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PubMedDate not supplied

Expansion of epidemic dengue viral infections to Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES: Antibodies to dengue viruses have occasionally been reported in individuals in Pakistan, but the frequency of occurrence of dengue infection in Pakistan is unclear. The first confirmed dengue hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Pakistan occurred in 1994. In October 1995, the authors investigated an outbreak of a febrile illness among employees of a construction contractor at a power generation plant in Baluchistan, Pakistan, to determine the cause of illness and recommend appropriate preventive measures. METHODS: The work site and living arrangements were inspected, a questionnaire was administered, and serum samples were collected from all consenting contractor employees and their families if they lived at the camp. Sera were analyzed for IgM against dengue virus, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Interviews were conducted with 76 persons (mean age, 42y); 95% were men. Forty-two persons (55%) reported having experienced fever, headache, or myalgia in the preceding 6 weeks. Fifty-seven subjects (75%) had IgM antibodies against at least one dengue serotype; 45 subjects (59%) had IgM antibodies against dengue serotype 2. CONCLUSION: This was an outbreak of dengue fever due to multiple serotypes of dengue virus. This confirms that epidemic dengue infection was present in southern Pakistan for 2 consecutive years.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Distribution of HLA-A alleles in eight ethnic groups from Pakistan.

The extreme polymorphism found at some loci of the HLA system has made it an invaluable tool for population genetic analyses. In this study eight diverse ethnic groups from Pakistan were analyzed at the HLA-A locus using sequence specific primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP) and then further typed to the allele level using a two-stage sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP) strategy. Four of these ethnic groups (Burusho, Hazara, Kalash, Pathan) were from the north and four (Baloch, Brahui, Sindhi and Parsi) were from the south of Pakistan. Nine alleles were identified as unique to a particular ethnic group within Pakistan. Maximum variation was seen in the HLA-A*02 allele family for which 11 alleles were detected in the eight Pakistani ethnic groups. The alleles that showed significant variation between the Pakistani ethnic groups include A*0101, A*0206, A*0209, A*0207, A*0217, A*1101, A*2402/09 N/11 N, A*2902, A*3301 and A*3001. A phylogenetic tree based on DA distances for HLA-A allele frequencies separated the Pakistani populations from other world populations and also separated the only Dravidian speaking population of Pakistan, the Brahui, from the remaining Indo-European speaking ethnic groups of Pakistan.

Alleles↗
PubMed2002

Infant feeding practices of Pakistani mothers in England and Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate infant feeding practices followed by Pakistani mothers in Pakistan and in England. To establish if practices conform to current guidelines and to investigate reasons for adherence and nonadherence. METHODS: Ninety mothers of weaning age children were interviewed; 45 were in England and 45 in Pakistan. A questionnaire available in English and Urdu sought to find out about the methods of milk feeding and weaning used and the advice received, together with general beliefs about weaning. RESULTS: Characteristics of the infants in terms of current age, gender distribution, birth order of baby and age of weaning showed no significant differences between the two groups. Thus, differences between the two groups could be attributed to cultural differences rather than any of these factors. Chi-square analysis showed that the initial method of feeding chosen was significantly different (P < 0.001, d.f. = 2) with 73% of mothers in Pakistan breast-feeding compared with 24% in England. Similar proportions of mothers in both groups commenced weaning between 3 and 4 months. Common weaning foods included rice, cereals and eggs with progression to fruit and vegetables and family food in Pakistan, and fruit, vegetables, meat and convenience foods (especially sweet options) in England. Both groups of mothers wanted more information about infant feeding practices. CONCLUSION: Mothers in Pakistan demonstrated more confidence in weaning practices than in England because of experiences with other siblings and advice from relatives. More advice from health professionals was requested and is needed by all mothers in order to improve weaning practices of the infants.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2006

Migration, medical education, and health care: a view from Pakistan.

