Linguistic and clinical validation of the Arabic-translated Aberdeen Menorrhagia Severity Scale as an indicator of quality of life for women with abnormal uterine bleeding

To develop a conceptually and semantically valid Arabic version of a validated disease-specific instrument of quality of life [QoL] for women with abnormal uterine bleeding [AUB]. This is a prospective cohort study conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between December 2010 and December 2011 following ethics approval. Forward translation of the Aberdeen Menorrhagia Severity Scale [AMSS] from English into Arabic was followed by backward translation of the consensus target [Arabic] version into the source [English] language. Subsequently, a final target [Arabic] language version was created. Sixty-one Arabic-speaking women of reproductive age participated in the study. The final Arabic questionnaire was administered to 41 women with self-perceived normal menses [Group 1] on 2 occasions 2 weeks apart. Agreement in the answers deems the questionnaire reliable. The final Arabic version was administered to 20 women with self-perceived AUB [Group 2], and their scores were compared with the first response of Group 1. A significant difference between the groups deems the questionnaire valid. For linguistic validation; intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC] of 0.87 and Kappa statistics of 0.56 to 0.87 indicated good to excellent agreement. For clinical validation, there was a significant difference between Group 1 and 2 [p=0.001]. The translated Arabic AMSS is a reliable and valid indicator of QoL in Saudi women with AUB

Factors influencing students' decision in choosing obstetrics and gynecology as a career in a university hospital in central Saudi Arabia

To determine factors influencing final year medical undergraduate trainees at King Saud University in choosing a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology. In this cross sectional study, the undergraduate final year medical students and interns at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were asked to complete a survey instrument designed to assess possible attracting and detracting factors. The survey was conducted from January 2010 to February 2010. Factors were analyzed in a univariable and multivariable analysis. The survey was distributed to 507 students. Completed questionnaires were returned by 330 participants [response rate 65%]. Overall, 32 [9.7%] of students listed Obstetrics and Gynecology in their top 3 choices. The rotation of students through Obstetrics and Gynecology was the most influential factor attracting 81.3% of the students who chose to take this course. Faculty interaction was a major reason for attracting students accounting for 71.9%, but resident interaction was less attractive where only 37.5% of students mentioned that they were affected positively by residents. Hands-on experience such as performing deliveries and other procedures were significant attracting factors. [p=0.006 and p=0.004]. The findings in this study will hopefully aid in recruiting trainees to the specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Saudi Arabia. Identifying the 5 major attracting factors from our study will allow our institute to integrate these factors in Obstetrics and Gynecology curriculum design, eventually increasing interest in postgraduate training in this specialty