Background: Vitiligo is an idiopathic acquired depigmentary skin/mucous membrane disorder. Main objective of this study was to find out demographic data, clinical patterns, and comorbidities associated with vitiligo in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Material and Methods: This was a case-control study conducted in Kandahar University Teaching Hospital between July 2017-June 2018. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 400 patients (200 cases and 200 controls) were recruited. Mean age ± standard deviation (SD) of cases were 21.7±13.8 with most of the patients (77/200 [38.5%]) in age group 11-20 years. Female cases were more (107/200 [53.5%]) than males. Family history of vitiligo, accompanying altered immunity and autoimmunity disorders, psychological stress, premature graying of hair, halo nevus, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B 12 deficiency, and folate deficiency were present in 60/200 (30%), 26/195 (13.3%), 95/200 (47.5%), 31/200 (15.5%), 24/200 (12%), 22/200 (11%), 16/200 (8%), and 14/200 (7%) of the cases, respectively. Most of the patients (148/200 [74%]) had vulgaris, followed by focal (30/200 [15%]) and segmental (11/200 [5.5%]) types of vitiligo. Logistic regression analysis showed that family history, accompanying altered immunity and autoimmunity disorders, premature graying of hair, halo nevus, and atopic diathesis were the possible risk factors of vitiligo with odds ratios of 37.1, 9.0, 6.0, 13.9, and 3.9 respectively. Conclusions: Vitiligo affects women more than men, observed mostly in second decade of life. Vitiligo vulgaris is the most prevalent type.

Background. Modern contraceptives are highly effective and reliable methods of preventing unintended pregnancies and reducing maternal deaths. Only 22 percent of currently married women use modern methods of contraceptives in Afghanistan. This study assessed the factors associated with modern contraceptive use among married women attending comprehensive health centers (CHCs) in Kandahar Province. Methods. This was an institution-based cross-sectional study that included 325 married women who attended randomly selected comprehensive health clinics in Kandahar between September and October 2019. The total sample size was allocated proportionally to selected health clinics based on the recent 3-month average patients load. We used a consecutive sampling method to select study participants. Data were collected in a structured questionnaire, which included information on respondents’ demographic, socioeconomic, reproductive, and contraceptive experiences. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21.00 statistical software. We used descriptive statistics such as tables and proportions to present data. Binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine factors associated with modern contraceptive use. Results. Out of 325 married women, 127 used modern contraceptives with a prevalence of 39.1% ( 95 % CI = 33.7 % –44.6%). The results indicated that the area of residence ( AOR = 2.61 , 95% CI 1.43-4.78) and ever use of contraceptives ( AOR = 14.92 , 95% CI 6.88-32.34) are associated with modern contraceptive use among married women attending comprehensive health centers in Kandahar. Conclusion. This study found that modern contraceptive use was higher than reported on the national level. The most persistent factors associated with modern contraceptive use in this study were urban residence and ever use of contraceptives. As a policy measure, family planning programs should be prompted to the rural residency in Kandahar Province.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with a life long duration and generally of gradual progression. Beside the upward trend in the prevalence rate, diabetes and its complications also have a significant economic impact on countries and their health systems. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its association with socioeconomic status (SES) in the urban population of Kandahar city. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to May 2019 in the urban area of Kandahar province. A total of 1308 subjects, 837 (64%) women and 471 (36%) men, were included in the study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, dietary intake and physical activity were collected in a standardized questionnaire. Diagnosis of diabetes was established according to the WHO criteria. Mean age (SD) was significantly higher in men than in women (50.3 (14.4) vs. 44.9 (11.4) years). The difference in BMI was not significant between men and women (28.1 vs. 28.7 kg/m2). Majority of the study population was aged 40-54 years (46.3%), married (86.7%), illiterate (87.4%), and obese (39%). 6.6% were tobacco smokers, higher in men (13.6%) than in women (2.6%). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity and central obesity was 15.2%, 25.5%, 39%, and 67.1%, respectively. In this study population, it could be suggested that socioeconomic factors are associated with T2DM and socioeconomic status is worth further investigation nationwide to properly understand the role of SES.