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Although many countries are now collecting useful, high-quality HIV surveillance data, more efforts are put into the collection of data than into ensuring it is deployed effectively. The Canada-Pakistan HIV/ AIDS surveillance project has strengthened and expanded the existing national AIDS control programme surveillance system in Pakistan through a comprehensive estimate of the size and location of some of the most at-risk populations (sex workers and injection drug users) and annual assessments of their sociodemographic characteristics, behaviours and HIV prevalence. The country now uses second generation surveillance data at a broad level to lobby for policy change, mobilize resources, improve programming and measure the success of prevention through an integrated national effort. This article aims to share the experiences and lessons learnt in the development of a second generation surveillance system for HIV/AIDS in Pakistan.

Background: Noncommunicable diseases are increasing in Pakistan and are responsible for 58% of all deaths. Information is lacking for the risks factors of these diseases in Pakistan. Aims: To determine the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and abnormal heart rate and their risk factors in a multiethnic, low-income area of Lahore. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in an urban settlement of Lahore in September 2018–2019. Eligible participants were aged ≥ 30 years and resident in the settlements selected. We used a modified World Health Organization STEPS questionnaire to collect data from a random sample of 906 residents. The modified questionnaire had a Cronbach alpha of 80.0%. Participants were interviewed in their homes and their height, weight, heart rate and hip circumference were measured. Results: Most of the respondents were women (64.5%). The greatest proportion of the participants were aged 30–39 years (42.4%). Of all the respondents, 40.1% had hypertension, 15.8% had diabetes and 17.0% had ischaemic heart disease. Of the risk factors examined, 68.8% of the respondents were overweight or obese, 37.0% had pre-hypertension, 13.6% used tobacco and 1.8% used alcohol. Age was the most significant risk factor for noncommunicable diseases. Body mass index was significantly associated with diabetes in women, while family history of diabetes was significantly associated with diabetes in men. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was higher in our sample in Lahore compared with the national statistics. Significant proportions of our respondents had pre-hypertension and pre-diabetes making them vulnerable to serious complications of hypertension and diabetes.

Adequate training of Lady Health Visitors is foundational for the prosperity of community health worker scheme in Pakistan.Objective: To determine the deficiencies in the training Lady Health Visitors by assessing their knowledge and psychomotor skills.Study Design: Cross -sectional study. Study Duration and Place:The study was conducted in 6 -month duration in Community Medicine Department, KEMU, Lahore. Subjects and Methodology:A cross -sectional study was carried out at Model Maternal and Child Care Centre, Montgomery Road, Lahore. A total of 100 Lady Health Visitors were selected on the basis of laid down inclusion criteria. Data was collected through a pretested questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS version 1 MHPE (UHS) Lahore PG Student

AimsThe dearth of emotional intelligence leads to medical students’ inability to handle the pressures of medical education, sub-sequently causing burnout and mental illnesses. Poor emotional intelligence in young doctors also begets increased mistrust from the public, lowering the quality of healthcare delivery. Emotional intelligence of Pakistani students, similar to global context, is impacted by a myriad of psycho-socio-economic factors. It is pertinent to find out the detrimental and/or protective factors, and design interventions to enhance emotional intelligence as a soft skill. With this aim in mind, we explored the relationship of emotional intelligence with adverse childhood experiences and prevalent mental illnesses (depression and anxiety) amongst the medical students of one of the most populous cities of Pakistan; Lahore.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted including currently enrolled MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery) students from first year to final year in 2 medical schools of Lahore. An online google form was constructed by combining Modified Adverse Childhood Experiences Score Scale (ACES), Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale (BEIS-10) and Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS). Data were exported to SPSS version 25.0 for descriptive and analytical analysis. Pearson's chi-square analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to study the association between the outcome and dependent variables; Odd's ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated.ResultsParticipants (N = 324) belonging to two different medical colleges in Lahore, namely King Edward Medical College (public) and Shalamar Medical and Dental College (private), took part in the study.Pearson's chi-square showed significant association of emotional intelligence with early private schooling (p = 0.029), nuclear family system (0.044) and the presence of symptoms of depression (0.005). The adjusted logistic regression model showed that people who studied in a private sector school (OR: 2.12, CI: 1.01–4.45) and people who lived in a nuclear family (OR: 2.02, CI: 1.00–4.08) had significantly twice the likelihood of having high emotional intelligence. Also noteworthy is that respondents who were depressed according to HADS showed significantly lower emotional intelligence (OR: 0.37, CI: 0.16–0.86)ConclusionEmotional intelligence is now being recognized as an important life skill for healthcare providers. Emotional intelligence of medical undergraduates is influenced by a number of factors such as early schooling, family's living situation, current mental health and adverse childhood experiences. More prospective researches should be conducted to evaluate these relationships. Carefully crafted interventions for improving emotional intelligence for medical students must be implied at an early level to achieve better outcomes from medical education.