Attitude towards seeking professional help for mental health among medical students In Karachi, Pakistan.

In Pakistan, seeking help for mental health is considered a social stigma and a large number of medical students are suffering from mental health. This study aimed to investigate the attitude toward seeking professional care for mental health issues among medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 316 students selected through multistage stratified cluster sampling.

Coverage and predictors of COVID-19 vaccination in rural districts of Pakistan.

Background: One of the keys to preventing a re-emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic is the attainment and maintenance of high vaccination coverage in urban and rural areas.

Aims: To estimate the coverage of COVID-19 vaccination in a rural population and identify the determinants of vaccination.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in April 2023 in 5 rural districts of Sindh Province, Pakistan.

Prevalence, determinants of chronic rhinosinusitis and its impact on quality of life among students in Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common public health issue among students.

Methodology:  A total of 300 undergraduate students were selected through multistage cluster sampling from three public-sector universities. Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) were used for determining the quality of life.

Comparison of Peer-Assisted Learning with Traditional Faculty-led Teaching in Family Medicine Clerkship: An Experimental Study.

Objective: To compare the effects of reciprocal peer-assisted learning (PAL) with traditional faculty-led teaching on the academic performance of fourth-year medical students in Family Medicine clerkship.

Study Design: An experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Health Professions Education and Department of Family Medicine, Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan, from 22nd February 2019 to 25th February 2020.

Healthcare Professionals' Compliance with the Standard Management Guidelines towards the Use of Biological Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complicated, with numerous aspects influencing decision-making, including disease severity, comorbidities, and patient preferences. The present study aimed to evaluate healthcare professionals' (HCPs) knowledge of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and their compliance with the standard management guidelines for assuring optimal RA therapy. The cross-sectional, survey-based study was performed in various healthcare and academic settings in Karachi, Pakistan to probe HCPs' knowledge of bDMARDs and their compliance with the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of RA patients.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Toward Off-Label Medicine Use in Female Reproductive Health Issues.

Background: Off-label medication usage (OLMU) is prevalent in the treatment of various diseases, including female reproductive health issues (FRHIs). However, there is a paucity of literature on the perspective of health professionals on this subject. The purpose of the current study was to assess gynecologists/obstetricians' knowledge, attitude and practice toward OLMU in the treatment of FRHIs.

Effect of low-cost interventions to reduce the incidence of violent events in two public sector tertiary-care emergency departments, Pakistan.

Background: Violence against health care workers has been widely reported in Pakistan.

Aims: This study, from September 2019 to April 2020, aimed to determine the effect of low-cost interventions to reduce violent events in two tertiary-care emergency departments in Karachi and Peshawar, Pakistan.

Methods: In phase one, a surveillance system was established in each department and information on violent events was recorded for three months.

Patterns and Predictors of Off-Label Drug Prescribing in Psychiatric Practice: A Qualitative Study.

Off-label drug prescribing (OLDP) must be based on strong scientific evidence to make sure that patients get the optimum therapeutic outcomes. Adherence to the prerequisites is determined by the physicians' attitude and knowledge. In this context, the present study was conducted with the goal of investigating psychiatrists' perceptions of the use of OLDP in their clinical practice.

Dental practice closure during the first wave of COVID-19 and associated professional, practice and structural determinants: a multi-country survey.

Background: The coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) in China has influenced every aspect of life worldwide. Given the unique characteristics of the dental setting, the risk of cross-infection between dental practitioners and patients is high in the absence of adequate protective measures, and dentists may develop severe anxiety in relation to the current pandemic. The limited provision of services and widespread closure of dental practices have raised concerns among dental professionals about the financial impact.

Potential Utility of Cell Free High Mobility Group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) as a Prognostic Biomarker in Liquid Biopsies of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Locoregional spread is a frequent finding in oral cancer which dictates poor prognosis. HMGA2 expression has been linked to malignant traits of oral cancer in tissue biopsies however, data on HMGA2 expression in liquid biopsies in oral cancer is sparse. Purpose of this study was to explore prognostic relevance of HMGA2 in liquid biopsies of oral cancer patients.

A cross sectional study to observe the diversity of fungal species in Onychomycosis isolated from a tertiary care hospital in Karachi.

Objective: To study the frequency and diversity of fungi involved in onychomycosis.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2018 to February 2019 at the Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, and the University of Karachi. Specimens were taken from patients suffering with onychomycosis attending the Dermatology Department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and were processed for the isolation of fungi.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Biosimilars and Interchangeable Products: A Prescriptive Insight by the Pharmacists.

