Sadiq Hussain

Mood changes at very high altitudes in Pakistan

Objective: To screen out psychiatric ‘cases’ and find the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms in military volunteers performing duties at very high altitudes in the Karakoram ranges of Pakistan. Methods: This was a descriptive study lasting from Jan 2015 to June 2015, on volunteers serving at very high altitude, using General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Urdu versions. Analysis involved descriptive, inferential techniques and Bonferroni test. Demographic variables were compared to the scores. Results: A high percentage of the military volunteers screened positive for psychiatric ‘caseness’ and symptoms of anxiety and depression; mostly in the mild to moderate range, while very few of them reported severe symptoms. Demographic variables such as marital status, number of children, positive family psychiatric history, past medical history, duration at high altitude and educational levels were found to be significant risk factors for developing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Conclusions: Individuals performing duties at very high altitude, experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, their demographics are important in understanding their emotional problems.

Parental Power, Prestige, and Acceptance as Predictors of Young Adults’ Psychological Adjustment in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

One hundred four 18- through 36-year-old students (M = 22.6 years, 44% men) were recruited from Karakoram International University, Gilgit city, Pakistan. The adult version of the Parental Power–Prestige Questionnaire was administered to participants along with short forms of the adult Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaire for mothers and for fathers, the adult version of the Personality Assessment Questionnaire and the Gender Inequality Scale. Results showed that perceived paternal and maternal acceptance were significantly correlated with the young adults’ psychological adjustment. Neither power nor prestige was significantly correlated with adjustment. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that both perceived paternal and maternal acceptance independently predicted offspring’s psychological adjustment, while perceived parental power and prestige failed to predict their psychological adjustment. Perceived parental power and prestige were also evaluated as possible moderators in the relationship between paternal and maternal acceptance and psychological adjustment, but findings were not significant.

Assessing the Toxic Potential of Insecticideand Indigenous Botanical Extract againstthe Stored Grain Pest Tribolium castaneum(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The current investigation was undertaken to assess the toxic potential of synthetic insecticides (K.Othrin and bio-max) and botanical extracts (Mentha royleana L. and Artemisia absinthium L.) against Tribolium castaneum in the laboratory. Different concentrations of insecticides and botanical extracts were used following complete randomized block design. The results indicated that the toxic effects were directly proportional to concentrations of insecticide and botanical extracts. Higher concentrations had more resilient toxicity than lower concentrations. Among the tested insecticides, Biomax (Chlorpyrifos) showed >90% and K-Othrin (Deltamethrin) <80% mean toxic effect at 2% concentrations. In the botanical extract, Mentha royleana toxicity at 5% concentration is > 90% as compared to Artemisia absinthium against T. Castaneum. The results could be helpful in designing an effective management plan for the control of T. castaneum.

Assessment of Freshwater Springs, Associated Diseases and Indigenous Perception in Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Objective: To assess the quality of freshwater aquifers (springs) associated diseases, and indigenous perception in Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the department of environmental science, Karakoram International University Gilgit after approval from departmental research committee. In order to get the most accurate results, 18 water samples in triplicates were collected according to our lab own set of sampling standard operating procedures (SOPs) using pre-sterilized bottles of 100 ml from June 2016 to August 2016 along with associated diseases record and structured interviews from indigenous population. For physicochemical and microbial assessment, samples were tested before five hours after collection and associated diseases and indigenous perception was analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques. Results: Findings revealed that levels of pH, EC, phosphates, TDS, and nitrite, fall within WHO standards except nitrate, temperature and turbidity. The highest concentration (mgL-1± SE) of Hg in Barkolti and Barsat springs were (0.01±0.005) and (0.02±0.001) while Zn was (0.04±0.02) respectively. The concentration of Cu in Barkolti spring was (0.2± 0.03) while in Barsat spring below the detection level. The concentration of Cd, Pb, Cr, and Fe in both springs fall within WHO permissible limits. The mean value of E. coli recorded in both Barkolti and Barsat aquifers were (1.08cfu ±0.45) and (2.11cfu±0.56) respectively. The prevalence of water-associated diseases recorded in the order diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and their incidence increases at high peak in summer. Irrespective of physicochemical and microbial components, indigenous population believed that the spring water has curative properties. Conclusions: Physiochemical and microbial parameters of springs water fall within WHO standards except nitrate, turbidity, temperature, and E. coli, and incidence of certain associated diseases. However, indigenous population is unaware about the fact and believed that spring water very safe.

Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety among Women attending Primary Health Care in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan

Objective: To assess symptoms of anxiety and depression among women reporting to primary health care (PHC women) in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Pakistan. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on PHC women belonging GB including other three provinces of Pakistan. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were used to assess anxiety and depression. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were applied to analyze the collected data. Results: PHC women from GB reported higher level of depressive symptoms (t=7.58, p=0.00) and lower level of anxiety symptoms (t=8.3, p=0.00) when compared with cut-off score. Insignificant differences were found in depressive (t=1.5, p>.05) and anxiety (t=1.2, p>.05) scores between GB women and women from rest of Pakistan. However, inter-province differences in depressive (F=5.78, p= 00) and anxiety (F=4.5, p=0.00) symptoms were significant. Increasing age and lack of education were found significant risk factors for GB PHC women’s depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: PHC women from GB have higher level of depressive and lower level of anxiety symptoms like women from other provinces of Pakistan. Their demographics should be considered while addressing their emotional problems.