Objective: To determine the frequency and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders in high-risk occupation workers in an urban setting. Method: The analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi from July to December 2020, and comprised office workers, operation theatre technicians and coolies. The presence of musculoskeletal disorders was assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to determine factors associated with moderate to severe condition. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Results: Of the 300 male subjects, 100(33.3%) each were office workers, operation theatre technicians and coolies. The overall mean age was 33.25±6.8 years (range: 18-50 years). The overall prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was 179(59.7%). Besides, 117(65.4%) patients with musculoskeletal disorders had intermediate stage of the disease. The lower back and neck were the most common site of trouble involved in preceding 12 months 111(43.6%) each. Conclusion: Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was found to be a common problem affecting high-risk occupational workers. Key Words: High-risk occupations, Musculoskeletal disorders.

Objective: To determine the effect of masks distribution and awareness pamphlets on practices of social distancing and infection prevention at small shops of essential items during the time of COVID 19 Pandemic Methodology: This was a quasi-experimental study in which three cycles of observations were carried out at 120 small shops of essential items before, immediately, and two weeks after the intervention during weekdays and weekends. Interventions introduced included the distribution of masks and awareness pamphlets on physical distancing and infection prevention and an educational session with shopkeepers. The main outcome measures were practices of shopkeepers and customers related to wearing masks properly and maintenance of distance of at least three feet. The outcome indicators were compared using the Cochrane Q test. Results: Before the intervention on weekdays, only 4.1% of shops had any system of hand hygiene which increased to 19.6% immediately post intervention but reduced to 0% two weeks after the intervention. The practice of wearing a mask with nose covered increased from 13.2% before the intervention to 62.3% immediately after the intervention, however, it dropped to 30.8% two weeks after the intervention. Comparison of distance maintenance between the customers showed that none of the customers maintained three feet distance between themselves before the intervention, which improved to 9.5% immediately after the intervention but reduced to 1.8% two weeks after the intervention. Conclusion: Practices of infection prevention at small shops were found to be poor, which showed temporary improvement post-intervention. Sustained regulatory and educational measures are needed to improve the practices.

To determine the electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings in patients with acute ischemic stroke (potential source of cardiac emboli). Study Design: Cross section descriptive study. Period: Six months. Setting: Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad. Patients and Methods: The subjects with history and clinical features suggestive of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). After establishing the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke the electrocardiography (ECG) was advised and those subjects had abnormal findings on ECG were went for echocardiography to evaluate the specific cause related to acute ischemic stroke. The two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography was performed by consultant cardiologist had ≥ five years experienced in echocardiography because echocardiographic study in patients with cerebrovascular accident (confirmed on CT scan) is evidence of potential cardiac abnormalities as a predisposing cause for the vascular event. The data was collected on pre-designed proforma and was analyzed in SPSS 16 and the frequency and percentage was calculated. Results: Total one hundred patients with acute ischemic stroke were studied for electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings during six months study period. The mean ±SD for age of patients with acute ischemic stroke was 43.67±10.62. Majority of the patients were males and 69% while the age and gender cross tabulation was also statistically significant (p=0.03). The electrocardiographic abnormalities were indentified in 80% patients (AF in 16.2%, LVH in 22.5%, LBBB in 10%, wide QRS complex in 10% and ischemic changes in 8.7%) while the echocardiographic abnormalities were detected in 70% patients of which global hypokinesia (28.5%), LVH (25.7%) and diastolic dysfunction (17.14)% were predominant. Conclusion: The cardiac embolic source is the major cause for acute ischemic stroke and detected by echocardiography as it is the main tool in diagnosing the source of embolus.

Objective: To determine the frequency of raised C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients and methods: This cross sectional descriptive study of six months study was conducted at Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad from March 2013 to August 2013. All diabetic patients of ≥35 years age of either gender for >01 year duration visited at OPD were evaluated for C-reactive protein and their glycemic status by hemoglobin A1c. The data was analyzed in SPSS and the frequency and percentage was calculated. Results: During six month study period, total 100 diabetic patients were evaluated for C-reactive protein. Majority of patients were from urban areas 75/100 (75%). The mean ±SD for age of patients with diabetes mellitus was 51.63±7.82. The mean age ±SD of patient with raised CRP was 53±7.21. The mean ±SD for HbA1c in patients with raised CRP is 9.55±1.73. The mean random blood sugar level in patients with raised CRP was 247.42 ± 6.62. The majority of subjects from 50-69 years of age group with female predominance (p = 0.01) while the CRP was raised in 70(70%) patients in relation to age (p=0.02) and gender (p=0.01) respectively. Both HbA1c and CRP was raised in 64.9% (p = 0.04) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The mean ±SD of CRP was 5.8±1.21 while for male and female individuals with raised CRP was 3.52±1.22 and 5.7±1.63 respectively. Conclusions: The raised CRP was observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objectives: To determine the electrocardiographic and echocardiographicfindings in patients with acute ischemic stroke (potential source of cardiac emboli). StudyDesign: Cross section descriptive study. Period: Six months. Setting: Liaquat University HospitalHyderabad. Patients and Methods: The subjects with history and clinical features suggestiveof cerebrovascular accident (CVA). After establishing the diagnosis of acute ischemic strokethe electrocardiography (ECG) was advised and those subjects had abnormal findings onECG were went for echocardiography to evaluate the specific cause related to acute ischemicstroke. The two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography was performed by consultantcardiologist had ≥ five years experienced in echocardiography because echocardiographicstudy in patients with cerebrovascular accident (confirmed on CT scan) is evidence of potentialcardiac abnormalities as a predisposing cause for the vascular event. The data was collectedon pre-designed proforma and was analyzed in SPSS 16 and the frequency and percentagewas calculated. Results: Total one hundred patients with acute ischemic stroke were studiedfor electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings during six months study period. Themean ±SD for age of patients with acute ischemic stroke was 43.67±10.62. Majority of thepatients were males and 69% while the age and gender cross tabulation was also statisticallysignificant (p=0.03). The electrocardiographic abnormalities were indentified in 80% patients(AF in 16.2%, LVH in 22.5%, LBBB in 10%, wide QRS complex in 10% and ischemic changesin 8.7%) while the echocardiographic abnormalities were detected in 70% patients of whichglobal hypokinesia (28.5%), LVH (25.7%) and diastolic dysfunction (17.14)% were predominant.Conclusion: The cardiac embolic source is the major cause for acute ischemic stroke anddetected by echocardiography as it is the main tool in diagnosing the source of embolus.