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Hepatoprotective and antidiabetic effects of Cichorium intybus seed extract in alloxan-induced diabetic mice: a histopathological evaluation
No full textDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with hepatic dysfunction caused by persistent oxidative stress and hyperglycemia. The establishment of safe plant-based therapies to manage diabetes-related hepatic injury has been an important research area. This experimental study determined the hepatoprotective effect of Cichorium intybus (Kasni) seed extract on alloxan-induced diabetes in mice via histopathological evaluation. Thirty male albino mice were selected and randomly divided into three groups (n = 10 each): the nondiabetic control group, the diabetic untreated group, and the diabetic Kasni-treated group. Type 2 diabetes was induced by the intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg). Aqueous extracts of Kasni seeds (400 mg/kg) were orally administered once a day for 28 days to the mice in the treatment group, and gross liver morphology and histological features were studied for changes via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The results of the present study revealed that untreated diabetic mice presented elevated blood glucose levels, enlarged pale livers, and histological features indicating hepatic injury, including hepatocellular vacuolation, sinusoidal congestion, and early pericentral fibrosis. Diabetic mice treated with Kasni presented near-normal hepatic histological features; furthermore, the structure of the central vein was restored, orderly hepatocyte plates formed, and no inflammation, steatosis or fibrosis was observed. The gross morphological features revealed that the liver color and texture were similar to those of the control group. The study concluded that Cichorium intybus has a hepatoprotective effect against diabetes-related liver damage because of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the active ingredients in the plant
Genderwise comparison of barriers to accessing oral healthcare facilities in peri-urban communities of Sargodha, Pakistan
No full textOral health is one of the significant indicators determining the population’s overall health and well-being status. Good oral health is a fundamental human right irrespective of demographic differences. Therefore, this study compared the barriers to accessing oral healthcare facilities among males and females living in peri-urban communities. This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the peri-urban communities of Sargodha. Using the random number method, this study used a simple random sampling technique to identify 320 houses; 160 males and 160 females who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were interviewed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test. The results showed that more males (78.13%) were users of dental services than females (53.75%); however, a meagre number of both genders were making regular visits to oral healthcare facilities. Expensive treatment was one of the significant barriers to visiting oral healthcare facilities for males (85.00%) and females (75.63%). Moreover, time shortage was a significant barrier, mainly reported by almost three-fourths of the males (72.50%), but fewer females (20.63%) considered it a vital barrier (p < 0.05). Furthermore, for both genders, various barriers varied widely, including fear of the dentist, avoiding treatment, lack of awareness, family pressure to avoid visiting clinics, and reliance on home remedies (p < 0.05). Therefore, this study concluded that more males than females visit oral healthcare services. However, most males and females do not visit oral healthcare facilities for regular checkups but for any oral health problem ailment. Both males and females make out-of-pocket expenditures to afford oral health services. Males preferred private oral healthcare facilities, whereas females preferred public healthcare facilities to provide oral healthcare services. Males and females observed the cost of treatment for oral healthcare issues, shortage of time, and fear as the key barriers to accessing oral healthcare facilities
Assessment of over-the-counter medication use among pregnant women visiting public and private tertiary hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan
No full textOver-the-counter (OTC) medications are considered safe when used as directed agents and are widely used for self-medication due to their accessibility and affordability. However, self-medication during pregnancy can lead to irrational drug use and potential complications. This study aimed to assess the use of OTC medicines among pregnant women visiting public and private tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted over three months in 2023 involving 170 pregnant women at public hospitals and 155 at private hospitals. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Familiarity with OTC medications was greater among pregnant women visiting public hospitals (56.50%, p = 0.036) than among those visiting private hospitals (54.40%). Most women from public hospitals perceived all OTC drugs as safe during pregnancy (64.20%, p = 0.009). The perceived critical period for drug use varied, with more pregnant women in private hospitals identifying the first trimester as critical (58.82%, p = 0.002), while the third trimester was more commonly perceived as critical by public hospital visitors (62.50%). The use of OTC medication before and during pregnancy was similar between groups (p > 0.05). A significant difference was observed in reading OTC medicine leaflets, with more private hospital visitors reading them (60.98%, p < 0.001). This study concluded that the proportion of OTC medicine use among pregnant women visiting public and private healthcare facilities in Lahore is moderately high. There were notable differences in the sociodemographic characteristics and perceptions of OTC medication safety. Public hospital visitors were more familiar with OTC medications and believed in their safety during pregnancy, while private hospital visitors were more concerned about the first trimester and more likely to read OTC medicine leaflets. These findings highlight the need for targeted education and counseling to promote safe OTC medication practices among pregnant women
Prevalence of coccydynia in postpartum women: a cross-sectional study in Lahore, Pakistan
No full textCoccydynia, a condition characterized by pain in the tailbone region, is frequently exacerbated by childbirth and particularly affects women due to increased pelvic stress and changes in posture during and following delivery. The condition, which resembles a cuckoo’s beak in shape, disproportionately affects females and those with obesity and can arise from various causes, such as trauma, infections, and degenerative diseases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of coccydynia among postpartum women in Lahore, Pakistan, and to provide epidemiological data to better inform clinical practices and patient education for managing this debilitating condition. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to August 2023 involving 163 postpartum women aged between 20 and 40 years who were recruited from five private hospitals in Lahore using nonprobability convenience sampling. Participants underwent clinical examinations and were interviewed using a structured questionnaire that incorporated historical health data and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) to assess coccygeal pain intensity. Clinical examination revealed that 88.34% of the participants were diagnosed with coccydynia, confirming the prevalence of this condition among the sample. The mean age of the participants was 25.89 ± 4.33 years. The average body mass index (BMI) was 22.46 ± 4.44, indicating a predominantly normal weight group. Common symptoms included pain worsening after prolonged sitting, reported by 85.89% of participants, and significant tenderness during tailbone palpation, reported by 82.82%. The prevalence of coccydynia in postpartum women highlights the need for focused attention to this condition in clinical practice. The findings emphasize the importance of targeted preventative measures and treatment strategies, specifically for postpartum women, to mitigate the impact of coccydynia. Further research is recommended to explore broader preventative strategies and refine treatment protocols to ensure better care for affected women
Comparison of knowledge, attitude, and practice of physicians and pharmacists about migraine management
No full textMigraine is a complicated genetically influenced disorder characterized by episodes of moderate-to-severe headache. It has a prevalence rate of 10% per year worldwide and accounts for 7% of all neurological disorders worldwide. This prevalence is 6% among males and 18% among females. Despite the high prevalence of the illness, it is misdiagnosed and mistreated by healthcare professionals. Therefore, this study aimed to compare physicians' and pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding migraine management. This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in major public healthcare facilities and well-established community pharmacy chains in Lahore. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed by calculating descriptive statistics and a chi-square test. The results showed that 61.67% of physicians were males and 60.00% of pharmacists were females with five years or less of working experience. Most healthcare professionals were well aware of the episode duration, definition of chronic migraine, and its types (physicians = 70.00%, 72.78%, 78.33%; pharmacists = 75.71%, 67.14%, 71.43%, respectively) and provided patients with information regarding migraine triggers, drugs causing migraine, side effects of drugs, and guidance to prevent side effects. Moreover, most healthcare providers considered prevention and acute treatments as a part of a broader approach to managing chronic migraine and considered prescribing preventive medicines at lower doses to minimize potential side effects. The knowledge of physicians and pharmacists was significantly different regarding migraine-associated symptoms, preference for nonpharmacological interventions to alleviate symptoms of chronic migraine, and consideration of prevention and acute treatments as part of the broader approaches to managing chronic migraine (p < 0.05). The study concluded that the physicians' and pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices were good. However, healthcare professionals' knowledge significantly differs regarding migraine-associated symptoms, preference for nonpharmacological interventions to alleviate symptoms of chronic migraine, and consideration of prevention and acute treatments as part of the broader approaches to managing chronic migraine
Parent-reported health-related quality of life of children with cerebral palsy in Pakistan
No full textCerebral palsy (CP) affects movement, balance, and posture, leading to activity limitations, motor disability, and musculoskeletal problems. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment is critical in helping practitioners suggest interventions for children with CP. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the parent-reported HRQoL among children with CP in Pakistan. Using a purposive sampling technique, 184 parents were interviewed face-to-face with the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire to assess their children's subjective health and well-being. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Mann‒Whitney tests. The HRQoL scores for physical activity and health were significantly lower for male children (median = 20.00) than for females (median = 10.00) (p < 0.001), which was also the lowest across all other dimensions of HRQoL. Male children scored higher than females in some domains, such as general mood and bullying, while female children scored higher in domains such as free time and friends, but these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The overall HRQoL score was low for both male (median = 43.84) and female (median = 42.26) children. However, there was no significant difference in the proportion of children with low and medium HRQoL scores based on gender. This study concluded that physical activities and health were the poorest dimensions of HRQoL. The results help better understand children's lived experiences as perceived by their parents, highlighting various aspects of health that could be optimized to enhance the overall quality of life. Our findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve the HRQoL of children with CP, especially regarding physical activity and health
Demographic influences on perception of aging, appearance-related consciousness, and negative self-perception among young and middle-aged adult women
