LUMHS-Undergraduate Medical Research Journal
EDITORIAL MESSAGE: It gives me immense pleasure and profound pride to announce the launch of the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences - Undergraduate Medical Research Journal (LUMHS-UMRJ). This landmark initiative represents a significant stride toward strengthening the foundation of research and innovation at the undergraduate level an area that forms the backbone of academic growth and scientific advancement. The establishment of LUMHS-UMRJ reflects the unwavering commitment of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences to fostering a culture of curiosity, critical thinking, and evidence-based learning among our future healthcare professionals. Through this journal, I aspire to provide a dynamic platform where young minds can share their ideas, discoveries, and innovations with the broader scientific community both nationally and internationally. At LUMHS, I believe that research is not merely a component of education but the essence of it. Encouraging undergraduate students to engage in scholarly investigation nurtures intellectual maturity, ethical responsibility, and professional excellence, qualities that define the leaders of tomorrow’s medical and health sciences community. I wholeheartedly invite students, faculty members, and emerging scholars from across Pakistan and around the world to contribute their original research, reviews, and case studies to LUMHS-UMRJ. Together, we can build a vibrant academic network dedicated to advancing medical science, improving healthcare outcomes, and serving humanity through knowledge. I extend my deepest appreciation to the editorial team, contributors, and mentors whose vision and dedication have made this initiative possible. Let LUMHS-UMRJ stand as a symbol of our shared pursuit of excellence, innovation, and integrity in medical research. PROF. DR. IKRAM DIN UJJAN Editor-in-Chief LUMHS-UMRJ
Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro, Sindh
AWARENESS AND PRACTICE OF BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION AMONG FEMALE MEDICAL STUDENTS
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women globally and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in low- and middle-income countries, including Pakistan. Enhancing skills with Breast self-examination will not only improve their own health behaviors but also prepare them to effectively educate the wider community. OBJECTIVE: To determine the awareness and practice of breast self-examination among female medical students. METHODOLOGY: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro and Thatta, Pakistan, using non-probability convenience sampling. A total of 42 female medical students aged 18-30 years, enrolled in any year of medical studies. Females who had breast cancer or females who refused to participate were excluded from this study. Data was collected through a proforma which included consent of the participants and their demographic data along with a well-structured questioner focusing on areas like family history of breast cancer, awareness, knowledge and practice of BSE RESULT: Mean age of participants were 20.9 years (SD ± 1.8), 34% were in their first year and 33.3% in the third year of study; 13.20% were married and 15.1% had a family history of breast cancer. Findings revealed that 75.5% of participants had heard about BSE, and 66% correctly recognized its purpose as early detection of breast cancer. However, only 39.6% knew that BSE should be performed monthly, and a majority (75.5%) lacked knowledge of the correct BSE technique. Practice was moderate, with 35.80% having ever performed BSE. Major barriers to regular practice included lack of knowledge (45.30%) and fear of detecting a lump (24.5%). CONCLUSION: While awareness of BSE among female medical students is high, there is a significant gap in knowledge about correct technique and consistent practice. Educational programs targeting these gaps are essential to improve skill and confidence in performing BSE regularly. Moreover, addressing psychological barriers such as fear could further enhance regular practice and Implement comprehensive BSE training early in medical curricula to ensure proper technique and regular practice.
Breast Self-Examination (BSE), Awareness, Practice
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PATTERN OF INJURIES AND ASSOCIATION OF RISK FACTORS CAUSING ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL HYDERABAD
OBJECTIVE: To assess the pattern of injuries in road traffic accidents in Hyderabad and to determine the risk factors associated with the type of injuries. METHODOLOGY: It was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study. This study was conducted at Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, study duration was 06 months. After getting the approval from Research Ethics Committee, the participants fulfilling the selection criteria was approached by the researchers randomly. After their consent a questionnaire was filled by asking face to face questions from the subjects. All the data was entered in SPSS version 27 for analysis. Chi-square tests were applied; p value less than 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Among 384 RTA cases, lower limbs (47.4%) were the most commonly affected body region, followed by the upper limbs (21.1%), face (13.2%), and head (10.5%), while the neck, chest, and spine accounted for 2.6% each. In terms of injury types, fractures (39.5%) were the most frequent, followed by lacerations (27.9%), abrasions (25.6%), and contusions (7.0%). The probability of head and facial injuries increased dramatically when helmet use was absent. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between pattern of injuries with road conditions and collision dynamics (p<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: Type of collision and road type are important risk factors influencing injury patterns. Early identification and intervention strategies targeting these variables can help in reducing accident-related injuries and fatalities.
