District Thatta Research Articles

Identify the Archaeological Research of Thatta District Through Geo-Spatial Technologies: A Case Study of Makli Graveyard and Banbhore Fort

Archaeological studies with the help of geographic information systems and remote sensing have been used in temporal, spatial, regional analysis and to investigate traditional and historical ways of human life. Remote sensing alludes to a wide variety of high-technology methods for collecting data pertaining to the physical or chemical properties of an archaeological site survey. The aim of this study is to identify the archaeological site of Makli graveyard and Banbhore fort through satellite images and explore the major land cover patterns on the southern part of Sindh province using geospatial technologies. Additional goals are to evaluate and visualize the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the southern part of Sindh province. A landsat-8 OLI / TIRS of 20th December 2014 and a DEM image were used to classify land cover and artifacts at the site. The result indicates that historical monuments at Makli, and Banbhore fort, Thatta testify in an outstanding manner, to the civilization of the Sindh region. geographically, its location is vulnerable around the river. Banbhore has survived such threats and continued to flourish as the only and most important port of Sindh.

Determinants of demand for credit by smallholder farmers': a farm level analysis based on survey in Sindh, Pakistan

PurposeIn the developing countries, formal credit has dominant role for the development of agriculture sector. It increases the farmer's purchasing power for better farm inputs and agricultural technology for high crop productivity. The main purpose of this study is to examine the influence of socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder farmers for credit demand in Sindh, Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional data set randomly collected from 90 smallholder farmers in Thatta district, Sindh, Pakistan, is examined. Descriptive statistics, correlation and the OLS regression method were used to demonstrate the important factors affecting the demand for formal credit.FindingsThe results revealed that formal education, experience of farming, landholding size, road access and extension contacts positively and significantly influenced the demand for formal credit.Originality/valueThis study is the first, to the best of authors' knowledge, to demonstrate the influence of various socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder farmers on demand for formal credit in Sindh, Pakistan. It also illustrates the imperative contribution to the literature regarding credit access and demand to improve the agricultural productivity.

Using Remote Sensing for Identifying Suitable Areas for Flood Shelter: A Case Study of Thatta, Sindh Pakistan

The most recurring type of disaster in the world these days is flood because of the spread and extent of its effect on people, among all-natural disasters of the world. Human activities have paved the way for many of these flood behavior to change as they used to be in the past. Pakistan experienced one of the most devastating natural disasters in its history all across the country in 2010, but Thatta district in southern part got severely affected during this flood. For the research, a simple yet efficient methodology Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) by using remote sensing images for identifying flood hazard areas was utilized. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) helps in finding shelter areas with a minimum effect of floods. It is essential to realize the importance of mapped results in consideration of manual flood management in future. The method used in this study is robust enough to explain the flood hazard for suggesting suitable shelter sites in case of flooding events. This would help disaster management bodies and other related agencies to formulate the development plans while keeping the hazard areas, which are unsuitable for development due to flood risk in the future.

Using Remote Sensing for Identifying Suitable Areas for Flood Shelter: A Case Study of Thatta, Sindh Pakistan

The most recurring type of disaster in the world these days is flood because of the spread and extent of its effect on people, among all-natural disasters of the world. Human activities have paved the way for many of these flood behavior to change as they used to be in the past. Pakistan experienced one of the most devastating natural disasters in its history all across the country in 2010, but Thatta district in southern part got severely affected during this flood. For the research, a simple yet efficient methodology Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) by using remote sensing images for identifying flood hazard areas was utilized. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) helps in finding shelter areas with a minimum effect of floods. It is essential to realize the importance of mapped results in consideration of manual flood management in future. The method used in this study is robust enough to explain the flood hazard for suggesting suitable shelter sites in case of flooding events. This would help disaster management bodies and other related agencies to formulate the development plans while keeping the hazard areas, which are unsuitable for development due to flood risk in the future.