PURPOSE: To review physician flows in Pakistan in the contexts of capacity to educate and provide for anticipated health needs. METHOD: Literature review was used to refine estimates and assumptions about physician supply and demand. Net physician supply was calculated from data on physician inflows and estimates of migration and other causes of physician loss. Projections of anticipated needs up to 2020 were calculated, assuming different levels of physician need or demand. Reasons for emigration were extracted from interviews, questionnaires, and reports; health indicators and migration figures were obtained from literature and Web sites. RESULTS: Approximately 74,000 physicians were practicing in Pakistan in 2005. Annually, local medical schools and international medical graduate certification provide 5,400 physicians, soon to reach 6,800; 1,150 physicians emigrate; and an estimated 570 physicians stop practicing for various reasons. The current ratio (0.473) of physicians to 1,000 population is inadequate to maintain the nation's health. Future Physician Workforce Shortages (PWSs) for Pakistan range between 57,900 and 451,102 physicians in 2020, depending on assumptions about future need. CONCLUSIONS: Pakistan cannot meet its needs for health care given the current levels of production and dependency on physicians in the organization of the system. Although outmigration contributes to the problem, it is the growing demand for health care from increases in population; adverse conditions that generate ill-health; and increasing expectations that dramatically increase the PWSs. The anticipated shortfall in Pakistan reflects a global pattern. Definition of physician roles and improvement of standards through refined assessment require serious consideration.

Certification↗
PubMed2004

Integrating injuries into noncommunicable disease prevention: a case study from Pakistan.

Injuries in Pakistan take a considerable toll on individuals, families and health systems. Recently, as part of the National Action Plan for Noncommunicable Diseases Prevention, Control and Health Promotion in Pakistan (NAP-NCD), injuries have been grouped alongside other noncommunicable diseases. The NAP-NCD is a public-private tripartite collaborative programme of an NGO Heartfile, the Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan and the WHO Pakistan office. The NAP-NCD adopts an integrated approach and addresses the multidisciplinary range of issues within a prevention and control framework across the broad range of NCDs, albeit with an expanded definition. This paper discusses NAP-NCD's integrated approach to injury prevention and takes the form of a case study from Pakistan. The approach embodied in the Action Plan is grounded in the principle that decisions people make about healthy choices are shaped by the physical, social, economic and legal environment. It, therefore, has a comprehensive configuration with evidence-based policy and action-oriented dimensions calling for a change at the institutional, community and public policy levels.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed2002

Health sector reform in Pakistan: why is it needed?

OBJECTIVE: The health care system in Pakistan is beset with numerous problems--structural fragmentation, gender insensitivity, resource scarcity, inefficiency and lack of accessibility and utilization. Moreover, Pakistan is faced with a precarious economic situation, burdened by heavy external debt and faltering productivity and growing poverty. These circumstances, on the one hand, underscore the need for innovative health sector reform and, on the other, indicate the complexity of the task involved. The recently announced Devolution Plan of the Government of Pakistan (GOP) that seeks to introduce elected district level local bodies, offers an opportunity to assess the existing publicly funded health care system and introduce far-reaching reforms to make it more efficient and effective. STUDY DESIGN: Based on a critical analysis of secondary data from the public domain as well as from various research projects undertaken by the Aga Khan University, the paper intends to present convincing arguments for fundamental health sector reform in Pakistan. PRINCIPLE CONCLUSIONS: (a) All factors point to the need for a fundamental reform of the health sector in Pakistan; and (b) the Devolution Plan presents an unique opportunity that must be seized to reshape the health care system and make it more efficient and effective.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed1999

Pakistan: contraceptive prevalence rate up.

Pakistan's low sociodemographic profile has changed dramatically since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, said the Minister for Population Welfare and Science and Technology, HE Begum Sayda Abida Hussain, during her statement at the Forum. Based on the population census of 1998, Pakistan has an annual population growth rate of 2.3%, she said. The decline may be attributed to changes in married patterns and a rapid reduction in marital fertility, she added. The contraceptive prevalence rate has gone up from only 2% in the early 1990s to about 27% in 1998. Meeting the demand for reproductive health services, reducing maternal, infant and child mortality, and promoting gender equality are high priorities for her government, she informed the participants in the Forum. In line with this priority, the Government of Pakistan has developed a new population and development policy and is working to improve the education and status of women, lower fertility, increase contraceptive prevalence, and reduce infant and maternal mortality, she told the meeting. Pakistan is expanding reproductive health services in the rural and urban areas through community-based organizations, she said. Some 50,000 women workers now provide counseling and other services to women at their doorstep. Before concluding her address, she called on donors' increased support for ICPD implementation. "The full implementation of the ICPD agenda requires resources that are beyond the capacity of a developing country like Pakistan," she said.