Background: Pharmacists being the drug experts need to be well aware of the applied handling of biosimilar medicines (BSMs). They are an integral educator, trailblazer, and advocate of biosimilar integration across all clinical settings. Therefore, the current study was conducted to assess the pharmacists' knowledge, attitude, and practices of integrating BSMs into clinical practice.

Assessment of a mass media campaign on giving way to ambulances in five cities of Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the contribution of a mass media campaign towards encouraging more vehicles to give way to ambulances, and to identify the factors associated with higher likelihood of giving way to ambulances.

Methods: The three-phase observational study was conducted from December 2017 to March 2018 in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Peshawar cities of Pakistan. Six road sites in different areas of each city were selected for observation.

Frequency and determinants of timely arrival among patients of acute myocardial infarction at a public sector tertiary care hospital in Karachi.

Objective: To determine the time from onset of symptoms to start of fibrinolysis and treatment in acute ST elevated myocardial infarction patients and identify the factors which cause delay in treatment.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi on 360 conveniently selected patients of ST elevated myocardial infarction from July to September in the year 2017. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain detailed information on socio-demographics, factors which cause delay and timing of onset of symptoms to arrival of patient in emergency ward.

Methylphenidate increases the urinary excretion of vanillylmandelic acid in rats that is attenuated by buspirone co-administration.

Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant used for the treatment of (ADHD) attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome in children and adults. After chronic administration it is known to produce behavioral disorders including anxiety. Previous studies demonstrated that co-administration of buspirone can reduce behavioral and cognitive adverse effects produced by methylphenidate.

Stability and in vitro release kinetic studies of cinitapride (1mg) mouth dissolving tablets.

Cinitapride has been widely given in gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dysphagia due to irregularities of GI motilities. Mouth dissolving tablets were prepared for rapid availability and action of drug. Multi-point dissolution studies were conducted in 0.

Breaking Bad News: A contextual model for Pakistan.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to identify the sequence of violence that ensues after breaking bad news and develop a contextual model of breaking bad news and develop a model contextual for Pakistan.

Methods: A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using Six FGDs and 14 IDIs with healthcare providers working in the emergency and the obstetrics and gynecology departments of tertiary care hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. Data was transcribed and analyzed to identify emerging themes and subthemes using thematic content analysis.

Effectiveness of training on de-escalation of violence and management of aggressive behavior faced by health care providers in a public sector hospital of Karachi.

Background & Objective: Considering high burden of violence against healthcare workers in Pakistan APPNA Institute of Public Health developed a training to prevent reactive violence among healthcare providers. The purpose of this training was to equip healthcare providers with skills essential to control aggressive behaviors and prevent verbal and non-verbal violence in workplace settings. This study assesses the effectiveness of training in prevention, de-escalation and management of violence in healthcare settings.

Pharmacophoric screening of newly synthesized isoniazid derivatives and their antimycobacterial activity.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is clinically recognized as a causative agent of Tuberculosis. Keeping in view, this study was endeavored to screen our previously synthesized seventeen INH analogues for their antimycobacterial potential using proportion method. During this process, INH and all the seventeen compounds were examined at different concentrations of 0.

Cardamom extract induces cell proliferation by increasing potassium currents in NIH3T3 cell line.

Amommum subulatum (Roxb.) or Cardamom extract is known to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects towards many gastrointestinal related problems. However, uptill now different fractions of cardamom extract on fibroblasts with respect to potassium channel activity have not been investigated.

Analgesic activities of crude ethanolic extract and various fractions of Adansonia digitata L. grown at the sindh province of Pakistan.

The current study aimed to evaluate the analgesic effects of crude extract and fractions of leaves of Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae). Fresh leaves were collected, dried under shade and then powdered.

Effectiveness of media awareness campaigns on the proportion of vehicles that give space to ambulances on roads: An observational study.

Background And Objective: The findings of the Health Care in Danger project in Karachi suggests that there is presence of behavioral negligence among vehicle operators on roads in regards to giving way to ambulances. A mass media campaign was conducted to raise people's awareness on the importance of giving way to ambulances. The main objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the campaign on increasing the proportion of vehicles that give way to ambulances.

Future priorities of interns in public and private tertiary care hospitals of a mega city in a developing country.

Objective: To determine the future priorities of young medical doctors in tertiary care hospitals in a major urban centre.

Methods: This multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted at four tertiary care hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan, from January to June 2015, and comprised medical interns. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted.