Problem In Pakistan Research Articles

Youth Employment Challenges and Opportunities in Pakistan: An Econometric Analysis

The involvement of young people in Pakistan's job market is the subject of this dissertation. This work highlights two main benefits of the research conducted using micro data. First, it breaks out the labor market behaviors of teenagers in Pakistan by age group. Then, using econometric approaches, it explains what variables influence youth work chances in Pakistan. According to the research, several young people start working at a young age, which may affect their future productivity and income. At the beginning of their professions, young people frequently have a higher unemployment rate; nevertheless, this number decreases with time. In addition, there were notable disparities in the labor market outcomes for male and female teenagers based on area. Unemployment rates for young women are higher than those for young men in several regions of the nation. Although young people in Baluchistan are more prepared to enter labor than their counterparts in other regions, the study's main conclusion shows that their employment prospects are poorer. Several characteristics, the findings of a logistic regression analysis demonstrate that the job chances of youth in Pakistan are highly impacted by age, gender, marital status, emigration, geography, educational achievement, and family characteristics. In addition, studies show that Pakistani teenagers are a heterogeneous group, reflecting a wide variety of personal traits and perspectives on employment that are influenced by their home context. Policymakers should see Pakistani youth as something other than a monolithic entity. Unemployment is a problem in Pakistan due to several factors.

Explaining Political Violence In South Asia: Theories And Concepts

Political violence in South Asia has escalated significantly since the region’s independence, primarily driven by the erosion of social cohesion. This paper investigates the socio-political and economic foundations that underlie violent political actions. By examining key movements across South Asia, including the Bengali liberation struggle, Kashmir and tribal conflicts in Northeast India, the MQM problem in Pakistan, the JVP and Tamil insurgency in Sri Lanka, the study identifies internal colonisation, state repression, and resource mobilisation as central catalysts of violence. The analysis highlights the role of relative deprivation, land disputes, and marginalisation as pivotal motivators for insurgencies. Additionally, state incapacity and external support further exacerbate and sustain violent movements. The paper concludes that the exclusion of marginalised groups from political power and economic opportunities, compounded by uneven development, continues to fuel cycles of violence in the region

Postoperative Outcomes of Breast Cancer Surgery in Tertiary Care Units in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Breast cancer is a serious health problem in Pakistan and has high incidence and mortality rate. This paper seeks to compare and contrast surgical care and patient management by analyzing postoperative results of breast cancer operations in tertiary health care centers of Pakistan. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study designed in tertiary care unit of Nishtar hospital Multan where medical records of female breast cancer patients who underwent surgery between January 2024 to June 2024 were analyzed. The demographic data, surgical procedures, postoperative morbidities, hospital stays, and readmission rates data were analyzed using multivariate statistics. Results: In total 300 patients were selected in the study. The rate of developing post-operative complications was 20%, and the most frequent of them were infections (12%). The mean days to recovery including those who were discharged and stayed at home was twenty-one days with a readmission ratio of fifteen percent. Specific factors that were found to have a significant influence on the outcomes consisted of age, comorbidities as well as the surgical method used with the latter having a (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusion: This finding of study stated that the postoperative outcomes of breast cancer surgeries in Pakistani tertiary care units were determined by patients’ characteristics, medical co morbidities, and surgical procedures. Implementing standard of care and making available better surgical modalities can improve the patient care and post-surgical care maybe reduced the rate of further complications among breast cancer patients.

