Background: Despite effective methods of treatment, half of the diabetic patients fail to achieve good glycemic control. Type 2 Diabetics who have knowledge about their disease and treatment can play an active role in their diabetes care and are more likely to achieve optimal blood glucose and HbA1c levels. The objective of this study is to assess knowledge of complications of type 2 Diabetes mellitus and its association with treatment compliance in patients visiting a public sector diabetes clinic.Materials and Methods: The study was a descriptive correlational study conducted at the Diabetes Clinic of Benazir Bhutto Hospital that encompassed 180 participants who were positive for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study took place in 6 months from February to July in 2018. The participants were selected by non-probability convenience sampling, and informed consent was taken from the participants. They were assessed by a questionnaire-based interview. Data were analyzed via the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22 by applying descriptive statistics.Results: Out of 180 participants, the mean age was 51.53 years (72.8% females and 27.2% males), 46.7% were taking oral hypoglycemic agents while 53.3% were on insulin. Respondents compliant with anti-diabetic drugs were 73.8%. The main reasons for non-compliance include forgetting to take medicine (43.5%), side effects of medications (10.9%), feeling that too many medications were prescribed (10.9%), or high dose was given (8.7%), and interference with meal plans (8.7%). A higher score of knowledge was associated with better compliance with treatment.Conclusions: The knowledge of complications of diabetes and compliance with treatment is inadequate in patients visiting diabetes clinics. Those who have higher scores showed better compliance with the treatment.

Background: Pakistan is one of the 34 countries yet to achieve the neonatal tetanus global elimination target set by the World Health Organization. Lack of vaccination, inadequate knowledge about prevention, and unsafe practices are major causes of spread. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of health education messages in improving tetanus health literacy among women age 16 to 45 years.Methods: The quasi-experimental study which was carried out from April 2018 to June 2018 at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi consisted of 150 female respondents of age 16 to 45 years selected by non-probability convenience sampling. Written informed consent was taken from each participant. Afterward, respondents were sequentially delivered pre-test proforma, health education message (verbally and in the form of the pamphlet), and a post-test proforma after a gap of 2 days. The pre-test and post-test proformas assessed knowledge about tetanus. Data were analyzed via SPSS version 22.Results: Out of 150 women 20.1% were uneducated and 79.9% were educated. The area of residence was urban for 83.3% and rural for 16.7%. Mean tetanus health literacy scores increased significantly from 6.32 ± 2.85 to 10.55 ± 3.87 (p=0.01). Health education message was more effective for students and employees compared with housewives (p=0.01). Similarly, women possessing higher education were more likely to have high scores on post-tests (p=0.01).Conclusions: The health education message is effective in improving tetanus health literacy among women.

Background: Asthma is a non-curable but preventable disease that can be controlled by a proper approach. Inhalational route is considered to be one of the fastest, non-invasive course for the management of asthma. Despite its importance, compliance towards proper inhalational technique remains quite low. Thus, United Kingdom guidelines and Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention (GINA) recommend regular assessment of inhaler techniques in all asthma patients. Objective: To evaluate the inhalational technique of asthma patients visiting outpatient departments of public sector tertiary care hospitals of Rawalpindi and correlate with various demographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 209 respondents visiting the outpatient department of public sector hospitals in Rawalpindi. Asthmatic patients were included via a non-probability consecutive sampling technique and were assessed for inhaler techniques via a structured checklist. Statistical data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®), version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Two hundred and nine asthma patients were included. Only 10% of patients demonstrated the correct inhaler technique. Continuing inhaling till lungs are full, holding breath for five to 10 seconds, and breathing out slowly after using the inhaler were most poorly followed. Conclusion: Most asthma patients are using poor inhalation technique, risking sub-optimal drug delivery and inadequate effects. Hence, it is the need of the hour to focus on patient training and education.

Background: The higher incidence of dengue fever in Pakistan demands additional efforts in order to limit the disease. Despite active public health campaigns, low public awareness is one of the factors facilitating dengue virus transmission. For effective preventive measures, the assessment of the knowledge gap and then taking appropriate steps to fill the gap is required.The objective of this study is to assess knowledge about dengue fever prevention among people visiting Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi.Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study of 6 months duration was conducted with 280 participants selected via nonprobability convenience sampling. After informed consent, an interview was conducted based on a questionnaire that assessed socio-demographic parameters and knowledge about dengue virus transmission and prevention. Data were analyzed through SPSS v. 22. The study was approved by the Ethical Review Board (ERB) of Rawalpindi Medical University and Allied hospitals.Results: Out of 280 respondents, 54.6% were males and 45.4% females and the mean age was 35.0 ± 13.1 years. The respondents having high knowledge scores were 66(23.6%) while those having moderate and low scores were 159 (56.8%) and 55 (19.6%) respectively. Educated respondents (p=0.03) and urban residents (p=0.05) had higher knowledge scores.Conclusion: The majority of the participants know about dengue fever. However, only one out of every four respondents has good knowledge scores for dengue fever prevention.

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