Evaluation of the Learning Environment for Diploma in Family Medicine with the Dundee Ready Education Environment (DREEM) Inventory / 보건의료교육평가

The primary healthcare system is at a turning point in Saudi Arabia. However, the sustainability of family medicine as the core element of that system is increasingly being called into question because of lack of family physicians. In keeping view this problem; a postgraduate diploma program in family medicine has started in 2008. A validated measure of educational environment i.e., Dundee Ready Education Environment (DREEM) questionnaire consisting of 50 questions having five domains of perception was administered to all 13 trainees of the diploma course at the completion of the program to check their perception about learning evironment. The trainees comprised of 4 males (40%) and 6 females (60%). The overall score showed more positive than negative side (147/200). There is no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the mean scores of five different domains of perception. The subclasses of five domains showed that teaching perceived as positive by 50%, moving towards right direction by 80%, feeling more positive by 50%, positive attitude by 80% and the 70% scored the course as not too bad. The overall high score and positive attitude towards the course assures the better teaching environment. However, there are areas to improve and it requires continuous evaluation.

Nutritional status of school-going children

One hundred female students [10-15 years] from the girls' section of Peshawar University Model School were selected and divided into six groups according to their age. Anthropometric measurement, biochemical indicators, feeding habits and socio-economic status were discussed. Deficiency in weight [13-32%], height [14-37%], mid-arm circumference [17-42%], protein [21-29%], hemoglobin [14-67%] and packed cell volume [8-22%] were prevalent among all the groups. Food habits revealed little inclusion of energy rich foods hence deficiency in caloric intake [36-63%] was observed. Socio-economic status coincided with food habits and caloric intake because 75 percent parents of the students were from low to middle class and 25 percent from well-to-do families

study of magnitude of iron deficiency in Qatary adults diagnosed to have iron deficiency anemia

Dietary requirement for iron is negligible and iron deficiency is very unlikely unless there is inadequate intake, utilization, absorption or excessive loss of blood. Iron status however differs from population to population depending upon a number of factors. Iron deficiency anemia occurs at a stage when iron stores are absolutely finished. This study was done to look for magnitude of iron deficiency through various parameters of iron deficiency in the subjects diagnosed to have iron deficiency anemia in Qatary adults. Among patients visiting out patient departments of Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar in the year 1993-1994, 108 were diagnosed for iron deficiency anemia. Serum Iron, TIBC and transferrin saturation were done to look for exact status of iron deficiency. Out of 108, 24% were males and 76% females. In these patients serum iron [21.73 mcg/dl] and transferrin saturation [6.96%] was low while the total iron binding capacity [TIBC] was within normal range. In males iron [20.73 mcg/dl] and transferrin saturation [5.68%] was comparatively lower than females having iron 24.41 mcg/dl and transferrin saturation 7.36% respectively

Comparison of tobacco use between urban and rural females

The pattern of diseases has changed and presently the risk factors of communicable diseases as well as non-communicable diseases have been rising day by day due to change in life style and 'epidemiological transition'. Geographical and socio economic factors have been noted to influence the occurrence of diseases such as cancers, hypertension and coronary heart disease [CHD] etc. In females relationship between cigarette smoking and CHID is uncertain; however in different cancers some relationship has been proved. Keeping this problem in view, a study was done and comparison made between 158 urban and 158 rural randomly selected adult females regarding their age, education, occupation and tobacco using habits. Results revealed that the study population was relatively young with low literacy rate. Majority of them were house wives in both areas. In urban area 13.7% were using tobacco of which, 0.2% smoke cigarettes, 5.8% chew paan with tobacco while in rural area 23.5% were using tobacco in different forms. Of these 3.5% were smoking cigarettes, 1.6% using beeri, 12.2% using Paan with tobacco and 0.6% were using Huqa. However, there was no significant [P<0.07] difference between urban and rural females with regards to the habits. 20.9% of urban females had high systolic blood pressure that is >140 mmHg and 25.3% had high diastolic blood pressure that is >'90 mmHg while 16.5% of rural females had high systolic blood pressure and 19% had high diastolic blood pressure thus showing significant difference [P<0.05]. There was also a significant difference [P<0.03] present regarding high body mass index in both areas. There is an urgent need for controlling the tobacco use among females so as to prevent the non-communicable diseases