Haematological parameters in different African populations: an experience from united nations level 3 hospital

Objective: To evaluate hematological parameters in African population to estimate normal reference intervals for these tests

Study Design: Cross sectional observational study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pathology, United Nations level 3 hospital, Nyala, Darfur from 1st Mar to 30th Dec 2014

Material and Methods: There were 396 healthy African male and female volunteers selected between 18-65 years of age, belonging to different countries. Fresh whole blood was used to measure haemoglobin [Hb] concentration, haematocrit [Hct], total red blood cell [TRBC] count, mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular haemoglobin [MCH], mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration [MCHC], platelet count, total leucocyte count [TLC] and differential white blood cells count. Data were analysed using SPSS version 19

Results: Mean Hb of study group was 13.81 +/- 1.99 g/dl. Mean TLC was 5.50 +/- 1.96 x 103/ul. Mean lymphocyte count was 2.58 +/- 0.95. Mean platelet count was 234 +/- 92 x103 /ul. Mean values for Hb Concentration, TRBC, Hct Ratio, MCV, MCH and MCHC were all higher for African Males than Females; this difference was statistically significant [p<0.05]

Conclusion: This multi-national African population based study confirms the variations in haematological parameters previously described in single nation African studies. The commonly observed variations in normal adults are low RBC indices, relative neutropenia and lymphocytosis

Prevalence of examination related anxiety in a private medical college

To assess examination related anxiety among first professional medical students and to determine the factors contributing to this kind of anxiety among them. A cross-sectional study using structured self-administered questionnaire was carried out over 10 days in Frontier Medical and Dental College, Abbottabad, in December 2012, using sample size of 200 students,. Survey questionnaire consisted of twenty questions regarding life style, study style, psychological and social problems, and results were analyzed by Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]. A total of 200 students out of 220 [90.90%] filled in the questionnaire. There were 61.50% male and 38.50% female students. The average maximum Examination related Anxiety marked on VAS was 47 +/- 21. Among different factors contributing to exam anxiety, inadequate rest [89%], irrational thoughts [67.50] and excessive course load [60%] were the most important factors reported by the students. Most of the students were aware of anxiety-reduction techniques but seldom implement them. On a VAS, examination, in its own right, has been established as a definite cause of anxiety, although the magnitude is not alarming. Students who regularly participate in class tests and perform well there, are least affected by this anxiety

Relationship between anaemia and simple febrile convulsions

Simple febrile seizures are the commonest convulsions occurring in children and its exact pathophysiology is unknown. Among other postulated reasons anaemia has been thought to be a possible aetiology. This study was conducted to find out any relationship between anaemia and simple febrile convulsions. We studied notes of 1,951 patients retrospectively who were admitted in the Women and Children Hospital Abbottabad from Jan 2013 to Aug 2013. Thirty-one patients with febrile seizures were included in the study as group I and another 31 patients matched for the demographic data were taken as group II. Degree of temperature, family history of simple febrile convulsions, underlying focus of infection and haemoglobin level were recorded. Sixty-eight percent of patients in group I had Hb level below 11 gm/dl compared to 39% of patients in group II; 32% patients of group I, had level on/above 11 gm/dl but none of them had Hb above 11.5 gm/dl in comparison to group II where 61% had Hb level on/above 11 gm/dl with upper limit of 13 gm/dl. Significant association was found between anaemia and Simple Febrile Convulsions

Epidemiology of chronic hepatitis B in Mansehra district, Hazara division

The aim of this study was focused on the distribution, determinants and dynamics of chronic hepatitis B in a specified population of Mansehra district. The application of this study is to control the health problem. Original prospective observational study. The prospective study was carried out in Shahina Jamil teaching hospital Abbottabad. 1[st] Jaunary 2005 to 1[st] june2008. All chronic patient [disease lasting for more than three months] were screened for hepatitis B. Redox kit [made in china] was used. Total three hundred people were screened belonging to Mansehra only. It showed that chronic hepatitis B is fairly common [35%] in Mansehra with the age group of 15-70 year. More common in male and Male to female ratio is 3:1. It was also found that the disease is more common in low socioeconomic group and in labors mostly stayed away from family for a long time. Our study found that the hepatitis B is more common in Mansehra with incidence of 3.5% in NWFP. The rate is high in male. The knowledge of people about hepatitis B is inadequate. Hence a mandatory vaccination and health education is recommended

Prevalence of abnormal body mass index among students of a private sector medical college in -Pakistan

To determine the status of BMI among the students of Frontier Medical College, Abbottabad and to find out the frequency of different BMI groups. Cross-sectional questionnaire based study. This study was conducted from 01.11.2010 till 10.03.2011 in Frontier Medical College, Abbottabad. A cross- sectional questionnaire based study was conducted in Frontier Medical College Abbottabad. Body weight and height of 400 students were measured and then their body mass index [BMI] was calculated. Keeping in view the WHO cut-offs, Under weight, overweight and Obesity were defined. 9.75% of students fell in the underweight category. About 63.25% were in normal range. 21% were Overweight while no less than 6% formed the various categories of obesity. A significantly high proportion of students [36.75%] were either over weight, obese or underweight. This is an alarmingly high percentage keeping in view the fact that all of them were 18-22 years of age. The students must be advised to take more care of their health status

Rate of decrease in hemoglobin/hematocrit levels among male patients with various degrees of chronic renal insufficiency

