COVID-19 Infection and Endoscopy–Is Symptom-Based Screening Enough before Proceeding for Endoscopy? DOI Creative Commons
Saleem Abdulkarim, Amna Subhan Butt,

Khadijah Abdullah

et al.

Afro-Egyptian Journal of Infectious and Endemic Diseases, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 0(0), P. 0 - 0

Published: Oct. 25, 2023

Background and study aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 substantially affected healthcare systems including endoscopy services worldwide.Besides using PPE, pre-procedure symptom screening was adopted by the majority.The role of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in addition to symptom-based over a longer period that includes post-pandemic environment needed further investigation.This aimed evaluate outcome COVID-19 PCR low-risk patients narrowed down tool during five waves COVID-19. Patients Methods: This crosssectional performed from June 2020 March 2022.Patients aged ≥ 18 years with no symptoms screened via risk questionnaire, who underwent procedures at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, were reviewed.Patients already had positive tests or preceding month excluded.COVID-19 Reverse Transcriptase on nasopharyngeal swabs within 72 hours pre-procedure.World Health Organization (WHO) timelines used define time limits for waves.Results: Of 7198 booked endoscopic procedures, 4967 (69.0%) tested COVID-19.The mean age 47.6 ± 15.9 44.9% female.Overall positivity rate 2.7% highest 11.9% fifth wave followed first (2.4%). Conclusion:There low overall occurrence infection, apart asymptomatic undergoing procedures.Therefore, increasing compliance vaccination conducting thorough before could eliminate necessity RT-PCR testing.

Language: Английский

Clinical Comparison of the COVID Waves 2-5. An Inpatient Retrospective Comparative Analysis from Karachi, Pakistan DOI Creative Commons
Muneeba Ahsan Sayeed,

Elisha Shalim,

Shaiza Farman

et al.

Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12(3)

Published: Feb. 7, 2025

Abstract Background Each coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wave is unique in its clinical presentation and outcome. In this study, we compared the characteristics outcomes of COVID waves 2–5 inpatient settings. Methods A retrospective study was conducted at Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital Research Center on adult patients who were admitted with a positive polymerase chain reaction from July 2020 to March 2022. SPSS 26 used analyze data. Results total 3190 COVID-19 admitted. Wave 2 had highest percentage discharges mortality (81%; P = .0001). Cytokine release syndrome most common 3 (32.7%; Severe admission predominant 4 (79.4%; .0001), rates intubation (27.1%; septic shock (24.3%; progression (50.8%; 5, majority elderly (median age, 68 years) mild (22.4%; comorbidities (84.6%; ratio acute kidney injury high (29.2%; Mortality lowest (18.9%; .0001) (42.5%; .0001; odds ratio, 3.18; 95% CI, 2.6–3.8; 2). Conclusions some other waves, 4, driven by Delta variant, being deadliest one terms severity outcomes.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Comparative Study of Humoral Immunity Against SARS-CoV-2 Induced by Different COVID-19 Vaccine Types: Insights into Protection Against Wild-Type, Delta and JN.1 Omicron Strains DOI
Zahra Hasan, Kiran Iqbal Masood,

Shama Qaiser

et al.

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Evidence of rapid rise in population immunity from SARS-CoV-2 subclinical infections through pre-vaccination serial serosurveys in Pakistan DOI Creative Commons
Junaid Iqbal, Zahra Hasan, Atif Habib

et al.

Journal of Global Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: Feb. 20, 2025

Understanding factors associated with protective immunity against emerging viral infections is crucial for global health. Pakistan reported its first COVID-19 case on 26 February 2020, but experienced relatively low COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality between 2020 2022. The underlying reasons this remain unclear, our research aims to shed light issue. We conducted a serial population-based serosurvey over 16 months (rounds 1-4, July November 2021) across households in urban (Karachi) rural (Matiari) Sindh, sampling 1100 3900 individuals. measured antibodies sera tested subset of respiratory samples using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) antigen tests, also measuring haemoglobin (Hb), C-reactive protein (CRP), vitamin D, zinc round 1. Participants showed 23% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 21.9-24.5) antibody seroprevalence 1, increasing rounds 2-4 29% CI 27.4-30.6), 49% 47.2-50.9), 79% 77.4-80.8), respectively. Urban residents had 2.6 times 1.9-3.6) higher odds seropositivity than residents. Seropositivity did not differ genders. Individuals aged 20-49 years 7.5 4.6-12.4) compared children 0-4 years. Most participants no symptoms COVID-19, mortality. Vitamin D deficiency was linked seroprevalence. confirmed 1.8% individuals via RT-PCR tests. data suggests steady increase humoral Pakistan, likely due increased transmission asymptomatic disease. Overall, reflects the longitudinal trend protection severe acute syndrome coronavirus 2, leading observed population.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Understanding the ability of households to cope with economic shocks: an empirical study of Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic DOI Creative Commons
Arslan Austin, Imran Ur Rahman, Zunera Rana

et al.

