Using the Power Wheel as a transformative tool to promote equity through spaces and places of patient engagement.

Background: Patient engagement is the active collaboration between patient partners and health system partners towards a goal of making decisions that centre patient needs-thus improving experiences of care, and overall effectiveness of health services in alignment with the Quintuple Aim. An important but challenging aspect of patient engagement is including diverse perspectives particularly those experiencing health inequities. When such populations are excluded from decision-making in health policy, practice and research, we risk creating a healthcare ecosystem that reinforces structural marginalisation and perpetuates health inequities.

School-based behavioral intervention to reduce the habit of smokeless tobacco and betel quid use in high-risk youth in Karachi: A randomized controlled trial.

There have been recent surges in the use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) and betel quid (BQ) chew among adolescents in South East Asian countries, with an increase, on average, of 7% to 15% between 2004 and 2013, necessitating interventional investigations to modify this behavior. The current intervention was aimed towards changing adolescents' perceptions regarding the harmful effects of SLT and BQ use and encouraging them to quit. This randomized control trial involved 2140 adolescents from 26 private and public-sector schools in Karachi, Pakistan.

Reasons for betel quid chewing amongst dependent and non-dependent betel quid chewing adolescents: a school-based cross-sectional survey.

Background: Betel quid (BQ) chewing in children is initiated in their adolescence. It is pivotal to understand adolescents' reasons behind chewing BQ. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the reasons for BQ chewing amongst adolescents using reasons for betel quid chewing scale (RBCS) and their associated dependency on it.

Betel Quid Dependency and Associated Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Environmental Factors among Adolescents: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Betel quid (BQ) is one of the fourth most commonly used substance globally. Though BQ is a psycho-active substance, yet little has been explored regarding dependency on it particularly among adolescents.

Objectives: Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine adolescents' dependency on BQ, along with their intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental determinants of dependency.

Measure Of Frequency Of Alveolar Osteitis Using Two Different Methods Of Osteotomy In Mandibular Third Molar Impactions: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Dento-alveolar surgical procedures involving third molar teeth are the most common surgical procedure in the field of surgery. The objective of this research was to analyse the impact of surgery on the incidence of alveolar osteitis after surgical removal of mandibular third molar and to compare two different bone cutting methods following impacted mandibular third molar surgery..

Perceptions Of Health Professional Students Regarding Waterpipe Smoking And Its Effects On Oral Health.

Background: Globally approximately 100 million people are waterpipe smokers and this trend also prevails in Pakistan. It has detrimental effects on general health and oral health. The objective of the study was to determine the perception of health professional students regarding waterpipe smoking (WPS) and to assess their awareness about adverse effects of WPS on oral health.

Association between environmental tobacco smoke and dental caries amongst 5-14 years old children in Karachi, Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the association between environmental tobacco smoke and dental caries.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in peri-urban and urban areas of Karachi, from February to August 2014, and comprised children aged 5-14 years. A pre-coded questionnaire for environmental tobacco smoke and food frequency questionnaire for dietary habits were used.

Individual, social and environmental determinants of smokeless tobacco and betel quid use amongst adolescents of Karachi: a school-based cross-sectional survey.

Background: With 600 million people using betel quid (BQ) globally, and smokeless tobacco (SLT) use being more wide-spread; the duo is an uphill public health concern in South Asian countries. SLT and/or BQ use increases the risk for morbidity and mortality from oral cancer. Because SLT and/or BQ use is initiated during adolescence, it renders this group more vulnerable; and particular attention is needed to curb SLT and/or BQ use to reduce related disease burden.