Factors contributing to the lack of interest in research activities among postgraduate medical students

Objective: To determine the factors contributing to lack of interest in research activities among postgraduate residents in pediatric medicine

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted at The Children's Hospital Lahore, Pakistan in August 2017. The questionnaire was distributed to 105 postgraduate residents working in pediatric medicine department and 90 of them returned the completed proforma [response rate; 86%]. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 22

Results: Out of 90 residents' females were predominant [n=58/90; 64.4%]. Mean age of the participants was 28.22 +/- 2.092 years. Majority were unmarried [n=57; 63.3%]. The highest mean score [2.31 +/- 0.697] was regarding ''Lack of proper training for research'', followed by ''lack of previous exposure'' [2.26 +/- 0.728] and ''over loaded curriculum'' [2.13 +/- 0.753]. ''Uncooperative faculty'' and ''funding issues'' as a barrier towards research [p=0.016 and 0.014 respectively] was mentioned by males more than females. ''Social and family commitment'' was a significant perceived barrier in married residents as compared to unmarried residents [p=0.001]. The residents in the younger age group were more reluctant to do research due to ''over loaded curriculum'' [p=0.038]

Conclusion: Lack of proper training of research, lack of previous exposure and time management are the major factors affecting resident's research work, whereas married residents face more social/family constraints as compare to unmarried residents

Effect of maternal depression during pregnancy on birth weight of babies

Objective: To determine the frequency of low birth weight [LBW] babies amongst women who suffer from prenatal depression during 3rd trimester of pregnancy by comparing with control in a military care setup

Study Design: Prospective cohort study

Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in Armed Forces Institute of Mental Health [AFIMH] in collaboration with the Department of Gynecology, Military Hospital [MH] Rawalpindi and completed in six months from Mar 2012 to Sep 2012

Material and Methods: Consecutive non-probability sampling was done. Sample size of 172 cases was calculated by World Health Organization [WHO] calculator. Level of significance was 5%, confidence interval 95%, relative risk 2.2 and power of test was 80%

Results: Total 172 cases were enrolled predominantly between 26-30 years i.e. 45.35% [n=39] in cases and 47.67% [n=41] in controls, confidence level was 95% and relative risk was 2.2, mean and SD calculated was 28.32 +/- 3.43 in cases and 27.87 +/- 3.16 years in controls, mean birth score [in grams] of the neonates was 2192.302 +/- 114.22 in cases and 2629.744 +/- 75.33 in controls, comparison of frequency of low birth weight revealed 39.53% [n=34] in cases and 17.44% [n=15] in controls had low birth weight while 60.47% [n=52] in cases and 82.56% [n=71] in control subjects had normal birth weight, Relative risk of outcome variable was 2.23. A p-value of 0.001 showed a significant difference between the two groups

Conclusion: Frequency of LBW babies amongst women who suffer from depression during 3rd trimester by comparing with control is found to be higher

Cigarette smoking and consumption of psychotropic drugs among medical students of Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi

Objective: To evaluate practice of cigarette smoking and use of psychotropic drugs among medical students of Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi

Study design, settings and duration: Descriptive cross sectional was done at Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi during June 2010

Subjects and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among all medical students Rawalpindi Medical College who were present in various classes during June 2010. Informed consent was taken from all students and data gathered through self-administered questionnaire. Information gathered included consumption of psychotropic drugs, initial mode of getting cigarettes, place of smoking, age of initiation of smoking on regular basis, number of cigarettes smoked per day, cessation of smoking and past smoking history. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20

Results: A total of 975 students agreed to fill the questionnaire and returned it. Out of them, 815 students denied the consumption of any such drug. No response was received from 86 students while 74 [7.6%] were using psychotic drugs which included various stimulants [31] and sedatives and hypnotics [43]. There were 234 [24%] cigarette smokers whose mean age of initiation of smoking on regular basis was 19.5 years. The place of buying cigarette was either shops or street vendors [21%]. Almost 42.7% medical students smoked cigarette in the medical college while 23.1% smoked in public places, 8.9% at friend's house and 8.1%, in social events. Most [48.7%] medical students had tried at least one cigarette in the medical college to see its effect. There were 98 current smokers [84 males and 14 females] out of whom 50 [21.3%] were current daily smokers. Of the total 234 smokers, 46.1% were not willing to quit smoking within next 6 months

Conclusion: In the medical college 24% students were smokers and 7.6% were using psychotropic drugs. Almost 46% students were not willing to quit smoking in near future

Policy message: Regular medical checkups are needed in medical students for their indulgence in addictions like tobacco use and psychotropic drugs. Once convinced and practicing, they can better guide their patients and populations coming to them for various health issues

outcome review of conventional surgical treatment of angiofibroma

To determine the efficacy of conventional surgical treatment for juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, in terms of morbidity and recurrence. A descriptive study This study was conducted at ENT, Unit I, Allama lqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, from September 2007 to September 2010. Fifty patients with juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma treated surgically were analyzed. For each patient, data were obtained regarding the symptoms, extension of the Lesion, various surgical approaches and rate of recurrence. Preoperatively, all the patients were evaluated with detailed history, endoscopic nasal cavity and nasopharyngeal examination and computed tomography. Age gender, main symptom leading to consultation, any previous surgical treatment performed, various surgical approaches, duration of hospital stay and recurrence were evaluated. Follow-up examinations were performed in the first, three and six months postoperatively. All patients had CT scan after 6 months interval to rule out any recurrence. All the 50 patients were male either adults or adolescents. The age of the patients ranged from seventeen years. The most common symptom was nasal obstruction with repeated episodes of epistaxis, seen in a the patients The other associated symptoms seen were nasal discharge snoring in 20%, headache in 10%, speech detects [rhinolalia clausa] in 20%, facial asymmetry in 40%, deafness unilateral [on the side of disease] in 10%, bilateral in 10% and orbital pain in 10% of the patients. The clinical examination demonstrated mass in the nasopharynx in all patients [100%], and nasal fossa in 30 patients [60%]. The other less common signs included external nasal deformity in 10%, palatal displacement in 20%, cheek swelling in 40%, proptosis in 20% and conductive deafness in 20%. Lateral rhinotomy Transmaxiliary via midfacial degloving and Lateral rhinotomy and Subtemporal preauricular infratemporal fossa approach was used in 22%, 60% and 18% patients respectively. In 6 patients tracheotomy was done per operatively and all of them were decanulated after removal of pack. Per operative exposure and temporary closure of external carolid artery was done in 8 patients who had extensive disease and bleeding pre-operatively. Five units of whole blood were arranged for each patient pre-operatively. Hypotensive anesthesia was used in all patients to minimize the blood loss. The blood loss ranged from 150 ml to 2.3 liters with an average loss of 400 ml. The average duration of hospital stay was 15 days, with shortest stay of 8 days with the maximum stay of 32 days. All patients had a minimum follow up for six months. 8 patients had recurrence for which they were operated again Conventional surgical procedures still have their place in the treatment of the JNF

Dental pain - A case of missed diagnosis

Dental pain, without doubt is one of the worst pains experienced by humans. The purpose of this article is to discuss investigations, diagnosis and management of acute dental pain with reference to case report of a patient. The patient suffered from acute pulpitis due to an apparently minor dental problem. Due to peculiar anatomy and innervation of dental pulp it is difficult for the patient and the dentist to identify the offended tooth in the initial stage of pulpitis. Different causes of dental pain are discussed. Classification and characteristics of dental pulp sensory fibers are also described briefly