Male Family Members Research Articles

Community-led interventions to re-engage people living with HIV into care in Pakistan

Background: By 2021, Pakistan had an estimated 210 000 people living with HIV (PLHIV), and 27% of those initiated into treatment in 2020 had disengaged from care within one year. Aim: We assessed the effectiveness of an intervention to re-engage PLHIV lost to follow-up into care in Pakistan. Methods: Between September 2020 and May 2021, the Association of People Living with HIV (APLHIV) implemented a search and rescue intervention for PLHIV lost to follow-up in 2 large treatment centres in Pakistan. The centre staff reviewed records to identify those not in care for > 6 months and from September 2020 to May 2021, the APLHIV tracked them through telephone calls and home visits to re-engage them into care. We used SAS version 9.4 to analyse the data and univariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with disengagement and becoming untraceable. Results: Among the 4184 PLHIV registered (74% male), 36% (1517) (83.9% male, 15.4% female, 0.7% transgender) had disengaged from care. APLHIV members tracked 696 (46%) of them; 295 (42%) were deceased and 325 (47%) were reengaged into care. Reasons for disengagement were long distance from the ART centre or lack of resources (45%), injecting drug use (19%), adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy (9%), disinformation (9%), no male family member to accompany them to treatment centre after the death of husband (3%), and no reason given (15%). Injecting drug users and males were more likely to be lost to follow-up, and males were more likely to be untraceable. Conclusion: This community-led intervention successfully re-engaged many PLHIV into care. The community-led reengagement intervention should be upscaled to reduce loss to care and follow-up in Pakistan, especially among injecting drug users and male PLHIV.

The Transformative Power of Bihar Self Help Groups in Women and Economic Empowerment

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Bihar have given women a stronger voice by providing a platform to connect, share stories, and support one another. Consequently, women’s confidence, social status, and ability to advocate for themselves have all increased due to the collective power of their groups. Additionally, the financial independence and reduced reliance on male family members have enabled women in SHGs to engage in more income generating activities.

<문둥이 처녀 거둔 남자>에 나타난 활인(活人)의 양상과 전승 인식

This paper examines the aspects of “saving lives” (활인) and the perception of transmission among narrators in the folktale The Man Who Took in the Leper Maiden. The tale revolves around a female character, abandoned by her family due to leprosy, who encounters a man and his family on the road. Thanks to their care, she is eventually brought back to health. In this tale, the aspects of “saving lives” are analyzed from the following two aspects: “treating her as a human” and “providing practical care.” First, “treating her as a human” involves the male character approaching the leper maiden, who was abandoned even by her family, without hesitation. He engages her in conversation, walks alongside her, and sleeps with her. He treats her not as a leper but as a human being. Although the male character might not have intended it, his actions—accepting the “leper body,” which was shunned and isolated—instilled in the female character a strong desire for life. Meanwhile, “providing practical care” includes all the actions that helped the maiden survive, recover from her illness, and regain normalcy. This ranged from taking the homeless maiden into their home and providing her with meals and medicinal food. The narrative especially focuses on the “process of obtaining medicinal substances” by the male character, while the care activities of the female character are not elaborately described, except in versions narrated by female narrators. The maiden's recovery from her illness is depicted as “shedding her skin,” symbolizing her “social rebirth.” She re-enters the community, regains her lost position, unveils her hidden abilities, and restores her status as a social being. This type of tale can vary, depending on the sex and individual characteristics of the narrators, revealing diverse perceptions of the leper and the issue of accepting and embracing them. Female narrators particularly emphasize the care activities of the female character, portraying them prominently in the narrative. By directly expressing the voice of the leper maiden regarding the care provided by the wife, they also highlight the “emotional bond formed through the caregiving relationship.” The female narrator’s tendency to depict such narratives can be interpreted as a reflection of her experiential perception that considers women as primary caregivers. Meanwhile, some narratives depict the relationships between male family members and the maiden as “reciprocal relationships” and “family relationships.” This variation is a reflection of the narrator’s ethical burden to accept the leprous maiden under the premise of “human compassion and duty.”

