Journal of the Dow University of Health Sciences 

About: Journal of the Dow University of Health Sciences is an academic journal published by Dow University of Health Sciences. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Population. It has an ISSN identifier of 1995-2198. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 346 publications have been published receiving 817 citations. The journal is also known as: JDUHS.

Knowledge Attitude and Practices of Mothers about Diarrhea in Children under 5 years

Abstract: Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding diarrhea among mothers of children lessthan 5 years of age in civil hospital Karachi.Methodology: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Pediatrics ward and OPD Civil HospitalKarachi during July - August 2011. Non-random Convenient sampling was adopted to sample 200 subjects byinterviewing mothers after taking their consent. Mothers have at least one child less than 5 years of age wereincluded.Results: Mothers’ knowledge regarding the causes of diarrhea; contaminated water (17%), eating mud (14%),teething (10%). About signs of dehydration, 40% mothers gave unspecific signs and 26% responded with sunkeneye as the only sign while 35% answered two signs (thirst and dry hair/skin). Mothers who knew how to prepareORS were 80%. Regarding prevention of diarrhea, 15.5% mothers knew to cover food and 14.5% to boil water.Regarding health care seeking practices 52.5% mothers took the child to the doctor after 2 days, 30% mothersdid self medication.Conclusion: There is inadequate maternal knowledge; attitude and practices regarding diarrhea and its preventionin the population studied. There is need of health education to mothers about diarrhea, its causes preventionand proper treatment.

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding immunization among family practice patients

Abstract: Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices about immunization among family practicepatients.Design: A questionnaire based survey.Patients and Method: A questionnaire was developed in line with the study objectives. It was administered(o patients visiting family physicians, after they were administered, informed consent and assurance withregards to confidentiality was provided. Epi-info and SPSS software was used for data management.Results: A total o f 97 patients were surveyed. The majority were men (59.8%) with a mean age o f 29.69years. Majority was unmarried (51.5%), with graduate and post-graduate education (73%), and ingovernment and private service (48%). Vaccination was believed to prevent disease by 94%. Majoritywas informed about immunization by doctors and parents (94%). Media provided information aboutimmunization to 62% o f the patients. A 58% would recommend vaccination to others. Source aboutharmful effects o f immunization was provided by friends and parents (80% ). Hurdles against immunizationwere lack o f education and lack o f funds according to 43 (45%) and 29 (30%) respondents respectively.Education o f population and mothers were ways to promote immunization according to 23 (24%) and19 (20%) respondents respectively. Immunization exists against Hepatitis "C" and Malaria according(o 35 (36%) and 10 (10%) respondents respectively. Immunization were received against polio, measlesand hepatitis ”B" by 86 (89%), 51 (53%) and 26 (27%) respondents respectively.Conclusion: The study results have identified a strong need for education program for the masses aboutimmunization, since major dcticicncies have been identified. Further studies arc sUongly recommendedalong with debate on this important public health issue.

Disease burden of NICU, at a tertiary care hospital, Karachi.

Abstract: Objective: To determine the number, disease pattern and outcome of the patients admitted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. Design: Descriptive study Place & Duration of the Study: NICU, Kharadar General Hospital, KHI; Jan.2006 till Dec. 2007. Methods: The data of all the admitted neonates was analyzed retrospectively for the cause of admission and their outcome. Results: During this study period, the total number of patients admitted were 1069.The highest number comprised of preterm, low birth weight (LBW) babies (24.6%) followed by sepsis (19.9%), Respiratory distress Syndrome (RDS) (18.9%), birth asphyxia (17.02), meconium aspiration syndrome (15.2%), neonatal jaundice (9.44%), pneumonias (3.46),hyaline membrane disease (3.4%), congenital malformations (2.8%) and (4.3%). Out of 1069 patients, 148 expired (13.8%). Most of the expiries were due to sepsis (31.75%).

DENGUE IN PAKISTAN: Journey from a Disease free to a Hyper Endemic Nation

Abstract: Dengue fever (DF), Dengue Hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock syndrome have been causing significant and incremental morbidity and mortality in various parts of the world. It was characterized a viral infection in 1906. The earliest known documentation of symptoms resembling dengue fever was recorded during the Chin Dynasty (AD 265-420) in the Chinese Encyclopedia of Symptoms. The illness was associated with flying insects near water and labeled as “The water poison”.