Comparing the effects of neck stabilization exercises versus dynamic exercises among patients having nonspecific neck pain with forward head posture: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundNonspecific neck pain (NSNP) is a well-established global burden affecting. It is also a common problem in Pakistan. The burden of neck pain is also increasing day by day due to poor work ergonomics, and increased use of computers and mobiles after the pandemic. An individual’s poor posture is often associated with forward head posture (FHP). Limited evidence is available about the effects of neck stabilization (NSE) and dynamic exercises (NDE) for nonspecific neck pain particularly in patients with FHP. This aimed to compare the effects of NSE versus NDE among patients having NSNP with FHP in reducing pain, disability, forward head posture and improving neck range of motion.MethodsIt is a single-blinded randomized clinical trial with 60 patients aged 18–40 years, with moderate intensity NSNP for > 3 weeks and < 6 months along with FHP with a moderate disability on neck disability index (NDI) randomly assigned to the treatment groups. Group 1 was doing NSE and group 2 was doing NDE. Transcutaneous Electical Nerve Stimulation, cold packs, and stretching exercises were given to both groups. A total of 9 sessions (3 sessions/ week) were given to participants. NDI questionnaire, Visual analogue scale (VAS), goniometry, and plumb line measurement tool were used as baseline and assessment at the end of 3rd week. The data was analyzed on SPSS version 21. Descriptive analysis was performed. Independent t-test was used for between group comparison and paired t-test used for within group comparison. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsAfter treatment within-group analysis of both NSE and NDE showed significant (p < 0.001) improvement in pain on VAS, all ROMs of the neck including flexion, extension, left and right lateral flexion and left rotation, plumb line and NDI score with very large effect size. However, between-group analysis showed non-significant differences (p > 0.05) for post-treatment mean VAS, neck ROM, NDI and plumb line measurement.ConclusionBetween NSE and NDE, no one is more beneficial than another. Both are equally effective in alleviating pain, increasing ROM, decreasing functional disability, and improving forward head posture in patients with NSNP.Trial RegistrationRegistered trial at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05298631, 28/03/2022, prospectively registered.

Teaching Social safety skills to Autistic children via digital learning

The rise in sexual abuse and abduction incidents has become a persistent societal problem in Pakistan which requires an inclusive response. However, one of the most neglected group out of this vulnerable population is of autistic children. The statistics from South-Asia estimate that there may be 350,000 autistic children in Pakistan. Individuals with ASD may be at an increased risk of danger including abduction or sexual abuse and might face difficulties discriminating between safe and unsafe situations. The aim of this study is to teach social safety skills --abduction and sexual abuse prevention-- to autistic children. This study employs a digital interventional methodology enabling autistic children to learn social safety skills in an easier way. An experimental design framework is selected for the purposes of this research. 6 autistic children, 5 male and 1 female, aged 12-14, sampled through convenience sampling participated in this research. Questionnaires and open-ended surveys were used as data collection tools. Results showed that the video-game methodology was effective in teaching social safety skills to children with autism. There was a significant difference between pre-test and post-test outcomes and results were maintained during a 5 week follow up.

PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF MALNUTRITION AMONG UNDER- FIVE CHILDREN OF HOUSEHOLD IN SLUM AREAS OF DISTRICT FAISALABAD

Malnutrition refers to a pathological condition characterized by a lack of nutrients necessary for healthy body function. Malnutrition is one of the most common causes of death and disease among children under the age of five. About 96% percent of children in Pakistan do not receive adequate nutrition during childhood, such as soft food, milk, fruit, and vegetables. Food insecurity is a serious problem in Pakistan as a significant portion of the rural population is food insecure. A staggering 36.9% of households in the country are &amp;#39;food insecure&amp;#39; and 18.3% are &amp;#39;severely&amp;#39; food insecure. Pakistan is self-sufficient in basic food items, but only 63.1% of households have food security. Food insecurity is common, leaving women and children at greater risk of malnutrition. Drought-affected communities have exceptionally high rates of malnutrition. According to statistics in Pakistan, about 40, 29%, and 18% of children under the age of five are a stunt, underweight, and wasted, respectively. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the prevalence and determinants of malnutrition status in children under 5 years of age in the slums of Faisalabad District, Punjab, Pakistan. The data is based on household demographic and socioeconomic factors, including anthropometric information on children under the age of five living in a slum in Faisalabad. Anthropometric data were obtained from 150 randomly selected children from three slum areas of Faisalabad. Socioeconomic and behavioural data were collected from each mother. Three indicators were used to measure the nutritional status of children: (i) stunting, height–for– age, (ii) wasting weight–for–height, and (iii) under-weight¸ weight–for–age. These values ​​were transformed into z-scores to classify the child&amp;#39;s nutritional status. Descriptive and logistic regression techniques were used to identify factors associated with children&amp;#39;s nutritional status. According to this study, the prevalence of stunting, being underweight, and wasting among children under five years of age in Faisalabad District, Pakistan were 28%, 22.6%, and 18% respectively. Testing with logistic regression techniques revealed that demographic, socio-economic, and behavioural factors were significant predictors of all three indicators of child nutritional status. These main factors were household calorie intake and maternal education, father education, access to clean water, and maternal access to health facilities.

