1.Subgroup stratified burden of hepatitis D virus in Asia
Huzefa AHMED ; Rida AYUB ; Usama AHMED ; Bilal AHMED ; Afia AYUB ; Adeel MASOOD ; Erum KHAN ; Saeed HAMID
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):249-259
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection, the most severe form of viral hepatitis, remains underrecognized in the Asia due to inconsistent screening and limited surveillance. This systematic review (1970—2025) stratified HDV prevalence by population subgroups: community, hospital-based, and high-risk.Community studies showed high prevalence in Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan; hospital cohorts revealed hyperendemicity in Mongolia and Uzbekistan; high-risk populations showed concentrated transmission in [Hong Kong, China], [Taiwan, China], Vietnam, and Sultanate of Oman. Many countries and regions lacked subgroup-specific data.The uneven, population-dependent burden underscores HDV as a major driver of advanced liver disease in Central and South Asia. Routine HDV screening and RNA-based diagnostics are essential to define burden and advance WHO 2030 elimination targets.
3.Preventable Lifestyle Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases in the Pakistan Adolescents Schools Study 1 (PASS-1).
Ali Khan KHUWAJA ; Saleem KHAWAJA ; Komal MOTWANI ; Adeel Akbar KHOJA ; Iqbal Syed AZAM ; Zafar FATMI ; Badar Sabir ALI ; Muhammad Masood KADIR
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2011;44(5):210-217
OBJECTIVES: The rising burden of preventable risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among adolescents is a major public health challenge worldwide. We identified the preventable risk factors for NCDs in adolescents. METHODS: In a school-based study, pre-tested structured questionnaires were completed by 414 adolescents (14 to 17 years) at six schools in three cities in Pakistan. The chi-squared test and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated in a multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Over 80% of the adolescents had unhealthy diets, and 54% were physically inactive. Most adolescents were exposed to passive smoking, and 14% were also current smokers. More than one-third of participants chewed betel nut, and one-quarter used oral tobacco. More girls were physically inactive (OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 2.69 to 6.17), whereas a greater proportion of boys were current smokers (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.19 to 3.91), exposed to passive smoking (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.72 to 3.83), and using betel nut (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.34 to 3.06). Only 3.1% of the participants were without any preventable lifestyle risk factor for NCDs, and over 80% had > or =2 factors. Co-existence of risk factors was independently associated with fathers being blue-collar workers (aOR, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.07 to 11.92) and parents not treating their child fairly (aOR, 5.05; 95% CI, 1.29 to 19.78). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the adolescents studied had preventable risk factors for NCDs. These results warrant comprehensive and integrated interventions to prevent lifestyle risk factors, and parents are front-line stakeholders.
Adolescent
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Female
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Humans
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*Life Style
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Logistic Models
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Male
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Motor Activity
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Odds Ratio
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Pakistan
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Questionnaires
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Risk Factors
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Schools
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Smoking/*prevention & control
;
Tobacco, Smokeless

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