Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences

Published by : PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS

ISSN 1681-715X

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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Volume 24

July - September 2008

Number  4


 

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Impact of working status on their lives:
A survey of working women at a teaching
hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

Waris Qidwai1, Shahan Waheed2, Salma Ayub3, Syed Iqbal Azam4

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the impact of working status on the lives of working women.

Methodology: A questionnaire based cross sectional survey was conducted at the Family Practice Center, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from July to December 2006. The Questionnaire included data on the demographic profile of the patient and questions in line with study objectives. Ethical requirement including the administration of written informed consent and the provision of confidentiality were ensured. SPSS computer software was used for data analysis.

Results: Two hundred working women were interviewed. The mean age was 29.05 years. A majority was married (53.5%) with more than grade XII education (67%). Sixty three (31.5%) women were working due to need and eighty three (41.5%) were finding it difficult to carry out home responsibilities because of it. Extra understanding and support was received from family by 155 (77.5%) and 115 (57.5%) women respectively. One hundred twenty three (61.5%) women felt they did not have enough time for themselves. The status of working women is better than non-working women according to 123 (61.5%) respondents. Financial benefits outweigh other disadvantages according to 105 (52.5%) respondents. Marriage prospects of working women and their children are better than non-working women and their children according to eighty one (40.5%) and eighty (40%) respondents respectively. Confidence in working women is higher than non-working women according to 142 (71%) respondents. Eighty one (40.5%) respondents feel that working women’s financial independence has negative impact on theirs husband’s self esteem.

Conclusions: Working women find it difficult to carryout their home responsibilities. There is need for further studies on how to improve the working conditions and home situation for working women in our society.

KEY WORDS: Working women, Women status, Women health, Women’s role.

Pak J Med Sci    July - September 2008    Vol. 24 No. 4    506-511

How to cite this article:

Qidwai W, Waheed S, Ayub S, Azam SI. Impact of working status on their lives: a survey of working women at a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci 2008;24(4):506-11.


1. Dr. Waris Qidwai, FCPS,
Professor and Chairman,
Department of Family Medicine,
2. Shahan Waheed,
Medical student,
3. Salma Ayub,
Medical Student,
2,3: Karachi Medical and Dental College,
Karachi - Pakistan.
4. Mr. Syed, Iqbal Azam, M.Sc (Statistics)
Assistant Professor,
Department of Community Health Sciences,
1,4: Aga Khan University,
Karachi - Pakistan.

Correspondence

Dr. Waris Qidwai,
Professor and Chairman,
Department of Family Medicine,
The Aga Khan University,
Stadium Road, P.O. Box: 3500,
Karachi 74800, Pakistan.
E-Mail: waris.qidwai@aku.edu

* Received for Publication: May 31, 2008
* Accepted: July 14, 2008



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