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01-03-2015 | Original Scientific Report

Community-Based Assessment of Surgical Symptoms in a Low-Income Urban Population

Authors: Lubna Samad, Fayez Jawed, Sana Z. Sajun, Naila Baig-Ansari, Ismat Lotia-Farrukh, Faisal S. Khan, Aamir J. Khan, Susan P. Fisher-Hoch

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 3/2015

Abstract

Background

The global burden of surgical disease has not been well quantified, but is potentially immense. Given the enormity of the problem and the relative paucity of data, definition and monitoring of surgical burden of disease is an essential step in confronting the problem. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of non-acute surgical disease symptoms in a low-income population.

Methods

The survey was conducted as part of the Indus Hospital Community Cohort in Karachi, Pakistan. A systematic random sampling design was used to enroll 667 households from March to August 2011. An unvalidated questionnaire intending to measure prevalence of surgical symptoms was administered to 780 participants.

Results

761 participants completed the screening questionnaire, with 346 (45 %) reporting one or more symptoms requiring surgical assessment (excluding those screened positive for symptoms of osetoarthritis), of which only 8.4 % followed up on scheduled appointments at the referral hospital. A total of 126 past surgical procedures were recorded in 120 participants.

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of symptoms suggestive of surgical diseases in our urban catchment population with relatively convenient access to health facilities including a tertiary care hospital providing free of cost care. The perceived severity of symptoms, and a complex interaction of other factors, may play an important role in understanding health seeking behavior in our population. Developing a context-specific validated tool to correctly identify surgical symptoms disease in the community with appropriate referral for early management is essential to identify and therefore reduce the burden of surgical diseases within the community. This must happen hand in hand with further studies to understand the barriers to seeking timely health care.

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Title: Community-Based Assessment of Surgical Symptoms in a Low-Income Urban Population
Authors: Lubna Samad
Fayez Jawed
Sana Z. Sajun
Naila Baig-Ansari
Ismat Lotia-Farrukh
Faisal S. Khan
Aamir J. Khan
Susan P. Fisher-Hoch
Publication date: 01-03-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: World Journal of Surgery / Issue 3/2015
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-014-2850-2

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Community-Based Assessment of Surgical Symptoms in a Low-Income Urban Population

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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