Assessing mobile phone access, usage, and willingness among women to receive voice message-based mobile health intervention to improve antenatal care attendance in district Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan

BackgroundPakistan has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios worldwide at 276/100,000 live births and only 51% percent of women receive four or more ANC visits. This means that there are missed opportunities for almost half of the women who were not able to seek the recommended antenatal visits. In Thatta district, the maternal mortality ratio is estimated at 313/100,000 live births. Various studies reported that mHealth interventions have proven to be effective to improve antenatal care and postnatal care services. However, the feasibility and effectiveness of mobile health interventions to increase uptake of preventive maternal healthcare services among pregnant women in different settings may be different due to differing patient demographics, cultural diversity, environmental and behavioral factors, availability and accessibility to mobile phones, and budgetary constraints. Prior to implementing a similar intervention in Thatta District, it is crucially important to assess the mobile phone access, usage and willingness among women to receive voice-message based mHealth intervention to improve antenatal care attendance.MethodsA cross-sectional quantitative study will be used to assess mobile phone access, usage and willingness among women to receive voice-message based mHealth intervention to improve antenatal care attendance in district Thatta. The study will be conducted in Thatta district of Sindh province. Married women of reproductive age (MWRA), who are residing in selected villages of Mirpur Sakro and willing to participate will be included in the study. Multistage sampling technique will be used to recruit the 415 study participants. A structured questionnaire has been designed on Epicollect to collect data from 415 women. Data will be analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 23, with a level of significance as < 0.05.DiscussionThis research project will provide invaluable information on the current access, usage of mobile phones among women of district Thatta and their willingness to receive voice messages to improve the antenatal care services. The study will also highlight demographic, sociocultural and economic factors associated with women willingness and readiness to receive voice messages regarding antenatal care.

Factors affecting the utilization of antenatal care among married women of reproductive age in the rural Thatta, Pakistan: findings from a community-based case-control study

BackgroundThere are differences in antenatal care (ANC) utilization between urban and rural areas of Pakistan. Although multiple factors have been studied affecting the utilization of general health care services, the effect of road network distance particularly on the utilization of ANC has not been assessed. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between road network distance from a health care facility and utilization of the ANC among women of reproductive age in Thatta Pakistan.MethodsA community-based case-control study was conducted in district Thatta, Pakistan. Women who did not utilize ANC services during their last pregnancy were considered as cases, while controls were the women who utilized ANC services during their last pregnancy. Questions related to socio-demographic, access-related factors and utilization of ANC were asked from women. Road network distance was calculated from the women’s home to the health care facility providing ANC services. Logistic regression analysis was performed.ResultsA total of 380 participants were interviewed in this study. Participants’ mean age and parity were 28 years (SD 5.65), and 3.5 (SD 2.6) respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that women living at a shorter distance of less than 5 km were 1.21 times likely to utilize ANC services [Adjusted OR. 1.21; 95% CI (0.49–2.99)]. Moreover, nulliparous women were 4.10 times likely to utilize antenatal care [Adjusted OR. 4.10; 95% CI (1.10–15.26)]. Similarly, women who had knowledge of antennal care were 6.60 times likely to utilize ANC services [Adjusted OR. 6.60; 95% CI (3.33–13.05)]. Women having electricity in their households were 3.15 times likely to utilize the ANC services [Adjusted OR. 3.11 95% CI (1.51–6.41)]. Women, living in well-constructed (Pakka) houses were 2.58 times likely to utilize the ANC services [Adjusted O.R: 2.58; 95% CI (1.15–5.82)].ConclusionRoad network distance has no measurable impact on ANC utilization among married women in Thatta district, Pakistan. Nulliparous women having knowledge of ANC living in well-constructed houses equipped with electricity were found to be utilizers of ANC services. It is recommended that awareness and health education sessions should be arranged for pregnant women in rural Pakistan.

Exploring women and traditional birth attendants\u2019 perceptions and experiences of stillbirths in district Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan: a qualitative study

BackgroundPakistan reports the highest stillbirth rate in the world at 43 per thousand births with more than three-quarters occurring in rural areas. The Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health maintains a Maternal and Newborn Health Registry (MNHR) in 14 study clusters of district Thatta, Sindh Pakistan. For the last 10 years, the MNHR has recorded a high stillbirths rate with a slow decline. This exploratory study was designed to understand the perspectives of women and traditional birth attendants regarding the high occurrence of stillbirth in Thatta district.MethodsWe used an exploratory qualitative study design by conducting in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) using semi-structured interview guide with rural women (FGDs = 4; n = 29) and traditional birth attendants (FGDs = 4; n = 14) who were permanent residents of Thatta. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with women who had experienced a stillbirth (IDIs = 4). This study presents perceptions and experiences of women and TBAs regarding high rate of stillbirth in Thatta district, Karachi.ResultsWomen showed reluctance to receive skilled/ standard care when in need due to apprehensions towards operative delivery, poor attitude of skilled health care providers, and poor quality of care as service delivery factors. High cost of care, far distance to facility, lack of transport and need of an escort from the family or village to visit a health facility were additional important factors for not seeking care resulting in stillbirth. The easy availability of unskilled provider in the form of traditional birth attendant is then preferred over a skilled health care provider. TBAs shared their husband or family members restrict them to visit or consult a doctor during pregnancy. According to TBAs after delivering a macerated fetus, women are given herbs to remove infection from woman‘s body and uterus. Further women are advised to conceive soon so that they get rid of infections.ConclusionWomen of this rural community carry lots of apprehension against skilled medical care and as a result follow traditional practices. Conscious efforts are required to increase the awareness of women to develop positive health seeking behavior during pregnancy, delivery and the post-partum period. Alongside, provision of respectful maternity care needs to be emphasized especially at public health facilities.

