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Crime impacts residential neighborhoods not only through the loss of life and property but also by instilling a widespread fear among residents. To combat this fear, physical security measures like safety locks, gates, and high perimeter walls have proven effective in both developed and developing nations. This trend has led to the increased popularity of gated communities in Pakistan as a preferred housing choice. In addition to encouraging micro-segregation, these developments also attract a large number of residents. In order to better understand the differences in residents' fear of crime in relation to their health and socio-economic status, this paper compares residential housing schemes in Quetta, Pakistan (gated and non-gated). Surveys and on-site observations in four different residential areas of the city underpin the methodology. The results suggest that past experiences of crime victimization strongly affect feelings of safety in both gated and non-gated communities. The study highlights the complex relationship between the perception of safety, health and well-being, socio-economic status, and the type of community, highlighting how these factors collectively influence respondents' experiences and create micro-segregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The current study aimed to assess barriers to physical activity (PA) among community dwellers with chronic diseases visiting a public healthcare institute in Quetta city, Pakistan. Subject and method: A cross-sectional design was adopted, and the Urdu version of Barriers to Being Active Questionnaire was used for data collection. The Mann–Whitney U and Jonckheere–Terpstra test were used to identify significantly associated variables that were later assessed for their relationship with the binary logistic regression model. Results: Four hundred nineteen patients participated in the study with a response rate of 97.2%. Barriers to PA were categorized into one or more of seven categories: lack of time, social influences, lack of energy, lack of willpower, fear of injury, lack of skill, and lack of resources. Social influence was significantly associated with all demographic variables (p < 0.05). Lack of energy and willpower was significantly associated with income and occupation, whereas fear of injury and lack of skills were significantly associated with age. The binary logistic regression model showed significant goodness of fit (Chi-square = 102.94, p = 0.001, df = 9). Social influence (adjusted OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.118–1.415, p < 0.001) emerged as a significant predictor of PA. Conclusion: Among all identified barriers, social influence was rated as the predictor of barrier to PA. Social norms and practices are hard to change and continue; however, rigorous efforts are needed at the grass roots level for a behavioral change to happen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infestations of pests are perhaps an anthropogenic catastrophe for trees. Aeolesthes sarta (Sart longhorned beetle—SLB) is one of the most severe pests that cause serious damage to a number of hardwood tree species, i.e., Populus, Salix, Acer, Juglans, and Malus. To investigate people's attitudes towards pest damage cost and future control extent of SLB, a door-to-door method was adopted to survey two major cities (Quetta—QU and Peshawar—PE) of the northwestern region of Pakistan where this pest has caused severe damage. Respondents were asked about SLB pest knowledge, pest damage costs, preferences for control choices, and program extent. According to respondents, more trees (181 ± 1.20 trees/ha/annum) were damaged in QU compared to PE. Populus spp. was the dominant tree genre that attacked and damaged the most. Around 85% of respondents from both cities stated the pest damage cost was calculated as high for QU (480,840.80 ± 4716.94$/annum) compared to PE. Respondents in both locations strongly supported (more than 82%) biological control of future SLB outbreaks. They all agreed that protecting ecologically vulnerable places and wildlife habitats should be the primary priority in a future SLB outbreak. Respondents from both cities who preferred to protect more land area in future SLB outbreaks were calculated to be high for QU (61%) compared to PE (58%). However, city variations in opinions regarding forest-type priority that should be protected and control options were observed. Socio-demographic characteristics were discovered to impact pest damage cost positively, as well as preferred SLB control extent. The findings of this study can help policymakers and forest managers develop publicly permissible pest control plans and make more accurate predictions about future pest outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an infectious disease of cloven-hoofed animals, including buffalo, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, causing major economic losses to the local farmers and, overall, to the national economy of the country. This study aimed to detect FMDV serotypes in year-round FMD outbreaks, hematological and biochemical changes, and oxidative stress in FMDV-infected cattle and buffaloes in the district of Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, and the socioeconomic impact of FMD outbreaks on farmers. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in the district of Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, where FMD virus (FMDV) serotypes were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematological, biochemical, and oxidative analyses were performed by analyzing the blood of FMDV-infected and non-infected animals. Information on the associated risk factors was obtained through a structured questionnaire by interviewing farmers in each FMD-affected farm. Results: Thirty-four out of 38 farms (89%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 75%-97%) were positive for FMD by ELISA. Higher FMD infection was detected in farms with a herd size of <50 animals (50%, 17/34), followed by >100 animals (32%, 11/34) and 51-100 animals (18%, 6/34). Fifty-seven percent (114/200, 95% CI: 50%-64%) of animals were positive for FMD. Of these, 61% (69/114) were cattle and 39% (45/114) were buffalo. FMD positivity was higher in females (86%, 98/114) than in males (14%, 16/114) and higher in animals older than 2 years of age (52%, 59/114). On average, farmers lose U.S. dollars 3000 annually due to FMD outbreaks. Animals infected with FMDV had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) white blood cell counts and significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower hemoglobin and total protein concentrations in buffalo and cattle, whereas infected cattle showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower albumin levels. Globulin levels were lower in buffaloes infected. Alanine aminotransferase levels were lower in infected cattle (p ≤ 0.05). Creatinine levels were higher in infected buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). Urea and phosphorus concentrations were higher in FMDV-infected cattle and buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). Calcium levels were lower in infected cattle and buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). Catalase enzyme activity in infected cattle and buffaloes was significantly lower (p < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in FMDV-infected cattle and buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed serotype O circulation among cattle and buffalo in year-long FMD outbreaks in the Quetta District of Balochistan. Blood analysis identified a parameter deviated from the normal level due to FMDV infection. In addition, the outbreak of FMD has a significant negative economic impact on livestock farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vulnerability assessment of an urban area to earthquake hazards is the requirement to attaining sustainable urban resilience. Quetta city is the capital of the province of Balochistan surrounded by mountains with the existence of many active faults. The main objective of the current study was to assess the earthquake vulnerability in Quetta valley. A total of 400 households were selected for the primary household survey. A simple random sampling technique is employed using proportionate allocation method because of the heterogeneity of the area in terms of population. Secondary data was taken from the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Analytical Hierarchal Process (AHP) & Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) methods are used to identify earthquake vulnerability. The results of the study reveal that the Northwestern and Southeastern parts of Quetta are seismically vulnerable to earthquake hazard; its geology coupled with the human dimension indicates a more disastrous future events. Results of the composite earthquake vulnerability show that seven out of thirteen Zones of Quetta city are highly vulnerable to all four components of vulnerability. Four Zones have a medium level of vulnerability and only two Zones are considered low earthquake vulnerable Zones in the study area. The topmost influential factors that make Quetta city highly earthquake-vulnerable are the soil type (0.45), peak ground acceleration (0.34), proximity to the hospitals and fire service stations (0.22, 0.21), elderly population (0.22) and fault lines (0.21) as shown in Fig. 12. This research study has significant implications for urban planners and provides a risk reduction platform in order to reduce future earthquake losses and make Quetta city more resilient and sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity is severe in Quetta, the capital city of Pakistan's largest province Balochistan. This scarcity of water if continued at this high rate can lead to a mass exodus from the province's only large metropolis and can create some gruesome social, political, and demographic issues. Considering these reasons, a study was carried out by adopting a qualitative research methodology using interviews with key officials related to water departments as a tool. The findings of the study suggest that water from the river Indus through the channel of Kachi canal should be pumped to Quetta in the shorter run to fill the gap of the water need. In the longer run, more dams need to be built. Moreover, the mismanagement and bad governance found within the water-related departments need to be taken highly into consideration to resolve the issue and a more balanced approach should be adopted to conserve and store water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is undertaken to investigate the perception of women entrepreneurs about Islamic banking in Quetta city. The researchers used qualitative approach for the purpose of better and in-depth understanding of women entrepreneurs about Islamic banking. For data collection, the semistructured interviews were conducted from 10 women entrepreneurs who were highly aware about Islamic banking. The data was analyzed by using thematic analysis. The study identified various themes such as Islamic, Shariah, modes