info@stmu.edu.pk +92-51-846-4214
Faculty of Health Sciences

Community Medicine

Community Medicine

Community Health Sciences provides comprehensive health care ranging from preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative services through community oriented medical education programme. A small segment of these services is provided through community-based setting. At Shifa College of Medicine, Community Health Sciences department strives to pursue and deliver these services through faculty led multilevel activities involving our undergraduate students from year 1-4. Each year, the department brings in innovative activities to deliver the curriculum more contextual to the local needs of community.

In an era of evidence-based medicine, the department of Community Health Sciences promotes research at the grass root level among faculty and students. For this the department regularly conducts workshops / seminars on research methodology. The department organizes “Intercollegiate Scholars Day” for undergraduate students in which multiple colleges from all over Pakistan take part.

The importance of this speciality has been well recognised globally and emphasized repeatedly from grass root to international levels. Besides health sector, it involves all relevant specialities affecting biopsychosocial health of an individual and communities at large through multisectoral approach. There has been a paradigm shift from curative health services to more cost-effective preventive health care approach which should be equitable, affordable and available to all strata of society, especially focussing on masses living below poverty line.

If we want to achieve “Health For All “as an International goal defined by WHO, Community Health Sciences will definitely be the key specialty during this millennium and beyond. The department has made progress in terms of designing and implementing educational curriculum, conducting research, and in establishing itself as an academic leader in the undergraduate medical education.

The Departmental services are focused in three major areas:

  • Medical education 
  • Community Oriented Service learning
  • Community based research.

