Informatics Publishing Limited

Sikandar K. Sherwani ¹, Haroon Ahmed ², Sadaf Ahmed ³, Shamoon Naushad ⁴, Asma Bashir ⁵, Abdul Ghaffar ⁶

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Karachi, PK
2 Centre of Biotechnology & Microbiology, University of Peshawar-Peshawar, PK
3 Department of Physiology, University of Karachi, Karachi, PK
4 Advance Educational Institute and Research Center (AEIRC), Karachi, PK
5 Stem Cell Research Center, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), Karachi
6 Memon Department of Environmental Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, PK

Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate the current status of knowledge , level of awareness, attitude and concerning factors of water pipe (shisha) smoking among male university students of a major city of Pakistan i.e. Karachi. A total number of 400 university students were included in the study and 170 were found Shisha smokers, further analysis of the queries indicated 38.70% Shisha smokers university students smoke for the sake of removing frustration , 24.10% for pleasure, 16.20% to gain attention of apposite gender, 12.90% for passing leisure time and 8.06% to release stress. Moreover, 58.80% acquired this habit in their university life, while 23.50% adopted from their college life and 17.60% smokers also adopt since school days. Regarding medical complications associated with water pipe consumption 47.17% of Shisha consuming students were found aware of respiratory problems, 17.60% were aware of heart complications, while 35.29% of the students responded all vital organs like lungs, kidney and heart equally at risk if water pipe consumes habitually and on the other hand 5.80% shisha consuming students were found totally blind with their health. This survey reflects an increasing trend of Water pipe (Shisha) trend in young Pakistani students and no doubt, a matter of serious public health concern that would definitely injurious to their health. In this regard, Parental monitoring is necessarily to be taken from as a part of their social responsibility. In addition to this, there is seriously a dire need of strong legislature and its proper implementation in our Pakistani society to curb the mushroom growth of rising culture.

Keywords

Water Pipe Smoking, University Students.

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Abdul Ghaffar ¹, Muhammad Akhtar ², Muhammad Akbar Khan ³, Abdul Majid Khan ², Khizar Samiullah ², Mehboob Iqbal ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Meteorology, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, PK
2 Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Quaid-i-Azam Campus, Lahore, PK
3 Department of Zoology, GC University, Faisalabad, PK

Abstract

Partially complete right antler from the Pinjor Formation (Pleistocene) of the Upper Siwalik Subgroup is identified, described and its phylogenetic relationship is discussed. The fossil antler is compared with other known fossil records of family Cervidae as well as with the extant species, on the basis of which it can be attributed to Axis punjabiensis. This species has not been reported previously from this fossil site.

Keywords

Antler, Axis punjabiensis, Cervidae, Upper Siwaliks, Pleistocene, Pakistan.

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