Factors associated with HIV infection among children in Larkana District, Pakistan: a matched case-control study.

Background: In April, 2019, an HIV outbreak predominantly affecting children occurred in Larkana District, Sindh, Pakistan. By December, 2019, 881 (4·0%) of 21 962 children screened for HIV had tested positive. We aimed to assess factors associated with HIV infection in this outbreak.

Investigation of an extensive outbreak of HIV infection among children in Sindh, Pakistan: protocol for a matched casecontrol study.

Introduction: In April 2019, 14 children were diagnosed with HIV infection by a private healthcare provider in Larkana district, Sindh province, Pakistan. Over the next 3 months, 930 individuals were diagnosed with HIV, >80% below 16 years, the largest ever outbreak of HIV in children in Pakistan. In this protocol paper, we describe research methods for assessing likely modes of HIV transmission in this outbreak and investigate spatial and molecular epidemiology.

Effects and cost of different strategies to eliminate hepatitis C virus transmission in Pakistan: a modelling analysis.

Background: The WHO elimination strategy for hepatitis C virus advocates scaling up screening and treatment to reduce global hepatitis C incidence by 80% by 2030, but little is known about how this reduction could be achieved and the costs of doing so. We aimed to evaluate the effects and cost of different strategies to scale up screening and treatment of hepatitis C in Pakistan and determine what is required to meet WHO elimination targets for incidence.

Methods: We adapted a previous model of hepatitis C virus transmission, treatment, and disease progression for Pakistan, calibrating using available data to incorporate a detailed cascade of care for hepatitis C with cost data on diagnostics and hepatitis C treatment.

Curbing the hepatitis C virus epidemic in Pakistan: the impact of scaling up treatment and prevention for achieving elimination.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a global health strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis. We project the treatment and prevention requirements to achieve the WHO HCV elimination target of reducing HCV incidence by 80% and HCV-related mortality by 65% by 2030 in Pakistan, which has the second largest HCV burden worldwide.

Methods: We developed an HCV transmission model for Pakistan, and calibrated it to epidemiological data from a national survey (2007), surveys among people who inject drugs (PWID), and blood donor data.

Importance and Contribution of Community, Social, and Healthcare Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Infection in Pakistan.

Pakistan has a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, estimated at 4.9% (2,290/46,843) in the 2007 national HCV seroprevalence survey. We used data from this survey to assess the importance of risk factor associations with HCV prevalence in Pakistan.

Distressed setting and profound challenges: Pandemic influenza preparedness plans in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Background: Influenza pandemics are unpredictable and can have severe health and economic implications. Preparedness for pandemic influenza as advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) is key in minimizing the potential impacts. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework is a global public-private initiative to strengthen the preparedness.

Dengue fever in patients admitted in tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan.

Objectives: To assess the gaps in the diagnosis and management of dengue fever cases.

Methods: The retrospective descriptive analytical study was done with a case record analysis of patients with dengue fever admitted from January to December 2010 at five tertiary care hospitals in different Pakistani cities. Using a questionnaire, information was gathered on demography, haematological profile, management, use of blood and platelet transfusions and the outcome.

Innovative solution to sharp waste management in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Prevalence of hepatitis B and C in Pakistan is 2.5% and 4.5%, respectively.