Economic Cost of Road Traffic Accidents in Twin Cities, Pakistan

Road Traffic Accidents in developing countries are a serious concern in terms of safety and economy. RTAs share a considerable amount of overall life, resource, and productivity losses. It has become essential to monetize RTAs to aid the policymakers, economists, and the state government to efficiently select the cost-effective countermeasure for the safety of road users. The costs can be utilized in framing cost-effective safety measures and policies. This paper focuses on estimating the overall costs of Road Traffic Accidents in the city of Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Pakistan, by using the Human Capital Approach to estimate the monetary amount that the Road Traffic Accidents have cost to the cities in the year 2016. The research has categorized the costs into 5 main components, namely: medical costs, property damage costs, loss output, human loss, and administrative costs. A total of 10187 incidents have been recorded in the cities involving 12573 victims and 18136 vehicles. Results suggested that a total of pkr 2.183 billion has been incurred by the State of Pakistan with a loss of about 0.0074% to the GDP. The breakdown of the costs was as follows: Medical costs (pkr 93,898,640), and it comprises 4.26% of the total cost; Property damage costs include vehicular and property damage repair (pkr 214,840,463), and it comprises 9.84% of the total cost; Loss output (pkr 1,316,000,000), and it comprises 60.27% of the total cost; Human costs (pkr 473,584,345), and it comprise 21.69% of the total cost; Administrative costs (pkr 85,730,725), and it comprises 3.92% of the total cost

Knowledge, attitudes and practices survey on organ donation among a selected adult population of Pakistan

Background: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding organ donation in a selected adult population in Pakistan. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to generate a sample of 440, 408 interviews were successfully completed and used for analysis. Data collection was carried out via a face to face interview based on a pre-tested questionnaire in selected public areas of Karachi, Pakistan. Data was analyzed using SPSS v. 15 and associations were tested using the Pearson\u27s Chi square test. Multiple logistic regression was used to find independent predictors of knowledge status and motivation of organ donation. Results: Knowledge about organ donation was significantly associated with education (p = 0.000) and socioeconomic status (p = 0.038). 70/198 (35.3%) people expressed a high motivation to donate. Allowance of organ donation in religion was significantly associated with the motivation to donate (p = 0.000). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that higher level of education and higher socioeconomic status were significant (p \u3c 0.05) independent predictors of knowledge status of organ donation. For motivation, multiple logistic regression revealed that higher socioeconomic status, adequate knowledge score and belief that organ donation is allowed in religion were significant (p \u3c 0.05) independent predictors. Television emerged as the major source of information. Only 3.5% had themselves donated an organ, with only one person being an actual kidney donor. Conclusion: Better knowledge may ultimately translate into the act of donation. Effective measures should be taken to educate people with relevant information with the involvement of media, doctors and religious scholars

Condition of Creative Writing in the North and South Punjab

Creative writing has an important place in the educational institutions. It is ignored in Pakistani English Language Teaching (ELT) classrooms. This study was designed to investigate the condition of creative writing skills of 9th graders. This study had been started with the review of the literature; many studies were found which analyzed different aspects of creative writing in ELT classrooms. A need was felt to see the condition of the four levels of creative writing namely descriptive writing, narrative writing, story writing, and functional writing among the secondary school level students. A sample of 238 students was selected from North and South of the Punjab province of Pakistan. Six classes from govt. and private sector schools were the sample.The major objectives of the study were to explore the condition of the above mentioned levels of creative writing in teaching of English at secondary level. Four tasks for creative writing were adapted from the Cambridge University O-level examinations and were piloted at a smaller group. These tasks constituted the achievement test. The tests were marked qualitatively with the help of scoring rubrics by using the method of ‘analytic scoring’. The scores in creative writing test were rechecked and verified by the concerned teachers for inter-rater reliability. The results of the study showed that the creative writing skills among the secondary school students are dissatisfactory. In the end it was recommended that teachers should use communicative approach while teaching English language in secondary level classrooms. It was also recommended that the examination papers should have some unseen tasks to enhance the creative writing skills of secondary school students

A comparative study of Emotional Quotient with relation to Blood Groups among medical students of Punjab

