Objectives: Hygiene practices helps a lot in the prevention of infection among the admitted patients and an important component of infection prevention and patient safety. The aim of this study was to assess the hygiene status of medical and surgical units of selected hospitals in District Nowshera, Swat and Peshawar Districts, Pakistan. Material and Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study, carried out in hospitals of Nowshera, Swat and Peshawar Districts, from August 2021 to February 2022. Data was collected from 60 medical and surgical units. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and face-to- face interviews were conducted with healthcare workers and patients. Finally results were presented in form of tables. Results: 64.66% of health care staff practice hand hygiene measures; and most of the surgeons (81.67%) were not satisfied with provided scrubbing materials. 46.67% of patients were satisfied with the prevailing hygiene status; 96.67% with health services. Moreover, 56.67% of patients wash hands before eating; 31.67% of sweepers satisfied with provision of materials, and surgical site infection rate was 13.33%. Furthermore, 63.33% of units collect waste daily; whereas only 18.33% had waste separation. 68.33% had isolation chamber for infectious cases; 36.67% screened patients for HIV/AIDS; and only 11.67% didn’t change fomites on daily basis. Conclusion: It was concluded that the hygiene status of selected hospitals was satisfactory. Moreover, the hygienic status showed strong relationship with type of unit; number of sweepers; waste collection frequency and frequency of fomites change and thus needs strategies to increase awareness and motivation of health care staff with an aim to reduce the incidence of hospital infections. Keywords: Hygiene Status, Infection, Medical, Surgical, Hospital

The objective of this study was to assess the frequency and risk factors of dental caries among adults in District Kohat and Nowshera Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Methods: After taking ethical approval, a descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in District Kohat and Nowshera, in which a total of n=435 adults were assessed and examined for dental caries, from November 2021 to March 2022. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding dental caries and its risk factors. Moreover, relevant tooth brushing, and dietary information was also collected. Data was analyzed by SPSS and results were presented in form of tables. Results: The results showed that 23.68% of adults had dental caries. Approximately, 57.70% of adults are of age between 30-60 years; 25.06% had monthly income less than 25000/PKR per month; 14.02% were illiterate, and 40.92% were overweight and obese. Moreover, 52.64% had compliance to daily tooth-brushing; 49.66% used fluoride tooth paste; 41.15% and 58.85% prefer sugar and sweet beverages respectively. Furthermore, 21.84% had poor oral hygiene; 14.94% had routine dental examinations; and 49.21% & 32.41% prefer vegetables and fruits. Conclusions: Concluded that dental caries showed moderate prevalence among adults and revealed relationship with age; monthly income, body mass index, and literacy level. Moreover, frequency of tooth-brushing, fluoride tooth-paste, oral hygiene status and sweet preference showed association with dental caries and thus comprehensive preventive and health promotion strategies were needed to overcome dental caries among adults. Keywords: Dental Caries, Toothbrush, Fluoride, Monthly Income, Sugar, Sweet beverages, Nowshera

Background: Dental caries is a global public health problem, and affects 60-90% of children; and has relationship with social; dietary; and behavioral factors. The main objective of this study was to assess the frequency and risk factors of dental caries among children of District Nowshera Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in District Nowshera, in which a total of n=295 children were examined regarding presence of dental caries, from January to April 2022. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding determinants of dental caries and its risk factors from parents. Data was analyzed by SPSS and results were presented in form of tables. Results: The results showed that 60.68% of children had dental caries. Approximately, 54.92% were male; 64.41% had age < 5 years; 42.03% were working mothers; and 53.56% were form rural setup. Moreover; 46.78% use toothbrush; 26.78% use fluoride toothpaste; 73.56% were breastfed; 20.0% were bottle fed; and 83.39% had night feeding. Furthermore; 29.49% children preferred high caloric food intake; 32.88% prefer sugars in food; and 47.80% added sugar during bottle feeding of their children. Conclusions: It was concluded that dental caries showed moderate to high frequency among children; and showed strong relationship family income, body mass index, parent’s education level; and job status of parents. Moreover, frequency of tooth-brushing, fluoride tooth-paste, and sugar preference showed association with dental caries and thus social, dietary and health promotion strategies were needed to reduce prevalence and complications of dental caries. Keywords: Dental Caries, Toothbrush, Fluoride; Caloric Diet; Bottle Feedings; Nowshera, Pakistan