JMMC

Leptospirosis an emerging infectious disease and preventive measures in Pakistan.

Munawar Hussain Soomro — 2025-05-12

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease that poses an epidemic risk, especially following significant rainfall, and is caused by different serovars of the genus Leptospira. This infection impacts both humans and animals, primarily spreading through contact with soil, water, or food that has been contaminated by the urine of infected animals, notably rodents, domestic pets, cattle, and various wild species.

Leptospirosis is prevalent in Pakistan, as various environmental, sociocultural, and socioeconomic factors facilitate its spread and persistence. As reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the population of Pakistan stands at 241.49 million, with 62.27% residing in rural areas. The literacy rate in Pakistan is 58%, but it drops significantly in rural regions to an overall 51%, and even lower to 42% among females’ population. These statistics are sufficient to understand the overall impact of Leptospirosis in Pakistani population.

Keywords: : Bacterial Infections, Leptospirosis, prevention, Pakistan, Health care.

Factors influencing smokeless tobacco use among high school adolescents in Sindh Pakistan.

Fahad Ali Mangrio — 2025-05-12

Objective: To assess the use of smokeless tobacco among adolescents in high schools, and to determine the factors
that contribute to the use of smokeless tobacco in this age group.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out between October and December 2022, involving 308 participants
who were 9th and 10th-grade adolescents, aged 13 to 16 years, from four public high schools located in Taluka
Qasim Abad, District Hyderabad. Data were collected using a pre-designed YRBSS (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance
Survey) questionnaire to examine smokeless tobacco (SLT) use. Data analysis utilized SPSS version 29, involving chisquare
tests and binary logistic regression analyses to evaluate the likelihood of factors related to adolescent smokeless
tobacco use.
Results: The study indicated that 23% of participants were actively using smokeless tobacco, with an average age of
15.42 (±SD 5.6). The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that male adolescents whose parents and friends use
smokeless tobacco, who have limited health education and exposure in public environments, and who perceive comfort
and appeal in using smokeless tobacco, were all significantly associated with an increased likelihood of smokeless tobacco
use among adolescents.
Conclusion: There is an urgent requirement for focused interventions and public health initiatives to diminish the use of
SLT and to tackle the social influences and perceptions associated with it.

Keywords: Tobacco, Smokeless, Adolescent, Health Impact Assessment

A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of Magnesium Sulfate in treating acute bronchial asthma in children: Nebulized versus intravenous administration.

Ayesha Shafiq — 2025-05-12

Objective: To compare the mean PRAM score between Nebulized Magnesium Sulphate and IV Magnesium Sulphate in children with acute bronchial asthma.
Methodology: This prospective Comparative study was conducted between6th February 2024 to 15th August 2024 at Pediatric ER Dept. PAF Hospital Islamabad. A total of 70 children of acute moderate and severe asthma of either gen-der in age 2 to 12 years old were included. Patients were “divided into two groups”. “Group A” received IV Magnesium Sulfate and “Group B” received nebulized Magnesium Sulphate. PRAM score was recorded at and 60 minutes after the presentation.
Results: The mean age of children in Group A was 7.06 ±2.27 & in Group B were 7.66 ±2.44 years. Most of patients 44 (62.8%) were between 7 and 12 years of age. Out of these 70, 43 (62%) males and 27 (38%) females with male to fe-male ratio of 1.6:1. Mean baseline PRAM in Group A was 6.37±1.46 and in Group B was 7.06± 1.55. The mean PRAM at 60 minutes in Group A was 2.63±1.17 and in Group B was 5.31± 1.23 (p value=0.0001)
Conclusion: Mean PRAM score is improved with intravenous MgSO4 as compared to nebulized MgSO4 in children pre-senting with acute severe asthma.

Keywords: Magnesium sulfate, High dose infusion, Severe asthma, Pediatric Emergency department, PRAM Score

Analysis of the relationship between age, gender, site and frequency of different grades of astrocytoma.

Asma Jalbani — 2025-05-12

Objective: To examined the relationship among age, gender, location, and the frequency of different grades of astrocy-toma.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the pathology department of Basic Medical Sciences Insti-tute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi, Sindh; between 01-01-2019 to 31-12-2022. The study comprised 60 cases of astrocytoma. Biopsy samples of different grades of Astrocytoma were extensively investigated and included in the current research, taking into consideration their patients’ age, demographic characteristics, clinical information and histological findings. This study reviewed and approved by Institutional Review Board (IRB) of JPMC. The data was an-alyzed using IBM-SPSS version 23.0, utilizing the Pearson Chi-Square test of independence. The P-value of 0.05 was set as statistically significant.
Results: A total of sixty astrocytic tumour cases were investigated. As per the findings of this investigation, the mean age of study participants was 31.5 years, ranging from 4 to 65 years. Male outnumber (34, 56.6%) female (26, 43.3%). The frontal lobe (31.7%), posterior fossa (16.7), and parietal region (11.7) were among the more frequently afflicted sites.
Conclusion: Diffuse astrocytoma was the most frequently observed, while anaplastic astrocytic tumours were the least prevalent. The occurrence of high-grade astrocytic tumors was found to be more common in males compared to fe-males.

