Adults In Karachi Research Articles

Eating Habits and Lifestyle Practice of Young Adults in Karachi, Pakistan; a Cross-Sectional Survey

Eating Habits and Lifestyle Practice of Young Adults in Karachi, Pakistan; a Cross-Sectional Survey

Prevalence of undiagnosed metabolic syndrome using three different definitions and identifying associated risk factors among apparently healthy adults in Karachi, Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey in the year 2022

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of undiagnosed metabolic syndrome (MetS) using three different definitions among apparently healthy adults of Karachi, Pakistan.MethodsThis community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2022 to August 2022. A total of 1065 healthy individuals aged 25–80 years of any gender were consecutively included. MetS was assessed using the National Cholesterol Education Program for Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP) III guidelines, International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and modified NCEP-ATP III.ResultsThe prevalence of MetS was highest with the modified NCEP-ATP III definition at 33.9% (95% CI: 31–36), followed by the IDF definition at 32.2% (95% CI: 29–35). In contrast, the prevalence was lower at 22.4% (95% CI: 19–25) when using the NCEP ATP III definition. The risk of MetS significantly increases with higher BMI, as defined by the IDF criteria (adjusted OR [ORadj] 1.13, 95% CI 1.09–2.43), NCEP-ATP III criteria (ORadj 1.15, 95% CI 1.11–1.19), and modified NCEP-ATP III criteria (ORadj 1.16, 95% CI 1.12–1.20). Current smokers had significantly higher odds of MetS according to the IDF (ORadj 2.72, 95% CI 1.84–4.03), NCEP-ATP III (ORadj 3.93, 95% CI 2.55–6.06), and modified NCEP-ATP III (ORadj 0.62, 95% CI 0.43–0.88). Areca nut use was associated with higher odds of MetS according to both IDF (ORadj 1.71, 95% CI 1.19–2.47) and modified NCEP-ATP III criteria (ORadj 1.58, 95% CI 1.10–2.72). Furthermore, low physical activity had significantly higher odds of MetS according to the NCEP-ATP III (ORadj 1.36, 95% CI 1.01–1.84) and modified NCEP-ATP III criteria (ORadj 1.56, 95% CI 1.08–2.26).ConclusionOne-third of the healthy individuals were diagnosed with MetS based on IDF, NCEP-ATP III, and modified NCEP-ATP III criteria. A higher BMI, current smoking, areca nut use, and low physical activity were significant factors.

Impact of Locus of Control on Brand Loyalty in the Adults of Karachi, Pakistan

The current study was an attempt to investigate the relationship between locus of control and brand loyalty. To know the predictive relationship between these variables, a stratified sample of 400 adult participants (200 male, 200 female) aged between 20-40 years was asked to complete scales for measuring the locus of control scale (Levenson, 1973) and brand loyalty scale (Sheth et al., 1999). Simple linear regression analysis reveals that locus of control (internal or external) is a significant predictor of brand loyalty. If the internal locus of control is higher in an individual, their brand loyalty will subsequently be less or decreased. External locus of control would mean higher brand loyalty.

Factors And Determinants Associated With Prevalence Of Anaemia In Adults In Karachi, Pakistan.

To assess the demographic and dietary factors associated with the prevalence of anaemia in multi-ethnic urban settings. The cross-sectional community-based survey study was conducted from August 2020 to May 2021 in Karachi East district, and comprised healthy adults of either gender aged 20-60 years. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire. Besides, 4ml sample of whole blood was taken from each participant for haematological analysis. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Of the 416 subjects, 269(64.7%) were males and 147(35.3%) were females, while 334(80.3%) were aged <30 years and 82(19.7%) were aged >30 years. Anaemia was found in 92(22.1%) subjects. Female gender, lower and middle socioeconomic class, nuclear family type, habit of meal-skipping, and infrequent consumption of sweets and milk were all linked to anaemia (p<0.05). Less than a quarter of the sample was found to be anaemic. Steps should be taken to address the identified causes of anaemia.

