Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences
type: channel
description: Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences (GJMHS) is a biannual, peer-reviewed, open-access journal committed to advancing research and knowledge in medical and health sciences. It publishes original research articles, review articles, current practices, and short communications across diverse disciplines, including clinical medicine, rehabilitation sciences, allied health sciences, and public health. GJMHS follows a rigorous double-blind peer-review process, ensuring academic integrity, transparency, and ethical compliance with COPE and ICMJE guidelines. With a strong editorial framework, open-access model (CC BY 4.0), and DOI-assigned articles, GJMHS aims to enhance global research visibility and facilitate impactful scientific contributions. ISSN: 3106-7360
publisher: Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital Lahore
language: en
publication name: Ghurki Journal of Medical and Health Sciences
issn: 3106-7360
items: RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN OLDER ADULTS WITH LONG-TERM INDWELLING URETHRAL CATHETERS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW
items: RAISING THE BAR: OUR COMMITMENT TO ORTHOPAEDIC EXCELLENCE
items: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN GYNECOLOGY AND WOMEN'S HEALTH: A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF CURRENT APPLICATIONS, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
items: VISUAL ACUITY THRESHOLD FOR CATARACT SURGERY: A REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE FROM A TERTIARY EYE CARE CENTER OF A LOW RESOURCE SETTING OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
items: EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF CAFFEINE AND SUGAR CONSUMPTION, NUTRITIONAL AWARENESS AND PERCEIVED STRESS ON PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME AMONG ADULT WOMEN
items: INVESTIGATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCREEN TIME WITH DIETARY HABITS AMONG ADULTS
items: EVALUATING THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON BODY IMAGE PERCEPTION AND DISORDERED EATING BEHAVIOURS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
items: ASSESSMENT OF PRAGMATICS IN VERBAL AUTISTIC CHILDREN AFTER SPEECH THERAPY
items: EVALUATING THE APPREHENSION REGARDING SPEECH INTERVENTIONS FOR VELOPHARYNGEAL DYSFUNCTION AMONG SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS
items: Prevalence and Determinants of Undiagnosed Hypertension in Urban Slum Populations of Lahore Study Design: Community-based cross-sectional study
items: Impact of Structured Nursing Education on Medication Administration Errors in Public Sector Hospitals
items: Effectiveness of Early Physiotherapy-Led Mobilization on Length of Hospital Stay in Post-Abdominal Surgery Patients
items: Clinical and Microbiological Profile of Multidrug-Resistant Urinary Tract Infections in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Punjab
items: Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Musculoskeletal Pain Severity Among Female Office Workers in Islamabad
items: IMPACT OF MUSIC THERAPY IN ENHANCING SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SKILLS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: SLP AND OT PERSPECTIVES
items: ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE TOWARDS INSULIN ADMINISTRATION AND STORAGE THROUGH BROCHURE-BASED LEARNING AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS IN LAHORE
items: STRUCTURED EDUCATION FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES UNDERSTANDING IN PAKISTAN (SETUP)
items: SLEEP QUALITY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG ADULTS WITH HYPERTENSION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY
items: https://gjmhs.com/index.php/home/article/view/9
items: ASSESSING VISUAL PERCEPTION IN CHILDREN WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF CEREBRAL PALSY
items: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BURNOUT AND WORK LIFE BALANCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND SPEECH THERAPISTS WORKING WITH PEDIATRIC POPULATION
items: PERCEIVED BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL TRAINEES
items: INVESTIGATING THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF THE PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE
items: ATTITUDE OF UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS TOWARDS USING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR LEARNING PURPOSES AT LAHORE MEDICAL & DENTAL COLLEGE, PAKISTAN
items: ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OF LAHORE, PAKISTAN
items: THE JOURNEY TO PAKISTAN'S FIRST DEDICATED AND LEADING ORTHOPEDIC & SPINE CENTER

RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN OLDER ADULTS WITH LONG-TERM INDWELLING URETHRAL CATHETERS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW
type: item
description: Background: Long term indwelling urethral (foley) catheterisation is often used in older adults who are frail, have neurogenic bladder, chronic urinary retention, non-healing sacral wounds or for end of life comfort. It is the single most important risk factor for recurrent catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in this patient group. Outcomes: To synthesize up-to-date, evidence-based information regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and most importantly, prevention of recurrent CAUTI in older adults with an indwelling permanent catheter, and to provide a clinical framework for clinicians, nurses and LTC teams. Methods: An integrative review was conducted, which included evidence from randomised trials, systematic reviews, large cohort of older adults with an indwelling urinary catheter (IUC), and society guidance from 2020 to 2026 from PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and targeted searches within PubMed and selected journals for catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI), indwelling catheter, older adults, asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU), biofilm, encrustation, and methenamine. Results: Most patients with a permanent catheter will develop “bacteriuria” within a few weeks and the central clinical question is whether they have asymptomatic bacteriuria (which should not be treated) or true symptomatic infection (which in cognitively impaired or non-verbal older adults may be presented by failure to have dysuria or fever, but rather by sudden delirium, new incontinence, or sudden loss of function). Crystalline biofilms formed by Proteus mirabilis, catheter encrustation and blockage are important factors that contribute to recurrent infection, in addition to antibiotic failure. Resistance risk should be considered when using antibiotic prophylaxis in continuous use; the latter is used as a last resort in selected patients; non-antibiotic prophylaxis, e.g. methenamine hippurate, should be used in lieu of antibiotic use, and…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject:
  topic: keywords
  value: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection; Indwelling Urinary Catheter; Older Adults; Asymptomatic Bacteriuria; Biofilm; Methenamine Hippurate; Antimicrobial Stewardship; Geriatrics; Integrative Review
creator: Aleem Ejaz
creator: Ali Hamza Arshad
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Aleem Ejaz, Ali Hamza Arshad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2026-06-30
publication date: 2026-06-30
starting page: 1
ending page: 7
doi: 10.71000/m9e8jg68

RAISING THE BAR: OUR COMMITMENT TO ORTHOPAEDIC EXCELLENCE
type: item
description: At Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital (GTTH) Lahore, the 4F Rules of Life: Find your purpose, forgive your past, focus on your present, fuel your future, have guided over two decades of orthopaedic leadership. From just 34 operations in two years in 2002, the department now performs over 12,000 major procedures annually across all nine orthopaedic subspecialties under one roof, with 250 beds, ten modular theatres, and 40 anesthetists. Over 200 FCPS-trained surgeons serve across Pakistan, and fellows from 16 countries have trained here, a world first. Locally developed innovations include a $35 anterior spine cage for TB spine and a Halo pelvic Traction system for severe scoliosis. The READ Department oversees approximately 200 publications. In September 2024, an invitation to speak at the BOA Annual Congress in Birmingham further affirmed global recognition, where a British consultant noted no UK center has all orthopaedic subspecialties under one roof. The model proves that purpose and perseverance can build world-class care in a resource-limited setting. Keywords: Orthopaedic excellence, Subspecialty training, Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), Postgraduate orthopaedic education and Institutional leadership.
subject: Editorial
  topic: section
subject: Orthopaedic excellence, Subspecialty training, Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), Postgraduate orthopaedic education and Institutional leadership.
  topic: keywords
creator: Prof. Amer Aziz
creator: Samreen Sadiq
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Prof. Amer Aziz, Samreen Sadiq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2026-06-30
publication date: 2026-06-30
starting page: 1
ending page: 3
doi: 10.71000/ey6wp302

