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OBJECTIVE: To assess the bacteriological quality of drinking water sources in District Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. METHODS: After approval from the Ethical Review Committee of Bahria University Islamabad; this cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Rawalakot District from September 2017 to March 2018. Out of 90 samples, 45 samples (15 each from bore-well, open-well & spring water) were collected in September & October 2017 as pre-rainfall season's samples and 45 samples were collected in post-rainfall season of February & March 2018, exactly from the same 45 sites from which pre-rainfall water samples were collected. All the samples were analyzed for total bacterial, total coliforms, Escherichia Coli, Shigella and Salmonella Species. RESULTS: Overall bacterial growth on Nutrient Agar was more commonly observed in samples from Bore-well (n=11/15; 73.33%) during pre-rainfall season and in open-well samples (n=12/15; 80%) during post-rainfall season. Total coliforms growth on MacConkey agar was more frequent in post- rainfall season in samples from spring-water (n=9/15; 60%). On eosin methyl blue agar, majority (n=5/15; 33.33%) of Escherichia Coli growth was observed during post-rainfall season in spring water samples. Almost all of the post-rainfall season samples revealed less number of Shigella and Salmonella species compared to pre-rainfall water samples. CONCLUSION: The post-rainfall season drinking water samples of bore wells, open wells and spring water showed higher number of bacteriological contaminations except Shigella and Salmonella species which were reduced in post-rainfall samples of bore-wells and revealed equal numbers among openwells and spring water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated wastewater quality of Sadkal oil and gas exploration, Pakistan. For this purpose, produced water/wastewater samples were collected from of Sadkal oil exploration and production unit, and analyzed for physicochemical characteristics, including physical parameters, anions and heavy metals. Anions such as bromide (Br), fluoride (F), chloride (Cl), nitrite (NO2), nitrate (NO3), and sulfate (SO4) were measured using Ion Chromatograph (Metrohm, 800 series). Heavy metals, including lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn), were determined by the atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, AAS-PEA-700). Wastewater quality was compared with the national environmental quality standards (NEQs) set by Pakistan's environmental protection agency (Pak EPA). Pond's treatments were observed e fleetive for certain wastewater contaminants. Wastewater showed a decreasing trend for organic contents, and anions including F, Br, SO4, NO3 and NO2, while an increasing pattern for the COD and BOD from inlet to outlet. Anions and heavy metals showed multifold higher values than the Pak EPA NEQs of wastewater, except SO4. This study suggests the improvement of pond treatment facility to minimize and control the contamination's levels and avoid the potential risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prevalence & risk factors of depression among adult population of district Peshawar. Background: Depression is one of the most common major mental illnesses and affects 5% to 20% of the adult population and is related to many determinants. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors of depression among the adult population. Study Design: A cross sectional descriptive study. Setting & Study Duration: The department of community medicine, Khyber medical college, Peshawar; among the adult population of district Peshawar; from November 2016 to May 2017. Materials & Methods: A total of 410 adults, both male and female, of ages 18 and above years were selected from the District Peshawar; on the basis of multistage probability sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the prevalence and risk factors of depression along with important variables. Data was analysed by Microsoft Office and SPSS, and results were presented in tables. Results: Results showed that the prevalence of depression was 85.85%. Out of the total depression, 24.88% had positive medical history; 57.8% had tobacco smoking; 29.02 % had history of abuse or neglect; 60.24% had sleep problems; and 18.29% & 10.49% were affected by terrorism and flood respectively. Conclusions: It was concluded that the prevalence of depression among the adult population of district Peshawar was high and shows strong association with predisposing determinants. Moreover, whole population needs to be screen to estimate the accurate prevalence and to treat high burden of mental illnesses among the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and severity of depression among the adult population of District Peshawar. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the District Peshawar, by the department of community medicine Khyber, Medical College Peshawar; from October 2016 to March 2017; in which a total of 410 adults, both male and female, of ages 18 and above years were selected from the study areas on the basis of Multistage probability sampling techniques. Physical Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the prevalence and severity of depression. Data was analyzed by SPSS and presented in forms of tables and graphs. Results: Our results showed that the prevalence of depression was 85.85%. Out of the total prevalence; approximately 80.40% of the population had mild, 12.50% had moderate and 7.10% had major depression; according to the level of degree of depression on PHQ-9 questionnaire. Conclusions: The prevalence of depression among the adult male and female population of district Peshawar was high, and the medical and paramedical services needs to be improved to adequately manage the high frequency of depression among the adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite soil samples were collected at different distance from eastern, western and southern sides of the produced water ponds of Sadqal oil and gas field Fateh Jang, Punjab, Pakistan to assess the anions, cations and heavy metal concentrations. The concentrations of sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca+2), magnesium (Mg+2), chloride (Cl-), florid (F-), sulfate (SO4-2), nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) were determined by using Ion chromatography (Metrohm, 800 series). Heavy metal concentrations i.e. chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe) were analyzed using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results were compared with reference soil sample of the study area. It was found that maximum parameters of soil samples collected from the surrounding of ponds were high in concentration as compared to that of reference soil samples. A consistent decrease of most of the cations, anions and heavy metals was noticed with increasing distance from the ponds. The soil proximal to the ponds is highly contaminated and can pose health related threats to the human beings and may also cause damaging effects on the plants of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coal mining is considered as one of the dangerous occupations globally and poses many health problems to coal miners due to production and dispersion of fine coal dusts. This study was conducted with the objective to find the frequency of various occupational health problems and to recommend measures to reduce high morbidity and mortality among coal miners. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Community Medicine, Pak International Medical College, Peshawar, Pakistan, among 400 coal miners of Cherat, district Nowshera of Khyber Pakthumkhwa, Pakistan from July 2012 to June 2013. Coal miners with more than six months job were included. Data collection through questionnaire was accompanied by history, general physical examination and investigations. The demographic variables were age, duration of coal mining, Job satisfaction, history of smoking and previous mine injuries and illness. Descriptive statistics were applied. SPSS version 17 was used for data analysis. Results: More than half of coal workers suffered from signs and symptoms of various occupational health problems with varying frequencies including Musculoskeletal (n=243), respiratory (n=209), gastrointestinal (n=191), nervous (n=91), dermatological (n=167), ear (n=116), nose & throat (n=134) and eye problems (n=140). Conclusion: The frequency of various occupational health problems is high among coal miners, involving almost every system of the body. It is suggested that education and training be provided to the coal miners, pre-placement and periodic medical examinations be arranged, dust control measures be adopted and their compliance be monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Use of allelochemicals as inexpensive, biodegradable and eco-friendly substitutes for the management of weeds in crops is a central topic nowadays. Objective: The current study represented the comprehensive screening of allelopathic activity of 73 weeds in Pakistan by the Sandwich method and dish pack method. To investigate the allelochemical compound in top most allelopathic weed. Methods: Allelopathic effects of selected weeds leaves leachate were determined through sandwich technique, while volatile allelopathic effects through dish pack techniques. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical techniques were applied to investigate allelochemical potential of Melilotus indicus. The statistical analysis of the data described the allelopathic effect of 73 weed plants on lettuce seedling growth in terms of radicle and hypocotyl elongation. Results: Elongation percentage of radicle and hypocotyl ranged 0-74 % to 0-148 % and 0-75 % to 0-84 % respectively at 10 mg concentration of dry plant powder in sandwich method while it was 2-234 % and 7-150 % at in Dish Pack method. Among the plants screened for phytotoxic activity, M. indicus contained the strongest allelochemicals. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of M. indicus showed the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compound along with other allelochemical. Conclusions: Selected weeds may have strong allelochemical potential that can help in the development of bioactive compounds from plant species to be used as natural herbicides and pesticides for sustainable management of weeds and pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]