‘Sons go wrong without fathers’: Australian children and absent serviceman fathers in the Second World War

This article analyses the perceived problems and proposed solutions concerning absent Australian servicemen fathers during the Second World War, and places them within the broader context of contemporary ideas about masculinity. The absence of servicemen fathers led to concerns from all areas of society about the impact on their children, in particular sons. There were fears that being raised solely by women would lead to boys becoming lonely, effeminate, spoilt, or juvenile delinquents. It was suggested that existing male family members, such as uncles and grandfathers, as well as male teachers, act as surrogate fathers and become role models. Boys’ clubs, such as Scouts and the YMCA, also provided boys with access to male role models, and their weekly meetings, Father Son events, and camping provided opportunities for imparting the ‘code of boyhood’ and the development of masculine qualities.

Correlates of Adherence to Oral and Vaginal Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) Participating in the MTN-034/REACH Trial.

We evaluated correlates of adherence to PrEP, including daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in combination emtricitabine (oral FTC/TDF)and the monthly dapivirine ring (ring)among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in the MTN-034/REACH study. We enrolled 247 AGYW aged 16-21years in South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03074786). Participants were randomized to the order of oral FTC/TDF or ring use for 6months each in a crossover period, followed by a 6-month choice period. We assessed potential adherence correlates-individual, interpersonal, community, study, and product-related factors-quarterly via self-report. We measured biomarkers of adherence monthly; high adherence was defined as > 4mg dapivirine released from returned rings or intracellular tenofovir diphosphate levels ≥ 700 fmol/punch from dried blood spots (DBS). We tested associations between correlates and objective measures of high adherence using generalized estimating equations. High adherence to oral FTC/TDF was significantly associated with having an older primary partner (p = 0.04), not having exchanged sex in the past 3months (p = 0.02), and rating oral FTC/TDF as highly acceptable (p = 0.003). High ring adherence was significantly associated with unstable housing (p = 0.01), disclosing ring use to a male family member (p = 0.01), and noting a social benefit from study participation (p = 0.03). All associations were moderate, corresponding to about 6%-10% difference in the proportion with high adherence. In our multinational study, correlates of adherence among African AGYW differed for oral FTC/TDF and the ring, highlighting the benefit of offering multiple PrEP options.

Linguistic and cultural specificity of euphemistic gender nominations (on the material of Uzbek, Russian and English languages)

The research work is devoted to euphemistic nominations, created according to the pragmatic principle of politeness, which contain national and cultural information. The object of the research work was the euphemisms of gender (about 100 units), obtained by continuous sampling from the most representative explanatory dictionaries of the Uzbek, Russian and English languages. The subject of the research work is the linguistic and cultural specificity of euphemistic nominations of gender. The purpose of the research work is to identify the linguacultural specifics of euphemistic gender-related nominations. Since euphemistic substitutes are used in a particular community and are influenced by socio-cultural factors, they are strongly marked by socio-cultural features used by male and female representatives of Uzbek, Russian and English society. Using the cross-cultural method, we found that in addition to the idiosyncratic national context, there are phenomena in language systems, both universal and differential, including semantic universals and linguo-pragmatic maxims. The novelty of the research work lies in the comparative analysis, which makes it possible to identify universal and differential approaches to the use of euphemistic nominations in different cultures and social contexts. This is an innovative approach that contributes to the understanding of how sociolinguistic factors influence the formation and use of euphemisms in different languages. The results of the research work showed that gender-polite euphemistic nominations that arose within the framework of politically correct ideology contribute to the preservation of the communicant's cognitive space, recognizing the rights of women and expressing respect. They prevent insults but are not necessarily sincere expressions of sympathy and interest, rather, as the analysis of the study showed, these are formal and etiquette constructions. It has been proved that the specifics of the national culture and lifestyle of the Uzbek (in family relations, male family members refer to the female gender by certain word forms), Russian and English peoples, as well as the unique features of their mentality, are the basis for using euphemistic nominations to describe the gender-thematic group.

