ABSTRACT
Background: Frequent absence from classes may lead to improper learning and poor academic performance. Absenteeism can make teaching - learning environment unwelcoming and impacting those also who attend classes regularly. Aims & Objectives: To explore factors responsible for absenteeism among second professional students attending Community Medicine Department and to formulate recommendations to deal with absenteeism. Material and Methods: A Cross sectional study was conducted among 132 second professional medical undergraduate students attending Community Medicine Department in a teaching hospital. A self-designed pre validated questionnaire comprising of various sections related to teaching –learning factors was used to explore factors responsible for student absenteeism. Faculty perception regarding student absenteeism and recommendations formulated to deal with it were recorded separately. Data analysis: Data was entered in MS Excel and Chi Square test was used for analysis. Results: Among 132 study participants, majority of the participants (62.1%) were females who were residing in hostels. Highest percentage of absenteeism (40.1%) was during examination time. Extracurricular activities like sports/gym, browsing net and parties were significantly (p<0.001) associated with absenteeism. Conclusions: Absenteeism can adversely affect academic performance and low attendance can demotivate teachers also to teach with keen interest.
ABSTRACT
: Different vaccine adverse event surveillance systems have been developed down the years to act as an early warning system to detect signals regarding adverse events following vaccination. Different types of serious adverse events were characterized through the analysis of US VAERS registry. Methods: The VAERS data from 2010-2019 was analysed statistically for exploration of different types of serious adverse events and the signs and symptoms associated with administration of these vaccines. Vaccines implicated in serious adverse events through VAERS were further explored for correlates in WHO Vigibase database. Results: The maximum number of patients with serious events were administered FLU3 vaccine (n=4024, 12.71%), followed by PNC13 (n=2740, 8.66%), VARZOS (n=2310, 7.30%), PPV (n=1964, 6.20%) and HIBV vaccine (n=1448, 4.57%). Of all symptoms in patients with serious adverse events, pyrexia was the major symptom in patients with life threatening illness (16.06%), hospitalization (18.83%), prolongation of hospitalization (19.64%), disability (12.05%) and mortality outcome (9.95%). Among the top three vaccines implicated in serious adverse events, analysis through WHO Vigiaccess database found general disorders and administration site conditions and skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders to be the MedDRA major system organ classes for both pnemococccal and varicella zoster vaccine. Conclusion: FLU3 (Influenza), PNC13 (pneumococcal) and VARZOS (varicella zoster) vaccines were the top three vaccines implicated in serious adverse events through VAERS database analysis though a cause and effect relationship cannot be established through the this data alone.
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Purpose: The aim of this study is to survey the management approach, regarding spectacle prescription in children, among Indian ophthalmologists. Methods: A web-based, anonymous questionnaire (multiple choice questions dealing with practical aspects of pediatric refraction), was sent to available database of Indian ophthalmologists. The survey responses (depicted in %) were compared using the amount of pediatric clientele in one's practice (Group A: <25%, Group B: 25% or more). The responses were also analyzed in relation to the published concepts from literature. Results: Two hundred and ten ophthalmologists (2.74% response rate; 48% in Group A), from all over India, responded to the survey. There were wide discrepancies in the responses (both, in and among, Groups A and B; P > 0.05, Chi-square test), as to when and how much refractive error to prescribe in children, for a given situation. Conclusion: A wide gap exists between pediatric spectacle prescription patterns of Indian ophthalmologists, as compared to the recommended pediatric ophthalmology protocols. The management approach, for certain situations concerning the pediatric refraction, was better among those with higher pediatric clientele.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Incidence of chronic suppurative otitis media has been reported varying from 2.55% to 9.25%. CSOM without prompt, proper treatment can progress to a variety of mild to life-threatening complications that can be intra temporal and intracranial. Thus, the present study was conducted to identify sociodemographic factors associated with Chronic suppurative otitis media. Materials and methods: The present study comprised of 100 patients with history of discharge from ear along with perforation. Detailed clinical examination along with history was taken as per proforma. Specific emphasis was given on the sociodemographic factors associated with Chronic suppurative otitis media. Results: The present study found that the majority of cases belonged to lower (poor) socioeconomic status comprising 59% of cases, 74% in study group belonged to rural areas and factors associated Dhingra R, Dhillon V, Monga S, Mehta AS, Kaur G, Kaur M. Sociodemographic profile and evaluation of associated factors in Chronic suppurative otitis media patients reporting to tertiary care Hospital of Punjab. IAIM, 2016; 3(6): 6-10. Page 7 with this infection were living in crowded conditions and in large family, unhygienic practices, such as bathing in contaminated ponds and rivers, unsterile ear piercing, leaning ears with aseptic things such as matchsticks, hairpins, pen-refills, etc. Conclusion: Sociodemographic profile and associated risk factors play a significant role in etiopathogenesis of CSOM. Thus, possible preventive strategies and programs to educate patients regarding knowledge of this burden of illness should be planned in developing countries like India.