CROSS SECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF PARENTAL AND CHILD HEALTH SCENARIOS OF FAMILIES REPORTING AT PEDIATRICS DEPARTMENT LUH

Objective: This study investigates the parental and child health scenario of the families presenting at the pediatric department of Liaquat University Hospital. The term health scenario here refers to disease of familial origin, hereditary lineage and infectious sort capable of affecting the family. The scenario is evaluated by studying the presence and absence of familial diseases, chronic parental illnesses and health status of siblings, major health complaints and diseases requiring urgent treatment Methodology: This observational, cross-sectional analysis comprised of a conveniently chosen, non-probable sample of 100 individuals that presented at the Liaquat University Hospital. Data was collected using a structured, interview based questionnaire after taking verbal informed consent. The data collected was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2013 and SPSS v. 19.0. Results: The data comprised 67% of males and 33% females. 58% of the children required urgent treatment and the major health complaints of the children were malnourishment (42%) and dehydration (18%). Only 5% of the respondents complained that their children suffered from familial diseases. Thalessemia was the leading complaint (3%) followed by Hypertension and liver anomalies (1% each). The leading diseases discovered in mothers were Hypertension (3%), Tuberculosis (2%) and Hepatitis B and C (1% each). The common diseases discovered in fathers were Hypertension (4%), Hepatitis C (4%), Tuberculosis (2%) and Asthma (1%). Conclusion: The patients presenting at the Pediatrics department of the Liaquat University Hospital were more often than not in need of urgent treatment. The major complaints were nourishment related that can be overcome by poverty and illiteracy alleviation. The acute health scenario seemed worrying yet comorbidities and chronic complaints were not present in significant levels. Key words: Health Scenario, Pediatrics, Parental and Child Health.