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BACKGROUND: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have implemented nationwide lockdowns. While this leads to a decrease in disease transmission, there is a concurrent increase in the levels of psychological distress. To estimate the levels of psychological distress in school- and college-going adolescents currently under lockdown and to determine the factors associated with this psychological distress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted in Army Public School and College (APSAC) Sibi, Balochistan province of Pakistan between March and May 2020. Students of APSAC Sibi were enrolled in this research. Modified Kuppuswamy Socioeconomic Scale, Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, and Kessler-10 were used for data acquisition. Chi-square and t-tests and univariate analysis (nonparametric test) were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 (IBM, Armonk, US). RESULTS: Out of 225 participants, 57.4% were studying at school. Sixty-four percent of the participants were likely to be suffering from psychological distress. There is a significant effect of physical activity, sleep duration, bedtime at night, screen-time duration, and COVID-19 positive family member on the levels of distress. A moderate positive correlation was between psychological distress and bed-time at night (rho[223] = 0.328, P < 0.001) and screen time duration (rho[223] = 0.541, P < 0.001). A moderate negative correlation of physical activity (rho[223] = -0.340, P < 0.001) and a weak negative correlation of sleep duration hours (rho[225] = -0.158, P = 0.018) was found with psychological distress levels. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 lockdown and pandemic have had a considerable psychological impact on both school-going and college-going students, showing increased level of stress. A strong public health campaign along with mental and physical and social support programs are the need of the hour.
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Objectives This study aims to determine microbial patterns and antibiotic susceptibility to alert clinicians to the emerging pathogens that may pose a threat to the community, especially children. Materials and Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from July 2019 to December 2019. Two samples were taken from two different sites of each patient at the time of fever (> 100° F) to avoid chances of contamination. A blood sample of 5 to 10 mL was drawn from each site. In a 50 mL brain heart infusion broth (BHIB), 5 to 10% blood was injected in two different bottles and incubated for 48 hours at 37°C. After 48 hours, subculture was done by streaking the drops of blood samples taken from BHIB on blood and MacConkey agar. Cultures were incubated in aerobic conditions at 37°C for 24 to 48 hours. For testing antibiotic susceptibility, criteria defined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) were followed. Microbes were identified under a microscope by observing their morphological characteristics after gram staining and applying biochemical tests. Antibiotic sensitivity test was performed using standard aseptic methods. Statistical Analysis Bacterial isolates and their susceptibility patterns were represented using frequencies and percentage charts. Results Out of 423 blood cultures, growth was recorded in 92 (21.75%) of the cultures with female to male ratio 2.1:1. The gram-positive bacteria accounted for 43.48% ( n = 40), whereas gram-negative bacteria covered the majority 54.36% ( n = 50). Among isolates, Staphylococcus aureus (42.39%) was the most common, followed by Acinetobacter spp. (17.39%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.13%). Acinetobacter spp. showed 0% susceptibility to amikacin and cefotaxime. All the isolates were 100% resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. S. aureus showed lower sensitivity for ceftazidime (0%), clindamycin (66.67%), ciprofloxacin (0%), clarithromycin (11.76%), and ceftriaxone (0%). Tigecycline showed 100% sensitivity for all isolates tested. Conclusion Gram-negative bacteria form the majority of isolates in our setup, with Acinetobacter as the most common species among them. The resistance against cephalosporins, penicillin, and fluoroquinolones shown by Acinetobacter , Pseudomonas , Salmonella, and Klebsiella is of grave concern. Among gram-positive bacteria, S. aureus has established resistance against multiple drugs. Limited and objective use of antibiotic therapy is a much-needed strategy under new guidelines.