Asia↗
PubMed2002

Urging health system research: identifying gaps and fortifying tuberculosis control in Pakistan.

AIM: To assess the significance of health system research in reducing the burden of tuberculosis and improving the performance of National Tuberculosis Control Program in Pakistan. METHOD: Qualitative and quantitative content analysis of research papers on tuberculosis and influence of the research knowledge on the efficiency of the National Tuberculosis Control Program. RESULTS: We analyzed 268 research papers on tuberculosis in Pakistan published in the 1960-2002 period, from both national and international perspectives. The majority of the studies covered epidemiology of tuberculosis (n=76) in Pakistan, whereas the rest of the papers addressed issues like pediatric tuberculosis (n=53), tuberculosis among Pakistani immigrants (n=35), tuberculosis-HIV synergism (n=24), care seeking (n=19), adherence with tuberculosis treatment (n=14), tuberculosis among women (n=12), tuberculosis prevention (n=12), directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) strategy modification (n=5), tuberculosis drug resistance (n=7), operational research (n=5), tuberculosis case management (n=4), and research on Mycobacterium (n=2). Qualitative analysis revealed that research and spending on tuberculosis policy and nationwide tuberculosis interventions are not sufficient. Available research knowledge has not yet been translated into the tuberculosis policy and interventions. Furthermore, the lack of insight of the health system on community dynamics and tuberculosis intervention has led to failure in achieving the desired targets in tuberculosis control. CONCLUSION: Health system in Pakistan needs to improve tuberculosis control interventions by conducting extensive research on the various potential weaknesses in the field. For an effective tuberculosis eradication program in a highly endemic country such as Pakistan, health system research should be an integral part of the National Tuberculosis Control Program.

Child↗
PubMed2004

The National Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases and Health Promotion in Pakistan--Prelude and finale.

In Pakistan a public-private partnership--led by the NGO Heartfile and constituted additionally by the Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan and the WHO Pakistan office--was launched in April 2003. Mandated with the task of developing and implementing a national strategy for achieving national goals for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This was the first opportunity to mount a truly 'National Plan of Action' in Pakistan enlisting a broader range of inputs and with the Governments commitment to NCD as a priority. The partnership recently released a strategic framework for action--the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases and Health Promotion in Pakistan (NAP-NCD)--an integrated and concerted approach addressing the multidisciplinary range of issues within a prevention and control framework across a broad range of NCDs. Incorporating both policies and actions and set within a long-term and life course perspective, NAP-NCD calls for an institutional, community and public policy level change factoring integration at four levels: grouping NCDs so that they can be targeted through a set of actions, harmonizing actions, integrating actions with existing public health systems and incorporating contemporary evidence-based concepts with this approach. The NAP-NCD delivers an Integrated Framework for Action, which has been modelled to impact a set of indicators through the combination of range of actions in tandem with rigorous formative research. Drawing on the strengths of various public and private sector partners, this programme outlines a scope of interventions that are built on shared responsibility, allowing agencies to participate according to their own missions and mandates. The partnership is in harmony with national health priorities, complements state initiatives and is optimally integrated with the national health system. The partnership has brought value to all the three partners. The government has harnessed the technical strength of a private sector partner, which in turn is contributing to the country's National Plan within the framework of priorities set by broad-based national consensus; WHO, on the other hand, is gaining experience in working in a country model in which the private sector can be supported through WHO country resources, which are typically earmarked for public sector initiatives. Work is currently underway to implement the first phase of NAP-NCD.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An assessment study of maternal mortality ratio databank in five districts of North Western Frontier Province Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Maternal mortality ratio is an indicator to measure the summary of information about mother and child health. It is estimated that about 500 maternal deaths occur per 100,000 live births each year in Pakistan. It is a well known fact that all health statistics coming out of the developing countries are calculated "guesstimates" some are perhaps more close to the real figures than the others. There is a dire need to help generate information that can be used by health professionals, health care planners and managers to save women's lives by improving the quality of care provided to turn away maternal mortality. The maternal mortality ratio for Pakistan as well as for NWFP is projected as 533/100,000 live births for the year 1990-91 produced by National Institute of Population Studies, Pakistan. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional quantitative study for the period (2001-2002) conducted in five districts of (NWFP) North Western Frontier Province, Pakistan. RESULTS: National HMIS data opened the maternal mortality ratio for; Haripur as 0.168 and 0.173, Mansehra 00 and 00, Battagram 00 and 00, Swat 0.051. and 0.524 and Swabi 00 and 0.968 per/1000 live births, respectively. The small part exercise outcome (the study) endorsed more shadowy side of the actual maternal mortality ratio for the same period in the same districts. CONCLUSION: In our country there is a urgent need to institute an efficient mode of operation to get accurate maternal mortality database. Verbal Autopsy method is cost effective and feasible approach for implementation in a country like Pakistan.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Women in Pakistan have a greater burden of clinical cardiovascular risk factors than men.

