Capacity building and enhancing knowledge of the healthcare providers on inappropriate practices and dispensing of antimicrobials.

This paper reports on the training programme, aimed for healthcare providers on the concepts of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and build their understanding and knowledge on the causes and factors contributing to the AMR hence reducing the burden on the healthcare systems. A team of experts developed the curriculum and teaching material. A 2-day training workshop was conducted which included the pre- and post-knowledge assessment of the participants on AMR.

Mortality Associated with Priority Diseases in Flood-Affected Areas Using District Health Information System (DHIS2) During September-December 2022: Pakistan Experience.

Objectives: To quantify the burden of communicable diseases and characterize the most reported infections during public health emergency of floods in Pakistan.

Methods: The study's design is a descriptive trend analysis. The study utilized the disease data reported to District Health Information System (DHIS2) for the 12 most frequently reported priority diseases under the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system in Pakistan.

Infectious causes of fever of unknown origin in developing countries: An international ID-IRI study.

Background: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) in developing countries is an important dilemma and further research is needed to elucidate the infectious causes of FUO.

Methods: A multi-center study for infectious causes of FUO in lower middle-income countries (LMIC) and low-income countries (LIC) was conducted between January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2023. In total, 15 participating centers from seven different countries provided the data, which were collected through the Infectious Diseases-International Research Initiative platform.

Coordination strategies and concept of operations implemented during activation of public health emergency operations center for COVID-19 response in Pakistan.

Public health emergency management systems encountered difficulties in developing countries, especially in Pakistan. The COVID-19 pandemic was extremely challenging for different agencies/departments in Pakistan. Health emergency management depends on a well-established public health emergency operations center that could generate a coordinated response to emergencies.

Mapping of infection prevention and control education and training in some countries of the World Health Organization's Eastern Mediterranean Region: current situation and future needs.

Background: A strong understanding of infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures and comprehensive training among healthcare workers is essential for effective IPC programs. These elements play a crucial role in breaking the chain of nosocomial infections by preventing the transmission of resistant organisms to patients and staff members. This study mapped the components of IPC education and training across various member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) at national, academic, and healthcare institutional levels.

Evaluation of the public health empowerment program in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Background: The Public Health Empowerment Program (PHEP) is a 3-month training program for frontline public health staff to improve surveillance quality and strengthen the early warning system capacities. Studies evaluating the program and its impact on the health systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of PHEP graduates' engagement in field epidemiology activities, assess their perceived skills and capacity to perform these activities and assess the extent to which PHEP helped the graduates to perform field epidemiology activities.

Assessment of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Implementation and Strategies Used for IPC Preparedness at Facility Level in Underdeveloped Areas of Pakistan.

Background: During outbreaks of infectious diseases like COVID-19, the healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a burden on public health system. There are very limited data about infection prevention and control (IPC) implementation in the healthcare facilities of Pakistan. The aim of the study was to conduct assessment with the IPC Assessment Framework (IPCAF) tool in healthcare facilities of the least developed areas.

Classical fever of unknown origin in 21 countries with different economic development: an international ID-IRI study.

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a serious challenge for physicians. The aim of the present study was to consider epidemiology and dynamics of FUO in countries with different economic development. The data of FUO patients hospitalized/followed between 1st July 2016 and 1st July 2021 were collected retrospectively and submitted from referral centers in 21 countries through ID-IRI clinical research platform.

Assessment of soil-gas radon concentration over lithologies: a case study from district Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

The current study is aimed to determine the variation of soil-gas radon concentrations over different rock formations representing diverse lithologies in the district of Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The stratigraphic units were grouped on the basis of lithological contents into four categories, i.e.

Modelling the impact of climate change on dengue outbreaks and future spatiotemporal shift in Pakistan.

Climate change has a significant impact on the intensity and spread of dengue outbreaks. The objective of this study is to assess the number of dengue transmission suitable days (DTSD) in Pakistan for the baseline (1976-2005) and future (2006-2035, 2041-2070, and 2071-2099) periods under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP4.5 and RCP8.

Self-reported antibiotic stewardship and infection control measures from 57 intensive care units: An international ID-IRI survey.

We explored the self-reported antibiotic stewardship (AS), and infection prevention and control (IPC) activities in intensive care units (ICUs) of different income settings. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire to collect data about IPC and AS measures in participating ICUs. The study participants were Infectious Diseases-International Research Initiative (IDI-IR) members, committed as per their institutional agreement form.

First Report of Aedes vittatus in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Aedes vittatus is distributed throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe and can transmit dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. Like other Aedes species, larvae develop in both natural and artificial containers in urban, suburban, and rural areas. In September 2021, an entomological survey was conducted at the National Institute of Health of Pakistan (NIH) and adjacent housing within the NIH colony.

Vaccine hesitancy and refusal among parents: An international ID-IRI survey.