Frequency of extra pulmonary complications in critically ill COVID-19 patients and their association with inflammatory markers and hypoxia: Retrospective analysis at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

This study aimed to determine the incidence of extra pulmonary complications among critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and association of these complications with various inflammatory markers and degree of hypoxia. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 173 adults in Karachi having COVID-19 and were admitted to ICU in a tertiary care private hospital between August 2020 to July 2021. The median age of patients included in the analysis was 61 years (IQR; 16). Acute kidney injury, septic shock, cardiac injury, and electrolytes imbalance were the most frequent extra pulmonary complications with proportion of 65.3% (n=113), 63.6% (n=110), 61.8% (n=107) and 33.5% (n=58). Statistically significant differences in the median serum levels of ferritin were observed among male versus female, critically ill covid patients with and without ICU mortality as well as patients with and without hospital mortality (p-value <0.05). Significantly higher serum levels of d-dimer were noted among patients who developed acute liver injury or NSTEMI, or had ICU stay of > 3 days or received mechanical ventilation for >2 days. Acute kidney injury, septic shock, cardiac injury, and electrolytes imbalance were the most common extra pulmonary complications among mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients with ARDS. Higher serum d-dimer levels were associated with acute liver injury, NSTEMI, ICU stay longer >3 days and invasive mechanical ventilation >2 days. Higher serum ferritin levels are associated with male sex and serve as an important predictor of ICU as well as hospital mortality.

Boy Cuts: Female Masculinity and Queer Aesthetics in Karachi, Pakistan

ABSTRACT In Pakistan, compared with the long-established category of khwaja sira, which can be analogous to trans femininity in English, little attention has yet been paid to trans and female masculinities. For trans men, butch women, and nonbinary people assigned female at birth (AFAB), their navigation of public spaces, negotiation of identity and aesthetic expression of gender, and balancing of globalizing LGBTQ+ discourses with pre-existing South Asian forms of queerness has meant that they see their struggles as unique from other types of queer identification and community in Pakistan. This article examines how masculine-presenting AFAB queer and trans young adults in Karachi express themselves through embodied aesthetic forms, such as hair styles and clothing, and negotiate these aesthetic choices with family and community insistences on presenting as proper women. While providing an optic into understanding the complexities of choice and agency that AFAB individuals face in displaying their masculinity, aesthetics is often also a determining factor in how they are treated and seen by others in the various kinds of public spaces that they move between. Their aesthetic choices not only help to better understand marginalized masculinities in Pakistan, but also challenge and disrupt an idealized feminine aesthetic in Pakistan that is related to marriageability and conformity

Moderating effects of stress coping: evaluating the relationships between personality and prescription drug misuse amongst Young adults

ABSTRACT Background Young individuals (18 to 25 years old) misuse prescription drugs at the highest rates. College or university audience may come with added risk. Previous studies indicate that personality plays a significant role in the prediction of much addictive behavior. Method Four characteristics of anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, sensation seeking, and impulsivity have continuously been linked. The major focus on overall prescription drug use, inconsistent operationalization of misuse, and failure to account for alcohol use restrict published studies on personality as a predictor of prescription drug misuse. Small and general sample sizes were used. Result We wanted to know more about how personality influenced total use, use that was approved by a doctor, and misuse of prescription sedatives/tranquilizers, opioids, and stimulants. Young adults in Karachi, Pakistan were included in the large (N = 1755) sample (mean age = 18.6 years; 68.9% female). We hypothesized that sedatives/tranquilizers would be associated to anxiety sensitivity, opioids to hopelessness, stimulants to sensation seeking, and impulsivity to all three. Except for the impulsivity to opioid use pathway, our “any use” model’s predictions were entirely supported. Sensation seeking predicted stimulants for misuse, anxiety sensitivity (marginally) predicted sedatives/tranquilizers, and impulsivity predicted all three. Conclusion Our models advocate for the use of interventions that are tailored to each young adults’ personality. Targeting anxiety sensitivity for sedative/tranquilizer misuse, sensation seeking for stimulant misuse and impulsivity for unrestrained prescription drug misuse are specifically suggested by the studies.

Cross Culture Adaptation of CASP 19 To Assess Quality of Life of Older Adults in Karachi, Pakistan

CASP-19 (Control, Autonomy, Self-realization, and Pleasure) is a well-established and theoretically derived instrument to assess the quality of life, which has been translated into multiple languages for global application. This study provides a cross-cultural validation of CASP-19 in older adults in Karachi, Pakistan. Objective: To assess quality of life of 50+ older adults in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: Focus groups were used to pilot-test a translated CASP-19 survey from English to Urdu, with back translation to explore the language, cultural and conceptual similarities of the tool to the original version. A population survey was administered using cluster sampling. The translated version was administered to 100 participants from each low, middle, and high-income areas via door-to-door recruitment. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the psychometric validation of the Urdu version. A regression analysis assessed social determinants of quality of life. Results: Pilot-testing confirmed that CASP-19 has conceptual relevance to Pakistani culture in a revised CASP-13 with 6 items remove. Conclusion: CASP13 is a valid and reliable tool to assess the quality of life of 50+ older adults in Karachi.

