ESTIMATING PREVALENCE OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME AND SEVERITY USING BOSTON CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME QUESTIONNAIRE AMONG DEXTEROUS POPULATION

Objective: The study was designed to estimate the prevailing percentage of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) using Boston Carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire (BCTSQ) in the dexterous population and to assess its severity. Study Design: This was a Cross-sectional survey. Study Settings and Participants: The study setting was Karachi where 226 Dexterous workers including; musicians, typist, dentists, butchers office workers, working for more than 1 year were recruited using non-probability convenience sampling. Outcome Measures: Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire. Results: This study enrolled 226 participants, 140 (61.9%) of which were males and 86 (38.1%) were females with mean age of 34.05±10.93. Out of the total 25 were diagnosed with CTS in which, 10 (40%) were males and 15 (60%) were females with mean age of 37.60±14.41. Hence, the prevalence of CTS among dexterous population was found to be 11.06%.                                                                            Conclusion: The results of our study revealed that CTS is a prevalent neuromuscular disorder among dexterous population. The severity level varies among the population. More epidemiological studies are required to get the approximate value to promote ergonomic awareness.

Developing Entrepreneurial Model for Pakistani Smes a Case Study on Commercial Fast-Food Smes

This thesis has endeavored to develop an entrepreneurial model for Pakistani SMEs. While developing the model, the author has benefited from the experiences of successful entrepreneurs engaged in commercial fast-food sector. The research was conducted through a survey instrument, adopted from the validated questionnaires of the previous research. The instrument included 29 items. This study had a sample size of 257 and these individuals were successful commercial fast-food entrepreneurs. Data collected through survey was statistically analyzed and linear and stepwise regressions were used to test the research hypotheses. The results show that essentially four factors namely culture and environment, resources, innovation and opportunity are main factors of the profitability and business success in this sector. Therefore, favorable synergies ensuring availability of these determinants are required for the promotion and growth of the SMEs which will in turn induce economic growth in economy. It is further argued that seeking economic growth through the growth of SMEs sector is most appropriate strategy given the labor-abundant and capital scarce nature of the economy. The proposed model is analyzed through statistical and econometric techniques. The results so obtained validates theoretical model. The innovation factor turns out to be the most important factor, hence, the study concludes that entrepreneurial success is highly influenced by innovative behavior of the entrepreneurs but being opportunistic, a suitable culture and environment and sufficient resources are also needed for the success of a commercial fast-food SMEs. Extending this result, to the whole SMEs sector, it is maintained that entire entrepreneurial sector could be activated for the benefit of the economy. The results of the thesis are in general in conformity of the other similar studies undertaken in the western countries. It is recommended to conduct similar studies on other Pakistani SMEs sectors by benchmarking this study and the findings of this study must be incorporated in the SMEs policies and guidelines.