Background Depression is defined as a psychiatric disorder characterized by depressed mood, lack of concentration, diminished energy, disturbed sleep, and low self-esteem. Depression is more prevalent in HIV/AIDS patients than the general population. There is no published study available that reveals the present status of depression among HIV patients in Pakistan. As such, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression among HIV/AIDS patients attending the HIV clinic of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out from February to March 2019 in Lahore. Data were collected from 158 HIV/AIDS patients using a pretested, standardized, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Nonprobability convenience sampling was used to recruit the study participants. Depression was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data. Binary logistic regression models were used to determine the various factors associated with depression. AORs with 95% CIs were used to assess the magnitude of associations between depression and associated factors. Results The mean age of the study participants was 35.03 years±9.123. Prevalence of depression among HIV/AIDS patients was 32.2%. Living in a rural area (AOR 5.60, 95% CI 2.20, 14.15), fear of stigma and discrimination (AOR 3.505, 95% CI 1.364, 9.008), having worked abroad (AOR 3.017, 95% CI 1.134, 8.031), and history of substance abuse (AOR 4.147, 95% CI 1.673, 10.28) were significantly associated with depression. Conclusion The prevalence of depression among HIV/AIDS patients is very high in Pakistan. Therefore, it is suggested that guidelines formulated to screen and treat depression among HIV patients.

Background Well-timed initiation of HIV therapy enhances life expectancy, decreases mortality and morbidity, and inhibits the transmission of HIV and complications related to it. The purpose of the present survey is to investigate the frequency and reasons for delayed initiation of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and to determine its relationship with various socio-demographic variables and HIV-related characteristics. Methods The analysis is based on a cross-sectional study involving 355 people living with HIV (diagnosed by PCR) who were more than 18 years of age and not receiving HIV therapy before enrolment at the HIV clinics of two selected tertiary-care teaching hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. In this study, delayed initiation of ART was defined as not attending the HIV management centre or a clinic for ART within 3 months of a confirmed diagnosis. The participants were selected using a systematic probability sampling technique. Bivariate logistic regression was performed using a backward stepwise technique to establish the variables related to delayed onset of HIV therapy. Factors significant at p ≤ 0.20 were considered for multivariate analysis, which was used to describe the association between independent factors and delayed initiation of treatment. Results Delayed onset of ART was observed in 28.5% of individuals. Factors such as no schooling (AOR = 5.92; 95% CI: 1.38–25.41; p = 0.017) and occasional household income (AOR = 3.88; 95% CI: 1.01–14.89; p = 0.048) were significantly associated with late onset of ART. Our research findings also indicated that the main reasons for late beginning of HIV therapy were: feeling healthy (45.5%), did not have time to go to the HIV treatment centre (42.6%), did not want to discuss HIV test result (37.6%), and fear of stigma and discrimination within their community (35.6%). Conclusions Late commencement of HIV therapy in Pakistan is common, and an improved connection is needed between identification of HIV and beginning of therapy. HIV management centres should counsel and monitor patients from the time of a positive HIV test result until they initiate therapy.

Background: Globally, approximately 240 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which are responsible for 96% of all hepatitis-related mortality. Pakistan has the second highest prevalence of HCV in the world. Methods: We conducted this study to ascertain the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with HBV and HCV infections in Punjab. A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 24 Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment Clinics of the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center clinics, Lahore. A total of 141,705 individuals who visited the clinics during 2017-18 were included for seroprevalence analysis of hepatitis B (HBsAg) and C (Anti-HCV). In addition, 12,427 individuals from the main group underwent detailed face-to-face interviews based on a predesigned questionnaire for risk factor assessment. Results: The overall prevalence for HBV and HCV was 8.4% and 42.7%, respectively. Of those with HCV infection, 4.2% had a co-infection. The transgender population had a higher seroprevalence of HBV (11.8%) and HCV (58.8%). Higher HBV seroprevalence was found in a younger age group (16-30 years), while the older age group (>61 years) had a higher HCV seroprevalence. Geographically, Muzaffargarh district had the highest HBV seroprevalence at 26%, followed by Rajanpur district (20.3%). HCV seroprevalence was significantly (P value <0.05) higher in Shujabad district (66.4%), followed by Muzaffargarh (65.2%). Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, age, gender, intravenous injections, hijama therapy, dental procedure, circumcision by barbers, barber shaving, hospitalization and having had surgical procedures were all found to be significant risk factors (OR >1; p<0.05) for HBV and HCV. Conclusions: There is an urgent need for proper implementation of preventive and control strategies, as well as formal evaluation and monitoring mechanisms. Sustainable and adequate funding of public-sector hepatitis programs is also an extremely important area that should not be neglected.

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Background: Reliable and peer reviewed information is of immense importance for preventive, diagnostic and curative solutions and efforts should be done to minimize inaccurate infodemics among post graduate trainee doctors. Objective: The aim of the study was to access the use of Peer Reviewed and Non-Peer Reviewed Information by post graduate trainee doctors for COVID-19 Pandemic in Pakistan. Methods: The study was analytical cross sectional in design and was conducted in 3193 post graduate trainee doctors employing Electronic Logbook (elog) system of College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan. An online survey included demographic characteristics, year of training, specialty and sources of information used for COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Total 3193 study participants from all provinces of Pakistan were included with mean age of 28.68 years. Majority of participants (58.66%) used both peer reviewed and non-peer reviewed information source for getting updated guidelines and information about COVID-19. According to bivariate analysis results, significant differences were revealed between the source of information and the age (p < 0.001), province (p < 0.001) and gender (p < 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression results showed that the age less than 30 years (AOR = 1.311, 95% (CI: 0.800, 2.146), working in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (AOR = 1.549, 95% (CI: 1.210-1.982) and female gender(AOR = 1.551, 95% (CI: 1.303, 1.847). was significantly associated with increased use of social media for getting information. Conclusion: Use of non-peer reviewed information for COVID-19 pandemic by postgraduate trainee doctors is common.