Effect of Metakaolin Developed from Local Soorh on Fresh Properties and Compressive Strength of Self-Compacted Concrete

This paper presents the fresh properties of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) containing metakaolin (MK) produced by calcination of the natural material soorh of district Thatta Sind in Pakistan. Five mixes were tested, including four MK mixes replacing 5-20% of cement, with 0.38 water/binder (W/B) ratio. The fresh properties of the SCCs were evaluated using slump flow, T50, V-funnel, J ring, L-box and sieve segregation tests. Compressive strength of the control and the MK SCC was also investigated. The fresh concrete test results revealed that SCC could be developed by substituting cement with local MK, using 2% superplasticizers and without using a viscosity-modifying amplifier. The SCC with 15% replacement of cement with local MK showed maximum compressive strength, which was 10.39% higher than the control specimen’s without MK.

Prevalence and predictors of respiratory symptoms and illnesses among farmers: a cross-sectional survey, Pakistan.

Occupational exposures are one of the major causes of chronic respiratory symptoms and illnesses, where farming and its related activities make a significant contribution, especially in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan. This study aimed to estimate burden of chronic respiratory symptoms and illnesses among farmers and to identify associated factors. A translated version of American Thoracic Society Division of Lung Disease questionnaire (ATS-DLD-78A) was used among 381 farmers in Thatta District, Pakistan in 2011. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between socio-demographic and occupational risk factors and respiratory illnesses. Chronic wheeze was reported in 65.9% of farmers exposed to pesticides compared to 34.1% of farmers not exposed (P-value: 0.10). Frequencies of other health events were almost similar among the two groups. On multivariable logistic regression analysis every 5 year increase in age of the farmer increased the risk of having respiratory illnesses by 18% (Adjusted OR [AOR]: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03-1.35). Each 1000 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) increase in household income increased the risk of having respiratory illnesses by 10% (AOR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01-1.25). Occupational Health and safety is a neglected area in many parts of the country especially when it comes to farmers. This study highlights the importance of factors other than pesticides impacting the respiratory health of the farmers, emphasizing on those who smoke tobacco.

Wind Potential Assessment Analysis of Jhampir, District Thatta Sindh, Pakistan

Wind potential analysis is analyzing how much wind energy is available in particular region. It is most important step because the economics of project depends on the site wind resources. Wind plant depends on the variation of long-term mean wind speed and other characteristics which vary from a distance to distance. This study discusses the wind speed characteristics and wind potential analysis using three years 2014-2016 wind data of Jhampir located in district Thatta, situated in the Southeast of Sindh province. The numerical Weibull distribution approach is used to estimate parameters. The correct estimation of wind parameters and class is essential before developing any wind project in the region. The data used in this study is measured at 80 m height. The region is classified as from class 1-7. The results show that monthly mean speed values lie between 4.79-10.96 m/s. The annual mean scale and shape parameters lie in the range of 7.42-7.59. The wind power density was found in a range of 303.31355.64. This study is related to the decision-making process on a significant wind project in Thatta or nearby region. The stable wind energy pattern is observed in the region for harnessing wind energy almost throughout the year. The Weibull probability density curves also indicate a trend of a boost in the chances of observing wind from 2014-2016.