Development and validation of an electronic application (FoodEapp) to assess the dietary intake of adults in Karachi, Pakistan

BackgroundUnder and over-nutrition-related health conditions are highly prevalent in Pakistan. Dietary data are required to understand the challenges of over and undernutrition in Pakistan. ObjectiveThe purpose of the study was to develop and validate a FoodEapp application (FoodEapp) for field staff with no formal education in nutrition (unskilled) to accurately collect 24-hour (24HR) dietary recall (DR) data to assess the dietary intake of adults in Karachi, Pakistan. MethodWe designed a novel FoodEapp application for unskilled data collectors to collect 24HR DR data. We validated the FoodEapp against the conventional 24HR DR method in rural and urban Karachi. We compared the mean intake of total energy (kcal), macronutrients, and micronutrients, reported through both methods using Pearson Correlation and Intraclass Correlation (ICC). We also used Bland Altman analysis to assess the agreement between the methods. ResultsWe found a high correlation between the two methods for total energy (ρ = 0.88, p-value < 0.001), protein (g) (ρ = 0.81, p-value < 0.001), total lipids (g) (ρ = 0.74, p-value < 0.001), and carbohydrates (g) (ρ = 0.68, p-value < 0.001). Bland Altman's analysis showed good agreement in all the nutrients between the two methods. ConclusionsFoodEapp has good validity and can be used to assess the dietary intake of the adult population in Karachi by non-nutritionists. This study may help overcome the limitation of dietary data collection and facilitate the researchers to conduct larger dietary surveys in Pakistan.

Patterns of smoked and smokeless tobacco use among multimorbid and non-multimorbid middle-aged and older-aged adults in Karachi, Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to compare the patterns of smoked and smokeless tobacco use among multimorbid and non-multimorbid middle-aged and older-aged individuals in Karachi, Pakistan.Study designThis was an...

Dietary Factors Influencing the Caries Status of Adults in Karachi, Pakistan: Initial Findings.

Objective: The objective was to identify the relationship between the dietary factors related to increases in the number of dental caries among an adult population group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving adult patients and their accompanying person, aged 18 years and above (n = 1730) visiting the dental outpatient department (OPD) of a public sector tertiary healthcare institute in Karachi, Pakistan. A 39-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was administered to the patients, followed by a dental caries assessment using Radke’s WHO criteria. Caries assessment data were transformed into the DMFT Index (D = decayed, M = missing, F = filled teeth). Factor analysis (FA) was performed using Stata v. 11.0, followed by assessing the internal consistency of the FFQ. Multilogistic analysis was performed to explore the association between dental caries (cut-off = 5) and other independent variables, considering a p-value < 0.05 as significant. Results: The mean age of participants in the group was 32.65 ± 10.49 years. The number of female participants (934; 54%) was higher than male participants (796; 46%). Of the total, 951 (52%) participants were married. The internal consistency value for the FFQ, as measured by Cronbach’s alpha, was 0.80. In addition to age and gender, out of four dietary patterns, only “cereals” were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with increased DMFT. Conclusion: This study established that the high intake of cereals is a contributory factor to the high prevalence of dental caries among adults.

Prevalence and Associated factors Of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction among Young Adults in Karachi

ABSTRACT&#x0D; Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors for temporomandibular joint dysfunction among young adult in Karachi.&#x0D; Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in (n=383) subjects with (n=165) males and (n=218) females aged between 18–30 years. The subjects were requested to answer Fonseca’s questionnaires, consisted on ten questions. The collected data sets were analyzed statistically through using the SPSS version 22.&#x0D; Result: A total (n=383) participants, the prevalence of TMD is 66.6%. The participant with TMD (66.6%) show 54.0% mild TMD, 12.0% moderate and 0.5% severe. Women with 61% showing TMD, as compare to men 73.93%. When considering only severe TMD, only women are affected 0.5%. Participant with any level of TMD show marked characteristics: 12.53% considered themselves tense people; 17.5% reported to clench or grind their teeth; 8.88% reported clicking of the temporomandibular joint; 24.28% reported frequent headache.&#x0D; Conclusion: The result of the study concluded that the TMD a high prevalence among young adult in Karachi, among participant with TMD most of the participants had mild TMD which reveals that in young population about half of the participants presented with mild TMD.&#x0D; Key Points: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), Mastication, Helkimo's indexes, Fonseca anamnestic Index (FAI)