Intrahousehold food allocation social norms and food taboos in rural Ethiopia: The case of adolescent girls

BackgroundIn low-income countries, social norms play a significant role in intrahousehold food allocation practices. These norms can sometimes lead to discrimination against specific groups, posing a public health concern. This study focuses on the social norm surrounding food allocation within households and food taboos affecting adolescent girls in rural Ethiopia. MethodA qualitative study was conducted using vignettes as prompts for 20 focus group discussions and 32 in-depth interviews. The vignettes were tailored to the local context. Participants were chosen purposefully, and data were collected in a comfortable setting. All sessions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was done using Open Code qualitative analysis software with a thematic framework approach. FindingsIn the community, adolescent girls were expected to eat after serving the male family members. Those who did not follow this expectation faced sanctions such as being labeled as disrespectful and could even be insulted or beaten by their spouses and siblings. However, there were some exceptions to this rule, such as when girls were giving birth, breastfeeding, sick, or when male family members were traveling. Certain foods were also prohibited for adolescent girls, including spicy foods like chili, animal products such as meat and milk, and nuts. These foods were believed to increase girls' sexual desire, potentially leading them to engage in premarital or extramarital sex. Additionally, eating outside of the house was not considered appropriate behavior for adolescent girls in this community. ConclusionIn many households, social norms dictate that adolescent girls are not given enough food or are denied essential nutrients for their health. It is important to challenge these norms to ensure fair food distribution within households and support the healthy development of adolescent girls.

Barriers to exclusive breastfeeding practice among HIV-positive mothers in Tanzania. An exploratory qualitative study.

Ensuring optimal nutrition through early breastfeeding is vital for infant mental development and overall health. HIV infections complicate decisions regarding exclusive breastfeeding, jeopardizing effective infant and young child feeding, which affects nutrition and health outcomes. Recognizing the lack of evidence on barriers to infant feeding in the context of HIV in Tanzania, this study was conducted to explore individual, household, and community obstacles in the Ilala district, Dar es Salaam. A case study design employing a qualitative approach was used. The study was executed at the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Clinic within Amana Regional Referral Hospital, Mnazi Mmoja Health Centre, and Buguruni Health Centre. Data collection ensued through the purposive sampling of healthcare providers and HIV-positive mothers, utilizing in-depth interview techniques. The textual data accrued were analyzed using inductive and deductive content analysis strategies, thereby enabling the delineation and formulation of principal thematic constructs. The study involved interviews with twenty-seven key informants, encompassing HIV-positive mothers, nurses, clinicians, and community-based healthcare workers. The analysis of these interviews resulted in the identification of three major themes. Firstly, individual barriers to exclusive breastfeeding were delineated, encompassing sub-themes such as occupation-related hectic schedules, early motherhood-related non-compliance to safe infant feeding directives, postpartum depression, and issues related to breast sores and abscesses. Secondly, household-level barriers were identified, highlighting challenges like food insecurity and inaccessibility to key resources, the influence of male partners and family members on decision-making, and barriers arising from non-disclosure of HIV status affecting Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) support. Lastly, community-level barriers were explored, revealing a sub-theme related to the low retentivity of HIV-positive women in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programs. Individual barriers encompass practical, psychological, and physical challenges, while household-level obstacles include food insecurity, limited resources, and family dynamics influencing decisions. At the community level, there's a concern about the low retentivity of HIV-positive women in PMTCT programs, indicating broader societal challenges in supporting exclusive breastfeeding. There is a need for tailored interventions at individual, household, and community levels to promote and support optimal infant feeding practices among HIV-positive women.

Challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in rural India: A mixed-method study on perception

Women entrepreneurs confront myriad issues related to economic, social, familial, market environments, and regulatory challenges in the rural Indian setting. These issues must be identified and characterized for designing policies/strategies to promote women's entrepreneurship. Accordingly, the key objective of this research is to identify and discuss challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in India, with a particular focus on rural areas of Rajasthan. Furthermore, the present research also investigates the inter-relationships between the challenges to determine the impact potential of individual challenges and issues. A mixed-method approach is adopted in the present article. Initially, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted to identify significant challenges and barriers confronted by women entrepreneurs in the selected region. A total of 120 responses were collected based on a purposive sampling procedure. The significant issues are further characterized using Interpretive Structural Modeling and MICMAC analysis. The research discloses that a lack of cooperation from male family members, weak bargaining power, self-esteem issues, psychological barriers, lack of government support, absence of adequate regulatory policies, problems in attracting customers, corruption, and other market behaviors as the major challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. The article also reports the impact potential of these challenges through a hierarchical model.

Exploring inheritance, and clinical penetrance of distal Xq28 duplication syndrome: insights from 47 new unpublished cases

BackgroundDistal Xq28 duplication, or int22h1/int22h2-mediated Xq28 duplication syndrome, leads to cognitive impairment, neurobehavioral issues, and facial dysmorphisms. Existing literature has limited information on clinical traits and penetrance.MethodsWe identified cases of distal Xq28 duplication (chrX: 154,126,575–154,709,680, GRCh37/hg19) through a review of clinical records and microarray reports from five centers, encompassing both postnatal and prenatal cases, with no prior family knowledge of the duplication.ResultsOur search found 47 cases across 26 families, with duplications ranging from 208 to 935 Kb. In total, 8 out of 26 index cases featured a 200–300 kb partial duplication, mainly from Armenian/Caucasian Jewish backgrounds. Most prenatal cases showed no major fetal ultrasound malformations. Of cases with known inheritance mode (15 out of 26), maternal inheritance was more common (80%). The study identified seven male carriers of the duplication from six unrelated families, indicating partial penetrance in males.ConclusionOur study provides key insights into distal Xq28 duplication. Most prenatal tests showed no major fetal ultrasound issues. Maternal inheritance was common, with unaffected mothers. In the postnatal group, a balanced gender distribution was observed. Among male family members, two fathers had ADHD, one was healthy, and one brother had mild symptoms, indicating partial penetrance in males.

Saudi women STEM pioneers: penetrating the mud ceiling.

Although researchers actively study women's experiences in STEM fields, few do so from women's perspective. We thematically analyzed life narrative semi-structured interview data (46-item open-ended instrument, 90-120 Min) from eight STEM pioneering Saudi Arabian women careerists (mathematics, medicine, and biology) (convenience sample summer 2023). The objective was to glean their insights to discern self-reported influences (internal and external), struggles, and challenges in launching and advancing their careers. The extremely accomplished participants (all married, most with children) averaged age 65+, had 40+ years of experience and came from the three largest Saudi provinces. Important factors influencing choosing STEM included personality traits (e.g., deep desire to academically succeed; problem focused); secondary school peer/academic learning experiences; and male family member support, especially fathers. Struggles and challenges (often viewed as opportunities) included the mud (not glass) ceiling; male colleagues' harsh, prejudiced treatment; and unsupportive administration. Participants were research driven and willing to relocate, re-educate, and change direction to establish and advance their careers. Implications for future research and policy initiatives are woven into the discussion and recommendations.

Mobile Phone Usage Pattern of Women of Santal Tribe in West Bengal, India

The phenomenal rise of mobile phones in the country can be ascribed to the construction of a wide network and diverse mobile phone services available to users from all walks of life. The greatest success of the mobile phone revolution can be explained by its increasing density and remotest reach where no roads exist or people struggle for basic healthcare facilities. It has become a ubiquitous part of life. This commonplace instrument has become an important communication tool in the modern world. With 52,963 residents, West Bengal makes up 5.8% of the state’s total population and 5.01% of all tribal people in the country. Santal, which shares common states of habitation with West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and Tripura, is the third most populous tribe after Bhil and Gond. The usage patterns of women of Santal tribe in West Bengal, India, served as the basis for this study. The Singur block in West Bengal’s Hooghlydistrict served as the study’s location. Ten Santal tribal women in the age range of 18 to 38 were chosen in total. We conducted in-depth interviews with every participant. It was discovered that women of all ages owned mobile phones, either from self-affordance purchases or inheritance from male family members. They use their phones for various reasons, such as making calls and chatting on social media platforms like WhatsApp, but mostly for their own or their children’s educational requirements

