Common pediatric surgical conditions and associated health-seeking behaviors in Pakistan: An urban and rural comparative assessment.

ABSTRACT: Approximately five billion people do not have access to necessary surgical treatment globally and up to 85% of children in LMICs are affected with conditions requiring surgical care by the age of 15 years. It is crucial to identify common surgical conditions in children in Pakistan to inform healthcare professionals and policymakers for effective resource allocation. This representative cross-sectional household survey conducted on children aged 5-10 years assessed existing surgical diseases and healthcare-seeking behaviors in the two largest provinces (Sindh and Punjab) of Pakistan. The data was collected through a validated cross-sectional survey tool [Surgeons OverSeas Assessment of Surgical Need (SOSAS)]. Caregivers were asked about their child's recent and past surgical conditions in

SUBMITTER: Qazi SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11392349 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature