Association of BMI with diet and physical activity of female medical students at the University of Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Obesity and related morbidly increases in Saudi Arabia females. Colleges and universities are potentially important settings for promotion of healthy diet and weight management practice for healthy future. Present study aimed to assess the diet and exercise habits and their association with BMI in female college students. Current study was performed on total of 215 female college students between September to November 2013. A cross sectional questioner based survey comprising of total 40 questions about their current dietary and physical activity habits and perceived barriers to an active life was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software.19, Chi-square test used for testing significance of P value < 0.05. Students usually preferred home cooked food [81%] and inclined to snack more frequently during studying and partying [33% each], 60% stated that frequency is decrease since attending college and the main reason was no time for exercise [57%]. Relating students BMI with their dietary habits and physical activity revealed significant relation between "eating more during stressed" and consumption of sugar candy and food [p=0.010 and 0.011 respectively] and "level of intensity of exercise" and "reason for exercise" [p= 0.006 and 0.000 respectively]. Our student preferred unhealthy food and "lack of time" was the most frequently mentioned barrier to eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise. Emphasis should be given to implementing interventions aimed at increasing physical activity and encouraging healthier diets among students thereby reducing their future risk of chronic disease

Effectiveness of case-based teaching of physiology for nursing students

Case-based teaching is a relatively new approach to teaching basic sciences. Although this technique has been used in medical teaching for many years, few attempts have been made to examine its efficacy for nursing students. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of didactic and case-based teaching of physiology among second-year nursing students at our college. A descriptive cross-over study was conducted, in which the students served as their own controls, as they were examined after each of two sessions. In the first session, the students were taught digestive physiology by traditional lectures. In the second session, the same students were taught renal physiology by the same instructor using a case-based technique. Multiple-choice questions were used to assess each student's comprehension after each session and compared. At the end of the two sessions, students evaluated the teaching method on a questionnaire. Paired t tests were used to analyse differences. The performance in tests was statistically significantly better after didactic lectures [mean, 17.53] than after case-based teaching [mean, 16.47] [two-tailed p = 0.003]. However, 65-72% of students found that case-based teaching improved their knowledge about the topic better than lectures. Significantly better examination performance was observed after didactic teaching, but the students' feedback indicated that case-based teaching could be used as an alternative to lectures and may facilitate skills acquisition, which is considered to be important in professional problem-solving during nursing care

Risk factors associated with childhood asthma

To identify the risk factors associated with childhood asthma, in children attending Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad. Case-control study. Isra University Hospital between September 2005 to August 2006. The study included 398 age-matched children [200 asthmatic and 198 non-asthmatic]. Information was collected concerning their familial history of atopy, birth weight, environment, breastfeeding, disease and treatment history. Odds ratio was calculated for determining the risk. The children were aged between 12 months and 8 years and 60% were male. The asthmatic children were hospitalized more frequently than the non-asthmatic children [p < 0.0001]. Most of the asthmatic children lived in the urban areas of Hyderabad [odd ratio [OR] = 16.7, 95% CI = 3.1-14.6, p < 0.0001], had a parental history of asthma [OR = 26.8, 95% CI = 10.8-68.2, p < 0.0001] or allergic rhinitis [OR = 4, 95% CI = 1.2-13.4, p= 0.01], 38.5% had at least one person who smoked, and were weaned earlier than the non-asthmatic children [OR =12.4, 95% CI = 1.3-4.4, p < 0.01]. Childhood asthma was strongly associated with a family history of asthma and allergic rhinitis, the urban place of residence, having smokers as parents and early weaning from maternal breast milk. The results highlight the need to educate the parents about the risk of smoking and early weaning in the development of asthma

Serum antithyroid antibodies in female patients with chronic urticaria

To determine the frequencies of serum antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal autoantibodies in female patients with chronic urticaria, and the association between thyroid autoantibodies and chronic urticaria, if any. Non-interventional, case-control analytic study. This study was carried out by the Department of Physiology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from December 2004 to January 2006 on patients selected from Department of Dermatology and Medical Units of Civil Hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi and from the Community Clinics in Karachi. A total number of 90 subjects were enrolled and divided in three groups consisting of 30 patients each. Group 1 comprised of patients with diagnosis of chronic urticaria, Group 2 of diagnosed cases of hypothyroidism with/without urticaria, and Group 3 of normal age and gender-matched healthy volunteers. In all patients, serum antithyroid autoantibodies [antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal] and thyroid profile [serum T3, T4 and TSH levels] was carried out. Chi-square test was used to determine significance of proportion of variables at p< 0.05. Elevated titres of antithyroglobulin antibodies were found to be present in 9 [30%] patients in Group 1 [chronic urticaria], 24 [80%] patients in Group 2 [known cases of hypothyroidism] compared to control. Elevated titres of antimicrosomal antibodies were found to be present in 13 [43.3%] patients in Group 1, 27 [90%] patients in Group 2 [known cases of hypothyroidism] compared to control. The association between hypothyroidism and chronic urticaria with regard to autoantibodies titres was highly significance [p <0.001]. A highly statistically significant association was found between chronic urticaria and hypothyroidism with special regard to antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal autoantibodies. Therefore, assays of these two autoantibodies are justified for the early diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis in combination with chronic urticaria for better treatment options

