ABSTRACT
Background: A powerful way of improving one's memory for study material is to be tested on that material. Frequent testing in the classroom may boost educational achievement at all levels of education. Repetitive evaluation of subject matter is called 'frequent testing'
Methods: Data on perceptions of frequent assessment were collected from students of all five years of BUMDC, Karachi with a questionnaire. The 14 item questionnaire was clustered around 8 variables: the purpose, test content and objectives, timing, feedback on assessment, the assessor, frequent exams, understanding of curriculum, and test taking strategies. A 3 point itemized rating scale of 'Yes', 'No' and 'Not sure' was used for collecting responses. Students of all 5 years of MBBS of BUMDC were given the questionnaire forms and asked to complete them
Results: The study population consisted of 213 [64%] females and 120 [36%] males. Their mean age was 20+/-8 years. The most frequently endorsed purpose of assessment, as perceived by students was to achieve high grades. A second important purpose was motivation for learning
Conclusion: The underlying values of all these points are important to teachers and students seeking better ways to teach and learn. Frequent testing will enhance learning and studying habits, while increasing recall and the depth of knowledge learned
ABSTRACT
Adolescent male resident of Hazara, Pakistan presented with abdominal pain, bilious vomiting, dysentery and knee pain of 10 days duration in July of 2014 to the emergency department of the Aga Khan University Hospital. Knee pain later migrated to ankle and was associated with redness and oedema. Abdominal x-ray revealed thickened bowel wall that was suggestive of enteritis. He was being treated with IV antibiotics [ceftriaxone and metronidazole], which did not help in resolving his symptoms. Overnight he started developing palpable rashes on his feet, back and abdomen, which raised the suspicion of Henoch-Schonlein purpura. There were no signs to suggest any respiratory and urinary systems involvement. He was given intravenous prednisolone after which his rashes dramatically disappeared and his ankle pain and other symptoms resolved. On follow up his lab investigations were within normal range with complete disappearance of rash and resolution of his abdominal pain, dysentery and bilious vomiting. Rarely dysentery is accompanied with palpable rashes and should raise suspicion of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura. Knowledge and understanding of this rare disease can help early diagnosis and initiate prompt treatment
ABSTRACT
Obesity is considered a disease and one of the fastest growing global threats. In Pakistan General Physicians [GPs] are approached first in case of any disease thus their knowledge and practices regarding obesity are very important to assess. Our objective was to assess the knowledge and practices of GPs regarding obesity and management. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among GPs of Karachi. 140 GPs from 17 towns of Karachi were selected by convenience sampling. Data was analyzed using SPSS-16. Total 140 GPs with mean age of 46.1 +/- 11.1 years were included in the study. Among them 90 [64.3%] were males and 40 [28.3%] were females. Awareness was assessed regarding factors related to obesity and knowledge was compared on basis of qualification and knowledge update. Significant difference was found for insufficient physical activity [p=0.001] and social problems [p=0.02]. On the basis of knowledge update, stress and anxiety [p=0.013] were found to be significant. Significant difference was found in readings for BMI [p=0.038] and waist circumference [p=0.000] to label patient obese. Among several lifestyle modifications advised, significant difference was found for increase fibre in diet [p=0.006], low fat intake [p=0.003], low carbohydrate intake [p=0.02]. Overall awareness regarding obesity was fair among GPs, while certain gaps were found in criteria for labelling patient obese. Significant difference in knowledge of GPs was found among those GPs who update their knowledge and who did not