuntary poisoning in this group. Therefore, proper storage of these substances and more parental care can reduce poisonings in children.

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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAMILY FUNCTION AND ADOLESCENT AUTONOMY IN THE RURAL AND URBAN AREA

Journal of Family Sciences ◽

10.29244/jfs.3.1.15-29 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 15

Author(s):

Mulyati Mulyati ◽

Kenty Martiastuti

Keyword(s):

Urban Area ◽

Confidence Level ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Family Characteristics ◽

Average Score ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Family Function ◽

Adolescent Autonomy

This study aims to analyze the function of families in urban and rural areas as well as its relationship with adolescent autonomy by using cross sectional study method. The data collection time was conducted in September 2016. By proportional random sampling method, there were 72 samples at SMPN 2 Bogor (representing urban area) and 72 people at SMPN 2 Parung (representing rural area). Research data includes family characteristics, family functions divided into 3 dimensions (10 sub-scales) and adolescent autonomy consisting of 3 dimensions (value, emotional and behavioral). To see the correlation, the Pearson Correlation test was used and to see differences in family function characteristics and gender-based autonomy was seen by the Independent T-test differential test. The results showed that the average score of family function in urban areas was 118.44, while in rural areas 121.12. This shows the function of families in rural areas better than in urban areas. The average score of urban adolescent autonomy is 81.21, while in rural areas it is 77.29. This difference is significant at 99% confidence level. Adolescent autonomy is positively correlated with family function of personal growth dimension with correlation coefficient of 0.207 (at 95% confidence level). This shows that the better family function then the better the adolescent autonomy.

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Haemophilus influenzae infection among children with acute bacterial meningitis.

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2021.28.11.5469 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (11) ◽

pp. 1621-1625

Author(s):

Muhammad Shahzad Maqsood ◽

Safdar Hussain ◽

Asim Khurshid

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Meningitis ◽

Haemophilus Influenzae ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Acute Bacterial Meningitis ◽

Microbiological Analysis ◽

Haemophilus Influenza ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Duration Of Illness ◽

Study Setting

Objective: To determine the frequency of haemophilus influenzae infection in children less than 5 years with acute bacterial meningitis (ABM). Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Pediatric Medicine, The Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Multan. Period: October 2019 to March 2020. Material & Methods: A total of 165 children aged 5 – 60 months of either gender having acute bacterial meningitis with duration of < 2 weeks were enrolled. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of each child was sent for microbiological analysis. Results: There were 106 (64.2 %) boys and 59 (35.8 %) girls. Mean age was 2.72 ± 1.07 years. Most cases, 112 (67.9 %) belonged to urban areas. Maternal literacy was positive in 65 (39.4%) cases while 59 (35.8%) were fully vaccinated. Mean disease duration was 56.25 ± 15.36 hours and 112 (67.9%) had duration of illness more than 36 hours. Frequency of Haemophilus Influenzae was noted in 35 (21.2%) cases. Conclusion: Frequency of Haemophilus Influenzae was high among children with acute bacterial meningitis. Early diagnosis and appropriate management might help reducing prolonged hospitalization and disease morbidity related to Haemophilus Influenza.

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Knowledge and Practices towards Avian Influenza among Poultry Workers in Pokhara

Janapriya Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies ◽

10.3126/jjis.v7i1.23047 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 26-34

Author(s):

Arati Timilsina ◽

Shilpa Mahat

Keyword(s):

Avian Influenza ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Good Practice ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Preventive Practices ◽

Correct Definition ◽

Poultry Workers ◽

Definition Of

Avian influenza is currently a threat to global health. Prevention and control of Avian influenza depends on the knowledge and preventive practices of the poultry workers as well as general population. This article aims to assess the knowledge and preventive practices related to Avian influenza among poultry workers in Pokhara. Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 108 poultry workers in Pokhara using purposive sampling. Data was collected through face to face interview using structured interview schedule. The obtained data was analyzed by using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation). The findings revealed that only 11.1 percent of the respondents had good knowledge. Only 26.9 percent gave correct answer about causative agent and three out of four gave correct definition of Avian influenza. Nearly two-third of the respondents had good practice of preventive measures. There was no significant relationship (r= 0.117, p= 0.226) between knowledge and practice score. The study concludes that the knowledge of Avian Influenza among poultry workers was low and the Practice was found relatively better. The groups should be targeted for appropriate intervention based on knowledge.

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EFFECTIVENESS OF DENGUE FEVER PREVENTION CAMPAIGNS

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2015.22.05.1269 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 22 (05) ◽

pp. 571-576

Author(s):

Bushra Yasmeen ◽

Nermeen Jamshaid ◽

Muhammad Zohaib Khan ◽

Munnaza Salman ◽

Raza Ullah

Keyword(s):

Dengue Fever ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Household Survey ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Public Knowledge ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Awareness Campaigns ◽