Research Publication

DR. SAJIDA NASEEM

  1. Naseem S, Rafi S, Qazi MA, Mangrio S, Bareach G, Naeem Z. Conventional to virtual poster presentation in scholars’ day during COVID-19 lock down: Medical students’ performance and perspective. Int. J. Health Sci. 2021
  1. Mansoor T, Babar MS, Khan MH, Baig A, Naseem S. Glove-Use Protocol Adherence Among Post-Graduate Medical Residents in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan. IJCMPH. 2021.
  1. Tariq N, Naeem H, Tariq A, Naseem S. Maternal Depression and its correlates: A longitudinal study. JPMA. 2021. 71(6):1618-22.
  1. Ashfaq T, Naseem S. Impact of MRCGP(INT) examination on Family Physicians’ knowledge and practice: Doctors and patients’ perceptions. World Family Medicine. 2021;19(3):113-121.
  1. Ashfaq T, Shahzad F, Ishaq A, Naseem S, Saleem F. Preference of final year medical students towards family medicine as a career choice: A comparative study from Pakistan. World Family Medicine. 2021;19(1): 136-142.
  1. Naseem S, Naeem Z, Chaudhary H, Bareach G, Rafi S,Tahir F, etal. Myths and misconceptions related to COID-19 among future health care providers in a private university of Islamabad- An interventional study. JSTMU. 2020;3(2): 81-6.
  1. Naseem S, Fatima SH, Ghazanfar H, Awan SA, Fatima SS. Four step approach by Peyton’s as a tool for teaching SPSS among undergraduate medical students: An experience from Pakistan. IOSR-JDMS. 2020: 19(5): 48-52
  1. Bhatti MM, Naseem S, Din IU, Naeem Z, Ahmad RN. Assessment of research methodology concepts through critical appraisal among undergraduate medical students and their perception: A single centre study. JSTMU. 2019. 2(1): 39-44.
  1. Naseem S. The global polio eradication initiative in Pakistan: Lessons learnt and prospects for success. JSTMU. 2019. 2(2):45-46.
  1. Naseem S, Ghazanfar H, Fatima SH, Ghazanfar A. Medical students assisted health check up and focussed health education – An integration of community and family medicine. JSTMU. 2018;1(1):27-31.
  1. Savul S, Naeem Z, Naseem S. Satisfaction of female patients with health care services at the peri urban community health centre in Islamabad. Cureus. 2018; Aug 4;10(8).
  1. Ghazanfar H, Iqbal S, Naseem S. Quality of life of post graduate medical students working in private and public hospitals in Punjab as measured by WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. JPMA. 2018; 68:908.
  1. Farooq MU, Mushtaq F, Naeem Z, Iqbal S, Naseem S, Ishtiaq O. Dietary habits and practices of type-2 diabetic patients in a tertiary care centre of Islamabad, Pakistan. JPMA. 2018 May 1;68(5):825-30.
  1. Bhatti MM, Ahmad RN, Naseem S, Khan AH, Ghayur S. Intestinal worm infestation among schoolchildren in a rural community of Islamabad, Pakistan.RMJ. 2018 Apr 1;43(2):196-9.
  1. Shafi MS, Faisal T, Naseem S, Javed S. Postgraduate Medical Trainees’ Understanding of Biostatistics: A Pre-and Post-Research Methodology Workshop Experience.JCPSP. 2018 Mar 1;28(3):196-200.
  1. Shafi S, Faisal T, Naseem S, Javed S, Ghazanfar H. Knowledge of Postgraduate Medical Trainees Regarding Epidemiology. Cureus. 2018 Feb;10(2).
  1. Fatima SH, Naseem S, Awan SA, Ghazanfar H, Ali Z, Khan NA. Oral Health Practices Among Pakistani Physicians. Cureus. 2018 Jan;10(1).
  1. Hashim S, Sarwar M, Arsalan A, Awan I, Naseem S. Frequency of carrier screening and preventive orientation among first degree relatives of Thalassaemia patients. JPMA. 2018 Jan 1;68(1):50-4.
  1. Ahmad RN, Naseem S, Bhatti MM, Ghazanfar H, Khan ZA. EMPIRICAL USE OF ANTIBIOTICS FOR SORE THROAT–HOW RATIONAL IS IT?. Pakistan Journal of Pathology. 2017;28(4):158-61.
  1. Naseem S, Khattak UK, Ghazanfar H, Irfan A. Maternal health status in terms of utilisation of antenatal, natal and postnatal services in a Periurban setting of Islamabad: A community based survey.JPMA. 2017 Aug 1;67(8):1186-91.
  1. Ghazanfar H, Saleem S, Naseem S, Ghazanfar A, Khattak UK. Safe drinking water and sanitary measures: A cross-sectional study in peri-urban community of Islamabad. JPMA.2017 Feb 1;67(2):220-4.
  1. Chen P, Khan MS, Naseem S. Frequency of different lifestyle modification measures among patients with GERD based on monthly income. JPMA. 2017 Nov 1;67(11):1791-4.
  1. Naseem S, Khattak UK, Ghazanfar H, Irfan A. Maternal health status in terms of utilisation of antenatal, natal and postnatal services in a Periurban setting of Islamabad: A community based survey. JPMA 2017 Aug 1;67(8):1186-91.
  1. Naseem S, Fatima SH, Ghazanfar H, Haq S, Khan NA, Mehmood M, Ghazanfar A. Oral hygiene practices and teeth cleaning techniques among medical students. Cureus. 2017 Jul;9(7).
  1. Ajam Y, Sohail H, Imam SF, Saleem MS, Shahbaz M, Raja A, Qureshi KI, Naseem S. Comparison between tobacco smoking among medical and non-medical students–a cross-sectional study. RMJ. 2017 Jan 1;42(1):102-7.
  1. Naseem S, Ghazanfar H, Rashid S. Knowledge Practice Gap in prenatal diagnosis for β Thalassemia–An overview from Pakistan. RMJ 2016;41(4):415-23.
  1. Naseem S, Ghazanfar H, Assad S, Ghazanfar A. Role of sodium-restricted dietary approaches to control blood pressure in Pakistani hypertensive population. JPMA. 2016 Jul 1;66(7):837-42.
  1. Naseem S, Orooj F, Ghazanfar H, Ghazanfar A. Quality of life of Pakistani medical students studying in a private institution. JPMA . 2016 May 1;5:579-83.
  1. Naseem S, Khattak UK, Ghazanfar H, Irfan A. Prevalence of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors at a semi-urban community, Pakistan. PAMJ. 2016 Jul 12;23(1).
  1. Jaffar S, Tayyab A, Shah SS, Naseem S, Ghazanfar H. Comfort level of post graduate residents working in different clinical domains in managing common ophthalmic conditions.JAMC. 2016 Mar 14;28(1):89-93.
  1. Ghazanfar H, Haq IU, Bhatti JR, Hameed S, Shafi MS, Hussain A, Javaid A, Naseem S. Severity of stress in Pakistani medical students.RMJ 2016 Jan 1;41(1):116-20.
  1. Haider Ghazanfar SH, Ghazanfar A, Bhatti JR, ul Haq I, Saeed R, Shafi MS, Hussain A, Javaid A, Naseem S. Suicidal ideation among Pakistani medical students.RMJ. 2015 Oct;40(4):458-62.
  1. Haider Ghazanfar SH, Bhatti JR, ul Haq I, Saeed R, Shafi MS, Hussain A, Javaid A, Naseem S, Anjum R. Stressors and coping strategies for stress among Pakistani medical students.RMJ. 2015;40(2):228-32.
  1. Ahmad RN, Bhatti MM, Khan AH, Ghayur S, Rafi S, Naseem S, Mudassar G. Small group discussion as a learning strategy for medical undergraduates. RMJ . 2014 Jul;39(3):344-8.               
  1. Kazmi SY, Ahmad RN, Naseem S. Sero prevalence and Associated Risk factors of viral hepatitis B and C in a cohort of adult males in North Eastern Punjab Pakistan Journal of Pathology. 2014; 24(1): 7-1
  1. Ghazanfar H, Naseem S, Ghazanfar A, Haq S. Rotavirus vaccine–a new hope. JPMA . 2014 Oct 1;64(10):1211-6.
  2. Raheem A, Rana AI, Mehmood SN, Ramzan M, Shah RA, Naseem S. Two years experience with tunneled dialysis catheters in patients requiring haemodialysis. JPMA. 2014 Jul 1;64(7):758-61
  1. Shafi S, Anjum J, Beg MA, Naseem S, Manzoor S, Hussain T, Abbass SA. End treatment response with pegylated interferon among chronic hepatitis C non-responders.JCPSP 2011 Jun 1;21(6):334-7.
  1. Ikram A, Hussain Shah SI, Naseem S, Absar SF, Ullah S, Ambreen T. Status of hospital infection control measures at seven major tertiary care hospitals of northern Punjab.JCPSP. 2010 Apr 1;20(4):266-70.
  1. Naseem S, Ahmed S, Vahidy F. Impediments to prenatal diagnosis for beta thalassaemia: experiences from Pakistan. Prenatal Diagnosis: Published in Affiliation ISPD 2008 Dec;28(12):1116-8.
  2. Afzal MN, Naseem S. Complementary and alternative medicine: attitude of medical community in Pakistan. RMJ. 2008;33(2):231-4.