Improving women's financial literacy as a means of social inclusion

This article explains how much financial education has helped women become self-sufficient in handling family finances without consulting a male family member. In this research, we examine how well-informed urban, semi-urban, and college-educated women are about the many investing opportunities available to them. Given that the gender ratio in the United States is 933 women for every 1000 men and the female literacy rate is 60.6% compared to the male literacy rate of 81.3%, it is critical to educate women about money management in order to improve the economy. The ability to understand and manage one's finances is a crucial tool for surviving economic and emotional hardships, as it can shed light on the wide range of opportunities available for generating sustainable income. Women who are financially literate are in a position to make decisions based on a broad understanding of personal finance and a variety of practical considerations. Those that are financially educated are able to make sound decisions about their money, whether it be saving, investing, borrowing, or something else. Given the myriad ways in which financial literacy influences Behaviour, the process of financial education, the attainment of financial literacy, and monetary well-being (Lusardi and Mitchell, 2014), it is clear that improving financial literacy is crucial.

Healthcare Professional's Attitudes Toward Male Nurses Working in the Context of Pediatric Care.

To examine the attitudes of healthcare professionals (HCPs) toward male nurses working in the context of pediatric care. This cross-sectional quantitative using purposeful sampling of 135 participants. The questionnaire gathered socio-demographic data, including age, gender, marital status, nationality, and education. It also examined cultural influences and beliefs as barriers. The opinions about male nurses were evaluated using the attitude of people toward men in the nursing profession (AMnQ) scale. The relationship between attitudes toward men in nursing and cultural/organizational factors had no statistical differences (P > .05). However, age groups, encouraging male family members to pursue nursing, and working with male nurses in pediatric units showed statistically different attitude levels (P = .029, .008, .001). HCPs' positive attitude toward male nurses can eliminate gender bias. Male nurses serve as role models, supervising and monitoring work. Nursing education programs must address this challenge and promote gender balance to attract more men to the profession. The nursing field is evolving, with more male pediatric nurses joining the workforce. However, male pediatric nurses face challenges in leadership and management roles due to gender bias, lack of career advancement opportunities, and inadequate support from colleagues. They also struggle to build relationships with patients and families due to societal norms and gender stereotypes. Nursing leadership must address these issues to create a more inclusive environment for male pediatric nurses, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare services for pediatric patients.

‘We had that abortion together’: abortion networks and access to il/legal abortions in Turkey

Abortion was legalised in Turkey in 1983 with a 10-week limit, restrictions on who could provide abortions, and spousal or parental consent requirements. Currently, although abortion is legal, because of structural barriers, access is restricted (O’Neil, Altuntaş, and Keskin 2020). This study aimed to investigate how women strategically mobilise their social networks to overcome such restrictions to abortion care. Drawing from 25 in-depth interviews with urban-educated cis-women aged 24-30, I identify three groups within abortion networks: included, excluded and ambiguous. While included groups comprised largely of female family and friends, excluded groups were male family members and organisations, and the ambiguous category included health professionals and partners. Supporting findings in other contexts, individuals initially utilise their abortion networks to access the provider, they then build abortion solidarity networks to act as buffers against groups they wish to exclude during the abortion experience. Additionally, I show that excluded and ambiguous networks also impact abortion access, decision-making, and experience, even pushing individuals to follow through with illegal or semi-legal abortion procedures. Findings draw attention to the structural boundaries surrounding abortion laws, how patriarchal institutions make access to abortion care and abortion networks challenging, and how social networks may be utilised to alleviate such obstacles.

