Impact of hepatitis B birth dose on immune response in Pakistani children: an open-label, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial, implications for achieving SDG target.

Background: Despite presence of hyperendemic areas, the national immunisation schedule in Pakistan does not include a hepatitis B birth dose, placing newborns at an additional risk of acquiring hepatitis B. This study aimed to assess the impact of adding hepatitis B birth dose in existing national vaccination schedule.

Methods: An open label, randomised controlled non-inferiority trial enrolled 296 healthy near-term mothers to intervention and control groups.

Provincial differences in levels, trends, and determinants of childhood immunization in Pakistan.

Background: Efforts to improve immunization rates are urgently needed in Pakistan but national statistics mask important local differences in immunization levels and determinants.

Aim: In this study we aimed to determine how similar or different are recent trends and levels of immunization coverage in Pakistan's 4 main provinces [Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Balochistan], and what factors are associated with complete childhood immunization in each province.

Method: We analysed data from the 2006-07 and 2012-13 Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys.

The health workforce crisis in Pakistan: a critical review and the way forward.

Today, the developing world suffers due to the health "workforce crisis." The World Health Report 2006 uses this term to study the current scenario in the developing countries. Human resource planning is a critical activity within the broader sectoral planning, especially when it comes to the health sector.

Risk factors for bloodborne viral hepatitis in healthcare workers of Pakistan: a population based case-control study.

Objectives: A high prevalence of viral hepatitis B and C was found among healthcare workers during a province-wide screening in Sindh Province, Pakistan. A follow-up study was undertaken to identify risk factors for this high prevalence in healthcare workers.

Design: Population based case-control design.

Hepatitis B vaccination coverage in medical students at a medical college of Mirpurkhas.

Objectives: To estimate the coverage of Hepatitis B vaccine in medical students enrolled in a private Medical College.

Methods: This cross sectional study was done at Muhammad Medical College Mirpurkhas. It has a total of 375 medical students from first year to final year.

Seropositivity of hepatitis C in prison inmates of Pakistan--a cross sectional study in prisons of Sindh.

Objective: To assess the proportion of seropositivity of Hepatitis C amongst the prison inmates in the jails of Sindh.

Methods: A cross sectional HCV seroprevalence survey was done at 14 out of 19 prisons in the Sindh province from November 2008 to January 2009. A team of Pathologist, phlebotomist and laboratory technician took the blood sample of the inmates inside the correctional facility; the blood was centrifuged at the spot and brought back to the pathology laboratory on same day in cold chain i.