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OBJECTIVE: Pediatric patients have high unmet treatment needs in Pakistan. There are only a handful of pediatric dentists in Pakistan. Thus, the dental services to child patients have to be dependent on general dentists and other dental specialists. The aim of this study was to assess the attitude and practice of the dentists towards clinical pediatric dentistry in Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among the dentists in Pakistan. RESULTS: A total of 372 dentists participated in the study. These included 122 (32.8%) males and 250 (67.2%) females. The majority of the participants (n = 272, 73.1%) were between the ages of 25 to 35 years. As compared to other dentists, a significantly greater number of general dentists (p < 0.008) had received any training in the behavioral management of children. Operative dentists reported practicing more of the various procedures in child patients (pit and fissure sealants, stainless steel crowns, pulpectomies, fluoride varnishes, pulpotomies and restorations), as compared to the other dentists. Even though the operative dentists performed more of these procedures, more than 50% of them still did not frequently perform any of the procedures. A total of 244 (65.6%) dentists wanted to attend pediatric dentistry courses, if available. CONCLUSION: There is a major gap in the needs and availability of pediatric dentistry services. More training needs to be conducted at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in pediatric dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A novel coronavirus strain, SARS-CoV-2, was identified in December 2019, causing a disease known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). WHO declared the COVID-19 emergency as a pandemic in March 2020. Following nationwide lockdowns, it becomes pertinent that the self-quarantined medical students are able to dispense necessary knowledge regarding appropriate prevention practices related to the disease to their respective families and communities, therefore playing a positive role in sharing the economic load of the health system already overburdened by the increasing number of COVID-19 patients. This study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of undergraduate medical students of the Twin Cities of Pakistan toward COVID-19, with regards to their observance of precautionary measures against the disease. Methods: Online data in this descriptive cross-sectional study was collected through self-developed questionnaires from 267 undergraduate medical students of twin cities, by convenient sampling. Results: High level of knowledge (72.7%) regarding Covid-19 infection among undergraduate medical students was consistent with their practices (70.8%) but not with their satisfactory attitude (p<0.01). Being female than male and students of private medical colleges showed more satisfactory attitude (p<0.05) and knowledge (p<0.01) towards Covid-19 infection respectively, while practices were more among the students of public sector medical college (p<0.05). Conclusion: The Knowledge of the students was satisfactory and consistent with their practices but not with their Satisfactory attitude, indicating a need to improve upon the prevailing attitude regarding infectious diseases such as Covid-19 and their prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of the main causes of antibiotic resistance around the globe. The present study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among consumers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2019 to September 2019. The participants visiting community pharmacies to buy the antibiotics were approached by data collectors. The descriptive analysis, Kruskal Wallis, and Mann-Whitney statistical tests were used for data analysis through SPSS. Results: 399 participants at three pharmacies with male (n = 352, 88.2%), age (years) group between 34 to 41(n = 138, 34.6%), uneducated (n = 128, 32.1%), and higher education (n = 76, 19.0%) level of the participants were noted. Poor to moderate knowledge were observed; participants were unaware of the risk and misuse of antibiotics at all three pharmacies. By some means, a positive attitude noted, but the storage of antibiotics at home (Median = 2, IQR = 2) was preferred to use when needed. Most of the respondents didn't follow the actual dosage regimen as prescribed (n = 266, 66.7%, p < 0.05). Conclusion: A lack of knowledge and malpractices toward antibiotics use among consumers were observed. Education and awareness of the public about antibiotic resistance is the need of the hour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is not avertable; however, the adverse effects of CH are preventable with early detection and treatment. It is a common congenital endocrine disorder that affects 1 in 2000-4000 newborns globally. The true incidence in Pakistan is unknown. Data from hospital studies quote an incidence of 1 in 1600-2000. The aim of this study was to uncover existing knowledge of CH and screening for the condition and to assess the impact of health education on mothers' knowledge and attitudes towards having their newborns screened. Methods: The study was conducted from January 2012 to August 2013 at a local hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. This was a prospective, interventional cohort study implemented through a pre- and post-crosssectional knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey. Interviews were conducted using structured questionnaires on CH. Results: At baseline (pre-intervention survey), 400 participants consented and 355 (88.9%) completed the study. There was a significant increase in awareness among participating women following the intervention (20% to approximately 98%). Similarly, 78.9% agreed to opt for a screening test for their newborns following delivery as compared with 57.7% in the pre-intervention KAP survey (relative risk 1.38, p-value <0.0001). Conclusion: Unfortunately, the majority of mothers were unaware of CH and its implications, leading to less screening and fewer diagnoses. This study underlines the importance of education in screening programmes to create awareness and maximize uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers regarding immunization of one year old child at Mawatch Goth, Kemari town, Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among mothers having one year old child at Mawatch Goth, Kemari town, Karachi in February 2007. All mothers having less than one year old child were interviewed through a semi structured uestionnaire regarding immunization knowledge attitude and practices. The data collected through a questionnaire entered and analyzed by using SPSS program version 15. Results: Majority of the mothers were illiterate, belonging to low-income group and not aware about the name of diseases in EPI Program. Majority (70%) of women started routine immunization of the child. The reasons for missing vaccination schedule were lack of understanding of next appointment, non availability of health staff, mild flu and others reasons like household work. About thirty one percent mothers quit immunization after missing one dose. Health care staff was the main source of information. A positive attitude was reflected from both the parents towards immunization. A significant number stated that vaccination is contraindicated in mild illness of child. Conclusion: The knowledge of our mothers about vaccination was found inadequate with strong positive attitude and limited practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]