Prevalence of Tobacco Products' Use and Associated Factors Among Adolescents in Morocco: A Systematic Review.

Tobacco use is the major preventable cause of premature death worldwide, responsible for about 8 million deaths per year, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, such as Morocco. Adolescents' tobacco use is a matter of concern, because early initiation increases the risk of becoming a lifelong user. There exists a notable gap in the synthesis of evidence concerning tobacco use among Moroccan adolescents. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive view of the prevalence of tobacco products' use and associated factors among adolescents in Morocco. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect for relevant studies reporting prevalence rates of tobacco products' use among Moroccan adolescents, published until June 2024, using inclusion and exclusion criteria in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Additional searches were completed on other sources to reach unpublished reports. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess the quality of included studies. After the final screening, 22 papers met the inclusion criteria. Life-time prevalence of tobacco use ranged from 7.8% to 20.4% for cigarettes smoking, from 10.6% to 21.9% for waterpipe, from 7.9% to 9.1% for chewing tobacco and from 9.2% to 12.4% for snuff. The last 12-month prevalence of cigarette smoking was comprised between 6.9% and 10.8%. As for the prevalence of current use, ranges of (1.8%-16.4%) and (4.9%-8.4%) were noted for cigarettes and waterpipe, respectively. The most commonly highlighted risk factors for tobacco use included male sex, older age, having friends or family members who use tobacco and low perception of risk associated with tobacco use. Our findings reveal an alarming situation of tobacco use among Moroccan adolescents. Therefore, it is crucial that all stakeholders engage in concerted efforts to develop and implement evidence-based preventive interventions among early adolescents.

Unraveling Gender Dynamics in Migration and Remittances: An Empirical Analysis of Asian Women’s “Exposure to Migration”

The concept of “exposure to migration” helped us understand family dimensions, such as the role of members who remained behind, especially wives, changing gender roles, and changing exposure to remittances. However, most existing migration studies have not examined whether exposure to migration has anything to do with gender dynamics. This has often resulted in women or wives playing a subordinate role in contemporary discourse on gendered migration. Because they have very little to do with remittances compared to male family members, their role in the family is viewed critically by their male counterparts. This research is based on interviews with women from a selection of countries in Asia. Based on the analytical framework of “exposure to migration”, this study contends that the degree of exposure to migration for women depends on the country’s social and cultural milieu. In many cases, this exposure also leads to marital problems and family complications.

Adjustment to Pubertal Changes among Adolescent Girls

Background and Objectives: Adolescence is the transitional stage of life from childhood to adulthood characterized by puberty. Dramatic physical, physiological, hormonal, and emotional changes occur, which are exciting as well as frightening at the same time. The objective of this study was to find out the adjustment of adolescent girls towards pubertal changes.
 Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the adjustment toward pubertal changes among adolescent girls studying in Grades 8, 9, and 10. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to collect the samples, and a self-administered structured questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data.
 Results: All the respondents had experienced a rapid increase in height, weight, and development of breast bud, almost all (92.8%) had experienced pubic hair growth, the majority (85.6%) had experienced axillary hair growth, and three-fourths (76%) had experienced pimples on the face. Most (88.8%) of the respondents had received pre-information about pubertal changes. During menarche, more than two-thirds (68.0%) were restricted from worshipping, 20.8% were restricted from seeing or talking to male family members, 17.6% were restricted from cooking and doing household work, and 16.0% were kept in a separate room or neighbor’s house. Nearly three-fourths (74.4%) of the respondents used sanitary pads during their menarche. Similarly, more than three-fourths (77.6%) of the respondents experienced problems during menarche, and the majority (80.4%) had lower abdominal pain. Regarding emotional changes, nearly two-thirds (63.2%) had frequent mood swings, and nearly half (45.6%) shared their feelings with family members and friends.
 Conclusion: Almost all the respondents have adjusted well to the pubertal changes, but restriction during menarche is still prevalent which needs to be addressed for respectful care during menstruation.

