A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted during 2012 in private and public-sector schools of Karachi to determine the prevalence and factors influencing overweight and obesity among school children (aged 11-15 years). Sociodemographic characteristics and dietary habits were explored. The CDC Growth Chart was used to record height and weight. Of a total of 887 children, being overweight and frankly obese was found in 169 (19.1%) and 96 (10.8%), respectively. Of these, 176 (66.4%) were from private schools, and significant associations were found in 202 (76.2%) who were spending > 2 h/day watching television and 139 (52.5%) sleeping > 8 h/day.

Objectives: To determine the awareness and practices of medical and dental doctors in detecting and reporting suspected cases of child physical abuse. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done from November 2017 to June 2018 among medical and dental doctors practising in public and private hospitals across Pakistan. Using convienence sampling technique a structured questionnaire was administered. The questionnaire addresses knowledge of the social indicators of child physical abuse, response to child physical abuse, and actions taken by doctors when they believe a child abuse case has been decided. Descriptive analysis was done, and Chi-square test was used for the association of knowledge about child physical abuse and sex.  P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Out of total 575 doctors, 347 (60.3%) were males and 446 (77.6%) work in private hospitals. The majority of doctors 384 (66.8%) had <10 years of experience and only 99(17.2%) had received formal training of child abuse.  A fifth of doctors agreed to tell someone immediately after being physically abused for social indicators of child physical abuse and considered statistically significant between the sexes (P<0.05).  Most doctors 450(78.3%) strongly agreed on the value of identifying and documenting child physical abuse while 563(97.9%) doctors did not take any action to suspect a child abuse case. Conclusion: The study revealed sufficient knowledge among doctors about child physical abuse. Although the doctors had a positive attitude regarding child physical abuse, a large proportion remain silent on its suspicion. Keywords: Child, Physical abuse, Physicians, Continuous...

Objective: To assess the frequency of presence of dry eyes and its associated risk factors among employees working in call centres and software houses in Karachi. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done during July to October 2014 at Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, Karachi. By convenient sampling  technique,  data  was  collected  from  employees  aged 20 to 40 years of call centres and software houses. Demographic information was recorded on pre-designed questionnaire and Schirmer's test strips were used to measure production of tears. De- scriptive analysis was done for categorical variables using SPSS  version  20.  Cross-tabulation  of  different variables was done with dryness of eyes experienced. The frequency of various eye complaints was determined and Chi square test was used to observe the association with Schirmer's test. P- value<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Out of 150 employees 42 (28%) were found to have dry eyes. Mean age was 27 ± 3.5 years. The majority of employees  117  (78%)  were  males  and  77  (51.3%)  were  using  corrective  spectacles for refractive errors. The most common eye complaints  among  the  computer  users  were  burning  of  eyes (44%), redness of eye (41.3%), dryness  of  nose  (36%),  dryness  of  mouth  (34.7%),  discharge  from eye (10.7%) and foreign body sensation (10%). Statistically  significant  (p<0.05)  relationship  has been observed between presence of eye burning and positive Schirmer's test. Conclusion: This study indicated that 28% of the individuals had dry eye, along with other symptoms of eyes among computer users in call centres and software houses.

Objectives: To evaluate menstrual hygiene practices among teenage girls and to compare menstrual hygiene practices among secondary and higher secondary school girls in Pakistan Methodology: A cross-sectional study of adolescent girls (grades 9 to 12) from different secondary and higher secondary schools across Pakistan was conducted between November 2017 and September 2018. A pre-tested and standardized questionnaire was administered using a non-probability sampling technique. The menstrual hygiene practices were evaluated and comparisons were made between secondary and higher secondary school girls about these practices. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. P-value < 0.05 was set for being statistically significant. Results: Out of a total of 2,000 adolescent girls, an equal number of adolescent girls (n=1,000) were chosen from secondary and higher secondary schools. The mean menarchal age was 12.5 ± 1.2 years. Majority of the participants (63.6%) belonged to public sector schools and (71.3%) responded that menstrual blood comes from the womb. One in five (19.3%) girls missed 2 days/month of school due to pain (54.5%). Two-thirds (68.6%) of the participants were using sanitary pads and one of three changed their pads three times/day, and forty-six percent of the girls were unable to carry out daily activities due to menstrual period. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) association was observed between knowledge of menstruation among secondary and higher secondary school girls. Conclusion: The study showed that menstrual hygiene was understood well among young girls. However, a substantial association was noted between secondary and higher secondary school girls’ hygiene practices.

Objectives: To find out the students perception on using multiple choice questions as a classroom assessment technique. Study Design: Cross sectional Study. Setting: University of Hail, Saudi Arabia. Period: 6 months from January 2018 to June 2018. Material & Methods: At the end of each scheduled class, students are provided with four MCQ's on the same topic which was delivered in the lecture and 3 minutes were given to solve the MCQ’s. Data was collected from 4th and 6th year MBBS students. A self-structured questionnaire regarding class assessment techniques was also administered, after completion of Surgery and Clinical Skill module. Results: Out of 80 MBBS students, 50% were selected from 4th year and 6th year respectively. Response of most of the students were positive 59 (73.8%) in classroom assessment techniques effects on student discipline. Majority of the student’s 70 (87.5%) respond positive effects on student’s interest to subject and 64 (80%) reported positive effects on student’s assessment. Suggestion about participating classroom assessment technique were found to be positive in 61 (76.2%). Data was analysed by using SPSS version 20.  Conclusion: Student’s perception on using multiple choice questions as a classroom assessment technique was found to be more positive.