ABSTRACT
Background: Multiple choice questions (MCQs) are a common method for formative and summative assessment of medical students. Item analysis enables identifying good MCQs based on difficulty index (DIF I), discrimination index (DI), distracter efficiency (DE). The objective of this study was to assess the quality of MCQs currently in use in pharmacology by item analysis and develop a MCQ bank with quality items.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 148 second year MBBS students at NKP Salve institute of medical sciences from January 2018 to August 2018. Forty MCQs twenty each from the two term examination of pharmacology were taken for item analysis A correct response to an item was awarded one mark and each incorrect response was awarded zero. Each item was analyzed using Microsoft excel sheet for three parameters such as DIF I, DI, and DE.Results: In present study mean and standard deviation (SD) for Difficulty index (%) Discrimination index (%) and Distractor efficiency (%) were 64.54±19.63, 0.26±0.16 and 66.54±34.59 respectively. Out of 40 items large number of MCQs has acceptable level of DIF (70%) and good in discriminating higher and lower ability students DI (77.5%). Distractor efficiency related to presence of zero or 1 non-functional distrator (NFD) is 80%.Conclusions: The study showed that item analysis is a valid tool to identify quality items which regularly incorporated can help to develop a very useful, valid and a reliable question bank.
ABSTRACT
Background: In an era of rapidly rising health care costs generic medicines provide a less expensive alternative to branded medicines. In addition to reducing the overall health care expenditure, it has been shown to improve adherence. Objective was to study knowledge and perception about generic drugs among patients coming to outpatient department of tertiary care centre.Methods: After ethical approval a cross sectional questionnaire based study was conducted. Patients (n=71) were interviewed according to questionnaire in vernacular language by investigator to fill questionnaire.Results: About 28% people think that price of generic drug is less than a branded drug while nearly 61% of people don’t know of it. Only 18.85% participants had taken generic medicine. Trusting efficacy of generic drugs only 30 participants were in favour it. Even they have not seen or heard publicity of generic drugs (61.97%). They (60.56%) opined that generic drugs never prescribe in our country.Conclusions: Limitation in knowledge and perception about generic medicines has been seen among participants.
ABSTRACT
Background: Dyspepsia is one of the common complaints in all sectors of the Indian population. It is diagnosed in the presence of symptoms thought to originate from gastroduodenal region and if there is no organic cause to explain dyspeptic symptoms on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, the patient is labeled as functional dyspepsia (FD). Helicobacter pylori, a Gram-negative bacilli harboring in the acidic gastric environment has been said to be the causative agent, but this association has not been proved in Indian population. Hence, this study was conducted to find out the prevalence of H. pylori in FD. Methods: After the approval from Institutional Ethics Committee, patients presenting with symptoms of dyspepsia of both sex, within age group of 18-60 years and any dietary habit were enrolled in the study. After a detailed history and complete general and systemic examination, patients were subjected to gastroduodenoscopy. On endoscopy, if no lesion was observed, then the patient was labeled as FD. The severity of dyspepsia symptoms was assessed by seven-point global overall symptom (GOS) scale. Patients were then screened for H. pylori infection by both invasive (rapid urease, Gram staining, and culture) and non-invasive tests (C-14 urea breath test). Results: The prevalence of H. pylori in FD was found to be 63.38%. Among 90 H. pylori positive FD patients, 56% were male, 58.89% were below the age of 40 years, and 53.33% belonged to middle income group. The average GOS score for dyspepsia symptoms was 6.01±0.64. Epigastric pain and mild gastritis were the most common presenting symptom and endoscopic finding, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggest that H. pylori is an important causative factor for dyspeptic symptoms in patients of FD. Hence, all the FD patients must be investigated for H. pylori and treated promptly.