Spontaneous Abortions and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus- A Study from Pakistan

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Objectives: The objective of the study was to explore the relationship of spontaneous abortions with gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant women from rural and urban Lahore. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at University of Health Sciences, Lahore in 2019. Among 60 pregnant women sampled, 30 had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 30 were normal pregnant controls. Pregnant women were sampled from different hospitals of rural and urban areas of Lahore. Independent sample t-test was applied for analyzing the data. Chi- square test was used to analyze the categorical variables. Association of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and abortions was checked. Odd ratio and relative risk were calculated. Results: Mean fasting blood sugar levels were significantly higher in GDM group (105 mg/dL) as compared to non-GDM group (80.50 mg/dL) at p<0.001. The proportions of the women with increased number of abortions had significantly higher blood glucose levels (OR 5.091, 95% CI, RR 1.27). Conclusions: Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortions.

Educational Institutions and Political Awareness in Pakistan: A Case Study of Punjab.

This study was designed to determine the role of educational institutions in developing political awareness among the secondary level students in Pakistan. In developing political awareness, the curriculum, faculty, school environment and home environment play a significant role. Keeping in view these independent variables of political awareness, and the study was delimited to the public high and higher secondary schools in the Punjab, province of Pakistan. Six thousand four hundred and eighty seven (6487) High and Higher secondary schools from all over the Punjab were taken in this study. All the Head Teachers, 33561 Secondary School Teachers and 524336 students of tenth class of session 2012-14 were the population of this study. 414 Head Teachers, 828 Secondary School Teachers and 1242 students of tenth class were taken as study sample by using the Cochran‟s formula for taking sufficient sample size from the population. To seek the extent of content regarding political awareness, the content analysis of the text books being taught at secondary level out of the compulsory subjects was undertaken. Three five point rating scales were developed for the head teachers, teachers and the students under the direction of the supervisor keeping in view the different factors responsible for political awareness like “Curriculum, “School Environment” and “Home Environment”. In order to determine the level of political awareness among the students, a Test comprising the basic and key concepts of political education was also developed.The collected data were analyzed by applying descriptive (Mean, Average, Standard Deviation) as well as inferential (Z-Test, Chi Squire Test) statistics. The level of political awareness was determined by the content analyses of the texts, statement Wise and questionnaire Wise analysis of the questionnaires of the study sample and the results of the Test administered on the students‟ sample. The results of the study showed that a very little amount of content was found on political awareness in the text books at secondary level. The statement and questionnaire Wise analyses of the questionnaires of the study sample showed the unsatisfactory condition about the political awareness. The results of the Test also showed the lower level of achievement of students. Inculcation of basic and key concepts of political education in compulsory subjects at secondary level, political awareness drive in the form of seminars, debates and workshops at schools, appointment of expert subject specialists, provision of different societies and organizations like school councils and literary societies, continuous parent-teacher meetings and sufficient budget allocation were recommended in this study.