ABSTRACT
Background: A quarter of the world’s adult population has Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and this condition is appearing with increasing frequency in children and adolescents due to the growing obesity epidemic within this young population. Objective: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the apparently healthy female medical students in BPSGMC for Women Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat and to find the risk factors associated with these conditions among the study subjects. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in rural BPS Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat from April 2018 to September 2018 for a period of six months. The study population included all the undergraduate medical students of 2016 and 2017 batches. Semi-structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data regarding demographic characteristics, anthropometric parameters and biochemical markers using standardized methods. MetS was defined as per National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III) criteria modified in 2004. Statistical analysis was carried out with R v 3.5.1 Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 9.8%. It was 7.7% in 17-19 years age group and 11.2% in 20-23 years age group. All the study subjects with MetS had abdominal obesity. MetS was significantly associated with elevated blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose ≥100 mg/dl, serum triglyceride ≥150 mg/dl and serum HDL cholesterol level <50 mg/dl. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome exists in significant number among apparently healthy female medical students. Policy makers and healthcare providers can develop effective lifestyle interventions such as diet and physical activity for addressing the risk factors for metabolic syndrome.
ABSTRACT
Background: Dysmenorrhea is a very common condition in females in fertile age group and its affective and somatic features often limit female mobility which results in loss of work hours. The aim of the study was to evaluate prevalence, severity, drug usage and loss of work days among young female medical students.Methods: The current questionnaire based study was done in Department of pharmacology, GMC Jammu over a period of 3 months. Female students aged between 17-24 years who consented for participation were included. The demographic profile and detailed history of dysmenorrhea was recorded.Results: Out of 342 participants, 218 females (63.7%) had history of dysmenorrhea. Most of the dysmenorrhic females had menarche between 13-14 yrs of age (73.3%) and menstrual cycle of 21-34 days (82.5%), duration of bleeding less than 6 days (91.6%) and had a positive family history of dysmenorrhea (58.7%). Majority of females had mild to moderate features of dysmenorrhea (93.4%). Most common medication was Mefenemic acid alone and in combination (90.5%). Most of the females took self-medication (69.8%) and only 30.2% took medicines on advice of doctor. 71.5% students missed their classes due to symptoms of dysmennorhea.Conclusions: Dysmenorrhea is quite prevalent among college going medical students. Most of them had positive family history. Mefenemic acid and its combination was frequently used to treat symptoms. On an average 1-2days were lost due to dysmenorrhea.
ABSTRACT
Background: Obesity and body fat distribution are important predictors of coronary heart disease. Pulmonary function tests are usually carried out for assessing the functional impairments and to make diagnosis. Hence; we planned the present study to evaluation of association of anthropometric indices related to obesity with pulmonary function tests in female medical students. Methods: The present investigation included assessment of association of Anthropometric Indices Related to Obesity with Pulmonary Function Tests in Female Medical Students. Total of 150 female medical students were included in the present study. Measurement of the height, hip circumference, and weight of all the subjects was done. Waist circumference was measured and value of equal to or less than 80 cm was considered as normal, while subjects with value of more than 80 cm were considered at high risk. In the sitting position by using the nose clips, spirometry was performed in all the subjects. The pulmonary parameters recorded included Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Flow {FEF (25-75%)}, Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), FEV1: FVC. Respiratory Rate (RR) was also noted. Results: Mean FVC and FEV1 in the present study was found to be 2.5 and 2.3 respectively. Mean respiratory rate was found to be 15 per minute. We obtained significant correlation between difference anthropometric variables related to obesity and lung function tests in female medical studies. Conclusions: Significant correlation exists between difference anthropometric variables related to obesity and lung function tests in female medical students.
ABSTRACT
<b>Introduction</b>: The aim of this study is to explore career perceptions of male and female medical students.<br><b>Methods</b>: Semi-structured interviews to 16 medical students (9males, 7 females) were undertaken.<br><b>Results</b>: Qualitative data analysis showed that development of their career perceptions were affected by “gender view”, “interests in medicine” as well as their “perceptions of family”. Specifically, female students in the lower grades felt difficulty in making decisions on career choices due to the conflict between carrying out family responsibilities (e.g., housework and childcare) and interests in medicine. After clinical clerkships, their perceptions of a career were formed in one of two ways: giving priority to family responsibilities or interest in medicine. On the other hand, male students in lower and higher grades consistently gave priority to their interests in medicine for their career choices.<br><b>Conclusion</b>: Differing career perceptions between male and female medical students emerged from this study, and supports the need for undergraduate education on gender-equality in society.