OBJECTIVES:The objective of the current study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of dentist regarding cross infection in Khyber College of Dentistry (KCD) and Sardar Begum Dental College (SBDC) Peshawar.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at two tertiary care hospitals having sample size 214 with 94 males and 121 females. A pilot study was conducted at Hayatabad Medical Complex to assess the reliability of questionnaire. Self administered anonymous questionnaire was administered to 214 dentists. The dentist in each health care facility was observed for their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding cross infection.RESULTS:Knowledge of dentist’s was optimum but they were lacking sufficient knowledge in areas of sterilization and cross infection due to waste material present in pipes of dental units. Significant numbers of them 28.8% were not agreed with the role of wearing rings in cross infection during dental procedure. Although lack of hand washing and impression was considered as a source of cross infection and 33.9% reported poor attitude regarding hand washing, 39.9% were not regarding the hygiene of nails in cross infection control. Similarly only 59% of them have shown positive attitude towards the vaccination of dental professionals. Although the knowledge and attitude was seen acceptable but their practices regarding the infection control were lacking in area of use of N95 respirator, taking off jewelry during dental surgeries, use of filtered water, use of anti-retraction valve, use of rubber dam for aerosols, use of separate box for sharp disposal and use of disinfectants in dental units..CONCLUSION:From current study it was concluded that dentists have good knowledge but poor practice regarding various aspect of infection control which provide an indication either lack of availability facilities or poor supervision and monitoring, due to lack of policy and implementation regarding cross infection control in dental units

Aim: To estimate the burden of non-communicable diseases and to assess the dietary pattern along with important relevant determinants among adult population of district Kohat & Nowshera Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Pakistan Study Design: A descriptive cross sectional study Place & Duration: This study was conducted in Kohat & Nowshera Districts of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Pakistan; from June to December 2022. Methodology: A total of n=385 male adults was selected and a structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant information regarding demographic, dietary, behavioral determinants. Finally data was analyzed and presented in form of text and tables. Results: Results showed that 55.71% had age above 37 years; 28.31% were illiterate; 25.71% had monthly income more than 45000/ PKR; 60.78% were married; and 82.08% were employed. Moreover, 30.39% were current tobacco smoking; and 24.68% had positive history of past tobacco smoking. Furthermore, 44.94% prefer high caloric; 40.78% vegetables; 45.19% meat; 63,38% fresh fruits; and 18.70% & 21.30% prefer too much sugar and salt in food respectively. Furthermore; hypertension, malnutrition, eye problems and cancer were found among 22.60%, 59.74%, 7.01% & 2.08% respectively. Conclusions: It was concluded that common non-communicable diseases were present in the studied male adults and showed strong relationship with dietary pattern along with demographic, epidemiological and socio-economical determinants. Moreover, effective and efficient policies and strategies were needed to reduce the double burden of non-communicable disease and its associated complications. Keywords: Prevalence, Determinants, Diet, Vegetables, Overweight, Obesity, Tobacco, Adults

Background: Health status of school children and their school environment plays an important role in the development of physical and mental health, and good personnel behaviors had a significant role in future life of children. Objective: This study was conducted to estimate the frequency of health problems among school children of district Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Methodology: This study was conducted in district Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Pakistan. A total of n=225 school children of age 4-12 years were selected and examined for health problems. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the health status of children regarding health problems. Results: Results showed that 45.56% of children had age < 8 years; 54.44% had age > 8 years; 81.33% of children parents had monthly income < PKR: 45000; 56% children living in mud-made homes; and 46.675 were underweight. Moreover, 15.56% of children had eye discharge; 28.89% backache; 8.44% ear discharge; 16.445 earaches; 47.11% poor oral hygiene status; 60.44% were not using toothbrush; and 22.67% had dental caries. Furthermore, 41.33% had not clean their hair and not took bath within last 48 hours; and 32.89% had poor nail hygiene status for the past one week. Conclusions: It was concluded that school children had several medical health problems and showed relationship with hygiene status of children, tooth-brushing use and its frequency, parents monthly income, and body mass index of children and thus adequate preventive, promotive and behavioral strategies were needed to reduce health problems among school going children. Keywords: School Children, Health Status, Underweight, Eye, Ear, Hygiene, Income, Swat, Kohat.

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

Background: Globally, anemia is the most common problem and affecting approximately 15 to 30% of adult population and the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. According to WHO, anemia is more prevalent in children and women and too many etiological factors are responsible for its causation. The main objective was to assess the frequency and risk factors of anemia among the adult female population in District Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from June to December 2021, in the district Swat, in which n=211 female individuals were selected through simple random sampling technique of age 18 years and above. Woman was termed as anemic if the HB level is below 10gm/ dl. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data and analyzed by SPSS version 19.0 and finally the results were presented in form of tables. Results: The results showed that 29.86% of adult female populations in the study populations were found anemic. 54.50% were married, 56.40% had monthly income less than 25000 PKR pm, 22.27% were housewives, 17.54% were illiterate, 21.33% had 3 or more children, and 15.17% were under-weight. Moreover, 63.98%, 43.60%, 21.33%, and 62.08% had history of iron supplements intake, had history of acute and chronic infections, had single food intake per day and less or equal to two time meat intake per week respectively. Conclusions: It was concluded that anemia among female adults had mild to moderate frequency and showed relationship with marital status, number of children, socioeconomic determinants, history of iron intake, acute and chronic diseases; and frequency of food and meat intake per day and week respectively, and thus health education and awareness services were needed to prevent and control anemia among the female adults. Keywords: Anemia, Female, Risk Factor, Illiterate, Iron Intake, Meat, Swat.