PAKISTAN MEDICAL STUDENTS RESEARCH JOURNAL

INGUINAL HERNIA AND ITS ASSOCIATED RISK FACTOR AMONG ADULTS: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

2025-06-13T06:28:22+01:00

Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency and risk factors of inguinal hernia and their association with BMI, and
ways to reduce this problem.
Methods: A case-control study was conducted among 315 adults living in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, in 2024. Data
were collected and analyzed by SPSS version 22 using descriptive statistics and odds ratios
Results: The inguinal hernia was more common in males (73.83%) than in females (26.16%). Among these, males and
females aged 40 and older made up 56.07% and 43.92%, respectively, of those under 40. Hernia was significantly influ-
enced by positive family history (41.12%), physical activity (44.85%), constipation (56.07%), COPD (33.64%), and multiparity
(85.71%).
Conclusion:Inguinal hernias are a common issue in KP, Pakistan. They occur more often in men, and there is a strong con-
nection between constipation, family history, and multiparity. Public health initiatives should prioritize early diagnosis and
prompt treatment to minimize patient morbidity and mortality.
Key Words: Inguinal Hernia, Risk Factors, Body Mass Index, Constipation, Chest Problems, Multi-Parity

PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN VISITING LIAQAT MEMORIAL WOMEN AND CHILDREN HOSPITAL, KOHAT, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

2025-06-13T06:26:39+01:00

Objective: The primary goals of our research were to determine the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women and to
identify the underlying causes of anemia in this population.
Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2024. The sample consisted of 298
women visiting Liaqat Memorial Hospital in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A relevant literature review was conduct-
ed using Google Scholar and PubMed platforms, and a questionnaire was developed based on the findings of the literature
survey. Microsoft Office 2010 and SPSS version 22 were used for data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
Results: Our study showed that the prevalence of anemia was 27.5% among pregnant women, likely due to inadequate iron
intake and poor dietary habits. Additionally, other factors such as illiteracy (55.7%) and multi-parity were also involved.
Conclusions: It was determined that most women were diagnosed with anemia and related factors, which contributed to low
hemoglobin levels. A common factor was their low socioeconomic status, which adversely affected their lifestyle. Further-
more, it was observed that the diets of anemic patients often lacked fruits and meat.
Keywords: Anemia, Pregnant Women, Iron Intake, Diet, and Illiteracy

FREQUENCY OF DIETARY PATTERN AND ITS DETERMINANTS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS OF KHYBER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY–INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES KOHAT PAKISTAN

2025-06-13T06:25:20+01:00

Objective: The main goal of this study was to identify dietary patterns among medical students and examine how these pat-
terns are related to modifiable, non-modifiable, socioeconomic, personal, and environmental factors that influence nutrition.
Materials and Methods: After obtaining ethical approval, a descriptive cross-sectional study
The study was conducted at Kohat Institute of Medical Sciences, Kohat, Pakistan, involving 405 medical students. A
semi-structured questionnaire, including a validated food frequency questionnaire along with lifestyle and sociodemograph-
ic questions, was used to assess dietary patterns and their determinants. The research took place from February to Septem-
ber 2024. All medical students aged 19 to 25 were eligible to participate. Data analysis and interpretation were performed
using Microsoft Office 2010 and SPSS version 22. The results were presented in tables.
Results: The study showed that among 182 females, 115 (63.1%) followed a healthy pattern, while among 223 males, 135
(60.5%) maintained a healthy pattern. Respondents with a normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m²) also displayed healthy habits.
Middle-aged students, around 22 years old, exhibited healthier behaviors. Following a healthy pattern helps prevent all med-
ical illnesses, with 219 (60.8%) reporting no health issues. Unhealthy dietary habits were linked to lower daily food intake,
smoking, fast food consumption, and decreased physical activity. Respondents with higher family incomes (<$100,000) and
more disposable income for food, especially hostel residents, showed a healthier dietary pattern.
Conclusions: It was observed that dietary patterns vary among medical students, with key factors influencing these differenc-
es including age, physical activity, daily food intake, family income, BMI, monthly pocket money, and smoking habits. Many
students reported following a healthy dietary pattern. University policies aimed at improving students’ lifestyle behaviors by
offering nutritious foods and encouraging regular physical activity are essential for supporting healthy development.
Keywords: Dietary Pattern, Medical Students, Age, Body Mass Index, Food Frequency Questionnaire

STUDYING THE EFFECT OF SELF-ESTEEM AND SOCIAL SUPPORT ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS

2025-07-21T06:49:33+01:00

Objective:

To examine the impact of self-esteem, social support, and academic performance of male and female undergraduate medical students

Materials and methods:

A correlational study was conducted among students at Khyber Girls Medical College, utilizing various instruments and scales to achieve the study's objectives.