AIMS: Migrant South Asian population in the West, particularly women, is more predisposed to central obesity and metabolic syndromes than native Caucasians. However, the burden of coexistence of clinical risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated gender disparities in native population of South Asia are not known. We analyzed the National Health Survey of Pakistan (NHSP) (1990-1994) data to study the same in the population of Pakistan. METHODS: Data from 9442 individuals age 15 years or over from the National Health Survey of Pakistan (NHSP) (1990-1994) was analyzed. The primary outcome was defined as the coexistence of at least two of the following five clinical risk factors for CVD. Hypertension (systolic blood pressure > or = 140 mm Hg, or diastolic blood pressure > or = 90 mm Hg, or current therapy with antihypertensive medications); diabetes (non-fasting blood glucose > or = 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/l), or known history of diabetes); proteinuria (dipstick urine protein > 1+); hyperlipidemia (random blood cholesterol > or = 200 mg/dl (5.17 mmol/l)), and central obesity (waist circumference of > or = 80 cm in women and > or = 90 cm in men. RESULTS: The overall prevalence (95% confidence intervals) of the coexistence of risk factors for CVD was 17.2% (16.4-18.0%): 13.0% (12.1-14.1%) in men and 20.9% (19.8-22.0%) in women (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that men had at significantly lower odds of coexistence of risk factors than women with OR, 95% CI of 0.53, 0.47-0.61, and this difference increased in magnitude with age (interaction p < 0.001). In addition to Muhajir, Sindhi and Pashtun vs Punjabi ethnicity, factors independently associated with primary outcome were age (OR, 95% CI) (1.06, 1.05-1.06, for each one year increase), urban dwelling vs rural dwelling (1.45, 1.24-1.70), high (1.97, 1.61-2.45) and mid (1.44, 1.23-1.70) vs low socioeconomic status, body mass index (1.17, 1.15-1.18, for each one kg/m(2) increase), and high consumption of meat (1.77, 1.52-2.06) and ghee (1.26, 1.00-1.54). CONCLUSIONS: Potentially modifiable factors including obesity and saturated fat intake are associated with increased prevalence of CVD risk factors. The high burden of multiple CVD risk factors in women compared to men highlight the need for targeting this vulnerable segment of population in CVD prevention programs in Pakistan, and, possibly neighbouring countries.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Typhoid fever in children: some epidemiological considerations from Karachi, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: The morbidity of typhoid fever is highest in Asia with 93% of global episodes occurring in this region. Southeast Asia has an estimated incidence of 110 cases/100,000 population, which is the third highest incidence rate for any region. Pakistan falls into this region. There is also a considerable seasonal variation of typhoid fever, carrying significant public health importance. Children are worst affected. Population-based data from Pakistan are scarce. METHODS: From June 1999 to December 2001 a fortnightly surveillance system was established in two squatter settlements in Karachi, Pakistan, with two study centers, each staffed by a doctor and five community health workers. Cases of continuous high-grade fever for three or more days were referred to these centers and screened clinically. Blood culture and Typhidot tests were done. RESULTS: One-third of the 4198 cases with febrile episodes of three or more days detected in the community were screened at the centers; 341 were clinically suspected of having typhoid fever. Forty-nine were positive by culture whereas 161 were positive by serology. Ten cases were multi-drug resistant. Incidence of culture-proven typhoid was estimated to be 170 (95% CI: 120, 220)/100,000 population, whereas serology-based incidence was 710 (95% CI: 620, 810)/100,000 population. Peak incidence was noted in October followed by May and June. CONCLUSION: Passive surveillance, even when augmented by household visits, misses a significant portion of suspected cases. Morbidity of typhoid is quite high in Pakistan and needs public health intervention. Hot months have higher incidence of typhoid. Healthcare behavior studies will help to develop a better surveillance system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Development and validation of a questionnaire for anxiety and depression in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Currently clinicians and researchers in Pakistan have to use translated western instruments to screen for anxiety and depressive disorders. This study investigated the local idioms of emotional distress in Pakistan to develop a culturally valid and easy-to-use instrument to screen for common mental disorders in general clinical settings. METHODS: A systematic survey was conducted of psychiatric case notes of patients attending clinics in Peshawar and Lahore, diagnosed with anxiety or depressive disorders, to identify the range of common idioms of psychological distress. A pilot version of the questionnaire was refined and validated among a composite sample of 330 patients in inpatient, outpatient and rural community settings. ICD-10 Diagnostic Criteria for Research were used to define cases and patients' relatives acted as normal controls. RESULTS: The pilot version of the questionnaire was reduced to 42 items based on odds ratios between cases and controls. Anxiety symptoms were generally reported by depressed patients, but not vice versa. Finally 30 items were selected, in two sub-scales. This final version achieved sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predicted values of over 90% when comparing cases and controls. LIMITATIONS: This questionnaire was based on what patients tell doctors and may not capture the entire repertoire of local idioms of distress. The validation study was conducted only in an Urdu/Punjabi speaking population, in Lahore and surrounding areas. CONCLUSIONS: The Pakistan Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire consists of an anxiety/depression scale and a depression scale, each of 15 items. It demonstrates excellent validity as screening instrument for anxiety and depressive disorders in clinical settings in Pakistan.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Health and road transport in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: The 1998 Global Burden of Disease Study estimated that road traffic injuries (RTIs) will become the third leading cause of lost disability-adjusted life years, with two-thirds of the deaths occurring in the least developed nations. Moreover, automobile-based transport systems are associated with air pollution (lead toxicity, asthma and greenhouse gas accumulation), noise disturbances, physical inactivity and obesity. STUDY DESIGN: This study (1) reviewed road transport literature in Pakistan and the impacts on health outcomes; (2) examined health policies to assess their focus on transport-related health problems; and (3) identified policy gaps for future research. METHODS: A methodological review of the literature on direct and indirect effects of road transportation in Pakistan. This review includes government documents, memos, statements and draft policies as well as relevant articles indexed in MEDLINE. RESULTS: A systematic review revealed no approved transport policy in Pakistan, despite three national health policy documents. The Health Chapter of the 9th Five Year Plan appreciates the grave threat of unchecked RTI, but fails to offer specific policy interventions. Despite ambitious plans by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, actual projects and their implementation remain scarce, resulting in ever-increasing air pollution. The health impact of lead toxicity, noise pollution and RTIs remain high, while obesity is on the rise. CONCLUSION: The increasing health impact of road transport on 140 million people calls for immediate policy action. Government agencies must intervene effectively to establish monitoring and decentralised enforcement nationwide, while simultaneously supporting alternative modes of transportation.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2006

