Globally, there has been a significant escalation in the prevalence of respiratory disease, posing a substantial threat to the well-being of the general population. The research was carried out in 35 urban areas characterized by substandard living conditions in Karachi, Pakistan, with the aim of assessing the frequency of respiratory illnesses among children and adolescents. In the slums of Karachi, Pakistan, the incidence of pneumonia was found to be higher among females, with males exhibiting a slightly lower prevalence.
Respiratory Diseases' Burden in children and adolescents of marginalized population: A Retrospective study in slum area of Karachi, Pakistan
Findings
Among the studied diseases, pneumonia was more prevalent among females (39,864, 44.9%), followed by males (19,006, 21.4%). Most of the children (59,988, 67.6%) were aged 1–5 years. In addition, of those diagnosed with pneumonia, 50,348 (56.8%) were from the same age group. Furthermore, bronchiolitis was found among 10,830 (12.2%) children aged 5–9 years. The majority (46,906, 52.9%) of the studied population belonged to the Pathan ethnicity, followed by Sindhi (21,522, 24.2%), and most of them (84,330, 95.1%) were of a lower socioeconomic status
COVID-19 VACCINE UPTAKE AMONG OPULENT VS SLUMS OF URBAN SETTING IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Findings
Of 1265 respondents from slums and opulent areas, 15.8% were non-vaccinated slums, whereas 14.16% belonged to opulent areas needing vaccination with adjusted OR 95% is 0.74(0.41-0.95). Of 1265 respondents, 825(65%) were females, and 440 (34.7%) were male. The vaccine compliance among females was 49%, and 32% among male respondents with adjusted OR 95% 1.84(1.12-3.03). Only 6% of the slums area were vaccinated with the required shots of vaccine (2 doses and one booster) compared to opulent areas, i.e., 20%.
