ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of concept mapping [CM] on the academic performance of medical students' in problem-solving as well as in declarative knowledge questions and their perception regarding CM
Methods: The present analytical and questionnaire-based study was carried out at Bahria University Medical and Dental College [BUMDC] Karachi, Pakistan. In this analytical study, students were assessed with problem-solving questions [A-type MCQs], and declarative knowledge questions [short essay questions], and 50% of the questions were from the topics learned by CM. Students also filled a 10-item, 3-point Likert scale questionnaire about their perception regarding the effectiveness of the CM approach, and two open-ended questions were also asked
Results: There was a significant difference in the marks obtained in those problem-solving questions, which were learned by CM as compared to those topics which were taught by the traditional lectures [p<0.001], while no significant difference was observed in marks in declarative knowledge questions [p=0.704]
Analysis of students' perception regarding CM showed that majority of the students perceive that CM is a helpful technique and it is enjoyed by the students. In open-ended questions, the majority of the students commented positively about the effectiveness of CM
Conclusion: Our results indicate that CM improves academic performance in problem solving but not in declarative knowledge questions. Students' perception about the effectiveness of CM was overwhelmingly positive
ABSTRACT
To investigate the prevalence of obesity and hypertension among University students' and their knowledge and attitude towards risk factors of cardiovascular disease [CVD] in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 610 male students were selected for present cross sectional study and their blood pressure [BP] and body mass index [BMI] was determined, other data was gathered through a questionnaire, and SPSS-16 was used for analyzing data. Out of 610 students, 7.5% were hypertensive [systolic 2.6% and diastolic 6.3%] while the BMI of 51.6% was in the normal range, 29.8% were overweight and 10.7% were moderately obese and 7.9% were severely obese. Majority of the participants considered that smoking, increased fatty food intake, obesity, high BP, and increased LDL-cholesterol level, are the main causes of the CVD. Most of the participants agreed that one should know his BP, blood sugar, serum cholesterol and one should maintain normal body weight and should do regular exercise. They were also aware that healthy lifestyle could prevent CVD. However, majority of the participants were not practicing healthy lifestyle. A huge gap exists in the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding risk factors of CVD among the university students
ABSTRACT
To identify the frequency and reasons of operations cancellation in 25 Makkah region hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Retrospective evaluation of the rate of surgery .cancellation in 25 hospitals of Makkah region was performed in this study. The data of scheduled surgeries from 15 different surgical specialties was collected from January to December 2013. Frequency and reasons of cancellation of elective surgical cases in different specialty were studied with a view to recommend suggestions for improvement. Data was analyzed on SPSS -16. There are 120 operating rooms [OR] in 25 Makkah region hospitals and during the year 2013, a total of 16,211 surgery cases were listed, and 1,238 [7.6%] cases were canceled. Contribution to total cancellation was highest in orthopedic 33.8% followed by general surgery 27.5%, obstetrics 7.7% and ENT 5.2%. According to category, 42.81% rate of cancellation was patient related, 20.03% facility related, 9.45% due to improper work-up, 1.45% associated with anesthesia, 7.19% related to surgeons, and 18.90% other/ and not recorded reasons. Present study found 7.6% cancelation rate in Makkah region hospitals and three most common causes for cancellations were patients related, facility related and improper work-up
ABSTRACT
To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 12,054 samples received from the outpatient as well as inpatient departments from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2009 in Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Stool examinations were performed by direct method and concentrated Techniques for all patients. Overall, the prevalence of intestinal parasites was 6.2% [740 cases]. Majority of patients were infected by Entamoeba histolytica [4.7%] followed by Giardia lamblia [1.3%], while Ankylostoma duodenal [0.02%] exhibited the minimum prevalence. Parasitic infections were more frequent in non-Saudis than Saudis patients [7.1% vs. 5.8%; p<0.05]. There was no significant difference between males and females regarding parasitic infections, with a female:male ratio of 1:1.08. There was a higher prevalence in patients under five years of age [9.1%], followed by patients aged 5-14 years [7.5%]. The notable finding from this study is the high prevalence of E. histolytica. Overall, parasitic infections were more prevalent in patients under five years of age and in non-Saudi nationals
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Feces/parasitology , Prevalence , Entamoeba histolytica , Age FactorsABSTRACT
To analyse the pattern of patients attending the Out Patient Department [OPD] during the Hajj season 1423H with respect to their age, sex, nationality, services provided to them, and most importantly the disease trends and the medication given. A descriptive study was done at the OPD department in Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Holy Makkah for the 15 days period of the Hajj, i.e., 1-15 /12/1423 corresponding to 2-16/ 02/2003. All patients who arrived at the OPD during that time whether on Hajj or non-Hajj and those who registered at OPD service became part of our study. With the help of standard "Blue Form"[provided annually by Ministry of Health exclusively for the OPD patients for every Hajj season], their age, sex, nationality, clinics attended, diagnosis and medications were noted. The results revealed that 3876 patients arrived and 3856 got registration at OPD. Of the registered cases, 1282 [33%] were Hajj patients and of those 873 [22%] were males. The Hajj patients were mostly non-Saudi [30.8%]. The majority of patients, 384 [26.1%], were from the Middle East. The largest category, 240 [6.2%], of Hajj patients were in the age range 51-60 years. The medical clinic was the one attended by the maximum number of patients, 1675 [43.4%], and respiratory disease cases, 1582 [41%], were the commonest. Single medication as monotherapy accounted for 3644 [94.5%] of patients. Non-Hajj patients were in the majority at OPD. Respiratory diseases were the commonest complaints. This study highlights a precarious situation during the Hajj where cross-infection proliferates in a dense population. Effective services and preventative measures need to be contemplated in the light of the present finding