Population beliefs about the efficacy of injections in Pakistan's Sindh province.

OBJECTIVE: Reused syringes have been identified as a major risk factor for hepatitis B and C in Pakistan, a country facing a growing epidemic of these infections. We conducted this study to identify factors associated with receiving at least one injection during the past 3 months in an urban and a rural area in the Sindh province of Pakistan. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study of individuals aged 3 months was conducted in 34 clusters in an urban and a rural setting. Information was obtained on the number of contacts with healthcare providers and the number of injections received during the past 3 months. Beliefs about the efficacy of injections were also tested. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with receiving at least one injection during the past 3 months. RESULTS: Of 1150 subjects who participated in the study, 848 (74%) reported having received at least one injection during the past 3 months. Seventy-one percent (815/1150) believed that injections act faster than oral drugs and relieve symptoms quickly. There was a lack of risk perception among the participants: 19% (222/1150) believed that injections involve less risk than do oral drugs. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals who had visited unqualified practitioners (adjusted OR=6.1; 95% CI: 2.6-14.1) or general practitioners (adjusted OR=3.4; 95% CI: 1.9-6.0) were more likely to have received an injection. Belief that 'injections act faster and relieve symptoms quickly' had a multiplicative interaction with the area of dwelling: people in rural areas who held this belief were more likely to receive injections than people who did not hold this belief and were living in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: In Pakistan, people's lack of awareness of risks associated with injections and their strong belief in the fast action of injections are driving injection overuse. These factors are supplemented by general practitioners' and unqualified providers' inclinations to prescribe more injections. Efforts must be made to include the unqualified practitioners in any interventions aimed to reduce injection overuse in Pakistan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Afghan refugees and the temporal and spatial distribution of malaria in Pakistan.

