Introduction: Over the past few years, the technology powering mobile devices such as smartphones has made significant progress. Furthermore, the healthcare industry is always progressing and actively embracing the latest technological advancements to achieve the highest level of efficiency. With the rising prevalence of smartphones and internet connection, customers are benefiting from reduced prices, convenient home delivery, and effortless accessibility through online pharmacies. Internet-based pharmacies facilitate the internet-based transaction of health-related products, such as drugs, dietary supplements, and various other wellbeing products.Objective of study: The study assessed digital pharmacy applications in India using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) on Android and iOS devices, aiming to evaluate their quality.Methods: An investigation examined the digital pharmacy applications in India that were accessible via the Android Market and App Store. The applications were assessed by two researchers using the MARS questionnaire, a tool that evaluates 23 variables categorized into five domains: Engagement, Functionality, Aesthetics, Information, and Subjective Quality. The grading system spanned from one to five for every category.Results: A Google Play Store and App Store investigation revealed 40 online pharmacy apps in India, with 13 rejected. Seven were non-English language-related apps and seven were not downloaded. Thirteen were chosen and evaluated using the MARS Scale. The MARS demonstrated significant positive associations across its components, namely Engagement, Functionality, Aesthetics, and Information. Specifically, greater levels of user functionality were shown to be indicative of superior app aesthetics and engagement. The mean rating of the 13 apps fell between the range of 3.11 to 4.32 on a 5-point scale.Conclusion: This is the first study to utilize the MARS scale to assess the efficacy of online pharmacy applications in India. This research enhanced the functionality and quality of various online pharmacy applications utilized in India.

Background: Web-based pharmacy apps facilitate the electronic exchange of health-related supplies. They are digital platforms that run on websites and smartphones. Pakistan is experiencing significant progress in smartphone integration and digital services, leading to the expansion of the online pharmacy business. However, concerns remain over the legitimacy and precision of these apps. Objective: The aim of this study was to undertake a thorough assessment of digital pharmacy apps accessible in Pakistan. Specifically, our focus was on apps accessible via the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store. To fulfill this objective, an evaluation of these apps was performed using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). Methods: A research investigation was conducted to analyze the online pharmacy apps in Pakistan. Initially, 50 apps were identified, but 10 were excluded for not meeting pre-established criteria, 10 were excluded for being in languages other than English, and 7 could not be downloaded. All paid and non-English apps were also excluded. A total of 23 apps were selected for the study, acquired via the Google Play Store and iOS App Store. The evaluation was conducted by 2 researchers who maintained independence from one another by using the MARS. Results: Initially, 50 apps were identified, of which 27 were excluded for not meeting the predetermined criteria. A total of 23 apps were selected for the study, acquired via the Google Play Store and iOS App Store. Strong positive correlations between higher user engagement and better app functionality and information quality were observed. The average rating of the 23 apps ranged between 2.64 and 4.00 on a scale up to 5. The aesthetics dimension had the highest mean score of 3.6, while the information dimension had the lowest mean score of 3.2. For credibility and reliability, different tests (intraclass correlation, Cohen κ, Krippendorff α, and Cronbach α) on each dimension of the MARS were performed by using SPSS Statistics 27. The intraclass correlation of all MARS dimensions ranged from 0.702‐0.913 (95% CI 0.521‐0.943), the Cohen κ of all MARS dimensions ranged from 0.388‐0.907 (95% CI 0.151‐0.994), the Krippendorff α of all MARS dimensions ranged from 0.705‐0.979 (95% CI 0.657‐0.923), and Cronbach α had a lower score of 0.821 in the information dimension and a higher score of .911 in the subjective quality dimension of the MARS. Conclusion: This study evaluated online pharmacy apps in Pakistan by using the MARS. It is the first study on online pharmacy apps in Pakistan. The findings of the evaluation have provided insights into the reliability and efficacy of these apps.

Background: Maternal health is a priority public health problem in Pakistan, and rural women face socioeconomic as well as structural impediments to care. One of the explanations for bad maternal outcomes is limited access to specialists and medical centers. Objective: The research objective was to recognize the determinants of maternal health issues and measure the impediments to the use of healthcare among pregnant and postpartum women residing in rural Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 200 postpartum and pregnant women was conducted through purposive sampling. The information was collected using pre pre-tested structured questionnaire along with a verbal interview. The instrument gathered data on socio-demographics, health care service use, barriers to seeking health care, and maternal health practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS 25.0, with data presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: The age group 18–28 years was a strong majority of the respondents (88.5%), and a big majority had not yet achieved middle-school education (59.5%). Pregnancy care was not common; only 27.5% of women said they had received treatment. The facility used most was the clinic (61.5%), then hospital (25%), whereas 13used home-based services. The most common hindrances to access for professional treatment were transport-related problems (32.5%), affordability of treatment (29.5%), financial instability (27.5%), and apprehension regarding doctors' attitude (10.5%). Most participants had the view that more healthcare facilities were needed, and 87% called for tertiary-care hospitals and 97% for gynecologists in the rural environment. Proper laboratory reporting during pregnancy was feasible for just 9% of the sample. Conclusion: Extensive levels of barriers to utilization of maternal healthcare in rural Karachi are revealed by the study, initiated predominantly because of socioeconomic constraints, diagnostic service unavailability, and shortages. Gap filling through the strengthening of healthcare facilities, making services accessible, and patient-oriented provider behavior is needed to bridge gaps and enhance maternal health in poor neighborhoods.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a long-term metabolic disorder that is well established to produce systemic complications. Of these, auditory complications are underdiagnosed. This study sought to investigate the relationship between the duration of diabetes, comorbidities, and hearing-related symptoms in diabetic patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 patients with diabetes using a pretested proforma. Demographic characteristics, diabetes duration, and its complications and comorbidities were compiled using the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: More than half of the patients (70%) were diabetic for more than 21 years. Hypertension and heart disease were the most prevalent comorbidities (each 22%), followed by renal problems (20%). Complications related to hearing were the most significant, with 72% mentioning that they could not hear, 57% struggling with words that sounded alike, and 35% hearing echo sounds. Notwithstanding these symptoms, only 29% of them had seen an ENT specialist, and 11% wore hearing aids. Ear complications were the most commonly occurring diabetes complication at 46%, indicating a good correlation between long-term diabetes and hearing impairment. Conclusion: This paper highlights the high prevalence of symptoms of hearing loss in long-standing diabetic patients. Early detection and treatment by incorporating regular auditory screening into the standard diabetes management should be incorporated.

Breast cancer is recognized as a global issue affecting millions of women with a greater impact on their lives. Worldwide, breast cancer is among the most prevalent forms of the disease. Throughout their lives, 12% of American women will experience a breast cancer diagnosis, and in 2017, more than 250,000 new cases were reported to the medical community. This study was conducted in a cross-sectional approach retrospectively in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, in which data of all types of cancer patients were gathered from 1st January 2023 – 31st December 2023 in a pre-designed/translated data collection form. Initial analysis was piloted in the form of descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequencies. Chi-square tests and Monte Carlo tests were used to analyze breast cancer occurrence and risk factor associations, considering p-value <0.05 as statistically significant. Following the analysis, an incidence of 11.51 and a prevalence of 13.36 were calculated for 2023. confirms the occurrence of breast cancer among middle-aged women (Mean age 48.67±12.14 years) at an advanced stage in Karachi, Pakistan. A highly statistically significant correlation was detected between hormonal status and stage (p < 0.01), type of breast cancer and stage (p < 0.01), gender and habits (p < 0.01), and ethnicity and habits (p < 0.01), respectively. On the other hand, marital status was not correlated to the stage of breast cancer (p = 0.913). No significant association was found between ethnicity and segregated hormone receptor status. These findings suggest the need for interventions such as awareness programs, lifestyle adoption, and breastfeeding /hormonal usage training programs to prevent diagnosis postponements, awareness, and prevention, thus reducing disease load. Also, the unavailability of data highlights the need for a centralized national cancer control body promoting the entry of updated data of these patients across the private and public sectors.