Clinical presentation of late haemorrhagic disease of newborn

To observe the clinical presentation of late haemorrhagic disease of the newborn [LHDNB], and clinical improvement after the administration of vitamin K1. This is a prospective descriptive study. All the children older than seven days who presented with bleeding were admitted in pediatrics ward of Isra University Hyderabad from April 2006 to April 2007 were included. Data collection was done by means of detailed proforma. Analysis was done on SPSS version 11. Thirty five cases were included. Commonest site of bleeding was subcutaneous followed by oral and injection site. Mean age of late haemorrhagic disease of newborn was 109 days and minimum age of presentation was 28 days. Common clinical presentations were irritability, convulsions, poor reflexes and poor feeding. Mostly recovery was within 24 hours after vit K. Late HDN results in severe hemorrhage especially hemorrhage in the central nervous system. Administration of Vitamin K [1mg, IM] at birth can present these severe complications

Risk factors of birth asphyxia

Birth asphyxia is a serious clinical problem worldwide. There are many reasons a baby may not be able to take in enough oxygen before, during, or just after birth. Damage to brain tissues is a serious complication of low oxygen that can cause seizures and other neurological problems. This study was designed to asses the risk factors of birth asphyxia in neonates. This descriptive, prospective study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, from April 2005 to April 2006. 125 newborn [75 males and 50 females] admitted to the neonatal care unit, who were delivered with delayed cry or low apgar score [<7] were included. Detailed maternal history was taken, regarding their age, gestational age, and complications, if any. Out of 125 neonatal encephalopathy cases, 28% were diagnosed as suffering with moderate or severe encephalopathy, whereas 36% had mild encephalopathy. Risk of neonatal encephalopathy increased with increasing or decreasing maternal age. Antepartum risk factors included non-attendance for antenatal care [64%]. Multiple births increased risk in 4.8%. Intrapartum risk factors included non-cephalic presentation [20%], prolonged rupture of membranes [24%] and various other complications. Particulate meconium was associated with encephalopathy in 9.6%. 60% mothers were anemic. Vaginal bleeding was strongly associated with birth asphyxia in 34.44% of neonates. 56% of mothers delivered at home, while 28% delivered at a private hospital or maternity home. Only 12% delivered at a tertiary care hospital. Lack of antenatal care, poor nutritional status, antepartum hemorrhage and maternal toxaemia were associated with higher incidence of asphyxia. Improvements in the public health of women with associated gains in female growth and nutrition must remain a longer-term goal. Early identification of high-risk cases with improved antenatal and perinatal care can decrease such high mortality. Safe motherhood policy is recommended

Contributing factors of rickets among children at hyderabad

To determine the factors contributing to nutritional rickets among the children presenting at Isra University Hospital Hyderabad, Sindh - Pakistan. A case control study. The Pediatrics Department of Isra University Hospital Hyderabad from August 2004 to August 2005. Children less than 5 years of age of both sexes were included in study. Sixty children with rickets and 60 control children matched for age and social characteristics over study period were studied. Diagnosis was made on clinical, radiological and biochemical parameters. A specially designed questionnaire was administered, for patients and mothers of control subjects to assess the role of social, nutritional and other related factors in the pathogenesis of nutritional rickets. Biochemical investigations included estimation of serum calcium, serum phosphorus and alkaline phosphates. At the time of diagnosis, mean bodyweights of the patients and controls were 9.30 and 10.17kg respectively. Mean heights at the time of diagnosis were 60.08 and 62.38 cm for the patients and the controls respectively. Mean serum calcium and serum phosphate were significantly lower in the patients compared with the controls. Alkaline phosphates were higher among the patients. The weaning diet was started at the age of 6 months only in 30% of cases of rickets, compared with 52% of controls who started at the 6 months of age. Only 41% of mothers of children with rickets had normal nutritional status and 75% of control mothers had normal nutritional status. Most of the children with rickets 75% were completely wrap during infancy compared to controls; only 20% wrapped. There are a lot of contributing factors for nutritional rickets. However, several factors seem to make more important contribution. Among these, lack of exposure to sunlight, prolonged breast-feeding without supplementation and inadequate complementary feeding practices are important. Maternal health and education is important as it can influence all of the above factors