Introduction: Emotional quotient (EQ) is the ability to monitor one’s own and other's feelings and emotions for managing relations appropriately. It implies critical thinking and has a key role in augmenting coherence between the team members to work at their full potential for achieving their goals and success in life. There are numerous lines of evidence that shows the influence of blood groups on skills and abilities related to EQ. Individuals with blood group B are active and passionate but those with blood group A are intelligent, loyal to their work, and have maudlin behavior. People with AB blood group are spiritual and O blood groupers have leadership character and least respond to stress. This study aims to compare the EQ-related skills and abilities among medical students with various blood groups.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Aziz Fatimah medical and dental college, Faisalabad. Validate proforma consisting of questions related to demographic, blood groups, and Emotional intelligence scale (EIS) for EQ-related questions was constructed on google form and the link was shared among 600 MBBS students of different medical colleges in Punjab, Pakistan. Only 566 students filled out complete proforma and fulfilled our inclusion criteria for enrollment in the study. Data were retrieved from the individual responses of google form and transformed on SPSS 22 for data analysis. P values less ≤ than 0.05 were considered significant.Results: The most frequent blood group was B positive (B+ve) in this study. The highest score concerning self-awareness was in blood group A positive (A+ve) followed by O positive (O+ve) with a P-value=0.017. The highest score was observed in B+ve in the case of empathy but the difference in mean score was not statistically significant (p value= 0.326). Similarly, blood group A+ve showed the highest value in self-motivation, emotional stability, and managing relations with P-values of 0.036, 0.005, and 0.046 respectively. Participants with the A+ve blood group were more value-oriented, committed, showed integrity and altruistic behavior with P-value=0.032, 0.000, 0.013, and 0.032 respectively.Conclusion: People with the blood group A+ve had the highest emotional quotient than other blood groups. Blood group B was the most prevalent blood group in our study population

Teaching English Language at SSC Level in Private Non-Elite Schools in Pakistan: Practices and Problems

English language is taught as a compulsory subject up to graduate level in Pakistani educational system. Despite studying English for over 14 years, majority of students coming from non-elite schools, lack required command in English language skills to pursue their higher education and professional careers. With this background in mind, the current research focused on teaching English reading and writing skills and the problems faced while teaching these skills at Secondary School Certificate (SSC) level in private non-elite schools in Karachi. The sample of the study comprised 20 SSC level students, 12 SSC level English language teachers of non-elite private schools and 5 student notebooks. Data were collected through open-ended questionnaires, group interviews and notebook analysis. Data were examined using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that teaching English language reading practices include reading the text aloud, translating the chapter, providing the central idea and meanings of difficult words to the students. The major problems faced by the teachers in teaching reading skills are learners’ lack of interest in reading, lack of concentration and low reading comprehension skills. The study also revealed practices of teaching writing skills such as provision of model texts and relevant vocabulary items. The major problems while teaching writing skills are lack of pre-writing activities, learners’ deficient command over vocabulary, grammar, spellings and punctuation, lengthy syllabus and limited time

A comparative study of Emotional Quotient with relation to Blood Groups among medical students of Punjab

Introduction: Emotional quotient (EQ) is the ability to monitor one’s own and other's feelings and emotions for managing relations appropriately. It implies critical thinking and has a key role in augmenting coherence between the team members to work at their full potential for achieving their goals and success in life. There are numerous lines of evidence that shows the influence of blood groups on skills and abilities related to EQ. Individuals with blood group B are active and passionate but those with blood group A are intelligent, loyal to their work, and have maudlin behavior. People with AB blood group are spiritual and O blood groupers have leadership character and least respond to stress. This study aims to compare the EQ-related skills and abilities among medical students with various blood groups.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Aziz Fatimah medical and dental college, Faisalabad. Validate proforma consisting of questions related to demographic, blood groups, and Emotional intelligence scale (EIS) for EQ-related questions was constructed on google form and the link was shared among 600 MBBS students of different medical colleges in Punjab, Pakistan. Only 566 students filled out complete proforma and fulfilled our inclusion criteria for enrollment in the study. Data were retrieved from the individual responses of google form and transformed on SPSS 22 for data analysis. P values less ≤ than 0.05 were considered significant.Results: The most frequent blood group was B positive (B+ve) in this study. The highest score concerning self-awareness was in blood group A positive (A+ve) followed by O positive (O+ve) with a P-value=0.017. The highest score was observed in B+ve in the case of empathy but the difference in mean score was not statistically significant (p value= 0.326). Similarly, blood group A+ve showed the highest value in self-motivation, emotional stability, and managing relations with P-values of 0.036, 0.005, and 0.046 respectively. Participants with the A+ve blood group were more value-oriented, committed, showed integrity and altruistic behavior with P-value=0.032, 0.000, 0.013, and 0.032 respectively.Conclusion: People with the blood group A+ve had the highest emotional quotient than other blood groups. Blood group B was the most prevalent blood group in our study population