DR.UMME KULSUM KHATTAK

  1. Khattak UK, Iqbal SP, Abdullah A, Chowhan A. Contraceptive prevalence rate in women of reproductive age in a semi urban community of Islamabad. JSTMU 2018;1(1):15-20.
  1. Naeem Z, Savul S, Khattak UK, Janjua K. IMPACT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ON KNOWLEDGE ON CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AMONG TEACHERS IN TWIN CITIES OF PAKISTAN. PJPH. 2018 Dec 29;8(4):176-80.
  1. Khattak UK, Iqbal SP, Ghazanfar H. The role of parents’ literacy in malnutrition of children under the age of five years in a semi-urban community of pakistan: a case-control study. Cureus. 2017 Jun;9(6).
  1. Naseem S, Khattak UK, Ghazanfar H, Irfan A. Maternal health status in terms of utilisation of antenatal, natal and postnatal services in a Periurban setting of Islamabad: A community based survey.JPMA. 2017 Aug 1;67(8):1186-91.
  1. Khattak UK, Iqbal SP, Ghazanfar H. Role of sociocultural perceptions in malnutrition of children under the age of 5 years in a semi-urban community of Pakistan. JPMA. 2017 Aug 1;67(8):12139.  
  1. Ghazanfar H, Saleem S, Naseem S, Ghazanfar A, Khattak UK. Safe drinking water and sanitary measures: A cross-sectional study in peri-urban community of Islamabad. JPMA 2017 Feb 1;67(2):220-4.
  2. Prevalence of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors at a semi-urban community, Pakistan. Naseem S, Khattak UK, Ghazanfar H, Irfan A.PAMJ. 2016;23.

DR. HAMEED MUMTAZ DURRANI

  1. Afzal M, Durrani HM, Sohail MI. Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of general population of Pakistan.JIMDC. 2020 Dec 31;9(4):256-61.
  1. Durrani HM, Durrani SM, Kumar R, Ul Haq A. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents of Islam-abad: A cross sectional study.PNNOJ. 2016;4(1):8-11.
  1. Anwar-ul-Haq HM, Kumar R, Durrani SM. Recognizing the danger signs and health seeking behaviour of mothers in childhood illness in Karachi, Pakistan. Univ J Public Health. 2015;3:49-54.
  2. Durrani HM, Ramesh K, Durrani SM. World Health Organization diabetic care guidelines: knowledge and practices of general practitioners in private clinics of Rawalpindi, Pakistan.PJPH. 2013;3(2):19-22.

