Since Pakistan achieved independence, poverty has become one of the most important issues in the country, which can be reduced with the help of microfinance sector. Pakistani microfinance institutions (MFIs) are facing a decline in profitability which makes it difficult for them to survive. The current study aims to investigate the determinants affecting the financial performance, i.e. profitability and sustainability of microfinance institutions in Pakistan, as well as to establish if attaining profitability and sustainability becomes a conflicting goal in serving the poorer strata. The paper utilizes an unbalanced panel data set of 29 MFIs for the period 2008-2014 obtained from MIX Market. The study uses fixed effect and random effect with later accounting for endogeneity through instrumental variables technique i-e 2SLS and 3SLS. The results reveal that MFIs' size, cost efficiency, portfolio at risk, average loan size and yield on loan portfolio are the main factors influencing the financial performance of MFIs in Pakistan. No sign of mission drift has been found rather serving to the poor is seen to be an increment for financial performance. The study provides guidance to MFIs' managers in determining the factors that could affect their financial performance and reaching foremost objectives of any MFI. Managers can get an idea how to achieve both goals simultaneously. To the authors knowledge, this is the first study concentrated specifically on Pakistan in determining performance and outreach factors to date considering the simultaneous causation adopting two-stage least square (2SLS) and three-stage least square (3SLS) estimation strategy.

No abstract

No abstract

Objective: There is a need for this research because it aims to identify characteristics that increase the likelihood of negative outcomes following the removal of third molars. Study Design: Observational/transversal study Place and Duration: Dental College HITEC-IMS Taxilla/ Gulraiz Dental Clinic Quaid Avenue Main Road, Gulraiz 3, Rawalpindi. Nov 2020-June 2021 Methods: A total of 180 male and female participants were included in this study. The patients ranged in age from 20 to 50. Pericoronitis and tooth impaction were among the complaints of the patients included in the study. The oral and maxillofacial department operated on all of the patients who requested the removal of their third molars. All patients provided written consent before having their personal data collected, including their age, gender, BMI, kind of impaction, and location of their third molar. Various operative variables were employed. In our research, we looked at post-operative complications and risk variables. The whole data was analyzed with SPSS 23.0. Results: 110 (61.1%) patients were males and 70 (38.9%) cases were females. 28.17±9.47 years were the mean age with mean BMI 24.11±3.65 kg/m2. Most of the teeth impacted in left side found in 102 (56.7%) patients. Most common type of impaction was mesioangular among 90 (50%) cases followed by distoangular 45 (23.7%) cases. Majority of the third molars were fully impacted 120 (66.7%), 38 (21.1%) were partially impacted and frequency of erupted tooth was 22 (12.2%). All the third molars were removed by buccal guttering technique under local anesthesia. Post-operative infection was the most common complication found in 80 (44.4%) cases followed by gingival defect in 27 (15%) radicular fractures in 24 (13.3%) cases. Location of the third molar and bone removal was the most common factor found. Conclusion: There was an increased risk of problems with tooth sectioning, bone removal, and/or tooth localization in patients above the age of 22. Both the evaluation of the indications for the removal of third molars and the process of informed consent should reflect this information. Keywords: Third Molars, Surgery, Anesthesia, Complications, Impactions

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of amoxicillin and cephedrine in oral and dental infections. Study Design: Observational/ Comparative study Place and Duration: Riphah International University, Almizan Campus, Rawalpindi/ Nayab Dental Clinic Rawalpindi. January 2021 to Aug 2021. Methods: Total one hundred and fifty patients of both genders were presented in this study. Demographically detailed of included patients age, sex, cause of infection, residency and education status were calculated after taking informed written consent. Patients had oral and dental infection and did not receive any treatment yet were included. Patients were equally categorized into two groups. Group A had 75 patients and received 500mg amoxicillin while group B had 75 patients treated with 500mg cephredine thrice a day for 5 days. Post-treatment effectiveness among both groups was assessed and compared. SPSS 22.0 version was used to analyze the complete data. Results: There were 40 (53.3%) males and 35 (46.7%) females in group A while in group B 38 (50.7%) males and 37 (49.3%) females. Mean age in group A was 34.13±12.42 years and in group B mean age was 35.04±11.31 years. 100 (66.7%) cases were from urban area (50 in each group). 88 (58.7%) patients were literate (44 in each group). Gingivitis was found in 33 (44%) cases in group A and 35 (46.7%) in group B while frequency of periodontitis was 37 (56%) in group A and 40 (53.2%) in group B. Smoking was the most common cause of infection followed by compromised oral hygiene and diabetes. Post treatment frequency of effectiveness in group B was higher among 63 (84%) cases as compared to group A. Frequency of adverse outcomes stomach upset, diarrhea and dizziness were lower in group B. Change of dose frequently noted in group A among 15 (20%) cases as compared to group B 8 (10.7%). Conclusion: We concluded in this study that use of antibiotics in cure of dental and oral infections were effective and useful but amoxicillin was significantly superior to cephredine with less number of adverse outcomes and higher frequency of germs controlled. Keywords: Dental Infection, Amoxicillin, Cephredine, Gingivitis, Periodontitis