IntroductionStudies have shown that electronic cigarettes have gained immense popularity and their use has increased dramatically all over the world. However, little is known about the knowledge and attitudes towards e-cigarettes in third world countries such as Pakistan. The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of teenagers in Karachi regarding e-cigarettes and whether the differences in said perceptions were affected by gender and level of education.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in January 2017 using convenience sampling and interviewed 441 young individuals, aged 13 to 19 years, to determine their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding e-cigarettes. The participants were questioned about their knowledge and its source. Attitudes were judged using four and five-point Likert scales while questions regarding practices focused on single and current use. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were applied to compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of teenagers with gender and level of schooling.ResultsThe majority of participants knew what e-cigarettes were (n=277, 68.7%) but did not know about their contents (n=225, 55.8%) and had learned about them from either friends or the internet (n=245, 60.%). Almost half of them (n=190, 47.2%) believed that the reason for e-cigarette use was either peer pressure or to quit smoking conventional cigarettes. An overwhelming majority also stated that; it was either easy or very easy to obtain e-cigarettes (n=277, 68.7%), they would not try smoking e-cigarettes even if a good friend of theirs recommended them (n=287, 71.2%), they were not current e-cigarette smokers (n=370, 91.8%) and they would never promote e-cigarette use (n=371, 92.1%). Statistically significant differences were found with males knowing more about e-cigarettes (p=0.006) and being more common to either have smoked (p <0.001) or be current e-cigarette smokers (p <0.001). Furthermore, middle school students were more likely to have negative attitudes towards e-cigarettes believing they were more harmful (p=0.003) and more addictive (p <0.001) than conventional cigarettes.ConclusionMany people were aware of what electronic cigarettes are but still, it was evident that there was the lack of proper knowledge along with negative attitudes towards e-cigarette use among teenagers in Pakistan due to cultural and social stigmas and lack of advertising. Males and females had considerable differences in their opinions regarding e-cigarette use owing to such social practices being considered taboo by females and males having greater freedom due to patriarchal, familial and cultural systems.

IntroductionHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common infection of the reproductive tract. The introduction of HPV vaccines by WHO aims to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. Pakistan lacks an effective nationwide HPV vaccination program, thereby making HPV a major threat. In this study, we aimed to assess the knowledge of HPV vaccination in Pakistan and to determine the barriers against it.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, between April and May 2019. A convenience sampling technique was implemented using a self-administered questionnaire, which was filled by individuals aged 18-26. The questionnaire assessed the knowledge regarding HPV and also evaluated the attitude and acceptability amongst these individuals towards the vaccine. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20.0.ResultsThe majority of the participants belonged to the monthly household income range of 200,000 rupees and above, which was labeled as the high-income category (n=158, 39.5%). Out of the 18 people who were vaccinated, eight belonged to the aforementioned category. Of these 18, nearly two-thirds (n=11, 61.1%) had gotten vaccinated upon the recommendation of their doctor. A statistically significant difference was found only between those currently enrolled in universities and previously vaccinated for HPV (p=.047). Nearly half of the responders perceived the vaccine to be time-consuming (n=167, 41.8%) and overpriced (n=187, 46.8%).ConclusionThe vaccination rate is low in Karachi, Pakistan. Concentrated efforts involving the healthcare system should be made to raise awareness regarding HPV and its vaccine thereby reducing barriers to HPV prevention

Hemophilia A is an X-linked hereditary bleeding disorder that is rarely encountered by most physicians and surgeons in their practice. Patients with mild hemophilia A tend to bleed profusely after surgery or trauma whereas a severe variant may manifest as spontaneous bleeding after minor trauma, mainly into the joints and muscles. However, seldom do we find a case where the patient experiences bleeding into multiple joints at the same time. In the South Asian population, the incidence of hemarthrosis in hemophilic patients holds scarce literature, making this an under-reported entity.

Back Background ground Surveys have shown that contact lenses are common optical correction devices used worldwide and they are particularly popular among the youth. However, not much is known about the knowledge and attitude of youth towards contact lenses in Pakistan. This study targeted to assess the approach of youth in Karachi towards contact lenses and whether the differences noted in approach was simulated by gender. Methods Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in September 2018, using convenience sampling and interviewed 400 individuals, aged 16-25, to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practices towards contact lenses. The respondents were asked about their knowledge and its source. Attitudes were assessed by asking participants opinions, while practice question mainly focused on the recent (up to 1 month) use of contact lenses and their experience. Chi-square test was applied to cross-tabulate gender with knowledge, attitude, and practices of youth towards contact lenses.

No abstract