Pattern of injuries, Road traffic Accidents, Risk factors, Trauma, Motor Vehicle Crashes, Speeding
PREVALENCE OF PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS IN MEDICINE AND ORTHOPAEDIC WARDS AT CIVIL HOSPITAL, KHAIRPUR MEDICAL COLLEGE, KHAIRPUR, SINDH, PAKISTAN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical profile of peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients admitted to medicine and orthopaedic wards of Civil Hospital, Khairpur Medical College, Sindh. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted on adult diabetic patients and were admitted in medicine and orthopedic wards. Patients who had non-diabetic cause of neuropathy were not included. Measuring the neuropathy was done using Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), which is divided into symptom questionnaires and certain clinical exam. Demographic information, length of diabetes, treatment modes, comorbidities and glycemic control (HbA1c) were captured. Data analysis was done using SPSS software. The relationship between variables was investigated with chi-square tests and logistic regression, but the descriptive statistics offered an overview of the data. The Ethical review committee gave the ethical approval and informed consent was also received. RESULTS: The participants of the study were middle-aged/old diabetic patients of almost equal gender distribution. The overall incidence of peripheral neuropathy was 45 percent. Neuropathy was observed have a close association with longer duration of the disease (10 and above years), inadequate glycemia control (HbA1c, 8% and above) and co-occurring hypertension and hypertension. Neuropathy had a marginal prevalence (50 vs 42) between patients taken to an orthopedic ward and a medical ward, respectively. It presented itself clinically with numbness, tingling, burning, and lack of sensation of vibration and decreased ankle reflexes. CONCLUSION: Peripheral neuropathy is quite frequent in diabetic inpatients of the Khairpur Medical College, in particular with respect to the ineffective glycemic control and the long length of diabetes induction. Best screening and total care plans are leading towards reducing complications as well as maximizing patient results and to manage healthcare resources.
Diabetes mellitus, Peripheral neuropathy, Prevalence, Orthopaedic wards, Medicine wards, Pakistan, Glycemic control
CORRELATION BETWEEN PRE-STROKE SYMPTOMS AND RISK FACTORS OF STROKE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to gain knowledge of the relationship between pre-stroke symptoms and risk factors among stroke patients as well as defining the symptoms of stroke in stroke patients. METHODOLOGY: The data used in this cross sectional study was gathered using a population of 100 patients admitted in Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad. The information gathered using a questionnaire within a period of 3 months. The information was then processed by use of SPSS version 27. RESULTS: The percentage of male and female participants among the study participants was 66.7 and 33.3, respectively. The mean age was determined as 54.7, with the range: 28-75 years. Headache (45.8%), numbness or unilateral weakness (41.7%), and slurred speech (33.3%), were identified as the most common, second and third, respectively, pre-stroke symptoms. Some of the risk factors that were common included hypertension (72.9%), smoking (27.1%), and positive family history (21.4%). The data were analyzed to relate weakness, headache, fatigue and slurred speech to hypertension, smoking and positive family history. We discovered that there exists a strong relationship between pre-stroke symptoms and underlying risk factors (p value<0.05). CONCLUSION: This paper has determined that pre stroke symptoms have a strong relationship with risk factors and therefore the need to be aware of the warning signs of high risk individuals. In addition, it also means that there must be special public awareness on pre-stroke symptoms, which specially focuses on high risk patients to encourage early visit to the hospital and timely treatment
Stroke, Pre-stroke symptoms, Risk factors, Correlation, Cross sectional, Hypertension
INCIDENCE AND PATTERN OF MAXILLOFACIAL INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH HEAD TRAUMA: A CLINICAL CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
BACKGROUND: Because of the close anatomical relationship between the cranium and the facial skeleton, maxillofacial trauma often coexists with head injuries. Comprehending this correlation is essential for timely diagnosis, interdisciplinary care, and averting potentially fatal consequences. The purpose of the current study was to ascertain the frequency and distribution of maxillofacial fractures linked to head trauma in trauma patients who arrived at a tertiary care facility. METHODS: Over the course of a year, 200 trauma cases at the LUMHS civil hospital neurosurgery & maxillofacial surgery ward were the subject of a descriptive cross-sectional study. Structured clinical records were used to gather information on demographics, the type of head injury, and the type of facial fracture, the trauma's etiology, and the length of hospital stay. SPSS version 28 was used to apply statistical analyses, such as logistic regression, ANOVA, chi-square, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: The most common bone fractures were frontal (39%) and nasal (25%) and mandibular (18%). The presence of head injury and fracture type were significantly correlated (χ² = 21.3, p = 0.012). The most frequent intracranial pathology was cerebral contusion (51.5%), and its occurrence was significantly predicted by frontal bone fracture (OR = 2.81; p = 0.003). The majority of injuries (70.1%) were caused by trauma related to firearms, which was significantly different from the global trend of traffic accidents (F = 6.77; p < 0.001). Panfacial fractures and Le Fort hospital stays were significantly longer (H = 14.9; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Intracerebral injuries are closely associated with maxillofacial fractures, especially those of the frontal and midfacial regions. Targeted preventive and policy measures are necessary due to the high percentage of trauma related to firearms, which indicates a clear regional pattern. For all upper and midfacial fractures, routine neuroimaging and multidisciplinary evaluation are advised in order to guarantee early identification and the best possible treatment of concurrent head injuries.
Maxillofacial trauma; Head injury; Frontal bone fracture; Cerebral contusion; Firearm injury; Multidisciplinary management; Cross-sectional study
Ram Pershad Chooni Lal Sharma Lal Sharma