Search

Your search keyword '"Larik, Ehsan Ahmed' showing total 4 results
Start Over Author "Larik, Ehsan Ahmed
4 results on '"Larik, Ehsan Ahmed'

1. Evaluation of Event Based Surveillance System of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in Balochistan Pakistan, 2017

Author

Qurat ul Ain, Abid Saeed, Ehsan Ahmed Larik, Tamkeen Ghafoor, Zubair Ahmed Khosa, Amjad Ali, Abdulrehman Naveed, and Tabinda Malik

Subjects
crimean congo haemorrhagic fever, surveillance, balochistan, Infectious and parasitic diseases, RC109-216, Public aspects of medicine, RA1-1270
Abstract

Background: Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is an acute viral zoonotic disease that is endemic in Pakistan. Poverty, limited awareness and lack of biosafety practices make it a potential occupational health risk. A poor surveillance system makes it more difficult to monitor the disease burden. ' ' Purpose: An evaluation was carried out to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the event-based CCHF surveillance system in Balochistan, Pakistan, and to propose recommendations for improvement. Methods: A descriptive evaluation study was conducted at an isolation ward of a public hospital from November 2017 to February 2018 in Balochistan Province. Event-based CCHF surveillance system was evaluated by using updated CDC guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems. Data were collected through review of records and interaction with stakeholders. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, surveillance system attributes were assessed according to the guidelines in the study tool. Findings: The system was simple, but had no standardised case definition. It was found to be flexible as new health-related events could be easily incorporated. Data quality was moderate; 80% (75/94) of the reports were completely filled. The system had good timeliness but lacked involvement of the private sector. Acceptability was good with involvement of different government stakeholders. Sensitivity was poor while positive predictive value was 27.5%. Conclusion: Event based surveillance for CCHF can be improved by involvement of private practitioners and laboratories in the surveillance system to improve representativeness. The timeliness could be improved by adopting an online reporting mechanism. Feedback, support and supervision should be ensured for data quality assurance. Periodic refresher trainings of the staff could be organized.

Published
2019
Full Text
View/download PDF

2. STRENGTH OF ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GENERALIZED/NONSPECIFIC COVID-19 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS WITH SARS-COV 2 SPECIFIC ORF, N, E GENES IDENTIFIED THROUGH REAL TIME PCR

Author

Muhammad Arif, Muhammad Abdullah, Sheikh Ahmed, Ehsan Ahmed Larik, Ujala Naseer Baloch, Zakir Hussain, and Mirza Zeeshan Iqbal Baig

Abstract

BACKGROUNDConstant mutation in the SARS-COV2 virus genetic material is resulting in the appearance of new variants frequently hence the overall virulence, treatment resistance, replication modalities, transmissions rates and COVID-19 signs & symptoms are all changing regularly.METHODOLOGYFrom 1 January 2021 to 30 August 2022, the clinical lab at Fatima Jinnah General & Chest Hospital Quetta, Balochistan, determined a total of 3375 individuals to be COVID-19 positive because RT-PCR detected ORF, N, and E genes or their various Bi & Tri combinations in their samples. A questionnaire-based interview was conducted with each participant during sample collection. Body temperature more than 370c was recorded as Fever/Chill. Age, Comorbidities, A-symptomatic individuals & Vaccination status were all neglected during this study. Frequency tables were generated using MS-excel 2016, while Odds ratios were calculated using Chi-square test of association whereby 2×2 contingency tables between Mono, Bi & Tri combinations for ORF, N & E genes were cross associated with various generalized nonspecific COVID -19 signs and symptoms using Epi-info software. Absence of Genetic sequencing was the major limitation.RESULTSThe study showed that individually the presence ofORF genewas found to be strongly associated“ Shortness of Breath/Difficulty in Breathing”, Diarrhea, Head ache & Vomitting. While the presence ofN- genewas found to be strongly associated withLoss of smell & taste, Head ache,Presistant Chest Pain & Bluish lips/Face. Where as the presence ofE-genewas found to be strongly associated withCough, Shortness of breath/ Difficulty in breathing, Sore throat, Diarrhea, Head ache & Laziness. In addition, the study also found that different Bi & Tri combinations of ORF, N & E genes in a COVID-19 positive patient expressed generalized non-specific COVID-19 signs & symptoms differently.DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONThe presence of various SARS-COV2 genetic markers significantly alters the clinical presentation of COVID-19.

Published
2022
Full Text
View/download PDF

4. Evaluation of Event Based Surveillance System of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in Balochistan Pakistan, 2017

Author

Qurat ul Ain, .; 1. Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan. 2. Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Pakistan, Saeed, Abid; Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan., Larik, Ehsan Ahmed; Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan., Ghafoor, Tamkeen; Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan., Khosa, Zubair Ahmed; Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan., Ali, Amjad; Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Pakistan, Naveed, Abdulrehman; Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Pakistan, Malik, Tabinda; Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan, Qurat ul Ain, .; 1. Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan. 2. Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Pakistan, Saeed, Abid; Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan., Larik, Ehsan Ahmed; Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan., Ghafoor, Tamkeen; Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan., Khosa, Zubair Ahmed; Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan., Ali, Amjad; Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Pakistan, Naveed, Abdulrehman; Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Balochistan, Pakistan, and Malik, Tabinda; Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is an acute viral zoonotic disease that is endemic in Pakistan. Poverty, limited awareness and lack of biosafety practices make it a potential occupational health risk. A poor surveillance system makes it more difficult to monitor the disease burden. Purpose: An evaluation was carried out to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the event-based CCHF surveillance system in Balochistan, Pakistan, and to propose recommendations for improvement.Methods: A descriptive evaluation study was conducted at an isolation ward of a public hospital from November 2017 to February 2018 in Balochistan Province. Event-based CCHF surveillance system was evaluated by using updated CDC guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems. Data were collected through review of records and interaction with stakeholders. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, surveillance system attributes were assessed according to the guidelines in the study tool.Findings: The system was simple, but had no standardised case definition. It was found to be flexible as new health-related events could be easily incorporated. Data quality was moderate; 80% (75/94) of the reports were completely filled. The system had good timeliness but lacked involvement of the private sector. Acceptability was good with involvement of different government stakeholders. Sensitivity was poor while positive predictive value was 27.5%.Conclusion: Event based surveillance for CCHF can be improved by involvement of private practitioners and laboratories in the surveillance system to improve representativeness. The timeliness could be improved by adopting an online reporting mechanism. Feedback, support and supervision should be ensured for data quality assurance. Periodic refresher trainings of the staff could be organized.

Published
2019

Catalog

Books, media, physical & digital resources
See catalog results