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN GYNECOLOGY AND WOMEN'S HEALTH: A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF CURRENT APPLICATIONS, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
type: item
description: Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in more and more settings in obstetrics and gynecology, providing novel screening, diagnostic, treatment planning and monitoring solutions in women's health. AI tools can potentially address the gaps in service provision in low- and middle-income countries where medical access to specialist gynecologic and reproductive health care is not always available. Objectives: To provide an update on the applications, benefits, limitations, and ethical implications of AI in gynecologic oncology, reproductive medicine, obstetric and gynecologic imaging, and gynecologic surgery. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted that incorporated structured data from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, and keywords included "artificial intelligence," "machine learning," "deep learning," "gynecology," "obstetrics," and "women's health," and combinations thereof, with the vast majority of searches occurring between 2020 and 2026. Key metrics were extracted from systematic reviews, meta-analyses and primary studies reporting quantitative diagnostic data (accuracy, sensitivity, specificity or area under the curve [AUC]). Results: Twenty-one primary sources were included, representing over 150 individual primary sources. AI-enabled cervical cancer screening had an accuracy of up to 95% in 75 combined studies. The machine learning classifiers for PCOS diagnosis showed accuracy ranging from 89-100%, and AUC of 73-100% in 31 studies. The machine-learning model for the diagnosis of endometriosis had an AUC of 0.80 during validation. The pooled AUC of testing for the presence of PM in ovarian cancer was 0.81 for the radiomics-based models and 0.87 for the models that incorporated both clinical and radiomics-based data. Embryo-selection and IVF-outcome prediction models were more consistent than unaided visual grading, but prospective validation is still lacking. Conclusion: AI has significant potential to enhance diagnostic precisi…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Gynecology, Women's Health, Reproductive Medicine, Gynecologic Oncology, Narrative Review.
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr Atiqa Ijaz
creator: Dr Farah Niaz Awan
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Dr Atiqa Ijaz, Dr Farah Niaz Awan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2026-06-30
publication date: 2026-06-30
starting page: 1
ending page: 7
doi: 10.71000/2axqez19

VISUAL ACUITY THRESHOLD FOR CATARACT SURGERY: A REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE FROM A TERTIARY EYE CARE CENTER OF A LOW RESOURCE SETTING OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
type: item
description: Background: Cataract is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Over the years, cataract surgery has evolved significantly, aiming not only to restore optimal visual acuity but also to enhance the overall quality of vision. Objective: To determine the visual acuity threshold for cataract surgery in a tertiary care center of Punjab Pakistan. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Lahore General Hospital, Pakistan, involving 2,057 patients aged 40–80 years who underwent cataract surgery between January 2023 and December 2024. Data on demographics and visual acuity were collected, with visual impairment categorized as mild (6/9–6/18), moderate (6/24–6/36), or severe (≤6/60). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0, with results expressed as means (±SD) for continuous variables and frequencies (%) for categorical variables. Pre- and post-operative visual acuity were compared using the chi-square test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The study analyzed 2,057 patients who underwent cataract surgery, with a mean age of 57.61 ± 13.07 years and a slightly higher proportion of females (52.1%). Preoperatively, 54.0% had severe visual impairment, which significantly improved after surgery, with 62.9% achieving normal best corrected visual acuity (p < 0.01). The majority (98.3%) had a normal posterior segment, while co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension were present in 22.2% and 21.8% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: Patients in the Low- and middle-income countries present with severe visual impairment before cataract surgery affecting the final visual outcomes. This highlights the importance of community-based screening and awareness programs to detect and manage cataract at an early stage, particularly among underserved populations. It is high time to strengthen health education, improve access to eye care services, and address known barriers to early cataract surgery. Keywords: Cataract, …
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Cataract, Visual Acuity, Best Corrected visual acuity, Low- and middle-income countries, Visual impairment.
  topic: keywords
creator: Tayyaba Gul Malik
creator: Farah Zafar
creator: Iqra Khalid
creator: Arooj Amjad
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Tayyaba Gul Malik, Farah Zafar, Iqra Khalid, Arooj Amjad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2026-06-30
publication date: 2026-06-30
starting page: 1
ending page: 5
doi: 10.71000/m241gj04

EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF CAFFEINE AND SUGAR CONSUMPTION, NUTRITIONAL AWARENESS AND PERCEIVED STRESS ON PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME AMONG ADULT WOMEN
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects a substantial proportion of adult women, influencing both physical and psychological well-being OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore the relationships between caffeine and sugar consumption, nutritional awareness, perceived stress, and the severity of PMS symptoms among adult women. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional analytical design was employed, with data collected through validated self-administered questionnaires assessing dietary habits, nutritional knowledge, perceived stress levels, and PMS symptomatology. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted to examine associations among the variables. RESULTS: Results indicated a significant positive correlation between high caffeine and sugar intake and increased PMS symptom severity. Nutritional awareness demonstrated a negative association with PMS, suggesting that women with better understanding of dietary practices experienced milder symptoms. Additionally, higher perceived stress levels were significantly associated with more severe PMS manifestations. These findings underscore the multifactorial nature of PMS and highlight the potential role of dietary habits, stress management, and nutritional education in mitigating symptom severity. Interventions aimed at reducing excessive caffeine and sugar consumption, improving nutritional literacy, and managing stress may contribute to better premenstrual health outcomes CONCLUSION: The study concludes that dietary habits, nutritional knowledge, and stressmanagement are key factors influencing PMS severity, and targeted interventions addressing these areas may help reduce PMS symptoms and improve overall premenstrual health KEY TERMS: Premenstrual syndrome, PMS severity, caffeine consumption, sugar intake, nutritional awareness, perceived stress, adult women, dietary habit.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Premenstrual syndrome, PMS severity, caffeine consumption, sugar intake, nutritional awareness, perceived stress, adult women, dietary habit.
  topic: keywords
creator: Qurat Ul Ain
creator: Andleeb Shakoor
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Qurat Ul Ain, Andleeb Shakoor (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2026-07-01
publication date: 2026-07-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 7
doi: 10.71000/5b57nn91

INVESTIGATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCREEN TIME WITH DIETARY HABITS AMONG ADULTS
type: item
description: Background: Excessive screen time has become a significant concern in modern society, and its impact on dietary habits is not well understood. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between screen time and dietary habits among young adults aged 18-27 years. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 participants, including students and patients. Data was collected through a questionnaire, and screen time was categorized into low, moderate, and high usage. Dietary habits were assessed through a food frequency questionnaire. Results: The study revealed significant associations between screen time and consumption of certain food groups, including grains and cereals (p =0.012), fruits (p = 0.013), and sweet dishes (p = 0.013). Additionally, screen time was significantly associated with fast food consumption (p = 0.05) and general drinks (p < 0.05). However, no significant associations were found between screen time and consumption of vegetables, milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, chicken, beef/mutton, fish, lentils, nuts/seeds, and tea/coffee. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential impact of screen time on dietary habits, particularly in relation to unhealthy food choices. The findings suggest that adults with higher screen time usage tend to consume more fast food, sweet dishes, and sugary drinks, which can have implications for their overall health and well-being. Keywords: Screen time, dietary habits, young adults, food consumption patterns, nutrition
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Screen time, dietary habits, young adults, food consumption patterns, nutrition
  topic: keywords
creator: Areeha Fatima
creator: Nazifa Fatima
creator: Areeba Naveed
creator: Andleeb Shakoor
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Areeha Fatima, Nazifa Fatima, Areeba Naveed, Andleeb Shakoor (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-12-30
publication date: 2025-12-30
starting page: 1
ending page: 6
doi: 10.71000/6xp95c87

EVALUATING THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON BODY IMAGE PERCEPTION AND DISORDERED EATING BEHAVIOURS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Excessive use of social media has been associated with negative body image and disordered eating behaviors among young adults. Exposure to appearance-focused content and peer comparisons on social platforms may influence self-perception and promote unhealthy eating attitudes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of social media on body image perception and disordered eating behaviours among university students aged 18–25 years. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Riphah International University, Lahore, involving 200 students selected through convenient sampling. Data was collected using self-designed demographic questionnaires and standardized tools: Social Media Disorder (SMD) scale, Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) questionnaires. Data was analyzed using SPSS-26 with descriptive and inferential statistics to assess associations between social media use, body appreciation, and eating disorder risk. RESULTS: Most participants (72%) exhibited problematic social media use. Participants with problematic use predominantly reported low (51.4%) or moderate (48.6%) body appreciation, while non-problematic users mostly reported moderate (35.7%) to high (64.3%) body appreciation (p = 0.00). Additionally, 69.5% of problematic users were classified at high risk for disordered eating, compared to 37.5% of non-problematic users (p = 0.00). CONCLUSION: Problematic social media use is significantly associated with lower body appreciation and higher risk of disordered eating among university students. These findings highlight the impact of excessive social media engagement on mental health, emphasizing the need for awareness programs and interventions to promote healthy usage habits. KEY TERMS: Social Media, Body Image, Eating Disorders, University Students, BAS-2, EAT- 26, SMD
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Social Media, Body Image, Eating Disorders, University Students, BAS-2, EAT- 26, SMD
  topic: keywords
creator: Nisha Qureshi
creator: Zainab Saeed
creator: Andleeb Shakoor
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Nisha Qureshi, Zainab Saeed, Andleeb Shakoor (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2026-06-30
publication date: 2026-06-30
starting page: 1
ending page: 7
doi: 10.71000/cg1qdh52

ASSESSMENT OF PRAGMATICS IN VERBAL AUTISTIC CHILDREN AFTER SPEECH THERAPY
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) significantly impacts communication, with pragmatic language deficits representing a core challenge that extends beyond basic linguistic competence to affect social interaction and functional communication. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed pragmatic language skills in verbal autistic children aged 5-8 years following speech therapy intervention, using the Functional Communication Profile Revised (FCP-R). MATERIALS & METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from May to December 2024 across multiple centers in Lahore, Pakistan. The sample comprised 110 verbal autistic children who had received speech therapy for 1-4 years. Data was collected using an FCP-R-based semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: Nearly half of participants (49.1%) communicated at word level, 41.8% at phrase level, and only 9.1% at sentence level. While basic communicative functions showed relative strength—74.5% gained attention and 69.1% responded to yes/no questions—higher-order social skills remained challenging. Only 18.2% made friends, 30.9% socialized, and 38.2% asserted themselves. The majority (67.3%) had received 1-2 years of speech therapy. CONCLUSION: Verbal autistic children demonstrate heterogeneous pragmatic profiles, with relative competence in foundational communication skills but persistent difficulties in complex social interactions. These findings underscore the necessity for individualized, developmentally appropriate interventions that systematically address both basic and advanced pragmatic competencies. KEY TERMS: Autism spectrum disorder, pragmatic language, speech therapy, social communication, FCP-R, verbal autism.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Autism spectrum disorder, pragmatic language, speech therapy, social communication, FCP-R, verbal autism.
  topic: keywords
creator: Minahl Rafiq
creator: Dania Tahir
creator: Ayesha Rashid
creator: Hassan Rafiq
creator: Ahmad Rafiq
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Minahl Rafiq, Dania Tahir, Ayesha Rashid, Hassan Rafiq, Ahmad Rafiq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2026-06-30
publication date: 2026-06-30
starting page: 1
ending page: 7
doi: 10.71000/zbggcj62

EVALUATING THE APPREHENSION REGARDING SPEECH INTERVENTIONS FOR VELOPHARYNGEAL DYSFUNCTION AMONG SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS
type: item
description: Background: Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) is a complex speech disorder that poses substantial challenges for speech-language pathologists, particularly in accurate assessment, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary coordination. Despite its reported occurrence in 10–40% of individuals following cleft palate repai, limited attention has been given to the professional confidence and apprehension of clinicians managing this condition. Understanding these factors is essential, as clinician uncertainty may influence decision-making, referral patterns, and overall quality of care for individuals with VPD. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the level and specific domains of apprehension and perceived competence among speech-language pathologists regarding speech interventions for velopharyngeal dysfunction. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 108 practicing speech-language pathologists working in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and rehabilitation centers in Pakistan. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire comprising demographic variables and 17 closed-ended items assessing apprehension and competence across six domains: assessment and treatment planning, articulation therapy, voice and resonance therapy, prosthetic management, surgical collaboration, and compensatory strategies. Responses were recorded on a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. Results: The sample was predominantly female (89.8%), with most participants having 2–5 years of clinical experience (81.5%) and holding a bachelor’s degree (83.1%). Apprehension during VPD assessment was reported at least sometimes by 84.1% of participants, while 75.3% reported similar levels of concern during treatment planning. Concerns regarding intervention effectiveness were reported often or always by 74.1% of respondents, and 73.2% reported feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of VPD. In …
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Cleft Palate, Clinical Competence, Professional Practice, Speech Disorders, Speech-Language Pathology, Velopharyngeal Insufficiency, Velopharyngeal Dysfunction
  topic: keywords
creator: Ayesha Rashid
creator: Masooma Rubab
creator: Minahl Rafiq
creator: Madiha Maqsud
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Ayesha Rashid , Masooma Rubab, Minahl Rafiq , Madiha Maqsud https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-05-23
publication date: 2025-05-23
starting page: 1
ending page: 9
doi: 10.71000/v3m9c