DR. SAIMA RAFI

  1. Naseem S, Rafi S, Qazi MA, Mangrio S, Bareach G, Naeem Z. Conventional to virtual poster presentation in scholars’ day during COVID-19 lock down: Medical students’ performance and perspective. Int. J. Health Sci. 2021
  1. Naseem S, Naeem Z, Choudhry H, Bereach G, Rafi S, Tahir F, Qazi MA, Mangrio S, Khalil R. Myths and misconceptions related to CoVID-19 among future health care providers in a private University of Islamabad-An interventional study. Journal of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. 2020 Dec 23;3(2):81-7.
  1. Naeem Z, Choudhry H, Bareach G, Naseem S, Rafi S, Mangrio S. Mental health issues during COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. 2020 Dec 23;3(2):122-7.
  1. Qazi MA, Rafi S. Assessment of facility-based emergency care services for road traffic injuries in tertiary care hospital, Larkana. Journal of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. 2020 Aug 9;3(1):16-26.

DR. ANAM ZIA

  1. Anam Zia, Shahrul B. Kamaruzzaman, Maw Pin Tan. Zia A, Kamaruzzaman SB, Tan MP. The consumption of two or more fall risk-increasing drugs rather than polypharmacy is associated with falls. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2017 Mar;17(3):463-70.
  1. Anam Zia, Shahrul B. Kamaruzzaman, Phyo Kyaw Myint, Maw Pin Tan, “Anticholinergic Burden is Associated with Recurrent and Injurious Falls in Older Individuals” (Research Paper) Maturitas. 2016 Feb; 84:32-7.
  2. Anam Zia, Shahrul B. Kamaruzzaman, Maw Pin Tan. Blood pressure lowering therapy in older people: Does it really cause postural hypotension or falls? Postgrad Med. 2015 Feb;127(2):186-93(ISI-listed, Q2)
  1. Anam Zia, Shahrul B. Kamaruzzaman, Maw Pin Tan. Polypharmacy and falls in older people: Balancing evidence-based medicine against falls risk. Postgrad Med. 2015 Apr;127(3):330-7.
  1. Anam Zia, Shahrul B. Kamaruzzaman, Maw Pin Tan. The association of antihypertensives with postural blood pressure and falls among seniors residing in community: a case control study. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2015 Oct;45(10):1069-76.

 

SANA MANGRIO

  1. Naseem S, Rafi S, Qazi MA, Mangrio S, Bareach G, Naeem Z. Conventional to virtual poster presentation in scholars’ day during COVID-19 lock down: Medical students’ performance and perspective. Int. J. Health Sci. 2021
  1. Naseem S, Naeem Z, Choudhry H, Bereach G, Rafi S, Tahir F, Qazi MA, Mangrio S, Khalil R. Myths and misconceptions related to CoVID-19 among future health care providers in a private University of Islamabad-An interventional study. JSTMU. 2020 Dec 23;3(2):81-7.
  1. Naeem Z, Choudhry H, Bareach G, Naseem S, Rafi S, Mangrio S. Mental health issues during COVID-19 pandemic. JSTMU. 2020 Dec 23;3(2):122-7.

DR.GHANWA BAREACH QAZI

  1. Naseem S, Rafi S, Qazi MA, Mangrio S, Bareach G, Naeem Z. Conventional to virtual poster presentation in scholars’ day during COVID-19 lock down: Medical students’ performance and perspective. Int. J. Health Sci. 2021
  1. Naseem S, Naeem Z, Choudhry H, Bereach G, Rafi S, Tahir F, Qazi MA, Mangrio S, Khalil R. Myths and misconceptions related to CoVID-19 among future health care providers in a private University of Islamabad-An interventional study.JSTMU. 2020 Dec 23;3(2):81-7.
  1. Naeem Z, Choudhry H, Bareach G, Naseem S, Rafi S, Mangrio S. Mental health issues during COVID-19 pandemic.JSTMU. 2020 Dec 23;3(2):122-7.

