Musa Rahim

Publications of Musa Rahim

• Assessing obesity and overweight in a high mountain Pakistani population.

  Authors: Syed M Shah, Debra Nanan, Mohammad H Rahbar, Musa Rahim, Gul Nowshad

  Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH. 04/2004; 9(4):526-32.

  OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of obesity and overweight among adults in a high mountain rural population of Pakistan, and to determine the correlates of excess body weight. DesignOBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of obesity and overweight among adults in a high mountain rural population of Pakistan, and to determine the correlates of excess body weight. Design Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A random sample of 4203 adults (aged 18 years and over) was selected by stratified random sampling from 16 villages in north Pakistan. Trained medical students measured height, weight and blood pressure. Trained interviewers obtained information from participants on sociodemographic variables, use of snuff, daily cigarette consumption, hypertension and family history of hypertension. Body mass index (BMI) calculated as kg/m(2) was used to define overweight (BMI > or = 25 kg/m(2)) and obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)). RESULTS: Using weight and height data available for 1391 men and 2754 women, mean BMI was 22.4 (95% CI 21.9, 22.9) for men and 22.6 (95% CI 21.9, 23.2) for women. The age-adjusted prevalence of BMI > or = 25 (overweight/obesity) was 13.5% for men and 14.1% for women. Overweight/obesity increased with age and the increase per year was identical for both men and women [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.01, 95% CI 1.01, 1.03]. Overweight/obese men and women were more likely to be hypertensive (men, AOR = 3.32, 95% CI 2.16, 5.09; women, AOR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.21, 2.39). Overweight/obese women were more likely to work in business or as skilled workers (AOR = 6.24, 95% CI 1.18, 32.83) while overweight/obese men were more likely to work as government employees (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI 1.66, 4.03). Family history of hypertension was a significant correlate of overweight/obesity in men (P value 0.004) and women (P value 0.000). Overweight/obese men and women were less likely to use smokeless tobacco (men, AOR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.43, 0.97; women, AOR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.35, 0.85). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Pakistan is expected to increase as further epidemiologic, nutritional and demographic changes occur. The assessment of excess body weight, and patterns and determinants of other risk factors for NCDs is important to provide useful guidelines in the planning of interventions to counter a growing problem.

• Studying the association between postgraduate trainees' work hours, stress and the use of maladaptive coping strategies.

  Authors: Pashtoon Murtaza Kasi, Talha Khawar, Farooq Hasan Khan, Jawad Ghazanfar Kiani, Umber Zaheer Khan, Hadi Mohammad Khan, Urooj Bakht Khuwaja, Musa Rahim

  Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad : JAMC. 19(3):37-41.

  BACKGROUND: The growing debate regarding long working hours of postgraduate trainees has been receiving considerable attention recently. This greater workload contributes to increasing stress. OurBACKGROUND: The growing debate regarding long working hours of postgraduate trainees has been receiving considerable attention recently. This greater workload contributes to increasing stress. Our objective was to specifically study the association between long working hours, stress and the greater use of 'maladaptive' coping strategies. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on all interns and residents at the Aga Khan University Hospital during February to May, 2005. Level of stress was measured by use of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the use of maladaptive coping mechanisms through Brief Cope-28. RESULTS: 55.1% scored over the threshold for mild stress i.e. GHQ > 3, while more than 46% of the trainees scored over the threshold of more than 4 for morbid stress. Trainees under stress reported more working hours on average as compared to those not under stress, 83.8 and 74.7 hours respectively. At the same time, those working for longer hours were more likely to have used these negative coping mechanisms, which would further contribute to more stress rather than relieving it. CONCLUSIONS: Significant levels of stress have been identified. Along with this, those working for longer hours were more likely to have used these negative coping mechanisms. Reduction of working hours is important. Simultaneously, interventions need to be planned at imparting knowledge, awareness and skills to cope with various kinds of stressors encountered by a trainee during his/her training. Additionally, limits need to be devised for the working hours of the trainees.