of finance, Islamic values, Riba, uncertainty, gambling, Shariah board, Halal, social welfare, Zakat, and Charity. From the in-depth analysis of data, the study found that women entrepreneurs developed their understanding from newspaper, TV commercials, billboards, and some of them studied Islamic banking as a course work during their studies. They have clear understating regarding the all aspects of Islamic banking such as Islamic principles, Shariah board and its role, Islamic banking products, Islamic modes of finance, and Islamic banking contribution towards social welfare. The study suggested that Islamic banks should arrange various workshops, seminars and invite religious scholars and Islamic banking experts to create the awareness and to provide the better understanding about Islamic banking and its products in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is focused on the land use/land cover (LU/LC) changes impacts on the groundwater table and urbanization trend of Quetta valley for a period of 10 y. The land cover changes are occurring locally, regionally, and worldwide, which results in the expansion of urbanization trend and groundwater table depletion. Population growth leads to fast change in land use patterns, which increases the demand for basic needs. Urbanization and climatic impacts on depleting groundwater resources in Quetta need to assess and find a scientific solution using applications of the latest software. This study investigated the land cover changes in three categories, which were barren land, vegetation, built-up area by using maximum likelihood classification (MLC). Water table depletion was defined in five ranges from very low to very high by using the Kriging Method. It is inferred that the built-up area was increased the most in the last 10 y, that is, 2008-2018 as compared to other classes. The City area groundwater has been observed most of the depletion from 2008 to 2018. The selected Union Councils/Towns of Quetta District coming in the study area were City, Cantonment, Baleli, Kuchlak, Kachi Baig, Hanna, Shadenzai, and Saraghurgai were separated in polygons according to their boundaries to get the population density of each area. The Quetta city was found to be the most populated. It is imperative to inspect the land use change, water levels of current functional pumping wells, and population growth rate annually for its present management and future planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) are the sort of disorders which involves soft tissues. The involvement of soft tissues can be due to the over use, restlessness and improper use. The main target of WRMSD are working indicuduals. it may cause muscle strain, ligament strain, tendon strain, tendentious and bursitis. Methods: The cross section survey was conducted and data was collected from July to October 2018 from civil hospital Quetta, Pakistan. A self-constructed proforma was used among the 97 patients who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria and Spss version 23 was used. Results: The majority (n=49, 50.5%) were belongs to age group of 21 to 35 and were (n=51, 52.6%) were male. In marital status majority (n=64, 66%) were married. In involvement of part majority (n=28, 28.9%) were suffering from lower back problem. After checking the type of injury (n=48, 49.5%) were suffering from muscular strain. In the context of onset of injury majority (N=41, 42.3%) were experienced their problem suddenly. Conclusion: The study finalized that WRMSD is most common in working individuals especially in older and females. The WRMDS puts heavy burden on the society, annually. As the participants who belongs to low socio economic status are more vulnerable for WRMDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In musculoskeletal disorders the neck pain is the fourth common disorder. Annually it affects huge numbers of patients specially the working males, who are more likely to get affected by neck pain. Among the students the intensity was found dependent mainly on the affected area and gender. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the Eastern medicine students of city campus, university of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan from June to August 2018. A self-constructed proforma was used among 284 participants and Spss version 23 was used. Results: The majority (n=229, 80.6%) belongs to age group of 18 to 23 years and ( n=149,50.4%) were male. In the involvement of side (unilateral/ bilateral) were significantly associated with the higher intensity of neck pain (p=0.05). Conclusion: The study summarized that the male participants who were suffering from bilateral neck pain were experiencing severe pain and were facing hindrances during their regular personal care. They should keep themselves aware regarding their neck heath. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are a worldwide burden to health, especially in developing countries. Pakistan has one of the highest levels of HBV and HCV infection, causing a severe health problem with significant challenges and priorities. To prevent vertical transmission of infection, regular screening of pregnant women for HBV and HCV is vital. