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This paper intended to provide and critical and analytical review of research on workplace information literacy published form South-Asia with a view to inform policy and practice. Library, Information Science and Technological Abstracts (LISTA) was searched to identify the key studies published in the proposed research area using multiple keywords. The search process resulted in 384 citations which was screened for duplication and relevance. As a result, 375 citations were excluded due to duplication and non-relevance. Only nine citations remained to deal with for review. The reference lists of these citations were also examined to identify more related citations which resulted in 3 more citation to be included. Thus, there were only 12 citations included in this review. The results indicated the dearth of studies on workplace information literacy in South-Asia. Most of these studies focused on library and information professionals, followed by scientists, and university teachers using survey research design. There was only a single study that addressed information literacy in visually impaired teachers. The respondents of the reviewed studies were competent to basic levels of information literacy where they were less comfortable in advanced levels of information literacy. There was a critical necessity for a need-based IL curriculum for workplace environments. These results indicated the need for more research on workplace information literacy in South-Asia to information policy and practice. This study would be a great contribution to the existing literature as it can be used a foundational study for workplace information literacy in South-Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the clinical presentation, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) features, and outcomes of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care center of Pakistan. All patients who underwent CMR for further evaluation of DCM during the period of 2011-2019 and in whom CMR confirmed the diagnosis of DCM, were included in the study. Patients were followed up in the year 2020 for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Results: A total of 75 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 38.7 ± 13 with the majority (n = 57, 76%) being male. Dyspnea was the most common presenting symptom (n = 68, 90.7%). The mean left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) by CMR was 29.3 ± 12 and mean left ventricle stroke volume (LVSV) was 66.5 ± 31. Late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) was present in 28 (37.3%) patients. Follow-up was available in 61 patients with the mean follow-up duration of 39.7 ± 27 months. Most patients (40, 65.6%) experienced all-cause major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during the follow-up and mortality was observed in 10 (16.4%) patients. LVSV by CMR (P = 0.03), LVEF by CMR (P = 0.02), and presence of pericardial effusion (PE) (P = 0.01) were significantly associated with all-cause MACE. On multiregression analysis, SV by CMR was associated with all cause MACE (P = 0.048). The presence of LGE was associated with higher mortality (P = 0.03). Conclusion: LVSV, LVEF by CMR, and PE were significantly associated with all-cause MACE. LGE was associated with higher mortality. Our cohort had a relatively younger age of presentation and diagnosis, and a greater mortality on follow-up, when compared with other regions of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs) are a growing public health problem, but data on incidence, trends, and costs in developing countries is scarce. Comprehensive and standardised surveillance for noncommunicable diseases was recommended at the United Nations High-level meeting in 2011. Aims: To develop a model surveillance system for CMDs and risk factors that could be adopted for continued assessment of burdens from multiple perspectives in South-Asian countries. Methods: Design: Hybrid model with two cross-sectional serial surveys three years apart to monitor trend, with a three-year prospective follow-up of the first cohort. Sites: Three urban settings (Chennai and New Delhi in India; Karachi in Pakistan), 4000 participants in each site stratified by gender and age. Sampling methodology: Multi-stage cluster random sampling; followed by within-household participant selection through a combination of Health Information National Trends Study (HINTS) and Kish methods. Culturally-appropriate and methodologically-relevant data collection instruments were developed to gather information on CMDs and their risk factors; quality of life, health-care utilisation and costs, along with objective measures of anthropometric, clinical and biochemical parameters. The cohort follow-up is designed as a pilot study to understand the feasibility of estimating incidence of risk factors, disease events, morbidity, and mortality. Results: The overall participant response rate in the first cross-sectional survey was 94.1% (Chennai 92.4%, n = 4943; Delhi 95.7%, n = 4425; Karachi 94.3%, n = 4016). 51.8% of the participants were females, 61.6% < 45 years, 27.5% 45-60 years and 10.9% >60 years. Discussion: This surveillance model will generate data on prevalence and trends; help study the complex life-course patterns of CMDs, and provide a platform for developing and testing interventions and tools for prevention and control of CMDs in South-Asia. It will also help understanding the challenges and opportunities in establishing a surveillance system across countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]