The prevalence of obesity in developing countries, including Pakistan, has increased several fold in recent times. Obesity appears to negatively affect sexual functioning, hence affecting the quality of life. Its impact on sexual function is understudied. In this study, we will determine the impact of weight loss in improving sexual function in the local setting. MethodsThis prospective study was conducted in the endocrinology unit of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from February 2019 to January 2021. After taking informed consent, 300 married female participants were enrolled in the study. The questionnaire was composed using the pointers from the female sexual function index (FSFI). The privacy of the participants was fully ensured. After the survey, participants were counseled on losing weight via various techniques. Participants were followed up on day 30, day 60, and finally on day 90. On day 90, the FSFI questionnaire was repeated to assess sexual function. Weight loss was measured at the end of day 90. ResultA total of 208 participants completed the study. Significant improvement in FSFI score was seen in participants with weight loss between 2% and 5% of their initial body weight (24.01 ± 2.2 vs. 26.07 ± 2.6; pvalue: <0.0001). Similarly, a significant improvement in FSFI score was seen in participants with weight loss of more than 5% (24.17 ± 2.2 vs. 27.01 ± 2.6; p-value: <0.0001). ConclusionIn conclusion, weight loss is associated with improved sexual function in females. While discussing complications of obesity, impact on sexual function should also be discussed.
Introduction: Smoking is a well-recognized risk factor for many health issues; however, its association with hearing loss has been a debate. Some studies have shown a positive association while others did not. In this study, we aim to identify the effect of cigarette smoking on hearing in our population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from August 2020 to March 2021. Five hundred male smokers (n = 500), with a history of smoking for more than three years between the ages of 21 and 50, were enrolled in the study via consecutive convenient non-probability sampling after informed consent. Five hundred male non-smokers (n = 500) were enrolled as a reference group. Audiometry was performed in a soundproof room.Results: The hearing levels in audiometry were significantly higher in smokers compared to non-smokers (22.8 ± 8.12 decibels vs 18.7 ± 6.12; p-value < 0.0001). Participants who had been smoking for more than 10 years had higher hearing levels in the audiometry test compared to the participants with less than 10 years of smoking history (24.21 ± 8.91 decibels vs. 21.1 ± 8.01 decibels: p-value < 0.0001). Conclusion:In this study, smokers were associated with greater loss in hearing compared to non-smokers. In addition to other adverse events associated with smoking, smokers should be counselled about hearing loss related to it.
Children malnutrition is a major public health problem in India. Malnutrition has the maximum impact on children living in rural and tribal areas. Various anthropometric indices such as weight–for-age, height-for-age, weight-for- height and Body Mass Index (BMI) are used to assess the nutritional status of the children. Mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) is being used as an alternative to traditional measurements like height and weight, particularly in emergency settings. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended MUAC to be used as an independent diagnostic criterion for assessing severe acute malnutrition among children. A total of 4502 children between 6-59 months of age were screened over a period of 12 months, in seven Medicins Sans Frontiers (MSF) Project mobile clinic sites located in states of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh border areas in India. MUAC was measured with MSF-designed fiber optic measuring tapes. In general, the overall prevalence of malnutrition among 6-59 months children was 15.2%. However the prevalence of malnutrition was higher among children of 6-23 months age group (25.8%) as compared to children of 24-59 months (5.4%). Despite various national nutritional intervention programs have been in operation for about four decades, the malnutrition remains very high particularly among the children living in hilly and remote tribal villages.
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