This study assessed the pattern of drug abuse and the reasons for relapse of addiction among male drug addicts seeking rehabilitative services in different centres in Lahore, Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on male drug abusers from April to December 2016. Nonprobability purposive sampling was done to collect a sample of 119 participants. A structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews were used for data collection. Out of 119 participants, 71.4% were in the age group 15-35 years. Educational levels were low in the majority, with 68.1% below secondary education. Unmarried (51.3%) and unemployed (44.5%) participants were at the greatest risk of using drugs. The age of addiction in 45% of patients was < 18 years and 40% had been abusing substances for > 5 years. Reasons for starting drug abuse were recreation (37%), curiosity (34.5%), and lifechanging events (14.3%). Reasons for relapse included association with former addicts, negative reactions from family, inability to manage the craving and work/social stress. Schéma de dépendance et de rechute parmi les toxicomanes habituels à Lahore, PakistanRÉSUMÉ La présente étude avait pour objectif d'évaluer les schémas d'abus de substances psychoactives et les causes de rechute parmi les hommes toxicomanes recherchant des services de réadaptation dans différents centres de Lahore, au Pakistan. Une enquête transversale a été conduite sur les utilisateurs de substances psychoactives de sexe masculin entre avril et décembre 2016. Un échantillonnage non probabiliste par choix raisonné a été réalisé afin d'établir un échantillon de 119 participants. Un questionnaire structuré et des entretiens approfondis ont été utilisés pour la collecte de données. Sur les 119 participants, 71,4 % appartenaient au groupe d'âge des 15-35 ans. Les niveaux d'éducation étaient faibles dans la plupart des cas, 68,1 % n'ayant pas atteint l'enseignement secondaire. Les hommes célibataires (51,3 %) et chômeurs (44,5 %) étaient exposés à un risque accru de toxicomanie. L'âge de la mise en place de la dépendance était inférieur à 18 ans chez 45 % des patients, 40 % d'entre eux consommant des substances psychoactives depuis plus de 5 ans. L'aspect récréatif (37 %), la curiosité (34,5 %) et les changements de vie (14,3 %) comptaient parmi les raisons pour lesquelles les patients commençaient à utiliser des substances psychoactives. Les causes de rechute incluaient le regroupement avec d'anciens toxicomanes, les réactions négatives de la famille, l'incapacité à gérer le manque, et le stress professionnel et social.

Objectives: To estimate frequency of stunting and associated factors in children aged less than five years in a tertiary care hospital of Lahore. Methods: An Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Pediatrics Outpatient Department at Akhtar Saeed Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore from December 2017 to July 2018. Two hundred children of ages under five years coming to outdoor for treatment of minor ailments were included after informed consent from their parents. Non-probability, convenient sampling technique was used to collect sample. Data collected and analyzed on SPSS version 19. To find out association of stunting with multiple qualitative variables, chi-square test was applied and p-value was fixed at ≤ 0.05 to be significant. Results: Out of 200 children screened in OPD, 42 (21.0%) were found to be stunted. The total percentage of stunting in male children was 28 (66.6%) and in female children were 14 (33.3%). Stunting was significantly associate with male gender (p=0.047), joint family system (p=0.049), low literacy level in mothers (p=0.031), unvaccinated status (p=0.003) and history of bottle feeding (p=0.037). Conclusion: The frequency of stunting in children less than five years of age is 42 (21.0%). The significant risk factors associated with stunting were found as male gender (p= 0.047), joint family system (p=0.049), low maternal education (p=0.031), unvaccinated status (p=0.03). doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.3.1370 How to cite this:Fatima S, Manzoor I, Joya AM, Arif S, Qayyum S. Stunting and associated factors in children of less than five years: A hospital-based study. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.3.1370 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Objectives: To find out the major health problems and barriers in getting health care by transgender community in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in transgender community of Lahore from January to October 2020. The study included 214 participants from different areas of Lahore by targeting their “gurus”. Non-probability, snow-ball sampling technique was used to collect required sample size. Data was collected by using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results were generated in form of tables and graphs. Chi square test and Fischer’s exact test were used to find out associations between health seeking behavior with their transgender status and p value was fixed as ≤ 0.05 as