Pattern and mortality of burns injuries in children

To see the type of burns, pattern of burn injuries, burning agent, place of injury and total body surface area involved in children. Descriptive study. This study was carried out at Burn Unit, Social Security Hospital, Islamabad from. January 2006 to March 2014. Children below 16 years of age reporting to causality department with burns were included in the study. Among 112 patients, 17.85% and 16.96% were from 5 - 6 and 3 - 4 year of age respectively. Flame injuries were commonest [41.07%], followed by hot liquids [31.25%] and electric burns [16.07%]. Majority [74.11%] of burn injuries sustained at home. 39.28% and 20.54% sustained less then 10% and 11-20% of burns respectively. Only 8.04% and 5.36% sustained burns between 21-30% and 31-40% respectively. No mortality was observed in patients having less than 40% of burns and 100% mortality among patients having more than 80% burns. Burn injuries from hot liquid are common in less than 6 years of age and flame burns above 10 years of age while playing with burning shopping bags and working in kitchen. As most of these injuries are avoidable, intensive educational programmes are needed to increase public awareness regarding burn dangers and to teach them how to take proper preventive and safety measures at home

Learning Styles of Final Year MBBS Students Taught Through Problem Based Learning Strategy Over a Period of Five Years

To identify the influence of problem based learning strategy on the learning styles of final year medical students who have been taught through the student centered teaching curriculum over a period of 5 years. A descriptive study. The study was conducted at Islamic International Medical College in April 2013. Learning styles of students of final year medical students of Riphah International University taught in an integrated student centered curriculum over 5 years of medical school were identified by using the Learning Style Orientation Inventory. A total of 90 students were recruited in the study, out of which 40% were males and 60% were females. 51.1% were observational learners, 15.55% were experiential learners, 11.1% were structured learners. The least number of students were discovery [4.44%] and group learners [3.33%]. Our study shows inclination towards group learning in only 8.8% students [both preference and mixed methods] all of which were females. Maximum students still preferred to be observational learners who are passive dependent superficial learners and not open to new experiences and analytical thinking. These findings suggest that further research to look for factors that can inculcate deeper learning habits in the students is needed

Awareness among sanitary workers regarding their job: a survey at tertiary care hospital

A cross sectional study to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of sanitary workers about infectious diseases, handling and disposal of hospital waste material. Study Design: A cross sectional study. A 600 bed tertiary care hospital of Rawalpindi district. All sanitary workers working in the hospital for more than three months were interviewed by a doctor in the language which they understand. An anonymous, self descriptive, comprehensive questionaire was designed containing all information's regarding experience, training of job and awareness regarding types and disposal of waste material etc. Among 88 workers interviewed, [47.72%, n=42] were males and [52.28%, n=46] were females. Among them [39.78%, n=35] were having more than 5 years of experience as a sanitary worker. Only 4.54% had some training before joining their job. None of them were having medical checkup or vaccination before or during job. Majority were not using heavy duty gloves [76.14%, n=67], Apron [72.73%, n=64], industrial long shoes [93.19%, n=82], and masks [87.50%, n=77]. Thirty one [35.32%] workers were dumping waste material in open and [64.78%, n=57] workers were dumping in isolated open place specified for the purpose. Forty eight [54.55%] workers were not using antiseptic or detergents for cleaning bedpans. Regarding hand washing practice, only [7.95%, n=07] workers were using some antiseptic. Majority were totally ignorant about infectious diseases [72.73%, n=64], handling of waste [81.81%, n=72], disposal of patient secretions [86.37%, n=67], used dressings, blood samples/bags [90.78%, n=79], injection vials/syringes [86.37%, n=76] and disposable items [82.96%, n=73]. Handling of waste from the source to its final disposal should be done carefully under the supervision of trained staff Training of the sanitry workers of the hospitals is required for this purpose. It will not only reduce the spread of infectious diseases, but also improve the health and efficency of the workers