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HBV and HCV virus in pregnant women having prenatal care. Study Design: Cross-Sectional study. Setting: Bolan Medical Complex Hospital and Sandeman Provincial Civil Hospital Quetta. Period: August 2017 to July 2018. Material & Methods: Blood serum samples were screened for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and for anti-HCV using immunochromatography methods. Results: A total of 12,209 pregnant women were tested over a period of one year (August 2017 to July 2018). The overall HBV infections frequency was 1.3% (95% CI 1.1-1.4%) and for HCV infections it was 0.6% (95% CI 0.6-0.7%). Whilst there was only small month-wise variation in the occurrence of HBV and HCV infections, HBV prevalence was highest in May (1.7%) and HCV prevalence was highest in August and December (0.8%). Conclusions: Screening of all pregnant women for HBV and HCV is essential for reducing and eliminating vertical transmission of infection. Risk factors for infection need to be avoided and managed properly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to determine the frequency of rpoB gene mutations within 81-bp RRDR in isolates from Quetta, Pakistan using GeneXpert® MTB/RIF assay. Background: Multi drug resistance is one of the major obstacles in the control of tuberculosis throughout the globe. Study Design: A cross sectional experimental study was designed. Setting: A total of 500 clinical specimens obtained from suspected TB patients at Provincial TB Reference Laboratory, Fatima Jinnah General and Chest Hospital Quetta, Pakistan Period: From January to July 2017. Methodology: Were analyzed by GeneXpert® MTB/RIF assay. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS version 20. Results: Out of total 500 samples, MTB was detected in 211 (42%) cases by GeneXpert® MTB/RIF assay [positive pulmonary cases 48.8% (206/422) and extra-pulmonary 6.4% (5/78)]. Among 211 MTB positive cases, the assay detected 11 (5.2%) cases with RIF-resistance caused by various rpoB gene mutations within 81-bp RRDR. All the eleven RIF-resistant isolates were found to have mutations only in Probe E and none of cases had RIF-resistance associated with probes A, B, C, and D. Out of 11 RRD cases, 4 (2%) were males and 7 (3.3%) were females. New TB cases were 3 (1.4%) and previously treated cases were 8 (3.8%). Conclusion: In our settings 11/211 (5.2%) of the TB patients showed rifampicin resistance. Probe E mutations (also called codons 531 and 533) were the only rpoB gene mutations detected by GeneXpert® MTB/RIF assay. No mutations were detected in the codons 511, 513, 516, 518, 522 and 526 sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifteen years since joining the US-led anti-terrorism coalition, Pakistan’s response to the challenges of terroristic violence and extremist indoctrination and propaganda remain military-centric and kinetic. Since August 2016, after a brief lull, Pakistan has experienced a resurgence of terrorist activity and violence that has struck all of its provinces and placed its capital on high alert. The re-escalation in the level of terrorist violence began with the August 8, 2016, attacks in Quetta, which left over 70 dead and more than 100 injured. The lack of response from the provincial and federal governments to this carnage, led the Supreme Court of Pakistan to exercise its authority under Article 184(3) of the Constitution and establish an Inquiry Commission to examine the state of the investigation and report on the challenges faced in the struggle against terrorism and extremism. This inquiry assumed the form and substance of an audit of the performance of Pakistan’s institutions and exposed the link between the country’s crisis of governance and its incoherent response to terrorism and extremism at all levels of government. The implications of the inquiry report are both broad and deep, and reveal that Pakistan’s trajectory remains that of civilian administrative breakdown and institutional exhaustion. This indicates that Pakistan’s civilian-military balance continues to shift in structural terms in favour of the latter and that beneath a veneer of constitutional democracy, the arbitrary, unwise, and inefficient, exercise of power by the political class continues to hollow out the country’s administrative institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Hepatitis C, caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a contagious disease of the liver which infects more than 170 million people world-wide and around 16 million in Pakistan. HCV associated infection spreads mainly by blood-to-blood contact. In recent years, many studies have been conducted to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in Pakistan; however, no data is available on HCV infection from the largest province of Pakistan. Therefore, the present study focuses on the prevalence of HCV infection in the young male blood donor population of Quetta region of Balochistan, Pakistan. Methods: A total of 356 blood samples were collected from blood donors (age range 17-25 years) at Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan. Blood samples were screened for HCV positivity by Immunochromatographic test (ICT) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA). Results: Out of 356 blood samples, the overall HCV prevalence was 20.8%. Among the HCV positive cases, the age group with 25 years was more frequently infected with a prevalence of 26.3%. Conclusions: The present study provides the preliminary information about high HCV prevalence among the young male donor population in Balochistan province. This data may be helpful in formulating public health strategy for the prevention of risk factors associated with spreading of the disease. Furthermore, we recommend that in public sector hospitals and health care units ELISA should be preferred for anti-HCV detection over ICT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]