Can the treatment of neighbouring villages be the key to ending the trachoma endemic in rural Pakistan?

Madam, Trachoma is a severe eye condition caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis that can lead to blindness if left untreated. It spreads quickly through direct contact with infected eyes, hand-eye contact, contaminated objects, and flies, making developing countries with overcrowded living conditions and poor sanitation more vulnerable. Trachoma is highly prevalent in more than 50 nations globally. Without proper treatment, it can cause significant damage such as corneal scarring and complete vision loss. Currently, approximately 1.8 million people suffer from blindness due to trachoma. (1) Given these circumstances, it becomes crucial for endemic countries to prioritise efforts to control the spread of trachoma and prevent its potential complications. A recent study by Mosenia et al. explored the potential impact of treating nearby communities during a trachoma outbreak in Ethiopia. (2) The researchers found that treating nearby communities with azithromycin significantly decreased in trachoma prevalence in 12 months. In fact, in the subgroup where nearby communities received treatment, there was an impressive drop in the prevalence rate from 43% (95% CI:39%-47%) to just 11% (95% CI:9%-14%). In contrast, in communities closer to untreated regions, the prevalence of ocular chlamydia was significantly higher compared to other areas before treatment initiation. Not only did their prevalence rate remain near the baseline of around 46% (38%-54%), but after controlling for various factors, these communities showed a significantly higher frequency of ocular chlamydia. These findings highlight the effectiveness of community-wide interventions in reducing trachoma transmission and infection rates. Trachoma is a major problem in Pakistan, ranking as the fifth most common cause of blindness according to a 2017 study. (3) Despite efforts to decrease infection rates, trachoma remains endemic in many rural villages, posing a significant public health challenge. (4) Thus treating affected villages and nearby communities, could significantly contribute to eradicating trachoma from these areas. This localized intervention offers a more time and cost-effective solution than largescale methods like improving living conditions or infrastructure. However, it's crucial to address concerns regarding the emergence of a highly drug-resistant strain of typhoid in Pakistan as this limits the use of azithromycin for treatment. Therefore, before implementing such interventions, a comprehensive risk-benefit analysis should be conducted considering the population and the current public health situation in Pakistan. It remains essential for ongoing research efforts to study the effectiveness of this strategy utilizing alternative treatments for trachoma.

Comparative Analysis of Climate Change Policies: Pakistan VS. Global Approaches

Purpose: The current study compares global climate change policy to Pakistan's national climate policy in order to investigate global and national priorities in the context of carbon emission, air pollution, gender and smog under the adaptive management model. Methodology: The United Nations Climate Change Policy Papers and Pakistan's most current Climate Change Policy 2021, were analyzed in this work utilizing keyword search methods for contextualization in the qualitative data analysis program NVivo 11. Findings: The findings show that Pakistan's climate change strategy is highly similar to global climate change policy in terms of carbon emissions, a little less so in terms of gender, but not in terms of air pollution. It is concerning that smog, a serious problem in Pakistan, is not on the agenda of global climate change policy. Unique Contribution of theory, practice and policy: Through adaptive management, the research identifies specific gaps where national policies diverge from global priorities. For instance, the model helps to highlight the lack of emphasis on smog in global policies, a critical issue for Pakistan, thereby suggesting areas for improvement and alignment. The study suggests that the Pakistani government should make efforts to address this issue on a worldwide scale in order to solve the problem.

