Background: Little evidence is available regarding knowledge about HIV and attitudes of the general population toward PLHIV in Pakistan. Secondary analysis of data from PDHS 2012-13 was performed to evaluate the effect of knowledge about HIV on discriminatory attitudes toward PLHIV in Pakistan and to explore their association with socioeconomic and demographic variables. Methods: Ever-married persons age 15-49 who had ever heard about AIDS were included in the study. Variables measuring composite knowledge and discriminatory attitude were developed and recoded into three groups for analysis. Results: Around 17% of respondents correctly answered all five questions regarding transmission and prevention of HIV. Overall by the composite three-category knowledge variable, 66% had more knowledge, 29% and 5% had some and no knowledge about HIV respectively. About 22.8% of respondents showed more discriminatory attitude, while 61.1% showed some and only 16% of the respondents showed no discriminatory attitude toward PLHIV. The study found a statistically significant inverse relationship between knowledge about HIV and discriminatory attitude toward PLHIV. Regression analysis showed that respondents with secondary or higher education and in the middle, rich, and richest wealth quintiles exhibit less discriminatory attitude toward PLHIV. Men, despite having more knowledge about HIV, held more discriminatory attitude toward PLHIV. Conclusion: The results suggest a need for Pakistani society to become better informed about HIV/AIDS in order to reduce the stigma associated with HIV and avoid discriminatory attitudes.

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Objective: To determine the prevalence and association of prenatal depression with socioeconomic, demographic and personal factors among pregnant women living in Kallar Syedan, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.Methods: Five hundred women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, living in Kallar Syedan, a rural area of district Rawalpindi Pakistan, were included in the study. Depression was assessed using “Patient health questionnaire” (PHQ9) in Urdu, with a cut-off score of 10. Multi-dimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) was used to assess perceived social support. Life Events and Difficulties Schedule (LEDS) were used to measure stressful life events in past 1 year. Tool to assess intimate partner violence (IPV) was based on WHO Multi Country Study on “Women's Health and Domestic Violence against Women.”Results: Prevalence of prenatal depression was found to be 27%. Number of pregnancies was significantly associated with prenatal depression (p < 0.01). Women living in a joint family and those who perceived themselves as moderately satisfied or not satisfied with their life in the next 4 years were found to be depressed (p < 0.01, OR 6.9, CI 1.77–26.73). Depressive symptomatology in women who experienced more than five stressful life events in last 1 year was three times higher (p < 0.001, OR 3.2, CI 1.68–5.98) than in women with 1–2 stressful events. Women who were supported by their significant others or their family members had 0.9 times (p < 0.01, OR 0.9, CI 0.85–0.96) less chance of getting depressed. Pregnant women who were psychologically abused by their partners were 1.5 times more depressed (p < 0.05 CI 1.12–2.51). Odds of having depression was also high in women who had less mean score of MSSI (p < 0.05, OR 1.1, CI 1.01–1.09). Women who had suitable accommodation had 0.5 times less chance of having depression than others (p < 0.05, OR 0.5, CI 0.27–0.92).Conclusion: Over a quarter of the women in the study population reported prenatal depression, which were predicted predominantly by psychosocial variables.

Students' aptitude is an important factor that determines the students' success in the summative assessment. Similarly, teachers play an important role in the development of scientific attitudes in the personality of students. The main objective of this study was to find out the relationship between students' aptitude and their academic performance at the secondary level. In the same way, it was also investigated what the role of teachers in developing the students' personality attitudes is. The population of this study was the secondary school teachers in district Khanewal. The sample of this study was 200 teachers selected through convenience sampling. The sample was selected in a proportional way on the basis of various demographics so that the findings of this research study may be generalized to various variables. In order to collect primary data survey method was applied. The findings of this study revealed that there was a significant difference in the perception of male and female teachers regarding students' aptitude.

Background: Vitamin D is also known as the “Vitamin of Sun”. More than one billion people are suffering from Vitamin D deficiency globally; it is an epidemic and a very serious global public health problem. In South Asia, Vitamin D deficiency is quite prevalent. Many recent studies have shown that vitamin D helps in preventing cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude, dietary and sunshine practices regarding Vitamin D among students of Saidu Medical College, Swat.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among 106 students of Saidu Medical College, Swat. Self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all students and data was analyzed on SPSS 20.Results: Majority of the students 72% had good knowledge of Vitamin D and its synthesis in the body. 91% of the students were aware of the source of Vitamin D and 87.5% knew about sources of vitamin D. However, the  attitude of students towards sunlight exposure was poor as 65.2% students disliked being in the sun, 62.5%  thought that sunlight exposure was harmful for skin, and 65.4% of the students thought that their Vitamin D  levels were sufficient without getting their laboratory tests done.59.6% students used sunscreen in summer.Conclusion: The student's knowledge about Vitamin D was good but their attitude towards sun exposure and dietary practices did not match their knowledge. Medical students, being the future physicians and health care providers, must possess current knowledge about Vitamin D and should also look after their own health and dietary practices.