Keywords: Dentistry practice, Germ Cell and Embryonal Tumours, Neuroectodermal Tumours, Neuroepithelial, Glioma,

Assessment of gender-based periodontal health differences among cohort of Pakistani young adults - A comparative cross-sectional study

Yousuf Moosa — 2025-05-12

Objective: To analyze and evaluate the periodontal health differences and oral health behaviour among male and fe-male Pakistani young adults.
Methodology: During January 2024 to June 2024, 400 participants (male 200, female 200) were evaluated by the Com-munity Periodontal Index (CPI) to ascertain periodontal status and oral hygiene measures were determined using a questionnaire. To compare variables chi-square test was used, p-value of <0.05 regarded as statistically significant. SPPS used for statistical analysis .
Results: CPI Scores 1 (56%), 2 (31.5%), and 3 (2.5%) were higher in males. Both genders showed statistically signifi-cant association with CPI scores (P< 0.01). The frequency of tooth brushing was higher among females by 18.5% com-pared to only 6.5% of males brushing their teeth twice daily. Males (30.4%) had visited a dentist while the rate for fe-males was 25.8%. The use of inter-dental aids was 34.5% and 7.5%, between females and males, respectively.
Conclusion: Although current tooth brushing habits fall short of the international guideline, we found males having more favourable attitude towards oral health behaviors as compared to female. To enhance oral health, it is crucial to adopt proper oral hygiene practices and utilize interdental aids.

Keywords: Periodontal Index; Health Behaviour; Periodontal Pocket; Public Health Dentistry

Measures to prevent ragging in medical colleges.

Sobia Humerah — 2025-05-12

Objective: To explore measures to prevent ragging in medical colleges.
Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from December 10, 2022, to February 10, 2023. A purposive sampling method was employed to select 100 hostel students and 30 faculty members from various medical colleges in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Prior to the distribution of the semi-structured questionnaire, informed consent was obtained from all participants.
Results: Findings revealed that 42% of students and 18% of faculty endorsed the installation of awareness posters in medical colleges to highlight the risks associated with ragging. Furthermore, 23% of faculty and 84% of students ex-pressed that establishing committees to combat ragging would be beneficial. Counselling services for senior students were advocated by 65% of faculty and 47% of students, while 53% of faculty and 38% of senior students suggested the creation of separate hostels for junior students.
Conclusion: Medical institutions should enforce strict policies to eradicate ragging, which includes establishing special-ized committees and displaying informative posters. Additionally, offering separate accommodations for junior students may further reduce the occurrence of ragging. In addition to academic education, institutions ought to cultivate an at-mosphere that promotes ethical principles, self-assurance, and character growth among their students.

Keywords: Behavior, Social Behavior, Harassment, Non-Sexual, Bullying, Ragging.

Exploring the Spectrum: A Retrospective Study on the Frequency, Variation, and Clinical Profile of Gynecological Tumors.

Barkha Goswami — 2025-05-12

Objective: The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the frequency, grade, stage and risk factors of gy-necological tumors in our setup.
Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted during October 2023 to March 2024. Data was retrieved from De-partment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Muhammad Medical College after getting gate keeper permission from Medical Superintendent Muhammad Medical College Hospital. Hospital Mirpurkhas.
Results: During study period 8451 patients were admitted, 19 patients presented with different gynaecological malignan-cies. Ovarian tumors (47%) outnumbered other malignancies.
Conclusion: Ovarian carcinoma is predominant among women aged 21 to 30 years, while cervical carcinoma is more common in postmenopausal women.