Economic costs of perinatal depression and anxiety in a lower middle income country: Pakistan

BackgroundWomen's mental health during the perinatal period is a major public health problem in Pakistan. Many challenges and competing priorities prevent progress to address the large treatment gap.AimTo quantify the long-term impacts of untreated perinatal depression and anxiety in economic terms, thus highlighting its overall burden based on country-specific evidence. MethodsCost estimates were generated for a hypothetical cohort of women giving birth in 2017, and their children. Women and children experiencing adverse events linked to perinatal mental health problems were modelled over 40 years. Costs assigned to adverse events included were those linked to losses in quantity and quality-of-life, productivity, and healthcare-related expenditure. Present values were derived using a discount rate of 3 %. Data were taken from published cohort studies, as well as from sources of population, economic and health indicators. ResultsThe total costs were $16.5 billion for the cohort and $2680 per woman giving birth. The by far largest proportion referred to quality-of-life losses ($15.8 billion). Productivity losses and out-of-pocket expenditure made up only a small proportion of the costs, due to low wages and market prices. When the costs of maternal suicide were included, total costs increased to $16.6 billion. LimitationsImportant evidence gaps prevented the inclusion of all cost consequences linked to perinatal mental health problems. ConclusionsTotal national costs are much higher compared with those in other, higher middle-income countries, reflecting the excessive disease burden. This study is an important first step to inform resource allocations.

PREVALENCE OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE AMONG SECURITY GUARDS AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction: Drug addiction is a prevalent problem in Pakistan, and screening tools are available for diagnosis. Seeking guidance from healthcare professionals is important for appropriate treatment. Assessing addiction among security personnel is important for safety and policy formulation Aims &amp; Objectives: This cross-sectional study aims to investigate drug addiction screening and its correlates among security guards in a tertiary care hospital. Materials &amp; Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan. Purposive convenience sampling was used to select a sample size of 184 Results: The study conducted among 184 security guards showed significant associations between gender, marital status, and age categories. A considerable proportion of guards were found to be overweight, had increased blood pressure, and substance use in the form of nicotine-related substances was found to be The study highlights the need for interventions promoting healthy lifestyles and substance use education and prevention efforts among security guards in such settings. Conclusion: This study revealed a prevalence of substance use among security guards in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan and identified the need for interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and substance use education/prevention. Seeking guidance from healthcare professionals and implementing public health initiatives to address drug addiction and promote healthy lifestyles among security personnel are crucial.

Lived Experiences of Suicide-Bereaved Siblings in Pakistan: A Qualitative Approach

The perspective of siblings who are suicide-bereaved in Pakistan denote a rather underexplored but significant part of mental wellbeing. This qualitative research reconnoiters the feeling of people whose siblings have been lost in the event of a suicide while also aiming to bring light to the different facets of the grieving journey that they have navigated through. Using techniques of thematic analysis, data was collected using semi-structured interviews involving 8 participants who were siblings and belonging to a wide range of backgrounds, each of them offering a different and unique viewpoint that was shaped by their experiences and backgrounds. The analysis discovered seven predominant themes, each of which contained several subthemes. From these, a universal and main aspect of the bereavement process was emotional distress which was interlinked with coping mechanisms and resilience portrayed by siblings while undergoing that journey of grief. Furthermore, posttraumatic growth as a phenomenon came forth as an intricate interconnection of transformation of the individual due to huge loss. The research also revealed the extensive effect of stigmatization in Pakistani society regarding suicide. Nevertheless, the significance of Environmental Reward, complexities of stressed relationships and social support dynamics came forth as important features that shaped the experience of bereavement. The discoveries highlight the need for specialized interventions and support services that cater to individualized needs of individuals in Pakistan who are suicide bereaved. By identifying and authenticating their experiences, officials involved in making policies and mental health professionals can nurture a more effective and sympathetic method for helping those who are currently experiencing loss of a sibling due to suicide. This research contributes important discernments to the increasing literature on the topic of bereavement and emphasizes the importance of cultural bound and contextual helping strategies for catering mental health problems in Pakistan.

