OBJECTIVE: To find the effect of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) on intelligence quotient (IQ) in school going children of Peshawar, Pakistan. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study a total of 153 children (male and female) of age 7-11 years were included. Socio-demographic questionnaire was designed for the collection of data. Blood specimens were collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and gel tubes. Complete blood count (CBC) was analyzed using fully automatic hematology analyzer (Model Sysmex XP-100, serial no.B2444) in EDTA blood. Ferritin levels were analyzed using chemistry analyzer (Model: Cobas e-6000), by Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) in serum. Raven Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM) was used for finding IQ of children. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS-22. RESULTS:  Out of 153 children 66 (43.1%) were females and 87 (56.9%) were males. The prevalence of IDA was 11.7%. The mean IQ of nuclear family (57.3±37.33) was significantly higher than joint family children (34.8±34.53). The mean IQ of male (41.7±35.0) is bit higher than female (39.0±38.62). In 153 children, 66 (43.1%) were normal, 33 (21.6%) were obese and 54 (35.3%) were underweight. IQ of below average children with the average ones shows significant difference with hemoglobin and hematocrit (HCT). IQ of iron deficient anemic children was significantly lower than the normal children. The mean IQ, hemoglobin and ferritin levels for children having IDA were 9.1±8.01 (percentile), 11.2±0.33 (g/dl), and 9.6±1.2 (ng/ml) respectively. CONCLUSION:  Intelligence of school going children is significantly affected with IDA and they have low IQ values as compared to normal children.

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Objectives: The current study investigated the differences on stress, depression, anxiety, and coping strategies of parents of intellectually disabled and non-disabled children. Material and Methods: Sample consisted of parents (N=300) that was further divided into two groups (parents of intellectually disabled children; n=150 and parents of non-disabled children; n=150). Data was collected from Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Wah Cantt; for this purpose consent form, demographic information sheet, along with two standardized scales Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-42) and Brief COPE were given to the parents of disabled children and non-disabled children. Results: The study shows that significant mean differences were observed on DASS; intellectually disabled children’s parents reported higher stress, depression, and anxiety than non-disabled children’s parents. Non-significant mean differences were observed in subscale of Brief COPE, except on self-blame in which parents of intellectually disabled children scores were higher as compared to the parents of non-disabled children. Conclusion: The findings depicted that disability raises extra burden on the parents which promoted stress, depression, and anxiety. After developing these psychopathologies parents became over sensitive and got emotional and used emotion based coping patterns. They easily blame themselves for the disability and all the problems which are directly linked with it.

Aim: This study explored the relationship between parental bonding, alexithymia, and psychological distress among Pakistani adolescents. Methods: This was a quantitative research and data was obtained from a sample of 350 adolescents from different school colleges and universities of Pakistan. The cross-sectional research design was used in the current study. Three scales; Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) were used to measure the variables. Pearson- product moment correlation and regression analysis were computed using SPSS version 21. Results: The study found a positive relationship between parental bonding (authoritarianism, protectiveness), alexithymia and psychological distress among adolescents. Conclusion: Poor parental bonding leads to alexithymia and psychological distress among Pakistani adolescents. This information is steady with the possibility that unfavourable nurturing and over security leads to poor personality traits (alexithymia) and also puts young people in danger for the improvement of psychological distress. Recommendations: Future researchers are recommended to incorporate adolescents of broken families to determine the relationship for more appropriate outcomes.

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