Metabolic syndrome among students of BPSGMC for Women Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat

Background: A quarter of the world’s adult population has Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and this condition is appearing with increasing frequency in children and adolescents due to the growing obesity epidemic within this young population. Objective: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the apparently healthy female medical students in BPSGMC for Women Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat and to find the risk factors associated with these conditions among the study subjects. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in rural BPS Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat from April 2018 to September 2018 for a period of six months. The study population included all the undergraduate medical students of 2016 and 2017 batches. Semi-structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data regarding demographic characteristics, anthropometric parameters and biochemical markers using standardized methods. MetS was defined as per National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III) criteria modified in 2004. Statistical analysis was carried out with R v 3.5.1 Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 9.8%. It was 7.7% in 17-19 years age group and 11.2% in 20-23 years age group. All the study subjects with MetS had abdominal obesity. MetS was significantly associated with elevated blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose ≥100 mg/dl, serum triglyceride ≥150 mg/dl and serum HDL cholesterol level <50 mg/dl. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome exists in significant number among apparently healthy female medical students. Policy makers and healthcare providers can develop effective lifestyle interventions such as diet and physical activity for addressing the risk factors for metabolic syndrome.

The relationship between test anxiety and academic performance among undergraduate medical students

Background: Undergraduate medical education comprises strenuous study and training for five and half years. Mental health of medical students remains affected throughout this period. Objective: To assess the test anxiety in the undergraduate medical students and to find out the relationship between the test anxiety and academic performance in the students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a Rural BPS Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat. The study population included all the undergraduate medical students enrolled from 2012 to 2016. Data pertaining to various socio-demographic characteristics were obtained by interview technique using a pre-designed, pre-tested questionnaire ensuring privacy and confidentiality and reviewing academic records. Nist and Diehl test anxiety questionnaire was used to determine the anxiety score of students. Statistical analyses were carried out with R v 3.5.1. Results: A total of 240 students participated in the study. More than one quarter (26.3%) of the students did not suffer from test anxiety, 62.9% students exhibited healthy test anxiety and 10.8% of the students experienced unhealthy test anxiety. In relation to academic performance of the respondents, 4 (12.5%), 47 (24.9%) and 12 (63.2%) of respondents who performed fair, good and excellent respectively had no anxiety level as against those who had healthy anxiety and unhealthy anxiety level and these differences were statistically significant. Conclusions: Text anxiety is significantly associated with academic performance. These findings suggest the need of healthcare provision to prevent unhealthy test anxiety among medical students, as it decreases the academic performance.