Factors associated with chronic airflow limitation among adults in Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Using a fixed cut-off for defining airflow limitation might “over” or “under” estimate the diagnosis, hence, "over or under " estimation of risk factors associated with airflow limitation. Using absolute values of the FEV1/FVC ratio without using fixed cut-off has been less investigated in Pakistan. The objective was to determine the risk factors associated with chronic airflow limitation using absolute FEV1/FVC value among adults 18 years and above in the urban area of Karachi.Methods: A multi-stage, community-based survey was conducted in Karachi among adults 18 years and above, recruited from 75 randomly selected clusters. Interview through the American Thoracic Society respiratory questionnaire and spirometry was conducted among 919 participants. The outcome of interest was chronic airflow limitation defined as post-bronchodilator absolute FEV1/FVC ratio. Multivariable linear regression was done to determine factors associated with the post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio.Results: The mean (± SD) post-bronchodilator absolute FEV1/FVC ratio was 0.79 (± 0.07). Chronic airflow limitation was significantly associated with increasing age (Adj. β: -0.06, 95% CI: -0.07 to -0.05), illiteracy (Adj. β: -0.02, 95% CI: -0.03 to -0.004), mosquito coil use (Adj. β: -0.01, 95% CI: -0.02 to -0.002), pack-years of smoking for &gt;20 years (Adj. β: -0.06, 95% CI: -0.08 to -0.03), history of allergy (Adj. β: -0.02, 95% CI: -0.03 to -0.01) and family history of asthma (Adj. β: -0.02, 95% CI: (-0.03 to -0.001). Airflow improved with ventilated kitchen (Adj. β: 0.01, 95% CI: 0.002 to 0.022).Conclusion: Preventive measures should be targeted contextually to reduce smoking habits, enhance health literacy to eliminate indoor air pollutants and efficient environmental conditions with good ventilation inside households.

Knowledge and awareness regarding spread and prevention of COVID-19 among the young adults of Karachi.

To measure the awareness of COVID-19 infection among the general population following the outbreak in China. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out during January and February 2020 amongst the general population of Karachi, Pakistan. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used among 399 young adult participants. The questionnaire was developed keeping in view of the already published study on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the available literature on COVID-19. It included sociodemographic information, assessment of knowledge, beliefs regarding coronavirus and the perception of precautionary measures taken by an individual. Chi-square test was used for categorical variables and p<0.05 was used as statistically significant. There were more females 299 (75%) than male participants 100 (25%). The mean age was 20.9 ±2.30 years and 232 (58%) had graduate degrees. There is lack of knowledge and awareness about coronavirus as 226 (56.6%) participants claimed that coronavirus is actually the most dangerous virus in the world, and 171 (43%) did know that the common flu virus is potentially more lethal than coronavirus. Although a large majority of participants correctly identified sources of transmission, measures and precautions to be taken for coronavirus, their knowledge for symptom identification was deficient. The most pursued platform for information for coronavirus was found to be social media, followed by television and print media. The study highlighted the level of awareness of coronavirus among young adults in Karachi, Pakistan. The study further pointed out the public knowledge gaps for the authorities concerned to help them develop more effective and successful awareness campaigns using preferred channels.

