Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad : JAMC
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J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad · Oct 2003
Equity shortfalls & failure of the welfare state: community willingness to pay for health care at government facilities in Jehlum (Pakistan).
The question of willingness to pay is very crucial in planning for services. In Pakistan, the long-term issues of sustainability of health systems particularly, allocation of finances have routinely been addressed by planners with insufficient data and unclear goals. This study was conducted with the objectives to determine the demand for health care services in the community; at first level care facilities and community level and determine the willingness of the community (Willingness to pay) to participate in cost sharing mechanisms for provision of primary health care in fee for service and prepayment mechanisms. ⋯ The findings of this study suggest that the community is willing to pay for health care at the public sector facilities if payment can ensure provision of essential curative services and medications at improved quality levels.
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J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad · Apr 2003
Comparative StudyAnalysis of maternal mortality in a tertiary care hospital to determine causes and preventable factors.
All pregnant women are at risk of obstetrical complications and most of these occur during labour and delivery that lead to maternal death. In our setup maternal mortality is seriously under estimated. Safe motherhood as a priority for action can not be identified with out properly assessing maternal mortality. The objectives of this study were to determine causes and preventable factors responsible for maternal mortality. ⋯ Obstetrical haemorrhage and hypertensive disorders are still major causes of maternal deaths. Most maternal deaths are preventable. The provision of skilled care and timely management of complications can lower maternal mortality in our setup.
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J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad · Apr 2003
Accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of upper abdominal pain.
Upper abdominal pain is one of the commonest complaints in patients seeking medical advice, and in majority of the cases the aetiology is simple and treatable. Ultrasonography is hazard free and cost effective investigation. This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of upper abdominal pain. ⋯ This study showed that ultrasound is an easy and quick investigation in the diagnosis of upper abdominal pain with slightly less than 50% accuracy.
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J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad · Jul 2002
ReviewNovelity in GB virus C/hepatitis G virus and its controversy.
Several novel human RNA viruses were identified in 1995-96 and were partially characterized that apparently can cause acute and chronic hepatitis both in monkeys and humans. These new viruses are related to the flavivirus hepatitis C. It is known to be distinct from other human hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, E). ⋯ Another group at Genelabs Technologies has identified and determined the complete genomic sequence of a virus they termed hepatitis G virus (HGV). Based on genomic sequence comparisons HGV is probably the same as GB-C. It is highly controversial virus regarding pathogenecity, mode of transmission and site of replication.