call for mentoring of medical students in the backdrop of integrated curriculum

Integrated Modular Teaching program was introduced at Foundation University Medical College in 2009. The concept of integrated modular teaching was new to the faculty and students. A need was felt by Department of Medical Education for establishing a mentoring system in order to have a better understanding of students' problem, to provide them continuous support and to make them sail smoothly through this new system. This study was conducted for need assessment and to gain students' perspectives regarding establishing a mentoring system. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was administered to third year medical students of academic year 2010-14, who underwent the new integrated curriculum. The questionnaire explored the students' view regarding the need of mentoring platform in the institution as part of formal education. The questionnaire focused on the students' knowledge of mentoring, their experience with informal mentoring, desire for mentoring and environment for mentoring. Data were analysed using SPSS-10. Eighty-six percent of the participants agreed to the statement that there is a need for a personal, confidential support system. Students are aware of benefits of mentoring and seek informal mentoring from faculty and senior colleagues. There is need of formal mentoring program at institutional level

Impact of multiparity on iron content in multiparous women

Background: The effect of multiple pregnancies, a very common pattern in reproductive lifestyle of Pakistani women, needs to be addressed to see if it affects the iron content and hence cause iron deficiency. Recognising this deficiency prior to development of anaemia can prevent disastrous consequences that can complicate the life of the mother and foetus especially in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the effect that the stress of multiple pregnancies has on the iron status of the body. Methods: This comparative study was conducted in a focus group of female population. Two hundred subjects were selected by convenient sampling and grouped depending on their parity status. Data regarding diet, and socioeconomic history was collected on pre-designed questionnaire. Serum Ferritin was used to assess iron deficiency using the Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay [ECLIA]. Data was statistically analysed using SPSS-17. Results: Mean value of serum Ferritin in the nulliparous group was 76.52 +/- 4.92 ?g/mL with 16% of nulliparous subjects showing lower than normal values. Thirty-six percent of uniparous subjects showed low serum Ferritin values, mean value being 45.74 +/- 4.51 Eta g/mL. Seventy-two percent of the multiparous subjects showed iron deficiency with Ferritin levels of <20 Eta g/mL. Mean serum Ferritin in this group was 25.21 +/- 2.75 Eta g/mL. The differences between the Ferritin levels of the study groups were highly significant [p<0.01]. Conclusions: Multiparous women had lower serum Ferritin levels than the control group suggesting that the stress of multiple pregnancies takes its toll on the iron content of the body. Keywords: Multiparous, Ferritin, Iron deficiency, Electrochemiiluminescence Immunoassay

Transurethral electrovaporization vs transuretheral resection of prostate for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a comparative study at pims, Islamabad, Pakistan

To compare and determine the safety and efficacy of transurethral electrovaporization of prostate [TUVP] over transurethral resection of prostate [TUR.P] for management of benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]. This comparative randomized clinical study was carried out in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS] Islamabad, Pakistan from May 1997 to April 1998. One hundred patients with signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia were selected from Urology out patient department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS] Islamabad, Pakistan. They were divided into two groups of fifty each; one group underwent TURP and other TUVP. Post operative follow ups to assess the results of both the procedures were carried out at 2, 12 and 24 weeks. For approximately the same size of prostate, the mean operation time [39.7 mins] was longer for TURP as compared to TUVP [25.22 mins]. The hemorrhage was more with TURP. Clot retention incidences were five in TURP as compared to none in TUVP. The mean volume of irrigation fluid used during operation [7.5 liters] was far less in TUVP as compared with what was required in TURP [12.0 liters]. The changes in sodium and hematocrit were monitored by taking pre and post operative blood samples. The variations in the levels before and after TUVP were negligible, while TURP group patients were noted to have post operative hyponatremia. The maximum post operative stay was 3 days in TUVP [mean 2 days] compared to 7 days in TURP [mean 6 days]. As far as post operative complications were concerned, infection and perforation incidences were more in TURF compared to TUVP. Although TURP is much effective gold standard for treating BPH, it is a bit costly with higher morbidity and complication rate as compared to TUVP which is a minimal invasive technique suitable for smaller sized prostate in high surgical risk patients

Incidence of road traffic accidents in Hazara division

Road traffic accidents are also one of the commonest causes of mortality and morbidity in both developed as well as in under developed countries. This study was designed to see the "Incidence of Road Traffic Accidents in Hazara Division ". Method: Three years [1998 to 2000] road traffic accidental data of five districts of Hazara Division [Haripur, Abbottabad,Mansehra, Batagram and Kohistan] was collected from S.S.P. office, Abbottabad. The incidence of road traffic accidents was greater in three districts [Haripur, Abbottabad and Mansehra] as compared to two districts [Batagram and Kohistan]. Conclusion The rate of road traffic accidents was proportional to traffic load on the roads along with other causative factors

Trend of cigarette smoking among the college students, medical students and doctors

Smoking trend is increasing in both developed as well as under-developed countries. The students of high school, colleges, even medical colleges, disease healers and teachers of preventive/community medicine were also found to be engaged in smoking. Therefore this survey was designed for students and doctors of Abbotabad and Rawalpindi. 700 students and 100 doctors were randomly selected from high schools, colleges, Medical Colleges of Abbottabad and Rawalpindi. A smoking survey questionnaire was designed and filled on individual interview. The percentage of students of schools and colleges engaged in smoking was high as compared to medical students and doctors. There was no girl student found to be engaged in smoking. The trend of cigarette smoking is much higher in students of schools and colleges as compared to medical students and doctors which is an alarming situation for health, life and economy of the nations. Therefore the campaign should be moved to prevent this trend especially in the young generation and literate population