2026-02-09
Fozia Jamal, Faiza Memon, Kanwal Naz Ariser, Muhammad Ilyas Siddiqui, Rai Chand, Hassan Shami Shaikh
Background: Pakistan has the highest maternal mortality and neonatal mortality rate. Despite global efforts to reduce these rates, Pakistan still faces significant challenges, especially in rural areas where healthcare access is limited. Emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC) services are crucial for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. This study evaluated the availability and readiness of basic emergency obstetric and newborn care services at primary health care facilities and assessed clients’ satisfaction. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at two randomly selected health facilities in District Jamshoro, Sindh from September 2023 to March 2024. The 285 female participants of reproductive age were selected through convenient sampling and sample size calculated via OpenEpi. Data were collected using the WHO’s Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) tool and a structured questionnaire, followed by statistical analysis. Results: Both facilities showed high readiness, offering all seven BEmONC functions. Client satisfaction was high: 83.2% for healthcare practitioners, 95.8% for lab services, and 96.1% for hygiene. Positive feedback was also given for free delivery services, privacy, breastfeeding support, and consultation time. Conclusion: Primary healthcare facilities effectively deliver BEmONC services, with adequate resources, infrastructure, and skilled staff to manage obstetric and neonatal emergencies. High satisfaction rates reflect quality care, professional conduct, and clean environments.
2026-02-09
Nitin Wathore, Saride Naveen Kumar, Urmila Umasekar, Panneerselvam Periasamy, Arbind Kumar Choudhary
Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is an early driver of type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular risk, yet reliable and affordable screening tools are limited in many low-resource settings. The triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index has emerged as a practical surrogate, while glycated albumin (GA) remains less well studied in this context. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of TyG and GA against HOMA-IR in South Asian adults, while exploring phenotype-specific thresholds to improve early detection. Materials & Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 349 South Asian adults without known diabetes. Participants underwent anthropometric assessment and fasting laboratory testing, including glucose, triglycerides, insulin, GA, HbA1c, hs-CRP, adiponectin, and liver enzymes. HOMA-IR > 2.5 was used as the reference standard. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using correlation analyses, multivariable regression, and ROC curves, with subgroup evaluation by BMI, sex, and inflammatory status. Results: TyG showed stronger correlation with HOMA-IR than GA and achieved good diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.72 overall, 0.80 in obesity). GA failed to reach statistical significance. TyG retained independent predictive value alongside hs-CRP, adiponectin, and liver enzymes. Stratified thresholds (≥ 8.95 in obesity, ≥ 9.00 in males, ≥ 9.10 with high hs-CRP) improved performance. Conclusion: TyG is an accessible and cost-effective tool for detecting insulin resistance in South Asians, while GA lacks discriminatory utility. Tailored cut-offs may enhance precision screening.
2026-02-09
Mohamed Shokry Hatata, Hany Mohamed Hamed, Hatem Elsayed Ahmed Elgohary, Hossam Eldeen Mohamed
Background: The most prevalent orthopedic conditions in children are coronal deformities that affect the knee. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical and radiological implications of knee-guided growth versus corrective osteotomy in the coronal plane deformity around the knee treatment, this study sought to compare their efficacy and safety. Materials & Methods: This prospective comparative study that was performed on 60 cases aged > 4 years old, both sexes, with Genu varum and genu valgum with either femoral or tibial origin. Cases were divided into two equal groups: Group A underwent guided growth (GG), and Group B underwent osteotomy. Physical examination, laboratory investigation, radiological investigation, and history-taking were administered to all patients. Results: Pain, total score, daily living activities, sport/play, and Group B exhibited a significant difference quality of life than Group A (P<0.05). During the 6-month postoperative period, radiological findings showed that Mechanical axis deviation (MAD) and Mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) of genu varum deformities in Group A compared to Group B were significantly improved (P = 0.005 and 0.038, respectively). In contrast, MAD and Mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA) of genu valgum deformities (P = 0.020 and 0.043, respectively), as well as mMPTA of genu varum deformities and mLDFA of genu valgum deformities (P=0.038 and 0.037, respectively), in Group B compared to Group were significantly improved. Conclusion: GG may be preferable in cases where gradual correction and lower morbidity are prioritized, whereas osteotomy may be indicated for more severe deformities requiring immediate correction.
2026-02-09
Zarina Chang, Nadir Ali Birmani, Adil Hassan, Laraib Jamali, Noreena Chang, Dr Fouzia Chang
Background: Dengue is a common human infection spread by mosquitoes, this analysis was carried out to assess the occurrence of Dengue Fever in the district of Hyderabad to evaluate the clinical and hematological aspects. Materials &Methods: From August 2024 to December 2024, the research was conducted on 120 patients, suffering from dengue fever, confirmed by NS1 antigen positive. Complete blood counts were also done. A detailed history was taken. Results: Out of these total cases of dengue, 72 cases (60%) were males and 48 (40%) were females. According to age, maximum cases 68 (56.66%) were in 21-40 years. The age range was 13–75 years, and children had a lower infection rate. Conclusion: Fever is most common symptoms appear in all patients. Leucopenia was the second most common outcome, found in 61.66% of patients, while thrombocytopenia was the most common finding, occurring in 67.5% of cases.
2026-02-09
Dleir Yasin Taha, Najmaddin Salih Hussein Khoshnaw, Hisham Alrawi Getta, Aveen Mohammad Abdulqadir, Rafl M. Kamil
Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a serious and common chronic disorder. Appreciating risk factors for developing T2DM will improve screening, early detection, and treatment in high-risk individuals. Insulin-like growth factor-1, associated with insulin resistance, has been observed to stimulate erythropoiesis, increasing hematocrit levels. In this study, we aimed to determine whether disorders in glucose metabolism could be related to high RBC count levels and, hence, may be an independent risk factor for T2DM. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, two hundred healthy male blood donors aged 17-65 with no history of T2DM were recruited. The hematological parameters such as RBC, Hb, Hct, and other RBC parameters were measured. HbA1c and fasting blood sugar were also measured. Results: The HbA1c was normal in most cases (84.5%). In comparison, 31 donors (15.5%) had high HbA1c. RBC count was also normal in 121 (60.5%) of the donors, while 79 donors (39.5%) had a high RBC count. We noticed that 25 (31.6%) of the 79 donors with high RBC counts also reported having a high HbA1c level, with a (p < 0.002). Conclusion: There was a statistically significant correlation between the HbA1c level and the RBC count. Therefore, a high RBC count may be a risk factor for T2DM on its own.