Journal of Health Population and Nutrition, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 44(1)

Published: March 19, 2025

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to households throughout the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Pakistan’s management policies have been widely recognized for their effectiveness at both national international levels. Objective In this study, we empirically examine households’ response external shocks, such as pandemic, coping mechanisms adopted household level Pakistan. Methods Based on Rational Choice Theory, research examines 3456 households, encompassing urban rural areas, using official survey data from National Bureau of Statistics study utilizes logit model estimations. Results findings show that substitution low-quality food sources is most common mechanism closely impacts security. Interestingly, revealed that, except bank loans, none significantly reduced likelihood families would experience severe effects. Conclusions underscore complexities responding a multifaceted crisis pandemic. This contributes essential insights into evolving discourse resilience, recovery strategies, anticipated similar shocks.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Calculating SIRD Model Parameters and Re-Susceptibility in Malaysia, Pakistan, India and United Arab Emirates DOI
Abdul Basit, Jasni Mohamad Zain, Hafiza Zoya Mojahid

et al.

Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 108902 - 108902

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Evolution of COVID-19 infection in Punjab; trends during five waves of infection in the province of Punjab DOI Creative Commons
Hasnain Javed, Aasia Khaliq, Shaper Mirza

et al.

BMC Infectious Diseases, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: March 25, 2024

Abstract Background Pakistan witnessed five waves of COVID-19 infections during the pandemic. Punjab, largest province Pakistan, remained epicentre due to a high infection rate. Administrative data for pandemic was analyzed determine rate and significance pharmacological non-pharmacological interventions on severity duration infection. Methodology from March 2020 May 2023 obtained Provincial Public Health Reference Laboratory (PPHRL), Punjab AIDS Control Program, Lahore. The included samples index cases, contacts, recovered patients. A total 36,252,48 cases were screened COVID-19, 90,923 (2.50%) detected positive by RT-PCR, accounting 5.69% reported throughout country. Results Among 50.86% ( n = 46,244) new (registered first time), 40.41% 36751) contact traced newly identified 8.62% 7842) repeated cases. positivity rates among be 2.37%, 2.34%, 4.61%, 2.09%, 1.19%, respectively, respective waves. Distribution gender indicated that 64% males 35% females infected age factor demonstrated most susceptibility in women aged 19-29 years, whereas between ages 29-39 had an Susceptibility observed equally likely females; however, clinical outcomes more severe often resulted fatalities as compared those females. This trend also reflected viral titer measured Ct values, where 40% values < 25 (an indicator titers) 30% with 25. Conclusion Overall, our stable except 3rd wave, which showed higher incidence 4%. Additionally, impact masking, social distancing, immunization, shorter window rates.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Pakistan’s national COVID-19 response: lessons from an emergent response to the pandemic DOI Creative Commons
Adnan Ahmad Khan, Mujahid Abdullah,

Romesa Khan

et al.

Frontiers in Public Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Aug. 5, 2024

In 2020, Pakistan faced the formidable challenge of COVID-19 pandemic with an existing yet disjointed healthcare infrastructure, that included by over 18,000 public and estimated 75,000 private health facilities some elements epidemic surveillance response system. This descriptive study examines how developed a response, driven establishing central coordination decision-making mechanism to overcome these systemic challenges.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Investigating the barriers to sustainable higher education in the post pandemic environment DOI

Saleha Ansari,

Abdul Waheed

Education and Information Technologies, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 13, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Evidence of Rapid Rise in Population Immunity from Subclinical Infections in Pakistan from Pre-vaccination Serial Serosurveys in Pakistan DOI Open Access
Junaid Iqbal, Zahra Hasan, Atif Habib

et al.

Published: Sept. 2, 2024

Background: Understanding factors associated with protective immunity against emerging viral infections is crucial for global health. Pakistan reported its first COVID-19 case on February 26, 2020, but compared to other countries, it experienced relatively low COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality between 2020 2022. The underlying reasons remain unclear. Our research aims shed light this issue. Methods: We conducted serial household surveys over 16 months (Rounds 1-4, July - November 2021) in urban (Karachi) rural (Matiari) Sindh, sampling 1100 households 3900 individuals. comprehensive approach included measuring antibodies sera, testing a subset of respiratory samples using RT-PCR antigen tests, Hemoglobin, CRP, Vitamin D, zinc Round 1. Results Participants showed 23% (95% CI 21.9-24.5) antibody seroprevalence round 1, increasing across rounds 29% 27.4-30.6), 49% 47.2-50.9) 79% 77.4-80.8). Urban residents had 2.6 times 1.9-3.6) higher odds seropositivity than residents. Seropositivity did not differ genders. Individuals aged 20-49 7.5 4.6-12.4) children 0-4. Most participants were asymptomatic, no mortality. D deficiency was linked seroprevalence. confirmed 1.8% individuals via tests. Conclusions: data suggests steady increase humoral Pakistan, likely due increased transmission potential cross-protective immunity, which may be asymptomatic disease, leading the reduction observed.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Disparities in age and gender-specific SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing trends: a retrospective study from Pakistan DOI Creative Commons

Najia Karim Ghanchi,

Kiran Iqbal Masood, Muhammad Farrukh Qazi

et al.

BMC Public Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: Sept. 27, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

1