Razi International Medical Journal

Prevalence and associated factors of vision impairment in Kandahar

Mohammad Essa Amirzada — 2024-11-30

Background: This study aims to assess the prevalence, primary causes, and associated factors of visual impairment (VI) among individuals aged 40 years and older at Mirwais Hospital in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

Methods: The data for this population-based cross-sectional study were collected from 2022 to 2023. The calculated sample size was 301, allocated to urban and rural strata using the probability proportional to size method. Visual impairment (VI) encompasses two components: low vision and blindness. Low vision is defined as visual acuity less than 6/18, while blindness is defined as visual acuity less than 3/60, as measured by the Snellen chart.

Results: The study included 301 patients, comprising 145 (48.2%) women and 156 (51.8%) men. The age distribution was as follows: 67 (22.1%) participants were aged 40–50 years, 111 (36.8%) were aged 51–60 years, and 127 (42.1%) were above 60 years. Visual impairment was observed in 159 cases (52.8%) in urban areas and 142 cases (47.2%) in rural areas. The leading causes of visual impairment were cataracts in 144 (47.8%) patients, refractive errors in 68 (22.6%), glaucoma in 37 (12.3%), macular degeneration in 28 (9.3%), and diabetic retinopathy in 24 (8.0%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of visual impairment increases notably after the age of 50, particularly among patients with cataracts, followed by those with refractive errors and glaucoma. In conclusion, this research highlights a higher prevalence of visual impairment in patients with cataracts, refractive errors, and glaucoma.

Sensitivity Pattern in Children Respiratory Bacterial Infections

Bashir Ahmad Mahboobi — 2024-11-30

Background: Bacterial respiratory infections are a major health concern, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in respiratory infections and assess the efficacy of antibiotics.

Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted from July 2010 to July 2011. Patients with respiratory infections were categorized by age, bacterial pathogen, disease type, and season of infection. Diagnostic methods, including throat swabs, blood cultures, and antibiograms, were used to identify pathogens and determine antibiotic resistance profiles. The infection rate was calculated using standard epidemiological formulas.

Results: Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 84.7% of infections, with Acinetobacter baumannii (26.4%) being the most common pathogen. Gram-positive infections, primarily caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (77%), were also prevalent. The highest infection rates were observed in the spring, particularly among children under one year and those aged 1-6 years. Pneumonia was the most common diagnosis (43.5%). Ampicillin resistance was widespread, but Acinetobacter baumannii, E. coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae showed sensitivity to Sulbactam, Cefoperazone, and Piperacillin/Tazobactam.

Conclusion: Acinetobacter baumannii was the predominant cause of respiratory infections, especially in young children and during spring. Ampicillin resistance was common, but Sulbactam, Cefoperazone, and Piperacillin/Tazobactam were more effective. These findings highlight the importance of targeted antibiotic therapy, particularly for Gram-negative bacterial infections.

Prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight (LBW) in Mirwais Regional Hospital (MRH) Kandahar

Ismatullah Darman — 2024-11-30

Background: This study aims to describe the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight (LBW) among neonates born in the maternity ward of Mirwais Regional Hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1st, 2023, to December 31st, 2023. A total of 423 mothers who recently gave birth were included using systematic random sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face maternal interviews and medical record reviews, focusing on socio-demographic, maternal, nutrition-related, and neonate-related factors. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS 16.0 to identify factors associated with LBW.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 32 years, with most falling in the 21-30 age group. A significant majority of participants were from rural areas (74.5%) and belonged to the Pashtun ethnicity (84.6%). The prevalence of LBW among the neonates was 17.3%. Key factors associated with LBW included low maternal educational status, inadequate prenatal care, and poor nutritional status.

Conclusion: The study identified a high prevalence of LBW in neonates born at Mirwais Regional Hospital. Maternal education, prenatal care, and nutritional status are significant predictors of LBW. Interventions focusing on improving maternal education, enhancing prenatal care, and ensuring adequate maternal nutrition are critical to reducing the incidence of LBW in this setting.

Prevalence of Language Barriers, Impacts, and Coping Strategies among Medical Students during their Clinical Rotation in Peshawar

Afsana Lal — 2024-11-30

Background: This study examines the Prevalence of Language Barriers, Impacts, and Coping Strategies among Medical Students during their Clinical Rotation in Peshawar, an area with a wide range of language diversity.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 663 medical students from six medical colleges in Peshawar to assess the prevalence, frequency, and severity of language barriers, their impact on patient interactions, and the coping mechanisms employed by students.

Results: The findings indicated that 39.1% of the students faced language barriers during clinical rotations; most of them were female and non-Pashto speakers. A vast proportion (69.1%) felt that these barriers negatively affected patient care due to difficulties in obtaining proper patient history and increased miscommunication. Moreover, students with language barriers reported anxiety and frustration during patient interaction. The primary coping strategy used by students was seeking support from colleagues at 80.7%. Figures showed that only 11.9% of students received formal training to overcome language barriers. Of course, students who received language barrier training were significantly more confident in clinical interactions.

Conclusion: These results suggest extreme reforms in medical curricula, such as including many languages and cultural training programs to overcome language barriers; this would better prepare the students to work in a multilingual setting, dramatically reducing communication errors, improving patient care, and enriching the education experience in diverse areas.

Afghanistan: Girls plight to access education

Ahmad Neyazi — 2024-11-30

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