6 articles found

Zalsa: A Contextualized Low-cost and Low-tech Wellness and Well-being Innovation for University Students

Original Research

Zalsa: A Contextualized Low-cost and Low-tech Wellness and Well-being Innovation for University Students

13 June 2025

Introduction: Zalsa, an amalgamation of Zumba and Salsa, represents a dynamic and culturally rich form of physical and psychological activity that has shown promise in building wellness and well-being at the community level. This study explored the effects of Zalsa participation on physical fitness, mental health, and social integration at a comprehensive university in a Low-Middle Income Country (LMIC) setting. Method: Through a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental approach, the Zalsa intervention was performed through open houses at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Karachi, Pakistan. The intervention was open to all AKUH students, spanning July to Sept 2023. Immediately following the intervention, an online Google survey was conducted based on 20 questions in subcategories self-assessing physical/mental health, stress, social interaction, concentration, and work-life balance. Results: Of the 107 participants, the vast majority (80%) were women in their 20s and 30s; 41% were medical students. Likert scores were high across the board, with up to 90% of respondents falling within the moderate to significant satisfaction range. The intervention was associated with high mean aggregate scores for psychological well-being (72%), work-life balance (73%), overall quality of life (80%), and future intention (75%), but lower for physical well-being (67%). The mean % score tended to be significantly higher in the over 35 years age group for all categories tested. Conclusion: Data supports positive influence on burnout mitigation potential, physical, mental, and social wellness and well-being, and personal/professional growth through community building, amongst university students. These findings have implications for incorporating Zalsa-like wellness and well-being programs to build novel core competencies for 21st-century learners in their higher education pursuit.

Syed Waqas

Zeeshan Ahsan

Aisha Pervaiz

+4

Isolated Axillary Lymphadenitis : A tale of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis

Case Report

Isolated Axillary Lymphadenitis : A tale of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis

18 May 2025

Tuberculosis (TB) is the one of the most common communicable disease India. Tb manifests in two forms, pulmonary and extrapulmonary type. The pulmonary type is the most common manifestation that presents clinically as cough with expectoration, fever, night sweats and weight loss. Among the extrapulmonary type, lymphadenitis is the most common manifestation and we are presenting a case series of 2 Rare Isolated TB Lymphadenitis cases, the first is Isolated axillary lymphadenitis and the second is Isolated Cervical Lymphadenitis. Axillary TB lymphadenitis is more common in females. Chest X ray and Ultrasound are the primary investigations, histopathology being the confirmatory diagnostic test.

Chetanya Singh Bhatti

Jayati Sahay

HackAway! Innovating Mental Wellness for Students of Higher Education through a Comprehensive Brain-Mind Hackathon

Original Research

HackAway! Innovating Mental Wellness for Students of Higher Education through a Comprehensive Brain-Mind Hackathon

15 May 2025

Background: With the growing recognition of mental health challenges, particularly among students, innovative and sustainable solutions are crucial. Traditional methods have their limitations, and new approaches are needed to foster collaborative problem-solving. The "Brain and Mind Institute: Student Mental Health Hackathon," held at Aga Khan University in October 2021, was conceived as an innovative platform to engage participants from diverse backgrounds in brainstorming solutions for student mental health challenges. This Hackathon, rather than focusing solely on the mental health issue itself, aimed to leverage interdisciplinary collaboration to generate practical, scalable solutions for student well-being. Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted to assess the outcomes of the Hackathon, focusing on its effectiveness as a collaborative platform. The study involved 74 participants, predominantly students, who were randomly assigned to teams based on shared problem-solving approaches. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data collected on participants’ experiences, specifically assessing how well the Hackathon fostered teamwork and the development of viable solutions to the challenges presented. Results: Among the 74 participants, 62% were female, with 65% aged between 21 and 30 years. Over 70% of participants were students, with 59% from healthcare backgrounds. The Hackathon received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with a mean score of 4.41 out of 5 on a Likert scale. Participants reported that the event effectively fostered empathy towards mental health issues and helped generate actionable ideas for addressing student mental health. Time constraints were identified as a significant challenge, limiting the depth of some proposed solutions. Conclusion: The Hackathon organized by the Brain and Mind Institute demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex student mental health challenges. Despite time constraints, it proved to be an effective platform for generating practical solutions and fostering empathy. These findings highlight the potential of Hackathons as a model for future initiatives focused on student well-being, with further research needed to explore the long-term impact and scalability of such solutions.

