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Background: Pakistan is facing a double burden of disease. Nutrition has an impact on nutritionally related non-communicable diseases. Malnutrition in adolescent age continues in adulthood so interventions in this stage can help us fight this emerging problem. Objective: To determine the nutritional status of school-going adolescents and their eating patterns and then compare them between public and private secondary schools of Lahore. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was done on 372 school-going adolescents from 01.03.2023 to 20.06.2023 (3.5 months). A self-structured questionnaire was filled with interviews by convenience sampling. Weight and height were measured and BMI was plotted on WHO z charts to determine the nutritional status. Data were entered and analyzed by SPSS Version 21. The chi-square test was used to compare BMI and its determinants. Factors found significant were subjected to Binary logistic regression. P-value = 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Out of the 372 school-going adolescent participants had a mean age of 14.86 years SD ± 1.75 (164 males and 208 females). 76(20.43%) were underweight, 201 (54.03%) had normal weight, 66(17.74%) were overweight and 29(7.8%) were obese. Public Schools had higher odds of undernutrition AOR 1.49 and lower odds of overweight and obesity AOR 0.38. Males had a reduced chance of undernutrition AOR 0.59 while the increased odds of overweight/Obesity AOR 1.81. Age groups 11 to 15 years had reduced odds of undernutrition as compared to 16 to 19 years AOR 0.53 and increased odds of overweight/obesity as compared to 16 to 19 years AOR 2.00. Conclusion: There is a significant difference in the nutritional status and eating habits of adolescents between public and private schools. Undernutrition is higher in public schools, among females and age 16 to 19 years. Nutritional interventions should be strengthened in school health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the need for primary healthcare system reforms in Pakistan to achieve universal health coverage. Primary healthcare is essential for a country's health system, providing the first point of contact for patients and aiming to achieve physical, psychological, and social well-being. However, Pakistan's primary health centers face challenges such as inadequate staffing, equipment, and poor service quality. The article emphasizes the importance of strengthening primary healthcare, increasing health budgets, and ensuring accountability in the health system to achieve universal health coverage. [Extracted from the article]

Rabies, a viral illness classified as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization (WHO), causes thousands of people to die annually, primarily in underprivileged communities of Africa and Asia. In the context of a single health framework, one of the primary objectives of this literature review is to examine the major factors and challenges that maintain the endemic status of dog-mediated human rabies in Pakistan. Rabies-endemic countries have an imperative need to work on preventive strategies to lessen the burden of this terrible disease as per guidelines of World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and WHO. Lack of public awareness, free-roaming dogs, and cold chain mismanagement of vaccinations are the 3 most significant factors contributing to the increasing number of dog bite injuries and suspected rabies cases in animals and humans. To control dog-mediated rabies, Pakistan must initiate and strongly support a national One Health project, a subsidized supply of human and animal rabies vaccine in public hospitals, and designated rabies prevention centers at an affordable cost. People should be educated regarding responsible pet ownership and follow-up of basic preventive measures. Empowerment of labs equipped with surveillance systems are also additionally required to strengthen rabies control and prevention activities at least in regional levels. This article gives valuable information for scholars and policymakers who wish to comprehend why this disease remains endemic due to multiplex interplay of zoonotic, medical, and anthropological risk factors and transmission chains in animal and human sectors through viral reservoirs. Achieving the 'Zero By 2030' goal in Pakistan requires joint immediate action from the government, society, and all health departments at regional, provincial, and national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Childhood immunization programs in underdeveloped nations can improve children's growth and nutritional status and prevent growth delays while protecting against infectious diseases and meeting growth norms. This study aimed to assess the impact of vaccination status on the anthropometric indices of children aged 12-18 months at an Expanded Programme on Immunization vaccination center and compare the anthropometric indices of growth in children with complete and incomplete vaccination statuses. Methodology This study was conducted at the rural health center in Kala Shah Kaku, Pakistan, from November 2023 to December 2023. Children aged 12-18 months were enrolled and their vaccination status was recorded. Height and weight were measured using World Health Organization growth charts. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The mean age of the 110 children who visited the vaccination site for this study was 16.36 months ± 2.415. There were 28 (25.5%) stunted children. In the study, 17.6 (16%) participants were underweight, and 15.95 (14.5%) were wasted. Of the children, 79% had received all recommended vaccinations. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) association was found between vaccination and nutritional status. Conclusions This study emphasizes the significance of vaccination in promoting child health and nutrition, reducing stunting risk, and ensuring equitable access to vaccination services and comprehensive healthcare interventions. This can help mitigate the malnutrition burden and promote optimal growth, contributing to global health and development goals., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Review Board, King Edward Medical University issued approval 319/RC/KEMU. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Siddiqui et al.)