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Objective: The objective of the study is to identify and comprehend the challenges experienced by the undergraduate medical and dental students in enrolled in public sector in Pakistan while conducting research. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out from April to June of 2023 among undergraduate students at public sector medical and dental schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A customized questionnaire was developed to gather information on the challenges faced by students when undertaking research. The survey was circulated online using Google Forms, and participation was entirely optional. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the responses. Results: Participants in the study were 58 male and 139 female students who were enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programs. The analysis found that 47% of students cited a lack of knowledge and research skills as a major barrier, while 40% cited time restrictions as a major issue. Mentorship and training issues were cited as major barriers by 51% of students, while a lack of institutional support was cited as a significant issue by 53% of students. Language issues made it difficult to produce research papers for 14% of students, while finding research opportunities was challenging for 38% of students. Conclusion: According to the research, undergraduate medical and dentistry students in the public sector encountered a number of challenges when conducting research. It was suggested that these issues be resolved by include research projects in the curriculum, providing specific interventions for enhancing research skills, establishing mentorship programs, and allocating funds for research activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the numbers of second mesiobuccal canals of first permanent maxillary molars by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data of patients requiring CBCT images as part of their dental procedures were retrieved from the database of the radiology department of Sardar Begum Dental College, Peshawar, Pakistan. CBCT images of 100 maxillary 1st molars from 2016 to 2018 were selected by using consecutive sampling technique. Selection criteria for teeth were no prior endodontic treatment and roots formation completed, while teeth with open root apices and pathology were excluded. All teeth were analyzed in three planes (sagittal, axial, and coronal) and canal numbers per root were recorded. Descriptive statistics were computed in SPSS 20.0. Stratification was done for canals number in maxillary 1st molar among genders and age groups. Post, stratification Chi-Square/Fisher Exact test was applied to see effect modification. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 27.41±13.22 years. Second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) was present in 56 (56%) cases. Frequency of second mesiobuccal canal was more in female patients (n=29/40; 72.5%) than male patients (n=27/60; 45%) [p=0.007]. Overall, the most common age group was 10-25 years (57%) followed by 26-50 years (34%). Frequency of second mesiobuccal canal was 45.6% (n=26/57), 61.8% (n=21/34) & 100% (n=9/9) in age groups 10-25 years, 26-50 years & >50 years, respectively (p=.004). CONCLUSION: A high frequency was recorded for second mesiobuccal canal in upper first molars and a significant association was noted for second mesiobuccal canal with gender and age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the need for integrating sustainable practices in medical and dental education to address the impact of climate change on human health. It highlights the close relationship between climate change and health, particularly in countries like Pakistan that are vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. The article suggests immediate steps that can be taken, such as establishing partnerships between medical institutions and public training institutes, investing in sustainable infrastructure and technology in healthcare facilities, and involving stakeholders from various sectors. It also emphasizes the importance of collaboration with non-governmental organizations and community-based projects to enhance the capacity for sustainable healthcare practices. The article concludes by urging the public and private sectors to work together to promote widespread adoption of sustainable practices in healthcare. [Extracted from the article]

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OBJECTIVE: To assess the doctors' requirement/workload pressure in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (DObGyn) of a public sector hospital for effective planning and management of human resources. METHODS: World Health Organization's Workload Indicators of Staffing Needs (WISN) tool was used in assessing the staffing requirements for doctors working in the DObGyn of a public sector hospital Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Information on working conditions and staffing was acquired by reviewing relevant documents and interviewing key informants. We obtained workload statistics from the hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2015. We assisted a senior technical expert working group in identifying workload components and activity standards, as well as validating both. RESULTS: The average working time needed by the doctors to perform 'health service activities' was 1952 hours, for which 32 doctors are needed, while there are 36 doctors in the department. 'Support activities' accounted for about a fifth of the doctors' annual working hours (-category allowance standards=18.54%), for which 7 doctors were additionally needed. The 'additional activities' required 3566 hours for which 2 additional doctors were needed. To perform all the three activities, there was a total need of 41 doctors. The workload pressure was also found to be high (WISN ratio: 0.87) on doctors. CONCLUSION: The health services, support and additional activities take up about significant part of the doctors' time annually. This may require recruitment of a low-cost skill-mix of healthcare personnel to cope with the current workload and/or a health system thinking perspective to reduce the workload indirectly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan remains an unsafe place to live with failure of governance and rise of war on terror affecting Afghanistan and Pakistan jointly therefore despite of attractive salaries to health staff, they are reluctant to work. The region has the lowest economic and health indicators not just in the country but in the entire continent. The study was conducted with an objective to determine the motivation and job satisfaction among clinician and management staff of health workforce working in Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan using Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). The study also present which cadre of health workforce was motivated in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic satisfaction. Design & Duration of Study: The convenient sampling method was used and the participants were interviewed by trained enumerators in privacy. The study was conducted from March to December 2014. Methods: Fifty two participants from clinical and management health staff of FATA Secretariat were interviewed using the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). Ethical considerations were followed and the objectives of the study were explained to interviewees. Results: More than one third of our study participants were dissatisfied/ very dissatisfied with the way the health department policies are put into practice. Almost half of the survey respondents showed their dissatisfaction when asked about salary and amount of work they perform. T test was done to find difference in satisfaction level of managers and clinicians and results were insignificant. Conclusion: It was found that participants were satisfied by their supervisor and his competencies but showed dissatisfaction with salary they receive the way health policies are in practice and career advancement strategy. No statistical difference was found between managers and clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenitally missing teeth is the most common craniofacial malformation. It is present either individually or associated with syndrome. Hypodontia occur as a result of multifactorial trait, influenced by a combination of gene function, environmental interaction, hence vary among different ethnic regions. This study aims to determine the prevalence of missing teeth among the school going children in Peshawar, its occurrence rate among male & female and distribution of missing teeth in upper and lower jaw. This was a cross sectional study conducted with 780 school going children from age ranged 13 to 15 years. The data were recorded on a structured check list, analyzed by using SPSS version 15 and Micro Soft Excel. Out of total only 30 students were diagnosed as having missing teeth and accounted for 3.8% prevalence (3.0% in female, and 1.5% in male). Left mandibular site accounted highest frequency 10(33.3%). Mandibular 2nd premolar was the most commonly observed missing tooth among the sampled students. Hypodontia was more prevalent in females, though not significantly differ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human resource is one of the most valuable assets of organizational resources which cannot be replaced by machines. Organization can achieve its objectives only by making use of all of its human, physical and financial resources and it's through these resources the employees of an organization gets motivated. Motivation is a complex phenomenon which is difficult to measure as it varies different for different people. Health profession is considered as one of the most stressful profession in Pakistan and to provide quality of health care service delivery and education it is important that health service provider should be satisfied and motivated with his job. Method: The objective of this study was to find the motivation level of lecturers and assistant professors and to compare the motivational level of male and female lecturers and assistant professors in a private institute of medical sciences in Peshawar, Pakistan. Random sampling using "pick from hat" method was done and 60 participants of both gender were interviewed (15 lecturers and 15 assistant professors) using a De Beer questionnaire on motivation and satisfaction. Results: It was found that overall the staff (lecturers and assistant professors) was motivated; however, the mean value of work content was lower which indicates that the staff was neither motivated nor de-motivated. P-value for lecturers was found to be 0.525 whereas p value calculated for assistant professors was 0.0437. Conclusion: Overall motivation was good. There was no difference in motivation of male and female lecturers but female assistant professors were more motivated than male assistant professors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at the state of utilization of and the challenges associated with the use of Health Information System (HIS) in developing countries.