Ume-e-Aiman Chhipa

Ayesha Memon

Zeeshan Ahsan Allana

+6

Innovating Emergency Medicine: Generative AI, Narrative Medicine, and Human-Centered Design

Original Research

Innovating Emergency Medicine: Generative AI, Narrative Medicine, and Human-Centered Design

26 April 2025

Introduction: Emergency medicine in less resourceful areas struggles with the rising burden of disease and disability. Recognizing the limitations of conventional problem-solving has prompted reevaluating our approach to leverage AI capabilities. This article presents the introduction of a masterclass called ‘Create to Innovate’ (C2i) built using Human Centered Design Thinking. We explore narrative medicine through storytelling as an innovative method of promoting emotional engagement and clinical decision making in emergency medicine. Methods: The 'C2i' masterclasses were held at Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan in December 2023 and at Evercare Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria in March 2024. This study used an explanatory mixed methods approach, collecting quantitative data from a post-intervention 'MoodBoard' survey and qualitative data from the AI-generated children's stories, with a total sample size of 60 participants. Results: The pilot study included 22 participants from the Karachi cohort and 38 from the Lagos cohort. A five-point validated visual analog scale, the MoodBoard, assessed the impact of the masterclasses. A significant difference was observed in the overall mean score between the two cohorts (Karachi 3.74 vs. Lagos 3.96; p < 0.05, C.I: -0.42 to -0.01). Qualitative analysis revealed three specific themes within the generated stories: prosocial behavior, resourcefulness and health awareness. Conclusion: The masterclass achieved its goal of fostering innovative solutions through storytelling. The MoodBoard survey highlighted its effectiveness and enjoyment. The imaginative stories offered educational insights into healthcare challenges, highlighting their potential for broader applications in healthcare education and professional training, while enhancing problem-solving and emotional engagement.

Syed Waqas

Zunaira Namal

Ahmed Raheem

+1

Publishing with Purpose: How Clinical Research Drives Better Patient Outcomes

Letter from the Editorial team

Publishing with Purpose: How Clinical Research Drives Better Patient Outcomes

24 April 2025

This is the official Letter from the Assistant Editor for Volume 1, Issue 2 of The ConductScience Journal. It explores how clinical research plays role in improving patient outcomes by bridging the gap between scientific discovery and practical healthcare applications.

Ahmad Hassan

Removing Barriers to Government Benefits: Link Health’s Role in Advancing Health Equity Through Expanded Enrollment

Original Research

Removing Barriers to Government Benefits: Link Health’s Role in Advancing Health Equity Through Expanded Enrollment

27 March 2025

Objectives. To evaluate Link Health’s role in improving federal benefit program enrollment by analyzing application trends and impact from 2022-2024. Methods. Link Health connects eligible populations to federal benefits through in-person and digital ethods. Using data from clinics in Massachusetts and Texas and digital sign-ups, we analyze enrollment trends, funding disbursed, and demographics. Results. From 2022-2024, Link Health supported 2,362 applicants, disbursing over $2.8 million to eligible families. Application methods differed significantly by language (𝛸2=97.4, P<0.001, v=0.4), age (W=589819, P=0.03, r=0.05), state (𝛸2=11.5, P<0.001, v=0.1), and race (𝛸2=138.1, P<0.001). Conclusions. Link Health’s hybrid approach and community partnerships may reduce barriers and optimize benefit enrollment, supporting marginalized communities across several health determinants. In the context of diminishing federal support and the postpandemic benefits cliff era, organizations like Link Health are critical to help individuals access resources. Policy Implications. Targeted, community-based digital enrollment models like Link Health’s could be applied to enhance access to vital resources across the country.

Reese Joy Fields Green

Timothy Scheinert

Sudarshan Krishnamurthy

+3

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