Effect of food supplementation during the third trimester, on outcome of pregnancy

The effect of energy supplemention during pregnancy on outcome was assessed in a trial in Sanchaung Township, Yangon, Myanmar Women who were 26-28 weeks pregnant coming to the Sanchaung Health Centre for antenatal care were assigned to three study groups. Group I consisted of women who had normal weight-for-height according to gestational age. Group II and III consisted of women who were malnourished (< 80 percent weight-for height) pregnant women matched by age and parity. Group II was supplemented with 500 kcal/d during the third trimester, whereas Group III was unsupplemented. There was a positive correlation between socio-economic score and total caloric intake and protein intake per day. There was also a significant difference between supplemented and unsupplemented malnourished group. However, there was no significant difference between the normal and malnourished group with supplementation. Thus, energy supplementation for short duration, during the third trimester is sufficient of improve outcome of pregnancy as judged by birth weight, length and head circumference of infants.

Study Habits and class performance of second M.B.,B.S. Students

This study was conducted on Second M.B.B.S students (11/92 batch) of IM (1), to fulfill three objectives viz. to get students feedback on the course; to give the students an opportunity to evaluate the staff and our Department's performance and to relate study habits to class performance. Results to the first two objectives have already been reported else where (MEU Newsletter, IM (1), August, 1993), so this paper focuses on the last objective. Questionnaires were given to 220 students, of whom 98 responded. Students' achievement was assessed taking into consideration the number of distinctions gained in the Matric and First M.B.B.S class; number of times they made it to the Departmental Top-Ten list; and the number of tests passed in the three disciplines. Aspects of study habits interrogated include reading of text books; making notes; revising at weekends; number of hours of study; answering old questions. We found that there is much room for improvement in the study habits of our students.