ABSTRACT Background: The role of librarians is rapidly changing in Pakistan, especially in the field of healthcare services, as the digitization of healthcare services is increasing, but the preparedness of health science librarians in Peshawar, Pakistan, for the new roles has not been investigated so far. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the health informatics competencies, preparedness, and training requirements of health science librarians in Peshawar, and see the difference between the existing skills and required skills. Methodology: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was employed. The target population consisted of 92 health science librarians working in public and private hospitals in Peshawar. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the entire population, of which 78 usable responses were received, yielding a response rate of 84.8% ( N = 78). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation, and regression analysis. Results: Moderate competencies were observed (M = 3.38 – 3.76) compared to consistently high required competencies (M = 4.23–4.38), with a significant gap, t(77) = −7.233, p < 0.001. Readiness was high (M = 3.97–4.28) and significantly higher in the private hospitals, t(76) = 2.516, p = 0.016, but unrelated to qualification or experience. The only significant correlation with readiness was technological infrastructure (ρ = 0.245, p = 0.031), and the overall regression equation was not significant, F(8, 69) = 0.946, p = 0.485. Implications: The findings indicate that health science librarians need targeted training in health informatics to support evidence-based practice in hospital settings. LIS curricula should therefore incorporate health informatics competencies to better prepare graduates for this specialized role. Conclusion: In conclusion, the technical skills of librarians are insufficient in Peshawar, but the attitude is good enough for health informatics. To fill this gap, there is a need for updated LIS curricula, better technological support, and continuous training programs.
ABSTRACT This case involves a woman with a perforated intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) that has silently migrated to the bladder–abdominal wall interface. The perforation was unrecognized for nearly 14 years, during which the patient conceived and delivered vaginally due to contraceptive failure. Over the following years, she underwent a few pelvic ultrasounds, experienced three miscarriages, and ultimately presented with secondary infertility attributed to tubal blockage. This case highlights the importance of investigating contraceptive failure and missing IUCD with appropriate follow-up and patient counselling to prevent the long-term complications of silent migration of IUCD. This case underscores the importance of interdisciplinary management involving gynecology, radiology, and urology to safely localize and remove the migrated device and prevent injury to adjacent organs like the bladder or bowel.
ABSTRACT Background : Hemophilia is a hereditary disease identified by compromised blood coagulation as a result of inadequate levels of particular clotting factors. The nutritional status of children with hemophilia is an essential indicator of their overall health and well-being. Research has revealed malnutrition as a major cause of several adverse effects, including reduced treatment tolerance, raised morbidity rates, adverse prognosis, decreased quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. The study objective was to assess the nutritional status of children with hemophilia and to find any association between malnutrition and socio-demographic factors. Methods : A case-control study was conducted in the child welfare teaching hospital in Baghdad city for 4 months. The study sample included 194 children (97 cases and 97 controls) aged 5 to 14 years, using simple random sampling and a special questionnaire design, and measuring anthropometric measures. Results : The results revealed that the highest percentage of patients was in the age group >10 years (30.9%), the highest percentage (81.4%) of patients live in urban areas, and the highest percentage (50.5%) of patients have low socio-economic status. The association between malnutrition and demographic variables showed a significant association ( p -value <0.005) with age group 5 to 6 years, who have a low educational level of the mother, a birth interval of less than 1 year, and who have low socioeconomic status. Conclusion : Patients with hemophilia have a higher percentage of malnutrition, with other factors that increase the risk of developing malnutrition, including the age of the child, the low educational level of the mother, who has a birth interval of less than 1 year, and low socio-economic status.
ABSTRACT Objective : The current study was conducted to assess domestic violence against married men, determine the causes, and identify its impacts on their health. Material : A descriptive study was conducted, and the assessment approach was applied to the convenience sample, the total number was 120 persons, and it was distributed as follows: 40 lawyers, 40 married men, and 40 women. The study was carried out from September 1, 2019, to February 1, 2021, in Baghdad city. Data are collected by using a structured interview technique. The questionnaire was constructed through a review of related literature and previous experience. Validity of the questionnaire was established by showing the questionnaire to three specialists, and the internal consistency reliability of the questionnaire was determined by application of the split-half technique and computation of Cronbach’s alpha correlation coefficient. Data are analyzed through the application of descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. Results : The results showed that the married men between 25 and 35 years of age, among them, more than half were at secondary school 24 (60%), and the majority of them, 34 (85%), were employed. In most forms of violence, they were exposed to psychological abuse and neglect of the husband’s needs as a result of family causes 38 (95%) and social matters 35 (87.5%). While the health problems of the men 32 (80 %) and social issues started to increase 31 (77.5 %). Conclusion : The study concludes that the wife’s domestic violence against men is considered a community-oriented health problem due to some family and psychosocial factors that affect the personal health of men and their families.
Background: The relationship between clinical indicators and illness severity in hospitalized patients with both diabetes mellitus (DM) and COVID-19 remains incompletely understood, particularly with respect to endocrine markers. Aim: This study aimed to identify clinical predictors of critical illness in hospitalized adults with DM and COVID-19 and to develop a predictive nomogram for individualized risk assessment. Method: This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 393 hospitalized patients with confirmed DM and COVID-19, who were categorized into non-critical (n = 309) and critical (n = 84) groups. We evaluated a comprehensive panel of candidate predictors, including demographic characteristics, vital signs, and laboratory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), fasting C-peptide (FCP), and free triiodothyronine (FT3). Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop the prediction model. Results: Multivariate logistic regression identified several independent predictors of critical illness. Elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (OR: 1.100, 95% CI: 1.026-1.183), serum creatinine (SCr) (OR: 1.027, 95% CI: 1.011-1.043), and CRP (OR: 1.011, 95% CI: 1.005-1.019), along with advanced age (OR: 1.073, 95% CI: 1.039-1.112), were significant risk factors. Conversely, lower levels of FCP (OR: 0.483, 95% CI: 0.305-0.737), FT3 (OR: 0.519, 95% CI: 0.313-0.835), and serum sodium (OR: 0.911, 95% CI: 0.860-0.962) were independent protective factors. The resulting nomogram showed excellent discrimination (C-index = 0.964). Conclusion: A combination of clinical and laboratory parameters, including age, renal function, inflammatory markers, and endocrine indicators (FCP and FT3), can effectively predict COVID-19 severity in patients with DM. The developed nomogram provides a practical tool for early risk stratification in this high-risk population.
