Parental Role in Recognition, Prevention and First Aid Management of Foreign Body Aspiration amongst Children

Background: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a commonly observed, fatal but preventable condition in children. To reduce the incidence of FBA, it is essential to provide parents with knowledge and guidelines regarding the prevention and management of FBA. Objectives: To assess parental knowledge and parental role in the prevention and first aid management of foreign body aspiration in children. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Mayo Hospital, Lahore from January 2019 to September 2019. After IRB approval and informed consent, 151 parents were enrolled through convenient sampling. Data were recorded in a structured questionnaire and analyzed through SPSS version 26. Results: Breathlessness and vomiting were recognized as symptoms of FBA by 49.7% & 7.3% of parents respectively. Hand clutched to throat, color & voice change were recognized as signs by 6.6 %, 9.9 % &10.6 % of the parents. As a first aid measure, 66.2% of individuals knew about back slaps, while only 2% were aware of abdominal thrusts. Literate parents were well aware of the facts that children under the age of three should not consume seeds, hazelnuts, and hard nuts and the child should not laugh or talk while eating compared to illiterate parents (p<0.05) Conclusion: The majority of the parents are not well aware of signs, symptoms, preventive measures and first aid measurements regarding FBA.

Comparative Study of Ctenoid Scales, Frequency Distribution Pattern and Length-Weight Relationships in Teraponid Spp. Family: Teraponidae of Karachi Coast Fish Harbours, Pakistan

This dissertation is based on the comparative study of ctenoid scales, frequency distribution pattern and length-weight relationships of Teraponid species of the family Teraponidae. For this purpose, 1304 specimens of family Teraponidae were collected during January 2013 to December 2014 from commercial landings at Karachi Fish Harbour. Three species of family Teraponidae (Terapon jarbua, T. puta and T. theraps) were investigated from the samples. The results of statistical analysis of selected parameters of ctenoid scales (i.e., length of scale and width, radius, horizontal and vertical row of ctenii and number of radii) of Teraponid species proved the significance of scales in correct identification of Teraponid species. The results of linear relationship and principal component analysis-PCA of selected scale parameters shows the significance of selected scale parameters in fish identification. The frequency distribution pattern of Teraponid species was recorded as 51.84% for T. jarbua and 47.70% for T. puta in total catches during the study period (January 2013 to December 2014). The occasional catch of T. theraps shows the absence of this species in commercial catches of Karachi coast. The population parameters of Teraponid species indicates a risk of over exploitation of these species at Karachi coast, Pakistan. Results for length-weight relationships shows that the value of regression coefficient (b) was closer to the ideal value i.e. b=3 hence shows the isometric growth in T. jarbua however, T. puta indicates a positive allometric growth pattern (b>3). The results of condition factor and relative condition factor indicated the good health of Teraponid species. The Macroscopic examination of male and female gonads and gonadosomatic index confirms that T. jarbua has two spawning period from April to August and November while, T. puta has a prolonged spawning period with two distinct peaks in April and November. The results for sex ratio illustrate that females were more numerous than males in both Teraponid species (i.e., T.jarbua and T. puta).