Prevalence, mechanical transmission and impact of environmental conditions on cucumber mosaic disease in Sindh

Cucumber mosaic virus (Genus: Cucumovirus, Family: Bromoviridae) is major pathogen of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Pakistan and may cause up to 100 % losses. Therefore, this survey based study was planned to determine the disease intensity in fields, mechanical transmission for confirmation of virus and analysis of influence of environmental conditions on the disease development. The disease was monitored on 30 plants at each site in district Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Thatta and Shaheed Benazirabad. There were seven sites at each district for observations. Metrological data collected from Regional Agro Metrological Centre, ARI Tandojam Sindh was correlated with the disease intensity. The disease incidence was ranging, 40- 77, 37- 70, 63- 100 and 30- 90%, at district Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Thatta and Shaheed Benazirabad, respectively. District wise, there was highly significant variation among incidence of cucumber mosaic disease (Df= 3, F= 20.59, P= 0.0000). Maximum disease incidence was recorded at Thatta (81.0%). However, overall severity of cucumber mosaic in all the surveyed districts was 2-score. On mechanical inoculation, after 15 days necrotic lesions were only found on the leaves of Chenopodium amaranticolor inoculated with sap of symptomatic leaves. Maximum, minimum temperature (℃) and evaporation showed significant relation (r2= 0.883, P= 0.0053, r2= 0.664, P= 0.0482 and r2= 0.827, P= 0.0119, respectively) only with the disease incidence but not with severity. Cloudiness was highly significantly related with disease severity (r2= 0.975, P= 0.0002) but there was non-significant relationship with disease incidence (r2= 0.600, P= 0.0705). Keywords: Cucumber; Disease intensity; Environmental conditions; Mechanical transmission; Mosaic virus http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2019.80046

Factors associated with anemia among women of the reproductive age group in Thatta district: study protocol

BackgroundMaternal anemia is a leading public health issue placing pregnant women at higher risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, perinatal mortality, and neonatal mortality. Women in developing countries are at higher risk of anemia which could be either due to micronutrient deficiencies, hemoglobinopathies, infections or other socio-demographic factors. Thus, it is highly essential to explore the factors of anemia among women of the reproductive age group in order to design suitable interventions. The primary objective of this study is to assess the biological and socio-demographic factors that are associated with anemia among the women of the reproductive age group in Thatta district.MethodsAn exploratory mixed method study using quantitative and qualitative approaches will be conducted in district Thatta Pakistan from September 2018 to January 2019. In the qualitative phase, data will be collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews to understand the perceptions of women, their husbands and healthcare providers about anemia. In addition, a quantitative approach using cross-sectional study will be conducted to determine biological and socio-demographic factors associated with anemia. Approximately 150 non-pregnant women and their spouses will be included in the quantitative component of the study. In addition to thematic analysis for the qualitative component, Logistic regression will be done to calculate adjusted Odds ratios with their respective 95% CIs to assess the factors associated with anemia.DiscussionThe better understanding of biological, socio-demographic factors and community perceptions of anemia will help us to design strategies and interventions to better address anemia during the reproductive cycle in rural areas of Pakistan. This will help the researchers and policymakers to take the appropriate action accordingly by designing suitable approaches to address the specific type of anemia in the rural population of Pakistan. This will, in turn, reduce the chances of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes associated with anemia.

Assessment of wind energy potential using wind energy conversion system

Wind energy, as a renewable resource, is the most rapidly growing source that produces electrical energy using wind turbines. Such a wind energy conversion system is both economical and is environmental friendly. It requires understanding of wind conditions at the site under study. With this intent, wind characteristics of Jhampir (district Thatta Sindh, Pakistan) are investigated and wind energy potential is determined. The study is conducted using 10-min averaged wind speed data obtained from Alternate Energy Development Board of Pakistan for a period of three years (2007–2010). Monthly, seasonal, and yearly analysis is performed by fitting measured wind speed data to a Weibull distribution function. Weibull shape and scale parameters are determined numerically using Maximum Likelihood Method, Modified Maximum Likelihood Method, and Energy Pattern Factor Methods. The suitability of the fit is assessed using goodness-of-fit tests, such as, Root Mean Square Error, Coefficient of Determination (R2), and Chi-Square (χ2) tests. In all three data analysis periods, RMSE values varied between 10−2 and 10−4. Similarly, R2 values varied between 0.989 and 0.996 and χ2-test between 10−4 and 10−8. For entire data set, all the tests showed better performance of Maximum Likelihood and Modified Maximum Likelihood Methods compared to Energy Pattern Factor. In case of monthly analysis, Maximum Likelihood Method performed better compared to Modified Maximum Likelihood Method and Energy Pattern Factor according to root mean square error and χ2 tests results. Seasonal performance of all the methods is found to be similar with marginal superiority of MLM over other methods. A very good agreement is observed between standard deviation values for measured wind speed data distribution and fitted Weibull distribution using Maximum Likelihood Method estimator. Additionally, to understand the optimum directional efficiency, directional wind power densities are calculated. Finally, a wind turbine is used to the seasonal and yearly wind speed data to determine the actual wind energy potential of the site. Extracted wind energy values for four seasons are found to be 1691, 2851, 4572, and 916 kWh with an annual yield of 10054 kWh. Wind energy values obtained for different periods and directions suggest that Jhampir is a suitable site for developing the wind power plant.

