Socio-demographic characteristics of children and young people with primary brain tumours: comparison between a public and private sector tertiary hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

Faiza Urooj, Nida Zahid, Nick Brown, Russell Seth Martins, Thomas Martensson, Andreas Martensson, Ather Enam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Primary brain tumours (PBTs) are the commonest solid tumours in children and young people (CYP). A study was conducted at a private and a public sector hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, to determine the socio-demographic and tumour-related characteristics of CYP with PBTs between those presenting to the public and private hospitals. A total of 49 patients were included. The commonest PBT was pilocytic astrocytoma (29%). There were no differences in tumour-related characteristics between the two groups. However, parents of CYP with PBTs presenting to the public sector hospital were significantly less educated and had lower household incomes. No significant differences in age, gender, educational status, and ethnicity of CYP with PBTs were observed. Since CYP with PBTs presenting at the public sector hospital were from significantly lower socioeconomic backgrounds and their parents were less educated, it suggests socio-economic disparities in PBT care for CYPs in Karachi, Pakistan.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)366-369
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of the Pakistan Medical Association
Volume74
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2024

Keywords

  • Paediatric brain tumour
  • Private sector
  • Public sector
  • Socio-demographics
  • Socio-economic

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