Public Awareness and Behavioral Patterns During Smog

Smog is also an alarming signal for health problems in Pakistan especially in the city Lahore. Objective: To find out how the general public feels about smog. Methods: The study was conducted by surveying Lahore residents who drive. This was a survey-based study which included 100 subjects using any vehicle as a mode of transportation. Results: Generally, 2% people used cycle, motorbike 62%, car 13% and public transport 23% but during smog people shifted from bike to public transport and rate of car users were also increased from 13% to 25%. In this survey, 58% of the people came to know about smog through TV channels. Most of the respondents had the symptoms of chest tightness, eye irritation, breathing difficulty. This study revealed that 85% of vehicle users took preventive measures such as kept themselves hydrated (18%), worn mask (58%) and driven less (9%); which kept them away from hospitals during smog. Conclusions: It was anticipated that motor bike, car and public transport users had more knowledge about the causes of smog but none of cycle user was aware that sulfur and nitrogen compounds were the cause of smog (p&lt;0.001). Thus, Pakistan needs to implement future countermeasures for smog.

Nano-zinc oxide foliar application at the tuber initiation stage enhances the starch synthesis and zinc bioaccumulation in potato tubers

Crops cultivated on alkaline soils are normally deficient in micronutrients, therefore among others, zinc deficiency is a widespread problem in Pakistan. By using a novel approach, we have shown that agronomic biofortification of potato tubers can be achieved through application of nano-zinc oxide during the tuber initiation stage. Field experimentation was performed during the potato growing season (2021-2022) with five different concentrations of nano-zinc oxide (0, 25, 50, 100, and 250 mg L-1) applied to 55-d old plants at tuber initiation stage, and after 40 days of spray, potato tubers were harvested for the analysis of various biochemical and agronomic traits and changes in bioavailable concentration of Zn in potato tubers. An increase in growth and yield traits was recorded due to spray of 25 and 50 mg L-1 nano-zinc oxide. Starch fraction in tubers was increased in response to all nano-zinc oxide concentrations. Interestingly, over 50% increase in starch was recorded due to application of 25 mg L-1 nano-zinc oxide, while higher doses up to 250 mg L-1 increased tuber starch by ~34%. Soluble sugars increased progressively up to 250 mg L-1 reaching maximum values than the control. Above all, maximum concentration of Zn in potato tuber was recorded in response to 250 mg L-1 spray of nano-zinc oxide ranging up to 58.2 - 65.5 µg g-1 dry weight. Overall, exogenous application of nano-zinc oxide to potato plants can improve potato tuber quality by enhancing starch contents and contributing to translocation of Zn in potato tubers leading to agronomic biofortification.

Navigating the Road to Safer Travel in Pakistan: A Multi-Perspective Analysis of Road Safety Challenges and Solutions

With the growing global population, the demand for mobility and well-managed modes of transportation is increasing day by day. However, the rapid growth in motorization is a double-edged sword. On one side, it brings social and economic development; on the other, it results in severe consequences, such as road traffic crashes. Pakistan, a developing country, is also dealing with the same issue. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the road safety issues in Pakistan. The analysis is carried out from five perspectives: infrastructural, institutional, socio-economic, socio-cultural/behavioral, and educational. The study highlights that inadequate road infrastructure, lack of road safety institutions and policies, absence of a credible crash reporting system, poor and ineffective enforcement, road users’ aberrant behaviors, and lack of road safety awareness all contribute to road safety problems in Pakistan. To address these issues, the study proposes a set of key measures, such as expanding road infrastructure, establishing dedicated road safety institutions, centralizing data collection efforts, implementing comprehensive safety tests for vehicles, and organizing road safety seminars to educate the youth. These recommendations aim to enhance road safety, ultimately reducing fatalities and economic losses caused by road crashes in Pakistan.