The department is well equipped with all requisite models /specimens and equipment for practical and tutorials. Field visits to places of public health relevance and importance are planned to help enhance student skills and understanding of important concepts. These goals are aimed to be achieved through the following activities at Shifa College of Medicine:

Publications

Annual Tree Plantation Activity

Funds are generated every year by Community Medicine Department in collaboration with junior clerkship students to plant 100-200 trees in parks located adjacent to SCM.

Spending Time with Special children

Students spend a day followed by serving as well as eating luxurious lunch with special children at “Care For Special Persons Foundation” in order to practice compassion, empathy, and develop sense of service to humanity.

Street Children School, Mashal Model School, Nurpur Shahan

Donations of money, stationery items, school bags, clothes, milk cartons, white boards, board markers, winter clothes, socks, and caps are generated for the schools’ children which are then handed over personally to the students and the administration by visiting the school.

Awareness regarding Child Sexual Abuse

School children and teachers in the public / private sector in Rawalpindi / Islamabad are educated about child sexual abuse through role plays, videos, and lectures.

Visit to SOS Children Village

Students visit SOS Children Village in order to promote empathy, assist in donation of different items and distribution of healthy snacks.

National Institute of Special Education

Students get an overview of the work being carried out at National level regarding training of staff as well as special persons with different disabilities.

Thalassemia Center

Students visit thalassemia center in order learn to empathize with the patients suffering from thalassemia and to understand issues faced by their families, to understand the practical steps followed during blood transfusions among these children, to highlight the importance and role of prenatal counseling and diagnosis in order to prevent the disease in the next generation.

Special Children’s School

Donations by clerkship students are utilized to provide wheel chairs, sponsor the school students, and to provide utility items.

Health Promotion Activities through Health Talks

Health talks are delivered by the students at Shifa Rotary Clinic in Nur Pur Shahan village to create awareness regarding prevention of diseases and promotion of health in the semi urban communities of Pakistan

Nutritional Assessment of School Going Children

Assessment of nutritional status is carried out by students in underprivileged schools followed by providence of nutritional supplementation which is generously donated by the students.

Health Education and Awareness of School Going Children

Students deliver talks on common health problems in different schools to raise awareness regarding preventing diseases and promoting health.

Deworming & Vitamin D supplementation of School Children

About 800 school children of Mashal Model School at Nurpur Shahan village in Islamabad were dewormed and given Vitamin D Supplementation in two separate visits in order to promote child wellbeing.

Distribution of Multivitamins

Multivitamins are distributed to street children in Nurpur Shahan village in order to address nutritional deficiency as part of malnutrition in the community.

Visit to RHC/ BHU

Students get familiarized with the working of Health care system of Pakistan at the level of Primary Health Care.

Dialysis Center

A visit to the dialysis center is arranged in order to develop empathy in students with patients suffering with kidney problems and to understand the steps carried out during dialysis procedures.

Blood Bank

A visit to blood bank is carried out in order to practically understand and learn the prerequisites, procedures, and aftercare regarding blood transfusion process for both the donor and the recipient.

Hospital Waste Management

Students are exposed to the hospital waste management system in the setting of SIH where they see how different types of hospital wastes are generated, collected, transported, and disposed using appropriate techniques while following infection control guidelines.

Dr. Sajida Naseem

MBBS, DOHSE, M.Sc., MPH, MRCGP, MCPS

Associate Professor Acting HOD
PMDC # 30413-P
Faculty Reg. # 9026/30413-P/M

Dr. Hameed Mumtaz Durrani

MBBS, MSPH

Assistant Professor
PMDC #1413-AJK
Faculty Reg. # 7301/1413-AJK/M

Dr. Umme Kulsoom Khattak

MBBS, MCPS, MPH

Assistant Professor
PMDC # 7874-N
Faculty Reg.# 9027/7874-N/M

Dr. Saima Rafi

MBBS, MSPH

Demonstrator
PMDC # 40940-P
Faculty Reg #: 33074/40940-P/M

Dr Ghanwa Bareach Qazi

MBBS

Demonstrator
PMDC # 96038-p

Dr. Sana Mangrio

BS-SS

Medical Social Officer

Dr. Ammara Asghar

MBBS, MSPH (Trainee)

Demonstrator
PMC # 91581-P
Faculty Reg # 89574/91581-P/M

Dr. Maryum Rafiq

MBBS,MSPH TRAINEE

Demonstrator
PMC Reg # 71640-P
Faculty Reg # 21917/71640-P/M