Prevalence and Determinants of Undiagnosed Hypertension in Urban Slum Populations of Lahore Study Design: Community-based cross-sectional study
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a leading contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, yet a significant proportion of affected individuals remain undiagnosed, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged urban settings. Urban slum populations are exposed to multiple risk factors while facing limited access to preventive healthcare, increasing the likelihood of prolonged undetected disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and identify its associated determinants among adults residing in urban slum communities of Lahore, Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2022 in selected urban slum localities of Lahore. A total of 400 adults aged ≥18 years without a prior diagnosis of hypertension were enrolled using multistage random sampling. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle factors were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Blood pressure was measured using standardized protocols with a calibrated digital sphygmomanometer. Undiagnosed hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Undiagnosed hypertension was identified in 132 participants, yielding a prevalence of 33.0%. The prevalence increased with age, reaching 52.6% among individuals aged ≥60 years. Male gender (AOR=1.68), obesity (AOR=2.41), low physical activity (AOR=1.89), and lack of formal education (AOR=1.76) were independently associated with undiagnosed hypertension. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure among undiagnosed individuals were 148.9 ± 11.6 mmHg and 94.3 ± 8.7 mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of adults in Lahore’s urban slums had undiagnosed hypertension, underscoring missed opportunities for early detection. Community-based screening and targeted preve…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Community-based study, Determinants, Hypertension, Urban slums, Undiagnosed hypertension
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr Malik Jazib Atta
creator: Dr Manal Khan
creator: Khawar Anwar
creator: Muhammad Akmal Khan
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Malik Jazib Atta , Dr Manal Khan, Khawar Anwar, Muhammad Akmal Khan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-11-28
publication date: 2025-11-28
starting page: 1
ending page: 6
doi: 10.71000/szwfbk84

Impact of Structured Nursing Education on Medication Administration Errors in Public Sector Hospitals
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Medication administration errors remain a major patient safety concern, particularly in public sector hospitals where high workload and limited training opportunities may compromise safe practices. Nurses play a pivotal role in medication delivery, making targeted educational strategies essential for reducing preventable errors and improving healthcare quality. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a structured nursing education program on medication administration errors among nurses working in public sector hospitals. METHODOLOGY: A quasi-experimental pre- and post-intervention study was conducted in selected public sector hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan, between February and September 2023. A total of 104 registered nurses completed both baseline and post-intervention assessments. Medication administration errors were measured using a validated assessment tool and observational checklist covering the five rights of medication administration, dose calculation, timing, documentation, and infection control practices. The intervention consisted of a four-week structured education program delivered through interactive sessions and supervised practice. Data were analyzed using paired sample t-tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean overall medication administration error score significantly decreased from 6.74 ± 2.08 at baseline to 5.18 ± 1.86 after the intervention (p < 0.001). Significant reductions were observed across all domains, including five rights violations, dose calculation errors, timing errors, and documentation lapses. Observational findings showed marked improvements in hand hygiene compliance (64.4% to 85.6%) and correct patient identification practices (71.2% to 88.5%). CONCLUSION: Structured nursing education was effective in reducing medication administration errors and improving safe medication practices in public sector hospitals. Incorporating such programs into routine in-service training may enhance patie…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Education, Medication Errors, Nursing Education, Patient Safety, Public Hospitals, Quality Improvement, Pakistan
  topic: keywords
creator: Safina Youab
creator: Gulsina Joseph
creator: Nagina Joseph
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Safina Youab, Gulsina Joseph , Nagina Joseph (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-11-29
publication date: 2025-11-29
starting page: 1
ending page: 7
doi: 10.71000/szwksh5

Effectiveness of Early Physiotherapy-Led Mobilization on Length of Hospital Stay in Post-Abdominal Surgery Patients
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Prolonged immobilization after abdominal surgery is associated with delayed recovery, increased postoperative complications, and extended hospital stay. Early mobilization has emerged as a key element of enhanced recovery protocols; however, locally generated interventional evidence supporting physiotherapy-led early mobilization remains limited in Pakistan. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of early physiotherapy-led mobilization on length of hospital stay and functional recovery in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. METHODOLOGY: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in tertiary care hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan, over eight months. A total of 120 adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery were randomly allocated to either an early physiotherapy-led mobilization group or a standard postoperative care group. The intervention group received structured mobilization initiated within 24 hours after surgery, while the control group received routine care. The primary outcome was length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included time to first ambulation, functional status assessed using the Modified Barthel Index, postoperative pulmonary complications, and pain intensity. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests and chi-square tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Patients in the early mobilization group demonstrated a significantly shorter mean hospital stay (4.1 ± 1.2 days) compared to the standard care group (6.0 ± 1.6 days; p < 0.001). Time to first ambulation was earlier in the intervention group (1.3 ± 0.4 days vs. 2.6 ± 0.7 days; p < 0.001). Functional independence at discharge was higher in the intervention group, with significantly greater Modified Barthel Index scores (p < 0.001). The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications was lower in the early mobilization group, while pain levels at discharge were comparable between groups. CONCLUSION: Early physiotherapy-led mobilization signific…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Abdominal Surgery; Early Mobilization; Hospital Stay; Physiotherapy; Postoperative Care; Rehabilitation; Randomized Controlled Trial
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr Maleeha Fuad
creator: Maryam Khan
creator: Dr. Zunaira Mehdi
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Maleeha Fuad , Maryam Khan, Dr. Zunaira Mehdi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-03-19
publication date: 2025-03-19
starting page: 1
ending page: 6
doi: 10.71000/a7k92

