IntroductionStudies have shown that electronic cigarettes have gained immense popularity and their use has increased dramatically all over the world. However, little is known about the knowledge and attitudes towards e-cigarettes in third world countries such as Pakistan. The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of teenagers in Karachi regarding e-cigarettes and whether the differences in said perceptions were affected by gender and level of education.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in January 2017 using convenience sampling and interviewed 441 young individuals, aged 13 to 19 years, to determine their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding e-cigarettes. The participants were questioned about their knowledge and its source. Attitudes were judged using four and five-point Likert scales while questions regarding practices focused on single and current use. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were applied to compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of teenagers with gender and level of schooling.ResultsThe majority of participants knew what e-cigarettes were (n=277, 68.7%) but did not know about their contents (n=225, 55.8%) and had learned about them from either friends or the internet (n=245, 60.%). Almost half of them (n=190, 47.2%) believed that the reason for e-cigarette use was either peer pressure or to quit smoking conventional cigarettes. An overwhelming majority also stated that; it was either easy or very easy to obtain e-cigarettes (n=277, 68.7%), they would not try smoking e-cigarettes even if a good friend of theirs recommended them (n=287, 71.2%), they were not current e-cigarette smokers (n=370, 91.8%) and they would never promote e-cigarette use (n=371, 92.1%). Statistically significant differences were found with males knowing more about e-cigarettes (p=0.006) and being more common to either have smoked (p <0.001) or be current e-cigarette smokers (p <0.001). Furthermore, middle school students were more likely to have negative attitudes towards e-cigarettes believing they were more harmful (p=0.003) and more addictive (p <0.001) than conventional cigarettes.ConclusionMany people were aware of what electronic cigarettes are but still, it was evident that there was the lack of proper knowledge along with negative attitudes towards e-cigarette use among teenagers in Pakistan due to cultural and social stigmas and lack of advertising. Males and females had considerable differences in their opinions regarding e-cigarette use owing to such social practices being considered taboo by females and males having greater freedom due to patriarchal, familial and cultural systems.

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Background Limited literature is available on the dietary pattern and its consequences on health of women living in coastal slums of Karachi, Pakistan. Material and methods The study employed a mixed-method approach where concurrent quantitative and qualitative assessments were carried out. An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect information on demographic, household, obstetrics characteristics, and dietary pattern of married women of reproductive age (MWRA). Blood samples were collected to identify the hemoglobin level to determine anemia. For the qualitative component, focus group discussions were carried out with women and in-depth interviews with shopkeepers to understand the availability of food items at household level and in local markets respectively. In addition, observational visits were carried out at different points in time to the local market to document the availability of iron-rich foods for the community. Results The overall prevalence of anemia in sample population was 68.0%. Women with no formal education (AOR: 2.93 95% CI: 1.90–4.52), who consumed gutka (AOR: 2.84 95% CI: 1.81–4.46), did not eat red meat (AOR: 1.68 95% CI: 1.06–2.65), and only had seafood (AOR: 4.56 95% CI: 1.38–15.02) were more likely to be anemic as compared to their counterparts. Qualitative data revealed that any kind of meat and fruits were beyond the reach of community people due to non-affordable cost. A high percentage of women used a locally produced recreational substance known as gutka which gives them a feeling of wellbeing and suppresses hunger. Conclusion In our study population, lack of access to diversity of food items, illiteracy, and use of gutka are the statistically significant factors which are associated with anemia in married women of this coastal slum area. The lack of demand for diversity in food is related to poverty and preference of spending money on gutka.

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Back Background ground Surveys have shown that contact lenses are common optical correction devices used worldwide and they are particularly popular among the youth. However, not much is known about the knowledge and attitude of youth towards contact lenses in Pakistan. This study targeted to assess the approach of youth in Karachi towards contact lenses and whether the differences noted in approach was simulated by gender. Methods Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in September 2018, using convenience sampling and interviewed 400 individuals, aged 16-25, to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practices towards contact lenses. The respondents were asked about their knowledge and its source. Attitudes were assessed by asking participants opinions, while practice question mainly focused on the recent (up to 1 month) use of contact lenses and their experience. Chi-square test was applied to cross-tabulate gender with knowledge, attitude, and practices of youth towards contact lenses.