Effect of Trading Companies Share on Investors Attitude and Financial Behavior

Pakistan is under developing country and it has an unpredictable market nature of shareholder-investors observe the company’s performance. This research could help to companies in understanding financial behavior, attitude and investors’ satisfaction in stock trade. Financial behavior is comparatively new subject in Pakistan therefore; this study has examined the financial behavior and attitude of investors. The behavioral finance that has been attempt to understand the positive experiences influences investors’ financial behavior. This study has find out that investor satisfaction is strongest in influence of positive financial behavior of investor and trader in stock trading; positive experience and investors satisfaction are strengthens the investment decision of investors and increases behavior loyalty to prefer over competitor. The findings of this study has showing that investment gains results in more positive financial behavior and experience which leads investors satisfaction and preference the company over competitor. However negative financial behavior and complain induce by loss and loss also results decrease in behavior and attitudinal loyalty which leads the disappointment and regret. Purpose – The main purpose of this study is to find factors that effects the positive experiences with stock trading on investors’ and trader’s satisfaction, attitudinal loyalty and financial behavior in Pakistan. Design /methods and approach – The research framework links with experiences in stock trade for positive (negative) experiences, attitude and financial behavior is developed. The research framework is measured with data from sample of Karachi; the data is analyzed in smart PLS which is variance based structural equation modeling using partial least square path modeling, non-parametric software. Research Limitation – This study is focused on trading experience with company’s active investors and traders in banking industry in Pakistan. The future research could be research in other sectors with inter-related issue of investors and traders in stock trade. Originality/ Value – This is the first study in this research area; this study is determined the experiences with positive (negative) financial behavior, attitude and investors satisfaction of investors and traders in stock trade. Therefore adding in this area of study, which will help in understanding the investors and traders attitude and financial behavior in financial market. Keywords – Financial Behavior, Investor satisfaction and Attitudes, Traders or Brokers and Investors Behavior, Positive and negative Experience. Paper type – Research Paper DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-12-09 Publication date:June 30th 202

Emergency Obstetrical Hysterectomy

This study was designed to determine the incidence, indications and complications of emergency obstetrical hysterectomy. The cases were analyzed from January 2003 to December 2008 in the obstetric unit of Fatima Hospital, Baqai Medical University, Karachi. The Demographic and clinical variables were obtained from the maternal records. Incidence of emergency obstetrical hysterectomy was found out to be 1:238 deliveries. Out of these 6(40%) of patients were in the age group between 31-35 years. Average age was 31years. Multiparous patients were 7(46.6%) and grand multiparous were 6(40%) with mean parity of 5. The most common indication leading to obstetrical hysterectomy was Atonic uterus causing postpartum hemorrhage in 7(46.6%) of patients. Ruptured uterus was responsible for this procedure in 2(13.3%) patients. Regarding complications, deep venous thrombosis developed in 1(6.6%) patient. The maternal deaths occurred in 3(20%) patients. The incidence of emergency obstetrical hysterectomy is not very much high. Majority of the patients were referred by traditional birth attendants (TBA’s) with complications of labor and delivery. To further reduce the incidence, education of TBA’s and early referral along with community awareness are essential

GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN TO COMMUNITY BASED DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Although women are considered as the most vulnerable group in the society; but very little attention has been made to take into consideration the issue of gender sensitivity during the phase of Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction as well as Management in both natural and manmade disaster. In Pakistan a very limited number of organization are working to address the issue of mainstreaming of women in pre and post disaster activities. The goal of this paper is to synthesize and review the issue of disaster and gender mainstreaming. This paper highlights the gaps in terms of disaster preparedness by adopting CBDRM; and also critically analyzes the importance of the mainstreaming the element of gender in the phase of Disaster Mainstreaming overall in general and specific in the context of Pakistan. Recommendations and suggestions of the paper can be used to design and implement comprehensive CBDRM Preparedness Plan by mainstreaming the element of Gender sensitivity

IMPACTS OF ATTABAD LAKE (PAKISTAN) AND ITS FUTURE OUTLOOK

Due to geological, hydrological and anthropogenic variations in Northern Areas of Pakistan, the possibility of hazards like earthquake, flash floods, landslide and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) have increased manifolds. The incident of Attabad landslide on 4th January 2010 blocking the Hunza River and resulting in the formation of huge lake as a sequel to Astore earthquake in 2002 and Kashmir earthquake in 2005 is a testimony to the fact hazards turn into disasters causing loss and damage to lives, properties, assets and environment. There are multiple reasons ranging from global warming, deforestation, unplanned settlements, population growth, aggressive farming and host of other man induced activities which have made the Northern Areas of Pakistan hazards prone and are likely to pose continuous threat if requisite preparation and response options are not considered well in advance. In case of Attabad landslide, viewing from the prism of disaster risk management the response of Gilgit-Baltistan and Federal Governments has though not been up to the mark yet mobilization of resources and opinion to manage the disaster leaves a promising environment of hope and capacity which can be further developed to more resilient respondent provided little extra deliberations are done and attention is paid. The solution to Attabad landslide dam crisis lies in reducing the risk by either draining out the lake completely or making a reliable structure with proper design for flow of the water from the lake