Clinical and Microbiological Profile of Multidrug-Resistant Urinary Tract Infections in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Punjab
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections are among the most common bacterial infections encountered in clinical practice. The increasing emergence of multidrug-resistant uropathogens has complicated management, particularly in tertiary care settings where patients often present with recurrent infections, comorbidities, and prior antibiotic exposure. Local data describing both clinical features and resistance patterns remain essential for guiding effective antimicrobial stewardship. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics and microbiological profile of multidrug-resistant urinary tract infections in tertiary care hospitals of Punjab, Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive observational study was conducted across three tertiary care hospitals in Punjab from March to October 2022. Adult patients with culture-confirmed multidrug-resistant urinary tract infections were included. Clinical data were recorded using a structured proforma, while urine samples underwent standard culture, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing according to established laboratory guidelines. Data were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 385 patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 46.8 ± 15.2 years; 60.3% were female. Prior antibiotic use was documented in 69.4% of cases, and 44.4% had diabetes mellitus. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated organism (52.2%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (24.9%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.2%). High resistance rates were observed for cephalosporins (78.4%) and fluoroquinolones (74.5%), while lower resistance was noted for carbapenems (15.8%) and nitrofurantoin (22.3%). CONCLUSION: Multidrug-resistant urinary tract infections are common in tertiary care hospitals of Punjab and are associated with significant resistance to first-line antibiotics. These findings emphasize the need for routine culture-based diagnosis and locally …
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Antimicrobial Resistance; Carbapenems; Multidrug Resistance; Pakistan; Tertiary Care Hospitals; Urinary Tract Infections; Uropathogens
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr Maryam Shakoor
creator: Hina Shakor
creator: Kashaf Shakoor
creator: Abdullah Ali Khan
creator: Dr Syeda Maimona Tahira
creator: Dr Rubab Vaseer
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Maryam Shakoor , Hina Shakor, Kashaf Shakoor , Abdullah Ali Khan, Dr Syeda Maimona Tahira, Dr Rubab Vaseer (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-08-05
publication date: 2025-08-05
starting page: 1
ending page: 6
doi: 10.71000/m4q8z

Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Musculoskeletal Pain Severity Among Female Office Workers in Islamabad
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain is a frequent occupational health concern among office workers, particularly women engaged in prolonged sedentary work. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in South Asian populations and has been implicated in musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain. However, evidence exploring this association from an occupational health perspective in Pakistani female office workers remains limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between vitamin D deficiency and musculoskeletal pain severity among female office workers in Islamabad. METHODOLOGY: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 355 female office workers recruited from public and private sector workplaces in Islamabad between March and October 2022. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay and categorized as deficient, insufficient, or sufficient. Musculoskeletal pain severity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics. Differences in pain severity across vitamin D status groups were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Pearson’s correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to examine the association between vitamin D levels and pain severity while adjusting for relevant covariates. RESULTS: Vitamin D deficiency was identified in 69.6% of participants, with a mean serum level of 17.9 ± 6.8 ng/mL. The overall mean pain score was 5.9 ± 1.8. Participants with vitamin D deficiency reported significantly higher pain scores (6.8 ± 1.4) compared with those with insufficient (5.2 ± 1.3) and sufficient levels (3.6 ± 1.1) (p < 0.001). A significant negative correlation was observed between serum vitamin D levels and pain severity (r = –0.61, p < 0.001). Vitamin D level remained an independent predictor of pain severity after adjustment for confounding variables. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency was strongly associated wit…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Ergonomics; Musculoskeletal Pain; Occupational Health; Office Workers; Pain Measurement; Vitamin D Deficiency; Women
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr Sughra Shakoor
creator: Mohsin Raza
creator: Dr Saqlain Abbass
creator: Fouzia Batool
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Sughra Shakoor , Mohsin Raza , Dr Saqlain Abbass , Fouzia Batool (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-10-18
publication date: 2025-10-18
starting page: 1
ending page: 6
doi: 10.71000/t9w3b

IMPACT OF MUSIC THERAPY IN ENHANCING SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SKILLS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: SLP AND OT PERSPECTIVES
type: item
description: Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent impairments in social communication, interaction, and adaptive functioning, requiring early and multidisciplinary interventions. Music therapy has emerged as a complementary approach due to its structured, rhythmic, and engaging nature, which may support communication, social participation, cognitive processing, and motor coordination in children with ASD. Despite growing clinical use, limited evidence exists regarding how rehabilitation professionals perceive its effectiveness within routine practice, particularly from speech-language pathology and occupational therapy perspectives. Objective: To examine the perceptions of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and occupational therapists (OTs) regarding the effects of music therapy on communication, social interaction, cognitive abilities, and motor skills in children with ASD. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted over six months in rehabilitation settings across Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 155 professionals participated, including 133 SLPs (85.8%) and 22 OTs (14.2). Data were collected using a modified Music Therapy Assessment Tool assessing five domains: communication, musical engagement, cognitive skills, social interaction, and motor abilities. Participants rated observed child responses during music therapy sessions using a frequency-based scale ranging from “never” to “always.” Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Positive engagement was reported across multiple domains. Eye contact was observed sometimes by 48.4% of respondents and often by 22.6%. Expression of personal needs occurred sometimes in 51.0%, while direction following was reported sometimes by 53.5%. Musical engagement was notable, with singing in pitch occurring sometimes in 46.5% and often in 27.1%. Melody recall was reported often by 36.8%, and adaptation to volume changes occurred sometimes in 45.2%. Social particip…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Child Development, Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, Social Communication, Speech-Language Pathology
  topic: keywords
creator: Syeda Khushbakht Hashmi
creator: Masooma Rubab
creator: Madiha Maqsud
creator: Emaan Khadim
creator: Maha Ilahi
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Syeda Khushbakht Hashmi, Masooma Rubab, Madiha Maqsud , Emaan Khadim, Maha Ilahi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-09-18
publication date: 2025-09-18
starting page: 1
ending page: 9
doi: 10.71000/p2x7n

ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE TOWARDS INSULIN ADMINISTRATION AND STORAGE THROUGH BROCHURE-BASED LEARNING AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS IN LAHORE
type: item
description: Background: Insulin is classified as a high-alert medication, and improper administration or storage can result in serious complications such as lipohypertrophy, injection-site pain, hypoglycemia, and poor glycemic control. Evidence from international literature consistently indicates that diabetic patients often possess inadequate knowledge regarding correct insulin handling, injection techniques, and storage conditions. In resource-limited settings, gaps in structured patient education further exacerbate these issues, emphasizing the need for simple, standardized, and accessible educational strategies to improve safe insulin use. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess baseline knowledge of diabetic patients regarding insulin administration and storage and to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured brochure-based educational intervention in improving this knowledge. Methods: A quantitative, one-group quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study was conducted in diabetic centers and hospital settings in Lahore. Adult patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes receiving insulin therapy were enrolled using convenience sampling. A pilot-tested, pre-validated questionnaire consisting of 14 items assessed knowledge before and after the intervention. A structured educational brochure covering insulin administration, injection techniques, site rotation, storage, and travel precautions was used. Data from 252 participants (124 insulin pen users and 128 vial–syringe users) were analyzed using SPSS. Non-parametric tests, including Wilcoxon signed-rank, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests, were applied. Results: Post-intervention analysis demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall insulin-related knowledge (p < 0.001). Improvement was observed in 233 of 252 participants for general knowledge, 108 of 128 syringe users, and 95 of 124 pen users (p < 0.001 for all). The largest gains were noted in practices related to injection-site preparati…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Diabetes Mellitus, Health Education, Insulin, Medication Adherence, Patient Education, Self-Management, Treatment Outcome
  topic: keywords
creator: Javeria Javed
creator: Hajira Durani
creator: Eman Tayyab
creator: Laiba Ali
creator: Javeria Naheed
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Javeria Javed, Hajira Durani, Eman Tayyab, Laiba Ali, Javeria Naheed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-04-21
publication date: 2025-04-21
starting page: 1
ending page: 9
doi: 10.71000/k8d4r