Association Between Second-Hand Smoke Exposure and Respiratory Symptoms Among the General Population of Non-smoker Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure is associated with respiratory symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, and wheezing. However, data on this association in Saudi Arabia is limited. The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of SHS exposure and its association with respiratory symptoms amongnon-smoker adults in Saudi Arabia. Data collection was carried out over the course of two months by distributing an online questionnaire among adults living in Saudi Arabia. The survey consisted of questions assessing sociodemographic factors, SHS exposure, and the presence of respiratory symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed using IBMSPSSStatistics for Windows, Version 22 (Released 2013; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Data was considered significant if p<0.05. The questionnaire was completed by 1360 participants. Most were females (n=845, 72.1%)and individuals aged 18 to 30 years (n=838, 71.5%). From the analyzed records, 67.3% (n=789) reported SHS exposure. Amongthem, 40.3% (n=472) reported SHS exposure from household sources, 32.6% (n=382) from work colleagues, and 30.5% (n=357) from friends. The majority (n=306, 76.9%) of those exposed at home reported daily SHS exposure. The main source of home exposure was male family members, particularly the father (n=201, 42.6%). The majority (n=985, 84.0%) of participants reported not having any kindof mold or damage at their place of residence. Individuals with SHS exposure were more likely to report asthma (p=0.043), chest whistling or wheezing (p=0.021), chronic cough (p<0.001), productive cough (p<0.001), and nasal symptoms without a cold (p<0.001). These individuals also demonstrated a higher average symptomscore than those not exposed to SHS. Conclusion: The study reveals that a significant percentage of the Saudi population is exposed to SHS daily, mainly from household sources, especially male family members. A significant association was found between SHS exposure and the presence of respiratory symptoms. Public awareness regarding the prevalence and dangers of SHS exposure is essential in order to alleviate the impact of SHS on the health of the general Saudi population. Additionally, further research is required in this field and demographic group to develop appropriate interventions.

Is Pakistan Ready To Implement Artificial Intelligence?

Madam, The phrase "artificial intelligence" (AI) refers to the capacity of computers to accomplish activities that humans can typically performed by utilising an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) (1). The Artificial intelligence has become an exceptionally desirable analytical tool in medicine due to its ability to generalise, handle imprecise information, analyse non-linear data, and learn from historical precedents (2). According to Tata Consultancy Services Global Trends Study focusing on artificial intelligence and its impact on the healthcare industry, 86% of healthcare companies use AI", indicating its significance in improving healthcare (3). AI is employed everywhere, ensuring accuracy and speed in every aspect of a patient's diagnosis to their prognosis and treatment, revolutionising medicine (4) Despite all the benefits of AI, multiple factors need to be kept in mind before it can be successfully applied. AI works on software that is designed in accordance with data sets. If the data used in programming is not diverse, it will inevitably result in prejudice worsening the discriminatory outcomes in healthcare. There are numerous examples of AI being biased. For example, gender discrimination was a problem with facial recognition algorithms developed by Microsoft, IBM, and Face++; these AI systems were better at identifying the gender of white males than those with a darker complexion (5). When an advanced company like Amazon faces such issues, do we think a developing country like Pakistan will be equipped to successfully implement AI in a vast field like medicine? In Pakistan, women are typically responsible for the care of the home and are restricted in their capacity to travel alone and prioritise the health of their male family members (6). So will women be able to contribute their confidential information for AI data sets while they are confined to their houses? This could result in data that is weighted towards men (6). Conducting surveys is a crucial part of data collection (7). We must be cognizant that not all of Pakistan is accessible and that people there have a variety of objections and obstinate attitudes (7). The most recent COVID-19 outbreak was the ideal illustration of their ignorant behaviour (7). This demonstrates how unlikely it is to obtain data from the Pakistani population, which means only limited data can be collected. Since AI data sets heavily rely on Volume, variety and velocity so it is natural for AI not to prevail in Pakistan (7). ---Continue