Pathogenesis and Varietal Screening for Panama Wilt Disease of Banana in Pakistan

Banana is the world largest fruit crop with an annual production of 114 million tonnes and Pakistan produces 154,800 tons annually. Panama wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is the most widespread and destructive banana diseases worldwide. In Pakistan Panama disease was first recorded in 2012 in few banana fields of district Thatta and Hyderabad in the Sindh. The infection processes and mechanisms of pathogenesis of Foc in relation to symptoms expression and evaluation of Cavendish varieties for panama wilt of banana were studied. Pathogenesis was confirmed by establishing Koch’s postulates. The experiment was to evaluate occurrences of necrotic and wilting symptoms and the disease intensity on banana suckers of Cavendish cultivar, two months plantlets were artificially inoculated with 106 conidia/ml suspension of Foc. Five tested Cavendish varieties viz., w11, G9, Basari, Pisang and BT10 showed low to high average of score of wilting and necrotic symptoms. Based on the calculation of disease intensities, all Cavendish varieties tested were identified as susceptible to Foc infection.

Evaluation of drinking water quality using the water quality index (WQI), the synthetic pollution index (SPI) and geospatial tools in Thatta district, Pakistan

Evaluation of drinking water quality using the water quality index (WQI), the synthetic pollution index (SPI) and geospatial tools in Thatta district, Pakistan

Nutritional Analysis of Some Rangeland Species for Camel Browsing at Thatta District of Pakistan

Nutritional Analysis of Some Rangeland Species for Camel Browsing at Thatta District of Pakistan

Length-weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Five Carp Species from Keenjhar Lake, District Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan

In current investigations on the relationship of length and weight of 5 carps were presented, total 256 fish were caught between September 2016 and August 2017 from Keenjhar Lake District Thatta, Sindh. Cyprinus carpio were 77 out of which 50 males and 27 females, with total length ranging from 34.3 to 36.6 cm 33.7 to 37.4 cm respectively, Labeo rohita were 75, 45 males and 30 females with total length ranging from 32.0 to 39.0 cm, and 40.9 to 45.7cm respectively.Cirrhinus mrigala was 45 out of which 20 males and 25 females, with a total length ranging from 41.3to 43.2 cm, and 43.4 to 46.6 cm respectively. In case of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix the total number was 33 which of 15 males and 18 females with the total length ranging from 39.3 to 41.9 cm and 42.3 to 44.2 cm respectively and 26 were Catla catla 14 males and 12 females with total length ranging from 33.7 to 36.2 cm from 42.5 to 44.9 cm respectively.The length weight relationships andcorrelation of co efficient was analyzed for either sex separately. In the present studies values of b varied from 3.11 and 2.81 male and female of Cyprinus carpio, forLabeo rohita 2.79 and 2.65 respectively,3.94 and 2.87 male and female of Cirrhinus mrigalaof the b value of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in male 2.85 and 2.65 in female for Catla catla in male and female 2.70 and 2.77.Calculated coefficient of condition in Cyprinus carpio found to be 1.04, 0.94 in male and female respectively, Labeo rohita 0.97, 1.17 for male and female respectively, in Cirrhinus mrigala found to be 1.07, 0.98 in male and female respectively, for Hypophthalmichthys molitrixand Catla catla 0.89, 0.91, 0.93, and 0.97male and female respectively. The studies reveled that Cirrhinus mrigala showed better growth and pursued cube law (b=3.94) followed by Cyprinus carpio (b=3.11) while Labeo rohita (b=2.79) and Catla catla (b=2.70) exhibited closed to ideal and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix showed poor b values (b=1.85). L/W values and coefficient of condition showed ideal growth of five carp species from Keenjhar Lake, District Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan.