STRUCTURED EDUCATION FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES UNDERSTANDING IN PAKISTAN (SETUP)
type: item
description: Background Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a lifelong condition requiring continuous education, self-management, and psychosocial support to achieve optimal outcomes. In Pakistan, the absence of nationally standardized epidemiological data, limited access to specialist care, and widespread cultural myths contribute to suboptimal disease understanding and management. International structured education programs exist, but they are often poorly aligned with local dietary practices, sociocultural beliefs, and health literacy levels. This gap underscores the need for a locally relevant, evidence-based education framework tailored to the Pakistani context. Objective To develop, implement, and evaluate the feasibility and educational impact of a locally tailored structured education curriculum for people living with type 1 diabetes in Pakistan. Methods A multidisciplinary team developed an evidence-based structured education curriculum, Structured Education for Type 1 Diabetes Understanding in Pakistan (SETUP), adapted from international guidelines and refined through local needs assessment and expert peer review. The curriculum was produced in English and Urdu. Curriculum-based interactive workshops were conducted in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. Individuals with type 1 diabetes were enrolled through community networks. Structured pre- and post-session questionnaires and module-wise feedback forms were used to assess changes in participant knowledge and perceived understanding. Results A total of 180 individuals with type 1 diabetes participated in the workshops, including 64 from Islamabad, 55 from Lahore, and 61 from Karachi. Most participants were accompanied by a parent or sibling, extending education to family members. Post-session feedback demonstrated consistent improvement in participant knowledge across all core domains, including dietary management, basic carbohydrate counting, hypoglycaemia recognition, and sick-day rules with diabetic ketoacidosis awareness. Hig…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Diabetes Education, Diabetes Mellitus Type 1, Pakistan, Peer Support, Quality of Life, Self-Management, Structured Education
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr Atif Munir
creator: Anum Anwer
creator: Dr Sana Ajmal
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Atif Munir , Anum Anwer, Dr Sana Ajmal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-03-09
publication date: 2025-03-09
starting page: 1
ending page: 6
doi: 10.71000/h6q2y

SLEEP QUALITY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG ADULTS WITH HYPERTENSION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a leading global health concern associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity and sleep quality play an essential role in disease management, yet little evidence exists from the local context of Pakistan. This study aimed to assess sleep quality and physical activity and explore their association among adults with hypertension. OBJECTIVE: to assess sleep quality and physical activity and explore their association among adults with hypertension. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between January and June 2023 among adults diagnosed with essential hypertension for at least three months. Participants provided electronic informed consent and completed a structured questionnaire, which included demographic information, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to assess physical activity levels, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate sleep quality. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, while chi-square test examined associations between physical activity and sleep quality. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 422 participants were included in the analysis. The mean age was 51.2 ± 8.5 years, and 52.1 % were male. Poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) was reported by 63.5% of respondents, with a mean PSQI score of 7.2 ± 4.3. Based on IPAQ scoring, 36.7% reported low physical activity, 44.7% moderate, and 19.1% high activity. CONCLUSION: Poor sleep quality was highly prevalent among hypertensive adults and was significantly associated with lower physical activity levels. Promotion of physical activity should be emphasized as a non-pharmacological strategy to improve sleep and overall management of hypertension. KEY TERMS: Hypertension, Sleep Quality, Physical Activity, Cross-Sectional Study
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Hypertension, Sleep Quality, Physical Activity, Cross-Sectional Study
  topic: keywords
creator: Farah Niaz Awan
creator: Muhammad Adil
creator: Ali Hamza Arshad
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Farah Niaz Awan, Muhammad Adil , Ali Hamza Arshad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-09-22
publication date: 2025-09-22
starting page: 1
ending page: 4
doi: 10.71000/r5t8j

https://gjmhs.com/index.php/home/article/view/9
type: item
title: IMPACT OF ROBOT – ASSISTED GLOVE HAND TRAINING ON FINE AND GROSS MOTOR FUNCTION. RECOVERY AND DAY-TO-DAY FUNCTIONAL TASKS IN POST-MEDIAN NERVE REDIRECTION INDIVIDUALS: A NOVEL RECOVERY THERAPY APPROACH
description: BACKGROUND: Selective nerve transfers involve rerouting healthy nerves to restore lost motor function, whereas robot-assisted upper-limb therapy provides structured rehabilitation for patients recovering from neurological damage. Robotic systems deliver controlled, accurate movement assistance and interaction, and over the past twenty years have demonstrated rehabilitation results comparable to those achieved through conventional therapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of robotic-glove–assisted hand training on fine and gross motor skills and daily functional performance in patients post median nerve transfer using a quasi-experimental approach. METHODOLOGY: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore, over six months with 36 patients post median nerve transfer. Participants were divided into Group A (Robot Group, n = 18) receiving soft robotic glove therapy and Group B (Control Group, n = 18) undergoing conventional hand exercises. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Soller man Hand Function Test, Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test, Pegboard Dexterity Test, and Barthel Index. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) minimized baseline differences, and statistical analyses were performed in SPSS v25, including normality checks via the Shapiro–Wilk test. RESULTS: Both groups showed improvements in hand function and dexterity. The Robot Group improved in the Jebsen–Taylor Test from 85.60±17.02 to 74.53±17.01 (p = 0.000) and in the Sollerman Test from 34.20±7.66 to 45.33±7.73 (p = 0.000). The Control Group also improved, albeit to a lesser extent. Pegboard Dexterity scores increased in the Robot Group from 29.53±4.48 to 40.60±4.34 (p = 0.000) and in the Control Group from 29.20±4.82 to 33.26±4.81 (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Combining conventional hand therapy with robotic-glove rehabilitation significantly enhances fine motor performance, hand function, and daily living activities in patients following median nerve transfer. While ra…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Hand Rehabilitation, Nerve Transfer Rehabilitation, Robotic Glove, Quasi-Experimental Study.
  topic: keywords
creator: Ayesha Kousar
creator: Sabiha Arshad
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Ayesha Kousar, Sabiha Arshad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-08-02
publication date: 2025-08-02
starting page: 1
ending page: 5
doi: 10.71000/b9n4x

