Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of food handlers regarding food safety and personnel hygiene practices among the local food handlers of District Kohat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Methodology: The Department of Community Medicine at the KMU-Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Kohat, conducted a cross-sectional study between December 2021 and May 2022. A cross-sectional study with a sample of n=265 adults was conducted, with a 95% confidence interval and a 5% margin of error. The respondents' food safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours were evaluated using a well-designed questionnaire. Data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 26.0. Final results were tabulated and presented. Results: Out of those surveyed, 39.25% were found to have a basic understanding of the written word; 82.648% earned less than 30,000 PKR per month; 58.87% had worked for at least four years; and 67.74% were in the service industry (mostly as cooks and wait staff). In addition, 32.83 percent of those who handled the food had adequate expertise, 90.94 percent had an upbeat mentality, and 47.92 percent followed adequate procedures to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the food they handled. Conclusions: It was concluded that knowledge of food handlers was not up to the standards of food safety and personnel hygiene practices. Moreover, the attitude of food handlers was satisfactory whereas the practice was below the average satisfactory level and thus needs strategies to enhance knowledge, and to improve practices of food handlers regarding food safety to reduce food borne diseases. Keywords: Knowledge, Food Contamination, Practice, Food Handlers, Attitude, Kohat.

Quantum dots can be defined as semiconductor nanostructures which are artificial in nature and ranges from 2-10 nm in size. These tiny nanocrystals become excited under illumination and emits colors of different wavelength. Quantum dots possess unique properties determined by their structure (hollow or solid), size, shape and composition. Fabrication of Quantum dots is achieved by several methods such as electron beam lithography, epitaxy or by means of colloidal synthesis.

The objective of this study was to assess the frequency and risk factors of dental caries among adults in District Kohat and Nowshera Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Methods: After taking ethical approval, a descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in District Kohat and Nowshera, in which a total of n=435 adults were assessed and examined for dental caries, from November 2021 to March 2022. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding dental caries and its risk factors. Moreover, relevant tooth brushing, and dietary information was also collected. Data was analyzed by SPSS and results were presented in form of tables. Results: The results showed that 23.68% of adults had dental caries. Approximately, 57.70% of adults are of age between 30-60 years; 25.06% had monthly income less than 25000/PKR per month; 14.02% were illiterate, and 40.92% were overweight and obese. Moreover, 52.64% had compliance to daily tooth-brushing; 49.66% used fluoride tooth paste; 41.15% and 58.85% prefer sugar and sweet beverages respectively. Furthermore, 21.84% had poor oral hygiene; 14.94% had routine dental examinations; and 49.21% & 32.41% prefer vegetables and fruits. Conclusions: Concluded that dental caries showed moderate prevalence among adults and revealed relationship with age; monthly income, body mass index, and literacy level. Moreover, frequency of tooth-brushing, fluoride tooth-paste, oral hygiene status and sweet preference showed association with dental caries and thus comprehensive preventive and health promotion strategies were needed to overcome dental caries among adults. Keywords: Dental Caries, Toothbrush, Fluoride, Monthly Income, Sugar, Sweet beverages, Nowshera

Background: Dental caries is a global public health problem, and affects 60-90% of children; and has relationship with social; dietary; and behavioral factors. The main objective of this study was to assess the frequency and risk factors of dental caries among children of District Nowshera Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in District Nowshera, in which a total of n=295 children were examined regarding presence of dental caries, from January to April 2022. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding determinants of dental caries and its risk factors from parents. Data was analyzed by SPSS and results were presented in form of tables. Results: The results showed that 60.68% of children had dental caries. Approximately, 54.92% were male; 64.41% had age < 5 years; 42.03% were working mothers; and 53.56% were form rural setup. Moreover; 46.78% use toothbrush; 26.78% use fluoride toothpaste; 73.56% were breastfed; 20.0% were bottle fed; and 83.39% had night feeding. Furthermore; 29.49% children preferred high caloric food intake; 32.88% prefer sugars in food; and 47.80% added sugar during bottle feeding of their children. Conclusions: It was concluded that dental caries showed moderate to high frequency among children; and showed strong relationship family income, body mass index, parent’s education level; and job status of parents. Moreover, frequency of tooth-brushing, fluoride tooth-paste, and sugar preference showed association with dental caries and thus social, dietary and health promotion strategies were needed to reduce prevalence and complications of dental caries. Keywords: Dental Caries, Toothbrush, Fluoride; Caloric Diet; Bottle Feedings; Nowshera, Pakistan

