ABSTRACT
To estimate the levels of anti-sperm antibodies in infertile males attending a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. Out of 160 males studied, 132 met the criteria and were included in the study. Semen analysis was done by proper standardized procedures as mentioned in WHO manual for examination of human semen and sperm cervical mucus interaction. A blood sample was drawn to detect the presence of anti-sperm antibodies. Antisperm antibodies were found positive in 8 males suggesting that antisperm antibodies are the etiologic factor causing infertility in 6% infertile male subjects. A positive correlation was found between the ages of patients and antisperm antibodies greater than 70 IU/ml. Direct correlation of circulating antisperm antibodies with male infertility suggests the role of immunologic infertility as an etiologic cause of infertility in idiopathic infertile males of Pakistan
ABSTRACT
To examine the attitudes of undergraduate medical students' towards patients with AIDS vs. patients with Leukemia. A cross sectional survey with a purposive non probability sample on 205 undergraduate medical students was conducted from July 2011 to October 2011. Prejudicial attitudes and willingness to interact were measured based on four case vignettes using the Prejudicial Evaluation Scale [PES] and Social Interaction Scale [SIS]. SPSS 17 was used for the data analysis and independent sample t test was used to calculate the significant difference among the mean scores of the inventories and each item of the inventory. Paired t test was used to analyze the difference in the attitude of the medical students before and after attending the medical school. Highly significant differences were observed in the attitude of medical students determined by the overall mean scores of their responses towards patient with AIDS [44.45 +/- 9.32] and [24.22 +/- 11.69] versus Leukemic patient [49.65 +/- 10.73] and [20.67 +/- 7.84] of PES [p < 0.001] and SIS [p < 0.01] inventories respectively. Comparison of individual item on these scale revealed several items to be significantly different for patient with AIDS vs. Leukemic patient showing negative biasness towards this stigmatized group. Undergraduate medical students revealed negative biases against patients with AIDS and reported much less willingness to interact with these patients than with leukemic patients
ABSTRACT
To ascertain association of raised BMI with Testosterone levels among infertile males. A cross sectional study was conducted from April 2010 to March 2011. Sample size was 300 males [147 infertile and 153 healthy fertile control subjects] aged 30 and 60 years, selected from the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center [JPMC], Aziz Medical Center and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi. All the subjects were grouped to BMI criteria [Ascian pacific region for WHO]. They were selected by purposive sampling after a detailed medical history and physical examination. Semen analysis was done and blood samples were collected for serum Testosterone levels. Data was analyzed via SPSS 16.0 by using Analysis of Variances [ANOVA] and independent t test to compare the means and to observe sensitivity of tests and to evaluate the significant association with in the group. A significant negative correlation existed between Testosterone and BMI .Raised BMI appear to have an association with male infertility with the reduction in Testosterone levels. Obesity is confirmed as risk factor for male infertility in local population
ABSTRACT
In this study, perception and preferences of the medical students' studying at Dow International Medical College have been described about the use of different teaching aids. Cross sectional survey was conducted on a stratified random sample of 200 undergraduate medical students during the month of October 2010 at Dow International Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan. 80% of the students responded to the questions asked. Over all 40% of the students chose powerpoint presentations as a reliable mode of teaching and favoured it as interesting and interactive teaching aid over problem based learning [28.8%], audio visual aid [18.6%] and white board [12%]. They believe that powerpoint provides a better learning experience as compared to other teaching tools. Projectors as a teaching tool was rejected by the students. This article serves as a source of valuable information for the faculty members. Students have chosen powerpoint presentations as the best teaching aid and have preferred the integration of different teaching tools for better understanding. Teachers will be able to use this information to develops better understanding about the subject matter among students by considering their learning style preferences. It will also facilitate them in developing interest and active participation of students in the classroom
Subject(s)
Humans , Young Adult , Male , Female , Students, Medical , Education, Medical, Undergraduate/methods , Perception , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
There are frequent visits of the devotees to the holy shrines mainly for the purpose of mental healing. The people with various beliefs and religions attribute divine powers to the graves of their saints. This study surveyed the purpose of the visits to shrines, their beneficial effects, and also the sanctity violated by drug addicts and others. 1] To assess the common reasons of visiting holy shrines. 2] To determine the use / misuse of these visits. Cross-sectional. One most commonly visited shrine in Karachi. 01-06-2008 to 30-07-2008. 120 visitors. Visitors of 20 years age or older, who consented to participate. Visitors of less than 20 years age and who did not agree to participate. Total number of study subjects was 120, with male to female ratio of 58: 42. Their age varied from 20 to 80 years. They belonged to various socioeconomic and ethnic groups with varying educational level. Majority of the visitors come frequently. The purpose of visits included reward [swab], poverty, domestic problems, infertility, ill health, in addition to see lovers to have an access to commercial sex workers and narcotics. Some devotees had a mishap during the visit. Most of the visitors come for mental healing and relaxation with the hope of getting solutions for their problems, and a few use these sacred places for their wrong doings