Regional and National Trends in Consumption of Antimicrobials in Pakistan; Pre and Post-COVID (2019-2021).

Efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance, a growing public health problem in Pakistan, have been hampered by the lack of high-quality national and provincial-level antimicrobial consumption data. The singular objective of this retrospective study was to measure antimicrobial consumption over 3 years between 2019 and 2021. The study was designed to estimate antimicrobial consumption at National and Regional levels. Antimicrobial consumption data was collected by IQVIA covering 110 districts of Pakistan in which 88% of sales are census (accurate sales collected directly from distributors), whereas 12% of sales (sales of 300 pharmacies) are projected on the national level. To determine the usage for 3 consecutive years, the consumption of antibiotics was calculated as defined daily doses (DDD) of antibiotics per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). The results of our study demonstrated a steep increase in the consumption of antimicrobials from 2019 to 2021. An increase in consumption of most classes of antibiotics was observed both nationally and Regionally. Quinolones, penicillins (co-amoxiclav), macrolides, and third-generation cephalosporins remained the most frequently used antibiotics nationally. A 40% increase in intravenous use of antimicrobials was observed between 2019 and 2021 at the national level. Moxifloxacin, Levofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, and linezolid were the most commonly used intravenous antibiotics. Region 7 (Peshawar) demonstrated the highest consumption, followed by Region 1 (Karachi) and Region 6 (Faisalabad). Among the most commonly used antibiotics, the use of third-generation cephalosporin (cefixime), quinolones, penicillins (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid), and macrolides (azithromycin) was most noticeable in all regions, particularly in those with the higher consumption of antibiotics. Although the increase in consumption of all antibiotics is concerning, the steep increase in the use of watch and reserve category antibiotics during the study period calls for immediate actions to limit and regulate their usage.

Investigating Judicial Activism in Pakistan: Analyzing Significant Precedents in the Promotion of Environmental Sustainability

Within the context of ecological conservation, the function of the judiciary has become increasingly significant as a powerful institution. The ever-changing terrain of judicial activism in Pakistan is a debatable matter, with a particular emphasis on its role in promoting the preservation of the environment. This paper investigates the role of Pakistani courts as protectors of the environment and their influence on policy settings and advancements toward sustainability, by analyzing certain relevant case laws. This study investigates the actions and judgments made by tribunals and courts, as well as their subsequent impacts on practices and laws related to the preservation security, and sustainable growth of the environment. The selected legal cases cover a wide range of ecological concerns, enabling a comprehensive examination of the impact of legal activism on areas such as waste oversight, resource administration, and protection endeavors. This analysis examines many issues that could impede the effectiveness of judicial activism, such as limitations in resources, gaps in execution, and possible disputes between the goals of ecological protection and financial constraints. This essay aims to offer a comprehensive examination of the intricate relationship among the legal system, ecological problems, and the endeavor for stability. This paper will add to the ongoing conversation on the influence of judicial activism in defining ecologically conscious notions in Pakistan by synthesizing the outcomes of significant cases. This statement highlights the significance of an active court in supplementing the endeavors of both the executive and legislative branches, thereby cultivating a mutually beneficial association between legal principles and the environment. In essence, this investigation provides a basis for future discourse regarding the potential for statutes and judicial rulings to more effectively harmonize with sustainable development objectives, all while negotiating the intricate landscape of ecological problems in Pakistan.