significant. Results: Among total 214, 78.5% were transgender females and 21.5% were transgender male. Among the common health problems were depression (56%), anxiety (59%) and genital tract ulcers (45%). About 70% transgender seek health care from government hospitals. Among total 214 participants, 70% reported that they receive poor quality of health care. The main reasons of not getting proper care is non acceptance (20.7%), feeling ashamed (28.7%), non-availability of CNIC (44.5%) and un-affordability (6.1%). Significant association of transgender female with consultation with doctors (p=0.013), seeking care at government hospitals (p =0.038) poor experience at health care facility (0.050), neglect during medical treatment (p=0.015) and feeling of discrimination during treatment (p= 0.042). Conclusion: Transgender community face physical, mental, social and reproductive health issues. About 70% trans-genders receive poor quality of health care services. Non acceptance, feeling ashamed, non-availability of CNIC and non-affordability have been reported as major barriers in getting desired health care. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4375 How to cite this:Manzoor I, Khan ZH, Tariq R, Shahzad R. Health Problems & Barriers to Healthcare Services for the Transgender Community in Lahore, Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4375 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Introduction Corona pandemic has resulted in a high mortality rate among health care professionals. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and practices of health care providers during this pandemic in Punjab, Pakistan. Methods A web based cross sectional survey was conducted during 2 nd of April to 20 th April 2020 targeting health care professionals working in Punjab, Pakistan. A sample of 540 participants was collected using non probability, convenient sampling technique. Data was generated by using on line google forms after taking IRB approval from institution. Results Adequate knowledge was found among health care providers regarding diagnostic tests, modes of transmission, incubation period and preventive strategies. Significant association was seen in knowledge of post graduate and MBBS doctors (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) regarding viral etiology (p = 0.006), sign and symptoms (p = 0.000), risk factors (p = 0.000) and mortality rates (p = 0.001). Hand washing was considered as best preventive measure by 95% of the health care providers. Conclusion Post graduate doctors have better knowledge regarding corona virus disease transmission, risk factors, incubation period and preventive strategies as compared to undergraduate doctors.

Background and Objectives: During the past few decades, females had been making conscious decision to have antenatal checkup from skilled health care provider due to improved education which had played a vital role to enhance their awareness regarding the importance of this comprehensive health service. The objective was to find out the perception of females of child bearing age about the importance of antenatal care during their last pregnancy, living in a suburban community of Kot-Lakhodare Lahore. Methods: Females of reproductive age (15-49 years) living in Kot-Lakhodare were enrolled. Through a structured questionnaire, using convenient sampling technique, 1224 females of childbearing were interviewed through a cross sectional survey. The study was completed between January till August 2016. Question pertaining to their sociodemographic characteristics, perception about the importance of antenatal care services and comorbid conditions during the last pregnancy were asked. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 21. The ethical approval both institutional and individual were duly taken. Results: Mean age was 32 ±7.8SD years with education up to primary. Three quarter of females were un- employed with monthly income less than rupees 25,000 / month. All females 869(73%) who had perception about importance of antenatal checkup during their last pregnancy had no history of anemia, hypertension, diabetes and abortion (p<0.05). These females coming for the antenatal checkup delivered uneventfully by normal vaginal route and preferred government and private hospital for delivery and were vaccinated against Tetanus Toxoid (p<0.05). Conclusion: The females of child bearing age during the last pregnancy had adequate knowledge about the importance of antenatal care which played an important role in prevention of comorbid conditions like anemia, hypertension, diabetes and risk of abortion. Moreover, they had the perception of importance of institutionalized deliveries, tetanus Toxoid vaccination coverage during pregnancy. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.5.1256 How to cite this:Ahmed H, Manzoor I. Knowledge about the importance of antenatal care among females of child bearing age living in a suburban community of Lahore. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.5.1256 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.