Background: Health status of school children and their school environment plays an important role in the development of physical and mental health, and good personnel behaviors had a significant role in future life of children. Objective: This study was conducted to estimate the frequency of health problems among school children of district Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Methodology: This study was conducted in district Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Pakistan. A total of n=225 school children of age 4-12 years were selected and examined for health problems. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the health status of children regarding health problems. Results: Results showed that 45.56% of children had age < 8 years; 54.44% had age > 8 years; 81.33% of children parents had monthly income < PKR: 45000; 56% children living in mud-made homes; and 46.675 were underweight. Moreover, 15.56% of children had eye discharge; 28.89% backache; 8.44% ear discharge; 16.445 earaches; 47.11% poor oral hygiene status; 60.44% were not using toothbrush; and 22.67% had dental caries. Furthermore, 41.33% had not clean their hair and not took bath within last 48 hours; and 32.89% had poor nail hygiene status for the past one week. Conclusions: It was concluded that school children had several medical health problems and showed relationship with hygiene status of children, tooth-brushing use and its frequency, parents monthly income, and body mass index of children and thus adequate preventive, promotive and behavioral strategies were needed to reduce health problems among school going children. Keywords: School Children, Health Status, Underweight, Eye, Ear, Hygiene, Income, Swat, Kohat.

Background: Agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations, with high incidence and prevalence of occupational health problems; and farmers are exposed to a too many occupational hazards. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the frequency of occupational health problems among the local farmers of Swat, Peshawar and Kohat Districts Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan Methodology: After ethical approval; a cross sectional study was conducted among the selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Pakistan. Total of n=325 farmers were assessed regarding the occupational health problems. The famers were selected through convenience sampling technique, based on 95% confidence interval, with 5% precision. A structured open ended questionnaire was used in which farmers were asked regarding the occupational health problems. SPSS version 26.0 was used for data entry and analysis. Finally the result was presented in form of tables. Results: Results showed that 32% were literate; 51.38% had monthly income less than 30000/ PKR; 39.08% had farming for more than 10 years; and 68% were not following personnel protective equipments. Moreover, 38.77% had asthma/COPD; 44.62% had disturbed sleep; 26.77% had hearing loss; 42.15% had eye redness and discharge problems; 64.92% had body ache/ and backache; and 26.77% had history of injuries and falls. Conclusions: It was concluded that farmers revealed a huge list of medical health problems. Moreover, health problems showed relationship with age, educational level, working experience, and compliance of personnel protective equipments and thus occupational education and occupational training strategies were needed to reduce health impacts among farmers. Keywords: Food Contamination, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Food Handlers, Kohat

Background: In both emerging and wealthy nations, the epidemic of overweight and obesity has exploded in the last several decades, becoming a huge public health concern. Objective: To estimate the frequency of overweight and obesity and its important determinants among the adult population of Selected Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted by the Department of Community Medicine, Saidu Medical College, Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan; from January to April 2022. A total of 410 adults were selected and a structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant information. Results: Results showed that 67.07% had age above 30 years; 72.44% were males, 37.32% were illiterate; 51.95% had monthly income less than 25000/ PKR; 54.39% were married; and 26.34% had family history of overweight and obesity. Moreover, 52.93% had sedentary life; 37.56% watch television; and 15.85% & 17.80% had diabetes mellitus & hypertension respectively. Furthermore, 26.34% prefer carbohydrates; and 44.15$ prefer soft drinks. 63.66% and 58.05% didn’t prefer vegetables and fruits respectively. Conclusions: It was concluded that prevalence of overweight and obesity showed moderate to high frequency among adults, and showed relationship was age, gender, marital status, tobacco smoking, dietary habits, and social habits. Thus effective educational, behavioral and social strategies are needed to prevent and control overweight and obesity in the population. Keywords: Prevalence, Determinants, Developing, Adults, Obesity, Overweight, Pakistan

No abstract