Aim: To assess the concerns of university students regarding COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: A Cross-Sectional online survey was conducted among student population living in different socio-economical areas of Karachi. Information was gathered on their age, gender, education level, occupation status, area of residence, and knowledge about lockdown due to Covid-19. These variables were examined according to the socio-economic status of the area where students reside. Results: A total of 200 subjects above 20 years were interviewed out of which data was analyzed for 160 subjects. The majority of students were between the ages of 20-25 years, females, Muslims, and unemployed. According to 86.9% of students COVID-19 can be prevented by avoiding contact and almost 74.4% students were in favor of lockdown further 37.5% students wanted no gaps between lockdowns. In this study, 31.3% spent time using phones while 15% spent time reading while 22% of the students spent their time in physical activity. Almost 66.3% of students did not develop any psychological problems. About 77.5% did not face any financial problems. Conclusion: Most of the respondents were in favor of lockdown as COVID-19 spread can be prevented by avoiding contact. Study highlighted COVID-19 lockdown had no effect on mental health of the respondents. This study will help in creating awareness regarding lockdown. It will enlighten new arenas for public health experts and stakeholders to develop new strategies, and interventions and predict a preparedness program plan for future Pandemic. Keywords: Covid-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Lockdown, Karachi
Aim: To evaluate the association of employment related-physical activity during pregnancy with birth weight and still birth. Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out in the four hospitals. All singleton pregnant women ≥20 weeks’ gestational age attending antenatal care at the tertiary care hospitals were selected. They were followed up from the 20th week of gestation till delivery. The outcomes of this study were low birth weight and stillbirth. The exposed women were those who were employed throughout the current pregnancy and were involved in excessive and hard physical activity at work while unexposed women were unemployed throughout the current pregnancy. Descriptive statistics included frequency, mean and standard deviation for continuous variables while categorical variables were assessed by computing frequencies and percentages. P values were calculated using Chi-Square/Fisher exact test and T Test. Results: The mean age of the pregnant females was 28.66±4.87 years. Excessive physical activity at work was significantly associated with low birth weight and stillbirth. The risk of low birth weight was 1.46 times higher among pregnant women with excessive physical activity (RR = 1.46, 95% CI=1.12-1.91). The risk of stillbirth is 2.85 times higher among pregnant women with excessive physical activity (RR=2.85, 95% CI=1.22-6.63). Conclusion: The study demonstrated a significant association between excessive physical activities on birth outcomes in employed pregnant females. A high percentage of females exposed to extensive physical activity ended up with low birth weight and stillbirth. Woman’s age during pregnancy, women’s education and husband’s education are significantly associated with birth outcomes. Keywords: Physical Activity, Employment, Low Birth Weight, Still Birth, Birth outcome
Aim: To evaluate the association of employment related-physical activity during pregnancy with birth weight and still birth. Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out in the four hospitals. All singleton pregnant women ≥20 weeks’ gestational age attending antenatal care at the tertiary care hospitals were selected. They were followed up from the 20th week of gestation till delivery. The outcomes of this study were low birth weight and stillbirth. The exposed women were those who were employed throughout the current pregnancy and were involved in excessive and hard physical activity at work while unexposed women were unemployed throughout the current pregnancy. Descriptive statistics included frequency, mean and standard deviation for continuous variables while categorical variables were assessed by computing frequencies and percentages. Results: The mean age of the pregnant females was 28.66 ± 4.87 years. Excessive physical activity at work was significantly associated with low birth weight and stillbirth. The risk of low birth weight was 1.46 times higher among pregnant women with excessive physical activity (RR = 1.46, 95% CI=1.12-1.91). The risk of stillbirth is 2.85 times higher among pregnant women with excessive physical activity (RR=2.85, 95% CI=1.22-6.63). Conclusion: The study demonstrated a significant association between excessive physical activities on birth outcomes in employed pregnant females. A high percentage of females exposed to extensive physical activity ended up with low birth weight and stillbirth. Keywords: Physical Activity, Employment, Low Birth Weight, Still Birth, Birth outcome
Aim: To evaluate the association of suicide attempt among bipolar disorder patients and evaluate the associated risk factors. Methodology: The target population of the study was adult psychiatric patients who visited the outpatient department of an institute of behavioral sciences in Karachi. A case-control study was conducted in the outpatient department of two major psychiatric services in Karachi. Participants of age above 15 years were recruited through non-purposive sampling and data was collected by a structured questionnaire. Results: From January to April 2021, of the 146 selected psychiatric patientsa, high prevalence of suicide attempts was observed in patients with young age between 20 to 30 years (p=0.000) Almost41.1%of participants were illiterate and 63% belonged to low socioeconomic status) Approximately 43.8% (p=0.00) cases had a history of mental trauma and 24.7% 76.7% (p=0.007) cases had a family history of suicide. It was found that 91.8% (p=0.00) of depression was related to suicide attempt the factors associated with suicide attempt were females, young age, illiteracy, lower socioeconomic status, presence of bipolar disorder, substance abuse, mental trauma, depression, family history of suicide and self-harm. Conclusion: We conclude that there is an association between suicide attempts and bipolar disorder. Mental illnesses are becoming an emerging public health problem. Deeper research into the relationship between suicide attempts and substance abuse, or family history and awareness in psychiatric patients is needed. Keywords:Bipolar Disorder, Suicide Attempt, Self-Harm, Trauma, Suicidal Ideation
Aim: To assess the concerns of university students regarding COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: A Cross-Sectional online survey was conducted among student population living in different socio-economical areas of Karachi. Information was gathered on their age, gender, education level, occupation status, area of residence, and knowledge about lockdown due to Covid-19. These variables were examined according to the socio-economic status of the area where students reside. Results: A total of 200 subjects above 20 years were interviewed out of which data was analyzed for 160 subjects. The majority of students were between the ages of 20-25 years, females, Muslims, and unemployed. According to 86.9% of students COVID-19 can be prevented by avoiding contact and almost 74.4% students were in favor of lockdown further 37.5% students wanted no gaps between lockdowns. In this study, 31.3% spent time using phones while 15% spent time reading while 22% of the students spent their time in physical activity. Almost 66.3% of students did not develop any psychological problems. About 77.5% did not face any financial problems. Conclusion: Most of the respondents were in favor of lockdown as COVID-19 spread can be prevented by avoiding contact. Study highlighted COVID-19 lockdown had no effect on mental health of the respondents. This study will help in creating awareness regarding lockdown. It will enlighten new arenas for public health experts and stakeholders to develop new strategies, and interventions and predict a preparedness program plan for future Pandemic. Keywords: Covid-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Lockdown, Karachi
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