Dengue Prevention ◽

Lahore City

Objectives: Dengue fever badly hits Pakistan in 2011. A large number of peopledied due to dengue fever. To control the alarming situation, other than treatment, work had beenstarted at all levels. Department of Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal, Punjab was involved by theCity District Government to work for the awareness among public for the preventive measuresand practices to reduce the spread of the epidemic. Anti-dengue awareness campaigns wereorganized at the community level with the help of non-government organizations. A survey wasconducted with the following objectives to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-dengue awarenessactivities: (1) Public knowledge of Dengue fever. (2) Anti-mosquito Preventive Practices.Study Design: A cross sectional household survey. Setting: Out of ten towns of Lahore city,Samanabad Town was selected. Period: Januarys to March 2014. Methods and Material:Instrument: A structured interview schedule of three sections was designed. Interviews wereconducted from urban/semi-urban communities. Sampling: By using multistage randomsampling, Out of ten towns of Lahore city, Samanabad Town was selected. Samanabad Town isconsisted of 24 union councils with a population of 17 million. Three union councils: 86, 104 and112 were randomly selected. 400 household were randomly selected from these union councilsfor interview to ensure representativeness of the sample. Respondents: Males/Females aged15–65 & above lived in the households of Samanabad Town were the respondents. Onerespondent was selected from each household. Method: In this cross-sectional study, by usingTaro Yamni Formula, 400 interviews were successfully conducted with a response rate of 100%.Other than demographics, 17-items questionnaire measured knowledge and practices aboutawareness and dengue prevention. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation coefficientwas used for the analysis of the data. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 20. Results: Maturity ofthe community members’ 76 - 92% was aware and had knowledge of preventive measures. 66- 83% practicing regularly in the households. Data analysis indicated a positive and significantassociation between knowledge about dengue prevention and practices about dengueeradication (r = 0.000, p < .005). Conclusion: Consistent awareness campaigns for denguefever prevention and control enhances public knowledge and motivates individuals to adoptpreventive practices in day to day routine life. To foster and maintain public interest, attractivebeneficial public friendly practical economical practices need to be publicized to motivateyoung ones in communities. Orientation training programs of community paid health workerswill be helpful to improve skills to assert effective dengue fever preventive measures and controlactivities to reduce the breeding sites of mosquitoes.

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OBESITY

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2009.16.03.2803 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 16 (03) ◽

pp. 390-394

Author(s):

ABDUL SALAM MALIK ◽

MUNIR AHMAD AZHAR ◽

KHALIL AHMAD SHAHID

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Female Students ◽

Male Students ◽

Female College Students ◽

Adolescent Male ◽

Morbidly Obese ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Study Setting

Objectives: To assess frequency of obesity among college adolescent male and female students on BMI-Prime bases throughanthropometric. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: At higher secondary colleges located in urban areas of Bahawalpur City. Period: FromFebruary 2009 to March 2009 Materials & Methods: Assessment of obesity among 400 college male & female students equally divided, agesfrom 16 to 23 years was carried out on BMI-Prime bases. Weight categories so achieved were stratified and labeled. Results: There were3(0.75%) severely under weight, 44(11%) under weight, 273(68.25%) normal, 68(17%) over weight, 9(2.25%) obese and 3(0.75%) wereclinically obese. There was no morbidly obese. No statistical gender difference for severely under weight and clinically obese was noted.However females were more under weight (p<0.05) while males were more over weight (P<0.05) and obese (P<0.05) when compared witheach other. C o n c l u s i o n : The adolescent female college students were under weight when compared to their male colleagues. The frequencyof obesity was higher among male students

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THE SATISFACTION OF PATIENTS ON SURGICAL CLINICS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

International Journal of Advanced Research ◽

10.21474/ijar01/12261 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 1114-1119

Author(s):

Masoud Ahmad Al-Ghamdi ◽

◽

Hoda Jehad Abousada ◽

Isa Saleh Alsuwat ◽

Anan Ibrahim Alturkustani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Surgical Patients ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Long Distance ◽

Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Distance Communication ◽

Precautionary Measures

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread globally to more than 62 million persons with overwhelming impact to the healthcare systems and chronic ill patients worldwide. In this study, our aim was to assess the satisfaction of surgical patients regarding their routine clinic visits during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using a structured interview with questionnaire in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a sample size of 518. Descriptive analysis was performed by using IBM SPSS version 17 (Chicago: SPSS Inc.). The results showed thatmost of the participants did not visit their scheduled surgical clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic and most of the ones who visited were very dissatisfied with the services they received. Accordingly, approaches to implement precautionary measures against COVID-19 and long-distance communication such as telemedicine, when properly instituted, can have a wider impact during this pandemic and in the future ones.

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CHRONIC DIARRHEA;

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2008.15.04.2937 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 15 (04) ◽

pp. 479-485

Author(s):

RAFI UD DIN ◽

MANZAR ZAKARIA ◽

MUJEEB-UR-REHMAN ABID BUTT

Keyword(s):

Chronic Diarrhea ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

High Yield ◽

Military Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Fiberoptic Colonoscopy ◽

Work Up ◽

Histopathologic Findings ◽

Study Setting ◽

Very High

Objective: To determine the frequency of large bowel causes of chronic diarrhea in adult Pakistani patients. StudyDesign: Cross sectional study. Setting: Medical unit 1 at Combined Military Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. Duration: Six months (from 01-11-2007 to 30-4-2008). Subjects and Methods: Fifty adult patients with chronic diarrhea, irrespective of their gender were selected by nonprobability convenient sampling. Patients already diagnosed with diseases known to cause diarrhea and those with toxic mega colon wereexcluded from the study. All patients were subjected to fiberoptic colonoscopy and findings were recorded. Biopsies were taken fromsuspected lesions or from normal looking mucosa. Diagnosis was made with colonoscopic and histopathologic findings. Results: Thirty two(64%) patients had abnormal findings visible on colonoscopy. Histopathology was normal in 18 (36%). Twenty (40%) patients hadulcerative colitis, seventeen (34%) had IBS, five (10%) had CA colon and three (6%) patients had crohn’s disease. Other diagnosesincluded non specific colitis, tubulovillous adenoma and infection. Twenty three out of 24 patients (95%) who had blood in stools had avisible abnormality on colonoscopy whereas colonoscopy was positive in only 33% of patients who did not have blood in stools.Conclusion: Most causes of large gut chronic diarrhea can be identified by colonoscopy and biopsy. Colonoscopy has a very high yield inchronic diarrhea and should be recommended for its work up. Its yield is even higher in patients with bloody diarrhea.

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