Influx of refugees and establishment of camps or settlements in malaria endemic areas can affect the distribution and burden of malaria in the host country. Within a decade of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the arrival of 2.3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, the annual burden of malaria among refugees had risen ten fold from 11,200 cases in 1981 to 118,000 cases in 1991, a burden greater than the one reported by the Pakistan Ministry of Health for the entire Pakistani population. Political developments in the 1990s led to over half the refugee population repatriating to Afghanistan, and the Afghan Refugee Health Programme (ARHP) was scaled down proportionately. Districts in which the ARHP recorded a reduced incidence of malaria began to show an increased incidence in the statistics of the Pakistan government health programme. This and other evidence pointed to a change in health seeking practices of the refugees who remained in Pakistan, with many turning from ARHP to Pakistani health services as aid declined. Comparison of the two sources of data produced no evidence for the spatial distribution of malaria in NWFP having changed during the 1990s. Nor was there any evidence for the presence of refugees having increased the malaria burden in the Pakistani population, as is sometimes alleged. This highlights the risk of misinterpreting health trends when parallel health services are operating. Over the decade incidence in the refugee camps decreased by 25% as a result of control activities, and by 1997 the burden among remaining refugees had fallen to 26,856 cases per annum. These trends indicate that the burden would continue to fall if political conditions in Afghanistan were to improve and more refugees returned to their homeland.

Afghanistan↗
PubMed1999

Consanguineous marriage and differentials in age at marriage, contraceptive use and fertility in Pakistan.

Fertility rates in Pakistan have remained consistently high over the past three decades. While numerous studies have examined sociodemographic determinants, the role of biological factors, and particularly consanguinity, has received little attention, even though marriage between close biological relatives continues to be the norm in Pakistan. Reproductive behaviour among women in consanguineous (first cousin) and non-consanguineous unions was compared, using data from a 1995 study of multi-ethnic communities in Karachi and the 1990-91 Pakistan Demographic & Health Survey (PDHS). The results show that, although female age at first marriage has been gradually rising in both study samples, women in consanguineous unions married at younger ages and were less likely to use modern contraceptive methods. In the Karachi sample, women in first cousin unions experienced a higher mean number of pregnancies and also reported a higher mean number of children ever born (CEB). However, their mean number of surviving children did not differ from those born to women in non-consanguineous unions, implying higher prenatal and/or postnatal losses in couples related as first cousins. On the other hand, the PDHS showed both lower CEB values for women in consanguineous marriages and a lower number of surviving children. Given the continuing popularity of consanguineous marriage, these findings have important implications for future fertility reduction in Pakistan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The pattern of suicide in Pakistan.

There is paucity of information on suicide from Pakistan, an Islamic country in which data collection poses formidable challenges. A variety of social, legal, and religious factors make reporting and diagnosing suicide difficult. Paradoxically, incidents of suicide are regularly reported in newspapers in Pakistan. In the absence of other means these reports serve a useful, though basic information source for suicidal deaths. A 2-year analysis of all such reports in a major newspaper in Pakistan showed 306 suicides reported from 35 cities. Men (n = 208) outnumbered women by 2:1. While there were more single than married men, the trend was reversed in women. The majority of subjects were under 30 years of age and "domestic problems" was the most common reason stated. More than half the subjects used organophosphate insecticides, while psychotropics and analgesics were used infrequently. The study challenges the widely held belief that suicide is a rare phenomena in an Islamic country like Pakistan, and underscores the need for more culture specific research on this important public health problem.

Adolescent↗