Origin of Salinity and Other Constituents in Indus Deltaic Plain Groundwater, Thatta District, Pakistan

ABSTRACT Naseem, S.; Husain, V., and Bano, S., 2018. Origin of salinity and other constituents in Indus deltaic plain groundwater, Thatta District, Pakistan. Physico-chemical and microbiological analyses of 32 groundwater samples from the Sujawal and Makli areas of Thatta District, Sindh Province, Pakistan, were carried out to reveal the source of major ions and high salinity. Data reveal that aquifers in the study area show high salinity due to various geochemical phenomena, including cation exchange, mineral dissolution, evaporation, seawater intrusion, and anthropogenic activities. Shallow wells in the area are highly polluted due to unlined sanitation ponds, fish ponds, and waste dumps, as shown by microbiological data. Minerals found in subsurface soil are quartz, calcite, calcian-albite, muscovite, and phlogopite, which could be sources of high salinity and fluoride in groundwater. High arsenic in subsurface soil can be related with Holocene aquifers. However, the alkaline pH and oxic nature of the ...

Evaluation of three serological tests for diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in smallholder farms in Pakistan by estimating sensitivity and specificity using Bayesian latent class analysis

The present study aimed to estimate the herd-level sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of three commonly used serological tests in naturally-infected cattle and buffalo in smallholder farms in Pakistan. Between February and June 2015, a cross-sectional study was carried out in five districts of Punjab (Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Jhelum, and Bhakkar) and two districts of Sindh (Badin and Thatta). Serum samples from mixed farms of cattle (n=441) and buffalo (n=621) were collected and tested using the Rose Bengal test (RBT), indirect ELISA (I-ELISA) and competitive ELISA (C-ELISA). A Bayesian latent class analysis (LCA) approach was used to estimate the Se and Sp of these three serological tests and the true herd-level prevalence in each district. The model was fitted under the assumption of conditional independence between three tests and also conditional dependence by including covariances between the two ELISAs. In addition, the model was fitted using three different shapes of beta distributions to incorporate prior information in the model. The test with the highest Se was the C-ELISA, with a range from 76.3% (95% PCI (Posterior Credibility Interval), 62.6–88.2%) to 81.4% (95% PCI, 68.2–92.8%). The RBT was found to have the highest Sp (99.1–99.4%) of the tests. The highest estimated herd-level prevalence, 45% (95% PCI, 32–59%), was found in Jhelum district and the lowest in Thatta district, 1.1% (95% PCI 0.04–6.0%). The results of this study identified some discrepancy between the published literature on the level of Se of these tests, especially for RBT. It appears that RBT has lower Se and higher Sp when used in the field conditions of the present study. Consequently, it is recommended that none of the evaluated tests should be performed in isolation for the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in the field conditions of Pakistan, but the use of tests in combination, with RBT and C-ELISA used in parallel returning optimal Se and Sp, is warranted.

The relationship between contraceptive use and unintended pregnancies among married women in Thatta district, Pakistan.

Background & aim: The rate of unintended pregnancy has decreased from 24% to 16% in the last four to five years in Pakistan. However, this rate stills varies among the women living in the rural and urban areas of Pakistan. The females residing in the rural areas are less likely to have many contraceptive choices and receive no/low-quality family planning services; as a result, they end up with birth control failure and unintended pregnancy. Regarding this, more studies are needed to investigate the association between the unintended pregnancy and contraceptive use, particularly in the rural areas of Pakistan.Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between contraceptive use and unintended pregnancy among the women at reproductive age living in Thatta district, Sindh, Pakistan. Methods:This nested case-control study was conducted on the women living in Thatta district during June 2011-July 2012. The pregnant women who did not want more children were considered as cases, and those who intended to have more children were considered as controls. The categorical and continuous variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test and independent t-tests, respectively. Results: According o the results of the present study, the use of contraceptive methods was significantly associated with increased risk of unintended pregnancy among the women living in Thatta district [OR: 2.77 (1.46-5.25)]. Moreover, there was 14% increased risk of unintended pregnancy with one year increase in the age of the women [OR: 1.14 (1.10-1.19)]. The age at marriage showed negative association with unintended pregnancy [OR: 0.92 (0.87-0.97)]. The women having at least one son (alive) were almost three times more likely to report their recent pregnancies as unintended, compared to those with no living son [OR: 2.97 (1.82-4.84)]. In addition, the husband’s education and their opposition with the use of family planning methods [OR 2.16 (1.06-4.39)] were found to be associated with unintended pregnancy. Conclusion: As the findings of the present study indicted, the unintended pregnancy is likely to occur when the women have achieved their desired family size as evidenced by the higher mean age and presence of at least one living son. We recommend to improve the quality of care and family planning services to deal with issues of birth control failure by taking such measures as the provision of emergency contraception and support.