Implementation of case-based learning method for teaching biochemistry for undergraduate medical students

Background: First year MBBS curriculum in Biochemistry is taught by the conventional methods of teaching in which didactic lectures share almost 70% of the total content load, in which students fail to grasp the importance of biochemistry and its significant contribution in medical laboratory science. Hence, case-based learning (CBL) is being used in the medical curriculum, so that students are exposed to the real-life medical problems. Aim and Objectives: The study aimed implementation of CBL sessions in 1st year MBBS students and to analyze perception of students and faculty about the effectiveness of CBL method. Materials and Methods: A group of 150 students of Phase 1 MBBS course was selected for interventional study comprising two teaching-learning sessions on two core topics in biochemistry. Pre-test and post-test were conducted before and after the CBL session. A third test was conducted 1 month after the post-test to assess retention of knowledge gained by the students. The performance of the students was analyzed. Results: Pre-test and post-test analysis showed a very significant improvement in performance of the students after the CBL sessions. About 95% of the students and 90% of faculty reported that CBL sessions were useful to facilitate critical thinking through active learning. About 85% of students and 80% of faculty expressed that CBL helped in bridging the gap between theory and practice. Conclusion: It is evident from the present study that CBL in biochemistry can be implemented as innovative and effective teaching module to achieve the learning objectives. Case studies encourage active learning, promote critical thinking, and instill motivation in the subject.

Menstrual pattern of adolescent school girls of Bhavnagar (Gujarat).

Menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon for females indicating her capability for procreation. However this normal often associated with some degree of sufferings and embarrassment. The prevalence of menstrual disorders has been recorded as high as 87 % though there is a relative openness in the society as well as commercialization has increased, the menstrual hygienic practices have not changed much. Mostly it is because of a sense of hesitation and to an extent, because of financial restraints. Present study was carried in this line to find out problems. Aims and Objectives: To find out the age of menarche of girls and to know menstrual pattern and menstrual hygiene practice & to find out the prevalence and types of menstrual disorders. Materials and Methods: Present cross sectional study was carried out at Govt. High school of Bhavnagar city. Total 745 Adolescent school girls were interviewed by trained female interns Information was obtained in a self administered proforma in a local language related to age of menarche, total days of bleeding, regularity of cycle, menstrual hygiene and menstrual problems after verbal consent. Results: The mean age of menarche was found to be about 14 (13.99, S.D. 1.8). Most of the girls (88.1%) had the prior information about menstruation before the occurrence of the event. The most common menstrual pattern was 30/3-5 days. The most common menstrual disorder was dysmenorrhea (50.6%), followed by irregular menstruation (22.9%). Most of the girls (87.3 %) used old plain cloth as menstrual absorbent. Conclusion: Adolescent girls should be made educated about normal physiology of menstruation and menstrual hygiene at schools.

Male exposure mediated adverse reproductive outcomes in carbon disulphide exposed rayon workers.

The authors examined 100 carbon disulphide (CS2) exposed male workers who had been employed ten years prior to study were selected for the study. They were virtually obliged to participate in the study by the Medical Labor Inspector and all of them participated voluntary. The aim was to assess the effects of occupational exposure to carbon disulphide concentrations below the threshold limit value (31 mg/m3) on the reproductive functions with special emphasis on miscarriages. Specially, workers history records were build up on number of children, miscarriages and general weakness, mental fatigue etc. It was found that the incidences of number of miscarriages against number of living children correlated well with environmental concentration of CS2. Where the average CS2 levels were 1.695 ppm, the incidences of miscarriages was 5.71% (group 1). Where as in group 2 environmental concentrations were 12.28 ppm and the incidences of miscarriages were 18.91%. It was also found that in the spinning department the exposure exceeds many times the Threshold Limit Values (TL V).