Results:

The frequency of males and females was equal in the study, while variables such as self-esteem and academic performance showed a weak correlation with academic performance. On the other hand, social support showed a strong positive correlation with academic performance.

Conclusion:

Self-esteem and social support are highly individual phenomena, with social support playing a key role in enhancing academic performance.

Keywords: Self-Esteem, Social Support, Academic Achievement, Undergraduate Medical Students

EVALUATION OF COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME AMONG STUDENTS AT THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF KERBALA: RESULTS OF ONLINE LEARNING DURING COVID-19 ISOLATION

2025-05-15T09:43:25+01:00

Objective: A complex of vision problems related to stress can occur during the use of computers or other digital devices.
Many of the visual problems that users report are transient and resolve after they stop using computers or other digital de-
vices. Even after stopping their computer job, some people may still have diminished visual abilities, such as blurry distance
vision. This study aimed to evaluate computer vision syndrome among students at the College of Medicine, University of
Kerbala
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the University of Kerbala College of Medicine, which was
completed between November 2021 and January 2022, involving students of the College of Medicine who were given stu-
dent questionnaires about the effects of long-term use of computers, laptops, and mobile phones.
Result: The cross-sectional studies, which included questionnaires administered to 460 students at the College of Medicine,
University of Karbala, were examined. We drew lines to identify computer vision syndrome based on these associated ocular
and extraocular symptoms and recorded a high prevalence of computer vision syndrome, reaching 91.6%.
Conclusion: The criteria in this study can be used to diagnose computer vision syndrome, assess the severity of the condi-
tion, and determine its relationship to prolonged use of computers or other devices.
Keywords: Computer vision syndrome, ocular, extraocular

MIGRATION OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: BRAIN DRAIN OR GLOBAL SHARING?

2025-07-22T12:54:53+01:00

Advocates for global health have long been concerned about the movement of health workers. Is it a way to improve personal prospects, a sign that systems are failing, or a means to promote global fairness? The truth lies somewhere between the ideas of brain drain and global sharing. We must reconsider this issue from the perspectives of fairness, sustainability, and moral duty.

EMERGENCY MEDICINE RESEARCH IN PAKISTAN: A SCOPING REVIEW ABOUT THE PUBLICATION TRENDS AND QUALITY ANALYSIS OF EVIDENCE

2025-05-15T09:46:21+01:00

Background: This study examines trends in emergency medicine research published in Pakistan from 2012 to 2021. We
aimed to identify research gaps and areas needing further investigation.
Materials & Methods: We searched online databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, EBSCO) for studies related to emergen-
cy medicine in Pakistan published between January 2012 and December 2021. Studies were included if they were published
in English, peer-reviewed, and focused on emergency medicine in Pakistan. Two reviewers assessed eligibility and study
quality.
Results: One hundred fifty articles were included in the review out of 871 that met the eligibility criteria. A significant portion
of these articles was published in 2020, accounting for 22.7% of the total, followed by 2016 and 2017, which together con-
tributed 12%. Conversely, 2021 had the fewest publications, with only 1.3% of studies released. During this period, the most
common study design was the cross-sectional design, representing 40.7% of all studies, while mixed-methods and qualita-
tive studies were the least common, each accounting for 1.3%. Regarding risk of bias, 48% of the studies were assessed as
having a moderate level, and 50% were identified as having a high risk of confounding factors. Overall, approximately 80%
of the articles were classified as having predominantly moderate quality. The primary focus of the cross-sectional and cohort
studies, as well as case reports, was on Infectious Diseases. Notably, a mixed-methods study on Violence and Trauma was
published in 2021, and a qualitative study from 2015 examined ethical considerations.
Conclusion: This scoping review emphasizes the prevalence of cross-sectional study designs and themes related to infec-
tious diseases in Pakistani emergency medicine research, with most articles rated as moderate quality. Future research
should focus on understudied areas, including social determinants of health, resource-limited settings, and cost-effective-
ness analyses.
Keywords: Scoping, review, emergency medicine, Scoping Review