Introduction: Although vaccines are the safest and most effective means to prevent and control infectious diseases, the increasing rate of vaccine hesitancy and refusal (VHR) has become a worldwide concern. We aimed to find opinions of parents on vaccinating their children and contribute to available literature in order to support the fight against vaccine refusal by investigating the reasons for VHR on a global scale.

Methodology: In this international cross-sectional multicenter study conducted by the Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative (ID-IRI), a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was used to determine parents' attitudes towards vaccination of their children.

Analyzing central-line associated bloodstream infection prevention bundles in 22 countries: The results of ID-IRI survey.

Background: Because central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a significant complication of central venous access, it is critical to prevent CLABSIs through the use of central line bundles. The purpose of this study was to take a snapshot of central venous access bundles in various countries.

Methods: The participants in intensive care units (ICUs) completed a questionnaire that included information about the health center, infection control procedures, and central line maintenance.

Vector-borne and zoonotic infections and their relationships with regional and socioeconomic statuses: An ID-IRI survey in 24 countries of Europe, Africa and Asia.

Background: In this cross-sectional, international study, we aimed to analyze vector-borne and zoonotic infections (VBZI), which are significant global threats.

Method: VBZIs' data between May 20-28, 2018 was collected. The 24 Participatingcountries were classified as lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income.

Xeroderma Pigmentosum Associated with Squamous and Basal Cell Carcinoma in Pakistan: A Case Series.

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by an extreme sensitivity to UV rays from sunlight. It presents clinically with progressive pigmentary abnormalities and an increased incidence of skin and mucous membrane cancers at sun-exposed sites. Parental consanguinity is a significant risk factor.

EVALUATION OF INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL TRAINING WORKSHOPS USING KIRKPATRICK'S MODEL.

Objectives: To evaluate infection prevention and control (IPC) training workshops using Kirkpatrick model level 1 and 2 regarding satisfaction of trainees and improvement of their knowledge and skills.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 353 healthcare workers from January 2020 to March 2020, at four hospitals in Islamabad, Pakistan. Training feedback questionnaires and pre and post tests were employed for data collection.

Animal and Human Brucellosis in Pakistan.

Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease that affects many animal species and can be transmitted to humans direct contact or contaminated food. Although brucellosis is a serious health hazard, its public health concern has been neglected in many countries. In some developing countries, such as Pakistan, where brucellosis is endemic, this disease continues to be of importance.

Assessment of groundwater intrinsic vulnerability using GIS-based DRASTIC method in District Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

The stress on the freshwater resources of the planet earth has led the United Nations to add a goal regarding clean water in sustainable development goals list in order to address the global availability of clean water. The widespread use of fertilizers and industrial effluents caused the groundwater contamination in the Haripur District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. To investigate and assess the vulnerability of groundwater to contamination, geographic information system (GIS)-based DRASTIC model has been employed.

A comprehensive review on clinical and mechanistic pathophysiological aspects of COVID-19 Malady: How far have we come?

Since its outbreak in 2019, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a pandemic, affecting more than 52 million people and causing more than 1 million mortalities globally till date. Current research reveals a wide array of disease manifestations and behaviors encompassing multiple organ systems in body and immense systemic inflammation, which have been summarized in this review. Data from a number of scientific reviews, research articles, case series, observational studies, and case reports were retrieved by utilizing online search engines such as Cochrane, PubMed, and Scopus from December 2019 to November 2020.

SARS-CoV-2: big seroprevalence data from Pakistan-is herd immunity at hand?

Purpose: Seroprevalence surveys from different countries have reported SARS CoV-2 antibodies below 20% even in the most adversely affected areas and herd immunity cannot be predicted till more than half of the population gets the disease. The purpose of this survey was to estimate the magnitude of community-based spread of the infection, associated immunity, and the future prospects and proximity to a 'herd community'.

Methods: The study was undertaken as a cluster randomized, cross-sectional countrywide survey.

Use of public health emergency operations center (PH-EOC) and adaptation of incident management system (IMS) for efficient inter-sectoral coordination and collaboration for effective control of Dengue fever outbreak in Pakistan - 2019.

Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PH-EOC) and Incident Management System (IMS) provides a platform for inter-sectoral coordination, and collaboration to enhance efficiency of response activities and help in effective control of disease outbreaks. Dengue fever (DF) is an emerging serious public health threat with a potential to transform into a public health emergency. Pakistan faced a heavy outbreak of Dengue fever (DF) from August to December 2019.

Impact of environmental factors on COVID-19 cases and mortalities in major cities of Pakistan.

Introduction: Climate factors play an important role in the transmission of viruses, such as influenza viruses, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-1. This study aimed to determine the relationship between changes in temperature, humidity, rainfall, and SARS-CoV-2 contagion. Five ecologically and climatically distinct regions were considered-Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Gilgit-Baltistan.