To correlate the rate of decrease in hemoglobin/ hematocrit levels with decrease in creatinine- clearance among male patients with various degrees of chronic renal insufficiency. A cross sectional analytical study. Department of Physiology, BMSI, JPMC, Karachi, in collaboration with Department of Nephrology, JPMC, Karachi. The study included 75 subjects, distributed into five groups of 15 subjects each. First group [control] comprising of normal subjects with Creatinine clearance [Cr. C1] above 90 ml/min, and remaining four groups i.e, group II [Cr. C1 60-90 ml/min], group III [Cr. C1 30-59 ml/min], group IV [Cr. C1 15-29 ml/min and group V [Cr C1 < 15 ml/min], comprising of patients with increasing severity of the renal insufficiency. All the subjects were males. Their hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were analyzed and statistically compared. As compared to control group, there was a 6.85%. 11.46%, 29.09% and 49.93% decrease in hemoglobin levels when subjects or group II, III, IV and V were taken into consideration. Similarly there was 8.45%, 18.13%, 29.47% and 54.00% decrease in hematocrit levels, in the same order. The rate of decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels goes higher as the renal excretory function falls lower

Iron status and hemoglobin level on chronic renal insufficiency

To correlate the iron status and hemoglobin levels in pre End Stage Renal Disease [ESRE] patients with various degrees of chronic renal insufficiency. A cross sectional analytical study. Department of Physiology, BMSI, JPMC, Karachi, in collaboration with Department of Nephrology, JPMC, Karachi and the above mentioned departments. The study included 120 subjects, distributed into four groups with 30 subjects in each group. There were 15 male and 15 female subjects in each group. First group [control] comprising of normal subjects with Creatinine Clearance above 90 milliliters per minute [Cr. Cl > 90 mI/mm] and remaining three groups i.e., group 11 [Cr. Cl 60-90 mI/mm], group Ill [Cr. Cl 30-59 mI/mm], and group IV [Cr.Cl 15-29 mI/mm] comprising of patients with increasing severity of the renal insufficiency. Their hemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity [TIBC] were analyzed and statistically compaied. As compared to control group. there was a 6.85%, 11.46%, 29.09% decrease in hemoglobin levels in males while 5. 13%, 9.24% and 24.24% decrease in females, when subjects of group II, III, and IV were taken into consideration. Similarly there was 2.82%, 783%, and 12.37% decrease in serum iron, 1.31%, 1.79% and 2.24% rise in Total Iron Binding Capacity [TIBC] and 1.78%, 11.79% and 29.47% decrease in serum ferritin levels in corresponding groups in the same order. The rate of decrease in hemoglobin level corresponds with the rate of deterioration in renal function; however the rate of change in iron profile is by and large within normal limits and hence is not very significant

Attitude towards information and communications technology among undergraduate students in army medical college: a survey

To assess computer awareness and attitude towards information and communications technology [ICT] of undergraduate students of Army Medical College. During May 2006 a questionnaire containing 16 questions was distributed among students of first year and final year MBBS. Topics queried include the computer awareness, ownership, and the status of Internet related activities as well as students exposure to usage of computers. Overall 203 medical students filled the questionnaire with 98 [48%] boys and 105 [52%] girls. Computer literacy: male [90%], female [89%] and overall [89%]. Knowledge of software is as follows: MS Word [63%], MS Power point [63%], emailing [82%] and surfing of Internet [77%]. Eighty eight percent had computer at home. Seventy eight percent had access to Internet at home. Thirty nine percent of the students indicated that they used the Internet form home regularly and 21% indicated that they used the Internet from college regularly. Eighty percent had email address. Thirty nine percent want to ask questions to teacher by email. Ninety percent indicated that computer is beneficial to study. Ninety one percent indicated that internet is beneficial to study. Seventy six percent stated that the ICT may be incorporated into the curricula training. Seventy four percent of the students living in hostel indicated that they needed internet in the room. The results of this study indicate that the computer awareness among undergraduate medical students is encouraging but still need to be improved for computer assisted medical learning

Gender difference in hemoglobin/hematocrit levels among patients with various degrees of chronic renal insufficiency

To observe the gender difference in hemoglobin/hematocrit levels among patients with various degrees of chronic renal insufficiency. A cross-sectional analytical study. Department of Physiology, BMSI, JPMC, Karachi, in collaboration with Department of Nephrology, JPMC, Karachi. The study included 150 subjects, distributed into five groups of 30 subjects each. First group [control] comprising of normal subjects [Cr.Cl >90 ml/min] and remaining four groups [group II [CrCl 60-90 ml/min], group III [CrCl 30-59 ml/min, group IV [CrCl 15-29 ml/min] and group IV [CrCl <15 ml/min]], comprising of patients with increasing severity of the renal insufficiency. Half of the subjects in each group were males. Their hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were analyzed and were statistically compared. As compared to control group, there was a 6.85%, 11.46%, 29.09% and 49.93% decrease in hemoglobin levels in case of males versus 5.15%, 9.24%, 24.24% and 49.0% decrease in case of females when subjects o -group II, III, iv and V were taken into consideration. Similarly, there was 8.45%, 18.13%, 29.47% and 54.0% decrease in hematocrit levels in case of males versus 4.71%, 11.31%, 22.58% and 50.98% decrease in case of females, in the same order. There is a slight gender difference in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels among patients with various degrees of chronic renal insufficiency