Keywords: Genital Neoplasms, Fallopian Tube Neoplasms, Ovarian Neoplasms, Carcinoma, Endometrioid Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial

Comparison of the foveal avascular zone in unilateral amblyopic patients with the fellow eye by using optical coherence tomography angiography (oct-a)

Mehvash Hussain — 2025-05-12

Objective: To compare Foveal avascular zone of unilateral amblyopia to that of the contralateral eye in the same pa-tients by quantifying the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) with Superficial Vascular Plexus (SVP) optical coherence tomogra-phy angiography (OCT-A).
Methodology: A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with anisometropic amblyopic was done from January 2021 to October 2022 at Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Civil Hospital Karachi and SMBB Trauma Cen-tre. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) diameter was measured at horizontal and vertical axis through OCT-A. Data was en-tered and tabulated using SPSS 26.
Results: A comparative analysis of 60 eyes of 30 patients was done. The proportion of males to females was calculated as 2:3. Age range was from 17 to 37 years. The average vertical and horizontal FAZ diameter of SVP in normal eyes was measured to be 616.40 and 616.10 microns, whereas in amblyopic eyes, it was 618.80 and 621.30 microns, re-spectively.
Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the measurements in the vertical and horizontal diameter of amblyop-ic eyes with that of the fellow eye of the same patient, when the data was analysed in our study (p>0.29 and p>0.111 respectively).

Keywords: Dentistry practice, Diagnostic Tomography, Optical Tomography, Optical Coherence, Vision Disorders, Fo-vea Centralis, Limbus Cornea.

Macular abnormalities in patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Abdul Sami — 2025-05-12

Objective: To assess the frequency of macular abnormalities identified through OCT in individuals with retinitis pigmen-tosa.
Methodology: This quantitative cross-sectional research was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology at Civil Hospital Karachi. A total of 50 eyes from patients aged 18 to 65 years, diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), were examined. The diagnosis of retinal pigmentosa was based on symptoms such as poor night vision or visual field loss, along with an ophthalmological assessment revealing mid-peripheral pigmentary changes, arteriolar narrowing, and a waxy pallor of the optic disc. To ensure high-quality retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, eyes with sig-nificant media opacities that obstructed the view of the fundus were excluded from the study.
Results: Average The mean age of the patients was 41.2 ±3.24 years. Majority of the patients were between 36-45 years, 17 (68%) were females and 08 (32%) were males. 31(62%) patients had normal or mild impairment. The lens status examination revealed that 7(14%) eyes had cataract and 5(10%) eyes had aphakia. 12 (24%) patients showed up having normal macula and 3 (6%) had Cystoid macular oedema (CME).
Conclusion: Macular finding of OCT revealed that macular finding in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) manifest in various forms. Therefore, genetic testing is essential for individuals with visual impairments.

Keywords: Inherited retinal dystrophy, macular atrophy, macular edema, optical coherence tomography, retinitis pig-mentosa

Workplace jealousy and its impact on competencies of under-graduate medical faculty: an institution-based survey study

Ali Ejaz — 2025-05-12

Objective: To investigate the influence of workplace jealousy on the professional competencies of medical faculty, fo-cusing on understanding its implications for teaching effectiveness, collaboration, and overall institutional performance within an undergraduate medical education setting.
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted at Rashid Latif Khan University and its subsidiary colleges, Rashid Latif Medical College (RLMC) and Rashid Latif Khan University Medical College (RLKUMC). A validat-ed questionnaire was utilized to collect data online.
Results: Overall, 158 respondents submitted their experiences about the impact of workplace jealousy at the institute. The present study showed that most severely impacted competencies of medical faculty were academic collaboration with colleagues (63.4%, p=0000) and motivation for faculty development (60.4%, p=0.0002. The least impacted compe-tency was reduction in teaching hours (23.5%, p=0.467)
Conclusion: Workplace jealousy adversely impacts and results in plummeting motivational drive for faculty develop-ment, which further deteriorates the institute’s mission of achieving academic excellence in a competitive and challeng-ing environment.

Keywords: Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms, Emotions, Jealousy, workplace.

The various patterns of burn injuries in South Punjab, Pakistan.

Kashif Ali — 2025-06-05

Objective: To document the pattern of Burn injuries at South Punjab.

Methodology: From June 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, a cross-sectional study was carried out at Department of Plastic Surgery & Burn Unit; Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan's Department of Plastic Surgery & Burn Unit. The cases included in this study were those who presented to the aforementioned institution with burns of any severity requiring medical attention, regardless of their age or gender. Burn injury patterns were observed.

Results: Fifty burn cases were included in this investigation. The subjects mean ages were 17.77±6.13 years and their mean percentage of burns was 31.11±8.17 years. There were 31 (62%) males and 42 (84%) burns were accidental in origin. In 35 (70%) of the cases, thermal burns were the most common form, followed by electric burns in 11 (22%), and chemical burns in 4 (8%). Females were more likely to sustain thermal injuries, whereas all chemical burns occurred in males (p=0.04).

Conclusion: Thermal burns are the most prevalent type, occurring in 70% of cases, while chemical burns are notably more frequent among the male.

Key words; Wounds and Injuries, Burns, Burns Chemical, Burns Electric, Burns Inhalation