Nashi Khan

Dhat syndrome in relation to demographic characteristics

Background: The area of mens sexual health has been poorly understood, particularly with reference to South Asian cultures. The belief that losing semen is detrimental to health is a concept common to both Oriental and Occidental thinking. Aim: To estimate the number of patients with the dhat syndrome consulting different professionals in Lahore and to examine their demographic characteristics. Method: Seventy health professionals of various types were approached and asked to fill in a daily record form for all patients reporting at their clinics for a period of 1 month. Results: A total of 1777 patients were reported to attend the outpatient clinics of health professionals of various types over a period of 1 month. The majority of patients consulted hakims for professional help. Most of the patients were single, with a mean age of 24 years and had a monthly income of less than Rs 3000. Conclusion: These data have important implications for patients, professionals and researchers. The alarming number of people consulting various professionals to seek help for anxiety due to semen loss highlights the fact that research into and interventions for this neglected area of mens sexual health are urgently required.

Pathways of Women Prisoners to Jail in Pakistan

BACKGROUND The present study aimed to examine pathways to imprisonment for women in Pakistan. It was hypothesized that early life victimization in women, problematic family relationship and economical deprivation would be significantly associated with criminal activities of women prisoners. METHOD To identify the pathways to prison, structured interview was devised by the researchers. Sample comprised of 114 women prisoners enlisted from KotLakhpat jail, Lahore, Pakistan. RESULTS Poverty, revenge, anger and lack of empowerment were significantly associated with criminal activities of women of fender. CONCLUSION The umbrella of rehabilitation should also cover social and legal matters of women offenders along with tackling their psychological issues.

Gender differences among discrimination & stigma experienced by depressive patients in Pakistan.

Objective: This study aims to examine Gender Difference in the level of Discrimination and Stigma experienced by people diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder in Pakistan. It was hypothesized that Women diagnosed with Depression are likely to be experiencing more Discrimination and Internalized Stigma in comparison to Men. Methods: This is a Cross Sectional Study. Thirty eight patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder recruited from different Government Sector Hospitals of Lahore; were approached after obtaining informed consent. Discrimination and Stigma were measured through Discrimination and Stigma Scale and Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory respectively. Results: Both Men and Women experience considerably high level of associated Stigma and Discrimination due to their Mental Illness. However, Women in comparison to Men experience significantly greater level of Internalized Stigma especially in domains of Discrimination Experience and Social Withdrawal. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the fact that people with Depression can be more benefited with psychological treatment if dealing with Stigma and Discrimination is also addressed in Intervention Plans.

Psychological and gynecological morbidity in women presenting with vaginal discharge in Pakistan

Gynecological morbidity has been reported to be associated with psychological distress among women. However, no formal research has been conducted in Pakistan on psychological and gynecological morbidity in women presenting with vaginal discharge. This study aimed (1) to examine whether women presenting with a primary complaint of vaginal discharge are more likely to have a Common Mental Disorder compared with those not presenting with vaginal discharge and (2) to examine whether gender disadvantage is associated with vaginal discharge. Psychological morbidity was examined in women (n=377) presenting at gynecological clinics with and without a primary complaint of vaginal discharge. Gynecological and Psychological morbidity were assessed using Urdu version of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the National Family Health Survey Interview. Women presenting with a primary complaint of vaginal discharge were significantly more likely to have a common mental disorder than women presenting with other gynecological problems. Hunger, a marker of poverty, and low social integration, a domain of gender disadvantage, were associated with vaginal discharge in the multivariate model. Pakistani women presenting with vaginal discharge were at increased risk of having a common mental disorder. This research highlights the need for training of medical professionals such as gynecologists to identify common mental disorders among women reporting with gynecological problems. Study limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.