Women Rights in Pashtun Tribes of Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities

In Pakistan, women make up more than half of the population and are respected as independent persons under Sharia and Pakistani law. Nevertheless, gender-based violence and sexism remain serious problems in Pakistan. Especially in the Pashtun tribes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region in Pakistan that were originally known as Pashtun tribes, women still struggle with land ownership, forced marriage, education, the hijjab, and other issues. Religious laws allow this kind of discrimination, but it's important to remember that in Pashtun society, culture sometimes takes precedence over religious teachings. The aim of this study is to address the questions: to what extent do women contribute to these kinds of discriminations? How and who is more accountable for them, religion or society and why these practices were once supported by Pashtun tribes? The paper will also explore the true spirit of Islam regarding above mentioned rights of women.

Exploring the Nexus of Domestic Violence: Impact on Married Women's Physical Health, Psychological Distress, and Magnitude of Abuse

Domestic violence is a common problem in Pakistan but due to stigma in surrounding it is not openly discussed. Current study determined the magnitude of domestic violence, physical health and psychological distress among females. Cross-sectional study was conducted in Sialkot among married females. Magnitude of domestic violence was considered as the determinant of physical health and psychological distress. Sample was comprised of 100 females from working and non-working background, selected through purposive sampling technique by random assignment. The variables were measured using three assessment tools composite abuse scale, Kessler’s psychological distress scale and physical health questionnaire. Data was analyzed by the application of SPSS, correlation and regression was measured for the assessment of purposed assumptions. Among married females domestic violence is the determinant of physical health (r=.702**, p &lt; 0.01) and psychological distress (R= -.340*, p &lt; 0.01).increase in the magnitude of domestic violence leads to the deterioration of physical health and decreases psychological distress.

Detection of KatG Mutation in MDR Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Isolates by PCR-RFLP and DNA Sequencing

Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) is among the widespread and rapidly growing infections in the world. Furthermore, TB is one of the major public health problems in Pakistan as every year 48,000 Pakistani dies due to this infection. Pakistan ranks fifth among high burden countries worldwide. As the TB has become most threatening because of the epidemics of human immune deficiency virus (HIV), Covid-19 and the emergence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). This study was aimed to understand the genetic mechanism of drug resistance in local TB isolates. Methodology: For the genetic studies of INH resistance, KatG (encoding catalase peroxidase) hotspot region was amplified through PCR followed by RFLP and sequencing. Results: The study of PCR-RFLP showed that forty-five out eighty INH resistant M. tb strains had mutations in KatG (codon 315) which is 56.2% of all cases. Sequencing results revealed that this is substitution mutation; AGC to ACC (Ser315Thr). Conclusion: It may be concluded that majority of INH resistance is due to the mutation in the codon 315 of KatG in local isolates. Furthermore, PCR-RFLP technique could be considered as a reliable method for the early detection of KatG mutations in MDR-TB. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 22 No. 04 October’23 Page : 804-808

Demand-Side Management and Its Impact on the Growing Circular Debt of Pakistan’s Energy Sector

In this research, we propose an energy-management scheme for domestic users, which uses the load-shifting strategy of demand-side management (DSM). The research demonstrates that the energy sector’s circular debt problem from the viewpoint of a developing country can be solved by incorporating DSM. Circular debt is a chain reaction that arises when the balance between cost and energy supply collapses. Circular debt is an ongoing problem in Pakistan, where economic crises are continuously posing a threat to the energy sector. DSM is envisioned to address these concerns in a dynamic way thoroughly: introducing DSM can minimize circular debt, increase grid reliability, and smooth the supply–demand operation. Circular debt is directly linked with the subsidy offered by the government of Pakistan. As the cost of energy utilized by consumers increases, the subsidy also increases due to the direct link between the two entities. Therefore, the subsidy can be controlled by energy-consumption management with the adoption of DSM. This study addresses that by incorporating optimized cost solutions, circular debt can be regulated to improve the economy of the energy sector. A genetic algorithm is used as an optimization tool to manage demand and generate an optimal schedule under a dynamic electricity pricing signal. To support the utility, a solar system is used as a secondary energy source. Finally, the results show a curtailment in the payable costs at both the consumer and government ends, thus reducing the circular debt in the bigger picture. The reduction is 18% without and 41% with renewable energy support.