HIGH FREQUENCY OF OSTEOPENIA IN YOUNG ADULTS OF KARACHI

Background: Osteopenia or low bone density, generally considered the disease of the old, is now sneaking around the younger generation. The increase in frequency of low trauma fractures is raising an alarm. This study was aimed to explore the frequency of osteopenia amongst young adults in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: Non-probability consecutive sampling was used to choose 116 subjects at Ziauddin University, Karachi, in January 2018. After informed consent participants underwent bone scans for measurement of bone mineral density on their calcaneus (bone in heel). Tocategorize osteopenia T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 was evaluated. All participants with T-score of -2.5 or below were identifiedas osteoporotic. The data were entered on IBM SPSS statistics version 20.0 and descriptive analysis was done. Results: Osteopenia was detected in 57 (49.1%) of the participants [42 (36.2%) male and 15 (12.9%) female] of which 38 (32.8%) belonged to aged 21 to 35 years. Osteoporosis was found in 20 (17.2%) of this group. In the older participants’ frequency of osteopenia and osteoporosis was 12.2% and 42.9% respectively. Chi square test indicated no significant association between age and bone scan results (p=0.432). Frequency of osteopenia was higher in males (56%) compared to females (36.6%) whereas, osteoporosis was higher in females (53.7%) than males (12%). Results showed statistically significant association (p&gt;0.01) with gender and bone scan results. Conclusion: Almost half the young adults in our study classified for osteopenia. Lifestyle modification factors are hypothesized to play an important role towards this high frequency. Further studies should evaluate risk factors for osteopenia in younger population.

Attitudes, knowledge and beliefs about dementia: focus group discussions with Pakistani adults in Karachi and Lahore

AbstractPakistan is a lower middle-income country, which to date has had very little research and policy making to address the challenge of dementia. This study aims to explore the perceptions of dementia in a group of Pakistani adults. A series of focus group discussions were completed during 2017 with men and women in two metropolitan centres in Pakistan (Lahore and Karachi) (N = 40). Two vignettes, depicting someone with mild dementia and someone with severe dementia, were used to facilitate discussions. An induction-led thematic analysis was completed. Five themes were identified, reflecting (a) dementia awareness, (b) responsibility, (c) barriers to health care, (d) identified support needs, and (e) religion. Most participants had little awareness and knowledge about dementia, commonly understood to be a disease of forgetting or just normal ageing. Thus, there is an urgent need of a nation-wide campaign to raise dementia awareness in Pakistan, though this needs to be accompanied by improved, accessible health and social care services.

Prevalence of Nicotine Dependence among Adults in Karachi, Pakistan

Prevalence of Nicotine Dependence among Adults in Karachi, Pakistan

Prevalence and Predictors of Asthma in the Megacity of Pakistan: Findings from the Adult Asthma Study-Karachi

Background/Aim: Scarce data is available regarding burden of asthma from spirometry-based epidemiological surveys, especially from low and middle income countries. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and predictors of asthma among adults in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: A multi-stage, community based cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 2014-August 2015 comprising of 1630 adults (≥ 18 years) from 75 randomly selected (out of 9400) clusters in Karachi. From each cluster, 25 households were randomly selected and all eligible participants were recruited. Data were collected through questionnaire-based interviews in Urdu, consisting of respiratory health related questions (American Thoracic Society (ATS) questionnaire), socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors for asthma. Pre and post-bronchodilator spirometry was performed according to the ATS criteria. The prevalence of asthma was calculated considering presence of respiratory symptoms with reversibility on spirometry (≥ 12% increase, post-bronchodilator) and/or history of physician-diagnosed asthma. Results: The overall prevalence of asthma was 6.6% (n=61; 95% CI: 5.0-8.1) among 930 participants with acceptable spirometry data. Asthma was less likely among the younger age group (AOR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.6) and those having birds and animals at home (AOR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.2-0.9). Asthma was more likely to occur among participants with history of allergies (AOR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.6-4.9) and those exposed to passive smoking at home (AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.4). Conclusions: This is the first robust epidemiological assessment regarding actual burden of asthma among adults in Pakistan, reporting a high burden in the country.

A Comparison between the Same-Ethnicity and Cross-Ethnicity Friendship Quality of Early Adults in Karachi

This research compares the friendship quality of young adults between same ethnicity and cross ethnicity in Karachi. The participants were 200 in total and were divided into 100 majority ethnic group and 100 minor ethnicity group. They answered the McGill Friendship Questionnaire-Responder’s (MFQ-RA). The results showed that there was no significant difference in the same ethnicity friendship quality between ethnic majority and minority groups. However, the comparison of the same ethnicity and cross ethnicity friendship quality by gender shows a significant difference in both positive feelings and satisfaction. Females got significantly higher friendship satisfaction in cross ethnicity but no significant difference in positive feeling.

Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Oral Health Related Quality of Life among Adults in Karachi, Pakistan - A Cross-Sectional Study

Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Oral Health Related Quality of Life among Adults in Karachi, Pakistan - A Cross-Sectional Study