ABSTRACT
Background: A powerful way of improving one's memory for study material is to be tested on that material. Frequent testing in the classroom may boost educational achievement at all levels of education. Repetitive evaluation of subject matter is called 'frequent testing'
Methods: Data on perceptions of frequent assessment were collected from students of all five years of BUMDC, Karachi with a questionnaire. The 14 item questionnaire was clustered around 8 variables: the purpose, test content and objectives, timing, feedback on assessment, the assessor, frequent exams, understanding of curriculum, and test taking strategies. A 3 point itemized rating scale of 'Yes', 'No' and 'Not sure' was used for collecting responses. Students of all 5 years of MBBS of BUMDC were given the questionnaire forms and asked to complete them
Results: The study population consisted of 213 [64%] females and 120 [36%] males. Their mean age was 20+/-8 years. The most frequently endorsed purpose of assessment, as perceived by students was to achieve high grades. A second important purpose was motivation for learning
Conclusion: The underlying values of all these points are important to teachers and students seeking better ways to teach and learn. Frequent testing will enhance learning and studying habits, while increasing recall and the depth of knowledge learned
ABSTRACT
To evaluate the influence of anthropometric measurements on abnormal gonadotropin secretion in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS]. Cross-sectional study. The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences [IBMS], DUHS in collaboration with Gynae/infertility clinics of the Civil Hospital and Lady Dufferin Hospital, Karachi, from October 2010 to February 2011. One hundred and sixty three oligomenorrhic PCOS women of reproductive age [18 - 40 years] fulfilling the revised Rotterdam 2003 criteria were studied. The data recorded on a prescribed proforma included current age, age at menarche, menstrual irregularities, presence of hirsuitism, acne, infertility, familial nature, blood pressure, BMI and waisthip ratio. Blood samples for gonadotropin assay were taken randomly on day 6th to 30th of menstrual cycle, in a gel tube. Hormonal assay was performed using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Kruskul Wallis test was used to assess the influence of BMI levels on LH:FSH values. The mean weight was 66.14 +/- 11.02 kg and mean BMI was 27.03 +/- 4.42 kg/m2. There was no significant difference in mean LH/FSH ratio [p=.575] among BMI groups. However, there was a positive correlation between BMI and LH:FSH ratio [p=0.04, r=0.155]. There was high frequency of obesity [69%] in women with PCOS. Although no significant difference was found between mean LH:FSH ratio among different BMI groups levels but significant correlation between BMI levels and LH: FSH suggested that there was positive relation between BMI and LH: FSH