EVALUATE OF THE PREVALENCE AND SEVERITY OF SYMPTOMS OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DYSFUNCTION (TMJD).

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and severity of TMJD and distribution of associated symptoms with respect to gender and age among the patients visiting Dental Clinic of a Rural Health Centre (RHC). Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Dental Clinic of Rural Health Centre (RHC) Nasirabad, District Kambar Shadadkot, Sindh, Pakistan. Period: December 2018 to May 2019. Material & Method: The study sample comprises of total 132 patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fonseca’s questionnaire and Fonseca’s Anamnestic Index are employed to assess the subjective response and severity of TMJD symptoms respectively vis-a-vis age and gender of patients. Data collected from patients is entered in SPSS ® version 16.0 for statistical analysis. Results: The results are arranged and statistically evaluated. Overall 43% answered positive to questions with respect to symptoms. Majority of patients reported positive for neck pain or stiff neck (15%) and muscular fatigue while chewing (15%). 50 % of patients suffering from TMJD symptoms belong to Age Group 1 (15 – 35 years). 94.3 % female patients suffer from some degree of TMJD. Based on Fonseca’s Anamnestic Index of severity, 65.9% of patients have Mild TMJD symptoms, 18.9% with Moderate severity and 1.5% with severe symptoms of TMJD. Conclusion: This study concludes that TMJD are more common in females with age group of 15 – 35 years of age. The most prevalent symptom is muscular pain / tiredness of jaws during chewing and stiffness of neck. In this study sample, majority of patients suffer from Mild TMJD symptoms.

UNDERSTANDING REGARDING ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN GOVERNMENT SECTOR OF TEHSIL GUJAR KHAN

Background: Antibiotic resistance is found to be a continuous threat to effective prevention and treatment of infections and it is a common problem the world facing these days. The severity of problem has increased especially in developing countries with lack of understanding. The objective of the study was to assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of antibiotic resistance among different types of health care professionals working in governmental sector of Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: A Cross sectional study was conducted by distributing questionnaire with 136 healthcare professionals working in Tehsil Head Quarter Hospital Gujar Khan, Rural Health Centre Qazian, Rural Health Centre Mandra and Rural Health Centre Daultala. Ethical approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board of Health Services Academy Islamabad. Questions were of true or false type in knowledge section. A Likert scale was used to assess of participants regarding use of antibiotics and its resistance developed among the patients. The responses of this scale ranged "from strongly agreed to strongly disagree, from always to never" and Practices were measured by different factors and drivers. Results: The total number of participants was 136, out of which there were (35%) males and 88 (65%) females. 80 respondents were from THQ Hospital Gujar khan and 56 participants were from three RHCs. It was found in the study that majority 79% (n=107) respondents were demanding by themselves to prescribe them antibiotics. It was found that more than half or 60% (n=81) people strongly agreed that antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest issue worldwide that needs to be addressed. The overall knowledge was found to be good but there were attitude and practice problems. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate a diverse level of understanding of antibiotics resistance among different health care professionals. Therefore, serious concerns and efforts are still needed to develop, education and trainings to implement strategies to minimize the future risks of antibiotic resistance.