ASSESSING VISUAL PERCEPTION IN CHILDREN WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF CEREBRAL PALSY
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy is a condition of neurodevelopmental disabilities that affects movement and often occurs with deficits in visual perception. This paper explores how children with several types of cerebral palsy—spastic, dyskinetic, and ataxic—were evaluated using the Barry Visual-Motor Integration Test and its three subtests regarding visual perception, motor coordination, and combined visuomotor integration. OBJECTIVE: To determine assessing visual perception in children with several types of cerebral Palsy. METHODOLOGY: The study was cross-sectional in design and conducted over a period of six months among 150 children aged 3 to 15 years at PSRD School and Children's Hospital, Lahore. Structured, purposive sampling ensured a representative cohort for all CP subtypes, including children with varying degrees of motor impairment. RESULTS: The results indicate a variety of visual perception problems across all types of CP. Spastic CP manifested in the loss of depth perception and spatial orientation, seriously impairing the daily abilities. In the case of dyskinetic CP, visuomotor integration was impeded by involuntary movements, while object tracking and spatial awareness were diminished in the case of ataxic CP. The varying degrees of these deficits appear in various VMI indexes: spastic CP was measured at a mean value 80.03, ataxic at 77.23, and dyskinesia at 82.31. Cognitive performance also varied in the study, with individuals having dyskinetic CP showing slightly better results. Therefore, the variability of results indicates the complex interplay of motor, visual, and cognitive impairments in CP. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that visual perception deficits have a significant impact on functional and social outcomes in children with CP. The study recommends the widespread use of individualized rehabilitation plans, improved diagnostic tools such as the Visual Function Classification System (VFCS), and virtual reality-based interventions. Future studie…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Visual Perception, Spastic, Dyskinetic and Ataxic Cerebral Palsy.
  topic: keywords
creator: Muqadas Paracha
creator: Ramma Inam
creator: Maleeha Fuad
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Muqadas Paracha, Ramma Inam, Maleeha Fuad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-07-12
publication date: 2025-07-12
starting page: 1
ending page: 5
doi: 10.71000/z2k7m

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BURNOUT AND WORK LIFE BALANCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND SPEECH THERAPISTS WORKING WITH PEDIATRIC POPULATION
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Burnout is a syndrome as hypothesized resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not managed successfully. It is characterized by three extents; emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced personal accomplishment. Work–life balance is essential for health care professionals to prevent burnout, maintain mental and physical health, and deliver high-quality patient care. OBJECTIVE: To find out the relationship between burnout and work life balance in occupational therapists and speech therapists working with pediatric population. METHODOLOGY: It was a Cross-sectional Study. Non-Probability Convenient sampling technique used. The sample size was 70. The duration of the study was 6 months. Maslach Burnout Inventory and Life Balance Inventory were the questionnaires used to assess burnout and work life balance. RESULTS: The total number of participants was 70 in which occupational therapists were 35 (50%) and others were speech therapists (50%) as shown in Table 3. Participant’s gender division showed that there were more females (88.6%) than males (11.4%) as shown in Table 2. The frequency and percentage distribution of burnout levels across three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal achievement. Emotional exhaustion shows the majority (47.1%) experiencing low-level burnout, while high burnout is minimal (11.4%). Depersonalization is highest at the high-level burnout stage (41.4%). Personal achievement exhibits the highest proportion (62.9%) with low-level burnout, indicating a stronger sense of accomplishment among the majority as shown in Table 4, 5&6. There is no significant relationship observed between OTs and STs in relation to burnout and work life balance with X2-value 0.79 because the two groups showed similar rates of burnout. CONCLUSION: Concluded from present study that there is no significant relationship observed between the occupational therapists and speech therapists in relation to burnout and work-life…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Burnout, Occupational therapists, Pediatric population, Speech therapists, Work life balance.
  topic: keywords
creator: Fahad Farooq
creator: Ramma Inam
creator: Ambreen Sadaf
creator: Kashaf Saleem
creator: Muizz-Ul-Hassan
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Fahad Farooq, Ramma Inam, Ambreen Sadaf, Kashaf Saleem, Muizz-Ul-Hassan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-01-29
publication date: 2025-01-29
starting page: 1
ending page: 6
doi: 10.71000/q8v3p

PERCEIVED BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL TRAINEES
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Postgraduate medical trainees face unique internal and external challenges affecting physical activity, including time constraints, fatigue, and limited access to facilities. Conversely, factors such as social support, structured opportunities, and incentives can facilitate exercise. Understanding these influences is critical for promoting active lifestyles in this population. OBJECTIVE: To determine perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity among postgraduate medical trainees in Pakistan. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional online survey was conducted from January–March 2024 among postgraduate medical trainees enrolled in accredited programs. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire distributed through WhatsApp and Facebook groups. Physical activity levels were assessed using the WHO Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and categorized into low, moderate, or high activity. The minimum sample size was 267, calculated using a 95% confidence level and 6% margin of error. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS v23. RESULTS: Of 267 respondents, 44.9% were male and 55.1% female; the majority specialized in medicine (33.7%) and was in Year 1 of training (31.8%). Physical activity levels were low in 44.9%, moderate in 41.2%, and high in 13.9%. Major barriers included lack of time (mean 2.42±0.92), exercise facilities with incompatible schedules (2.44±0.99), and physical fatigue (2.37±0.95). Key facilitators were social encouragement, workplace flexibility, and access to affordable exercise facilities. CONCLUSION: Nearly half of postgraduate medical trainees reported low physical activity, with time constraints and fatigue as primary barriers. Targeted interventions, including flexible scheduling, accessible facilities, and peer support, are essential to foster sustainable physical activity habits in this group. KEYWORDS: Barriers, Facilitators Physical Activity, Lifestyle habits, Medical
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Barriers, Facilitators Physical Activity, Lifestyle habits, Medical
  topic: keywords
creator: Ayesha Javed
creator: Muhammad Sohaib Azeem
creator: Nousheen Azam
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Ayesha Javed, Muhammad Sohaib Azeem, Nousheen Azam (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-10-27
publication date: 2025-10-27
starting page: 1
ending page: 5
doi: 10.71000/d4y9h