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Psychological distress is a generic term which refers to "feeling of emotional strain" that affects our normal mental and physical functioning. The aim of this study is to investigate the psychological distress perceived by the Pakistani students living in quarantine and to determine risk and protective factors, including knowledge of COVD-19, among this population. It is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from February to May 2020. Students enrolled at different colleges and universities of Pakistan participated in this survey. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) is computed for comparing knowledge scores of participants having different levels of psychological distress. A total of 937 participants completed the survey questionnaire, with slightly more male respondents (60.6%) than female (39.4%). The average age of survey participants is 22.0 years (SD = 3.01), with majority (76.2%) belonging to urban areas. The mean COVID-19 knowledge score is 8.91 (SD = 1.69, range: 1-12), suggesting an overall 74.25% precision rate for this knowledge test for individual participant. The participants scored least knowledge regarding the disease transmission, showing a percentage correctness of only 40%. Majority of the participants (57.3%) are likely to be well, while others (42.7%) have shown symptoms of mental distress. The analysis reveals that participants with moderate mental distress (M = 8.81, SD = 2.37) and those with severe mental distress (M = 8.75, SD = 2.69) scored lower than participants who were likely to be well (M = 9.49, SD = 1.71). Our study concludes that a higher knowledge base regarding the disease will help to mitigate distress levels. Our study suggests that in order to deal with this pandemic effectively, the knowledge regarding COVID-19 should be properly conveyed to general public. It is need of the hour to address mental issues of the population aggressively along with providing awareness about COVID-19.
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Introduction The prolonged fluoroscopic time during coronary angiography results in a higher radiation dose delivered to patients. Similarly, a higher contrast volume used is associated with higher rates of contrast-induced nephropathy. This study was designed to identify the better technique in terms of lesser fluoroscopic time and volume of contrast used during the procedure. Objective To compare mean fluoroscopic time and mean contrast volume used in patients undergoing coronary angiography through the transfemoral versus transradial route. Methods A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted at the department of cardiology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Islamabad between June 2017 and December 2017. Ninety (n=90) patients planned for coronary angiography between 30 and 70 years of age were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated to Group A (transfemoral route group) and Group B (transradial route group). Fluoroscopic time (minutes) and contrast volume (milliliters) used were measured in each patient. Results The mean contrast volume used in Group A was 70.4 ml (SD=8.7) and in Group B, it was 90.1 ml (SD=9.8) (P<0.001). The mean fluoroscopic time in Group A was 5.1 min (SD=1.2), and in group B, it was 8.6 min (SD=1.2) (P<0.001). Similar trends were noted when data were stratified with respect to age and gender. Conclusion The mean fluoroscopic time and the mean contrast volume were significantly less in patients where coronary angiography was performed through the transfemoral route than through the transradial route in this study.
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Introduction The personality of a human being consists of his behavior, cognition, emotional abilities, and interaction with his surroundings. The personality of an individual is modified by his ability for social perception, life experiences, and training. The pattern of study in which a person acquires education has a great influence on their personality. Objective To compare the personality traits and academic performance of boarders and non-boarders studying in a medical university. Material and methods It is a comparative, descriptive cross-sectional study done at Rawalpindi Medical University, Pakistan. The duration of the study was from January 2019 to April 2019. A questionnaire was randomly distributed among the students of Rawalpindi Medical University and filled under supervision. The questionnaire had two parts: (1) Academic performance information and (2) Big Five inventory (BFI-40). Only MBBS students of Rawalpindi Medical University were included. For statistical analysis, the independent t-test was applied using the Windows IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 22 (SPSS, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, US). The statistically significant value was taken as 0.05. Results Out of 300 questionnaires distributed, 287 were properly filled, giving a response rate of 95.6%. The Cronbach's alpha value was .750. The mean age was 20.87±1.344. There were 216 (75.1%) male and 71 (24.9%) females. One-hundred eighty-three (63.8%) were boarders and 104 (36.2%) were non-boarders. The mean scores of extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were higher for boarders while the mean scores of neuroticism and openness were higher for non-boarders. High average percentages in professional exams were common in non-boarders while boarders were taking more supplementary exams comparatively. Conclusion Self-discipline, surgency from external activities/situations, and getting along with others are common traits among boarders. On the other hand, non-boarders are more creative but emotionally unstable. The academic status of boarders is comparatively poor. Thus, the hostel administration should be particularly concerned about the activities of boarders, and parents should be aware of their child's academic status. Teachers should pay special attention to the character development of students.