No full textWith global life expectancy increasing, societal views on aging—especially its negative impact on women's self-image, intensified by social media—demand urgent attention. These norms affect self-perception and overall well-being. Therefore, this demographic study was conducted with the objective of exploring the relationships between age perceptions, appearance-related social media consciousness (ASMC), and self-perception. This pilot study, carried out in Lahore, Pakistan, involved 100 women either engaged in academic or professional work who were selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected via face-to-face interviews utilizing a questionnaire in English, comprising the Brief Aging Perceptions Questionnaire (B-APQ), the ASMC scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), to evaluate the participants’ perceptions and self-view. Our study revealed a significant positive correlation between perceptions of aging and negative self-perception (r = 0.98, p < 0.01), indicating that concerns about aging contribute to more negative self-views, a trend mainly attributed to middle-aged women. Moreover, marital status notably affected appearance-related consciousness, with married women exhibiting greater concerns (p = 0.03). The findings underscore the nuanced effect of education on appearance concerns—postgraduates showed greater concern (mean = 57.24 ± 16.45) than those with lower educational levels (mean = 47.94 ± 19.73, p = 0.04). Despite this, education did not significantly impact perceptions of aging or overall negative self-perception, indicating its selective influence on aspects of self-perception. Our study reveals the multifaceted relationship between perceptions of aging, appearance consciousness, and self-perception in women, emphasizing the substantial role of social media. It shows that social media exposure and engagement intensify appearance concerns and aging anxieties, especially among middle-aged and married women, concluding in more pronounced negative self-views. While the influence of educational background remains mixed, the findings support initiatives for educational and awareness campaigns to redefine aging and appearance perceptions, advocating for diverse beauty representations to improve women's self-image and counteract negative stereotypes
Alzheimer’s disease susceptibility in African American elders: a classification and regression tree (CART) analysis approach
No full textAlzheimer's disease (AD) is increasingly prevalent, especially among African American older adults. Despite its widespread nature, accurate and timely diagnosis of AD remains challenging. Addressing the research gap in sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factor research associated with AD in African American older adults, this study aimed to identify and analyze distinct subgroups within this population that are particularly vulnerable to AD, thereby contributing to the development of targeted interventions and healthcare strategies. This study employs a rigorous methodology utilizing classification and regression tree (CART) analysis to examine data from the 2017 Uniform Data Set (UDS). This approach enables a nuanced analysis of AD susceptibility among African American older adults. The CART analysis revealed significant associations between the studied sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors and AD susceptibility among African American older adults. The results indicate the presence of specific subgroups with increased vulnerability to AD, shaped by varying levels of education [relative importance (RI): 100%], antidepressant usage (RI: 83.1%), BMI (RI: 71.2%), use of antipsychotic agents (RI: 35.5%), and age of smoking cessation (RI: 21.5%). These findings underscore the importance of culturally specific research and interventions for addressing AD among African Americans. This study's findings, revealing significant associations between sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors and AD susceptibility among African American older adults, underscore the necessity of developing healthcare policies and interventions specifically tailored to address these risks
Knowledge about the health risks of cigarette smoking in young adult smokers and nonsmokers university students: a comparative cross-sectional study
No full textTobacco use and related exposure in Pakistan are responsible for approximately 110,000 deaths. While previous studies have reported improved knowledge about the health risks of cigarette smoking among the general population due to ongoing tobacco control programs, fewer studies have investigated such knowledge in young adults. Thus, we conducted a comparative cross-sectional study of 220 young adult students aged 22 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 2) enrolled at a public university to assess their knowledge of the health risks of cigarette smoking and to compare this knowledge between smokers and nonsmokers. The self-administered semistructured questionnaire collected sociodemographic data, cigarette smoking status, and knowledge about the health risks of cigarette smoking. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and the Mann‒Whitney U test. Overall, most young adults were nonsmokers (69.09%), and the remaining 30.91% of smokers smoked an average of 5.31 ± 2.40 cigarettes daily for 3.80 ± 1.33 years, primarily in rural areas (p < 0.05). Nearly half of the young adults showed good knowledge of the health risks of cigarette smoking, irrespective of smoking status (smokers = 54.41%, nonsmokers = 53.29%). Conversely, few young adults demonstrated poor knowledge (smokers = 10.29%, nonsmokers = 6.58%) about the health hazards of cigarette smoking. Our findings showed that smoking rates were higher among young adults in rural settings than in urban areas. In addition, knowledge of gender-specific health risks associated with cigarette smoking, such as pregnancy-related complications in female smokers and male impotence in male smokers, was low. Nonetheless, almost half of the young adults displayed good knowledge of most of the potential health risks of cigarette smoking, regardless of their smoking status
Assessing nurses’ pain management competence using KASRP and organizational support in a public tertiary care hospital in Lahore
No full textEffective pain management is a cornerstone of quality nursing care, yet knowledge gaps and systemic barriers often hinder optimal practice, particularly in low-resource settings. This study aimed to assess nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management, evaluate their self-reported pain practices, and explore the role of perceived organizational support in shaping pain management competence among nurses in a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. An exploratory survey was conducted with 120 registered nurses using the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP), a perceived organizational support scale, and a self-reported practice checklist. Descriptive statistics revealed that only 22.5% of the nurses reported good knowledge, whereas 45% reported moderate knowledge, and 32.5% reported poor knowledge. Perceived organizational support was moderate on average, and although self-reported practice scores were relatively high, they did not significantly correlate with knowledge levels. The Mann–Whitney U test revealed no significant differences in knowledge or practice scores by sex. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association between organizational support and knowledge scores. Multiple linear regression identified organizational support as the only significant predictor of knowledge scores (p = 0.003). These findings highlight the critical role of organizational factors in fostering clinical competence and suggest the need for system-level interventions—such as regular training, managerial support, and access to protocols—to improve pain management outcomes in nursing practice