INVESTIGATING THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF THE PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a global health issue, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality, arising from various causes, including viral hepatitis, alcohol misuse, autoimmune disorders, genetic factors, and toxin exposure. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of CLD patients. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional design was employed with 208 participants aged 20–45 years at Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore. Simple random sampling was used for participant recruitment, and data were collected using demographic questionnaires, anthropometric measurements (BMI), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) for quality of life (QoL), and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) for malnutrition status. SPSS was used for analysis, with p<0.05 as the significance threshold. RESULTS: The study found that most participants were aged 36–40 years, with an equal gender distribution. Females had poorer Quality of Life (QoL) than males. Physical activity and BMI showed no significant correlation with QoL, and half of the participants had a healthy weight. Dietary habits indicated balanced intake, with daily consumption of dairy, fruits, vegetables, meat, and tea, and cereals and oils consumed 2–3 times daily. The malnutrition indicator score revealed most patients were at risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition status was linked to BMI, QoL, and intake of cereals, dairy, fruits, and red meat, but not vegetables, vegetable oil, or tea. Further research on nutritional interventions is needed. CONCLUSION: The study involved 36-40-year-olds, with equal gender distribution. Females reported poorer Quality of Life compared to males. Most had a healthy weight, and daily consumption of dairy, fruits, vegetables, meat, and tea. Malnutrition was associated with BMI, QoL, cereal intake, dairy, fruits, and meat. Further research on targeted nutrition…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Chronic liver disease, CLD, Nutritional status, Quality of Life, QOL, Dietary habits, BMI, Physical activity level.
  topic: keywords
creator: Ayesha Shabir
creator: Andleeb Shakoor
creator: Aroosha Saif
creator: Sana Siddique
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Ayesha Shabir , Andleeb Shakoor, Aroosha Saif, Sana Siddique (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-04-05
publication date: 2025-04-05
starting page: 1
ending page: 6
doi: 10.71000/n7r2k

ATTITUDE OF UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS TOWARDS USING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR LEARNING PURPOSES AT LAHORE MEDICAL & DENTAL COLLEGE, PAKISTAN
type: item
description: BACKGROUND: With the advent of the Internet, particularly Web 2.0 technologies, the learning paradigm shifted from a top-down method centered on academicians and knowledge to a networked one. Social media is a broad word that refers to a number of web-based technologies that allow users to contribute, share, and collaborate. They provide innovative and diverse educational opportunities for learning as well as teaching. To keep the pace with the knowledge and information explosion in constantly evolving medical world, the social media keeps its users abreast OBJECTIVE: To determine the attitude of undergraduate medical students towards using social media for learning purposes. MATERIALS & METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted opting non-probability convenient sampling. 333 students from Lahore medical & dental college, Lahore participated who had an internet enabled devices and profiles on different social media platforms. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software was used for data entering and analysis. And the attitude was assessed by utilizing a standardized self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean ± SD of age was 21 ± 1.78. The social media platforms with which the students had the best learning experiences were WhatsApp (64.3%), Instagram (45.9%), Facebook (28.8%), YouTube (21.6%), Wikipedia (19.8%) and Twitter (7.2%). Out of 333 participants, 77.7% (n=259) students had positive attitude and 22.2% (n=74) students had negative attitude towards using social media for learning purposes. CONCLUSION: Undergraduate students from all medical disciplines reported to have positive attitudes towards use of social media for learning purposes. They find it convenient for academic purposes. The most popular and preferred social media platforms for academic learning were Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube. KEY TERMS: Attitude, Benefits, Learning purposes, Medical students, Social media
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Attitude, Benefits, Learning purposes, Medical students, Social media
  topic: keywords
creator: Maryam Zaffar
creator: Ayesha Kousar
creator: Imbisat Abaid
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Maryam Zaffar, Ayesha Kousar, Imbisat Abaid (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-05-18
publication date: 2025-05-18
starting page: 1
ending page: 7
doi: 10.71000/w3b8q

ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OF LAHORE, PAKISTAN
type: item
description: Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health concern linked to bone disorders, cardiometabolic diseases, autoimmune conditions, and certain cancers. Despite abundant sunlight, South Asian populations, including Pakistan, have high deficiency rates due to limited sun exposure, cultural practices, and dietary insufficiency. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of severe vitamin D deficiency and its associated risk factors among the rural population of Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2023 to June 2024 in rural areas of Lahore. A total of 800 adults (≥18 years) with confirmed vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL) were recruited from outpatient clinics, primary health units, and laboratory collection sites. Data on demographics, sun exposure, and anthropometric measures were collected. Severe deficiency was defined as <10 ng/mL. Frequencies and percentages summarized participant characteristics, and associations between risk factors and severe deficiency were assessed using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Of 800 participants, 65.0% were female, and the largest age group was 40–59 years (41.0%). Most (82.0%) were married, and 33.0% worked outside the home. Sun exposure was limited, with 68.6% reporting <1 hour per week; sunscreen use was minimal (3%). Overweight and obesity affected 38.3% and 59.5% respectively. In adjusted analysis, <1 hour of sun exposure per week was associated with more than double the odds of severe deficiency (aOR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.68–3.38). Obesity (aOR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.05–2.45) and abdominal obesity in women (aOR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.10–2.58) were also significant predictors. Conclusion: Severe vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among rural residents of Lahore and is strongly associated with low sun exposure, obesity, and abdominal obesity. Public health strategies promoting safe sunlight exposure, culturally appropriate behavior…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Risk Factors, Rural areas, Vitamin D Deficiency
  topic: keywords
creator: Dr Syed Muneedb Gillani
creator: Shanawar Hayat
creator: Aiza Ali
creator: Dr Muhammad Arif
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Dr Syed Muneedb Gillani, Shanawar Hayat , Aiza Ali, Dr Muhammad Arif (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-11-15
publication date: 2025-11-15
starting page: 1
ending page: 5
doi: 10.71000/j9m5t

THE JOURNEY TO PAKISTAN'S FIRST DEDICATED AND LEADING ORTHOPEDIC & SPINE CENTER
type: item
description: "And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him" With this Qur’anic promise as a reminder of faith and reliance on Allah, the journey of Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital stands as a testament to dedication and service. Laid in 1994 by Abdul Sattar Edhi and formally opened in 2002, the hospital has grown steadily, introducing major developments such as Pakistan’s first Spine and Orthopaedic Center, upgraded Paediatric and Emergency Departments, and modern Modular Theaters. The establishment of the Spine Center reflects years of perseverance, collaboration, and training in advanced spine techniques, supported by international partnerships and the integration of minimally invasive surgery, advanced imaging, and navigation technologies. A multidisciplinary team of surgeons, radiologists, pain specialists, and physiotherapists now provides comprehensive care ranging from conservative treatment to complex procedures and rehabilitation. The center has trained over 200 FCPS orthopedic surgeons and welcomed fellows from 16 countries, contributing to the growth of spine care nationally and internationally. Moving forward, the vision is to strengthen excellence, education, and innovation while ensuring that advanced spinal and orthopaedic care remains accessible to all, in line with the humanitarian values upon which the hospital was founded. Keywords: Clinical Innovation, Healthcare Infrastructure Pakistan, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Pain Management, Spine Center
subject: Editorial
  topic: section
subject: Clinical Innovation, Healthcare Infrastructure Pakistan, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Pain Management, Spine Center
  topic: keywords
creator: Prof. Amer Aziz
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Prof. Amer Aziz (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
date: 2025-01-18
publication date: 2025-01-18
starting page: 1
ending page: 2
doi: 10.71000/x2p7d