Review of the academic performance of medical students in Gondar

Academic performance results measured in CGPA and ESLCE score of medical school of Gondar College of Medical Sciences were reviewed. Out of 900 students admitted from 1979 to 1987; only 530 (58.9 percent) graduated. The reported attrition rate was 41.1 percent. Poor correlation (r=0.32) was detected between ESLCE result and final CGPA. A difference in academic performance between males and females was observed during the early phases of medical education. The validity of the ESLCE result as a sole admission criteria is discussed

Attitude of medical students to future practice characteristics.

In November 1990, 14.5% of the 271 medical students of the Gonder College of Medical Science (G.C.M.S.), Gonder, Ethiopia, were of peasant background. Only 10.2% of the 271 expressed willingness to serve for more than two years in the rural areas after graduation, and, of those not willing, a higher proportion (15.5%) were from the main towns than from rural areas (1.2%). Specialty choice of senior students showed obstetrics-gynaecology, other specialties such as dermatology, internal medicine and surgery as the most preferred career goals. In addition, 67.2% of the students agreed that there is a greater need for physicians in rural than urban settings, agreement being six times more frequent by Clinical Year I students than interns (referent group). Among twelve personal and professional variables suggested, continuing education, schools for children, and private practice were considered better in urban than in rural areas. The study has important implications for medical education.

Epidemiology of common transmissible skin diseases among primary school children in north-west Ethiopia.

A total of 1842 school children were examined for the occurrence of common transmissible skin infections in a rural area in North-West Ethiopia. The result showed a prevalence rate of 49.2%. Tinea capitis, impetigo, infected wounds and verrucae vulgaris were common. In addition the overall prevalence rate of lice infestation was 55.4%. The findings indicated the need to develop appropriate intervention programmes both at school and community levels.

[Epidemiology of communicable skin diseases in school children of a rural area in North Ethiopia]. / Zur Epidemiologie übertragbarer Hautkrankheiten bei Schulkindern einer ländlichen Gegend Nordäthiopiens.

The pupils of 5 elementary schools in the Dembia-District in Northethiopia were inspected in serial examinations. The transmissible skin diseases head lice infestation, tinea capitis, impetigo contagiosa and verrucae vulgares are very common among the unselected children (5 to 15 years old). Only 16% of all children had not any infectious skin disease. The investigations showed the unfortunate conditions of the poor hygiene those are existing in the rural areas of a developing country in the tropics.

Traditional child health practices in communities in north-west Ethiopia.

PIP: A study in 3 villages in northwest Ethiopia was designed to find the type and extent of health damaging traditional child practices. The result of the survey showed high rates of uvulectomy and milk teeth extraction, and low rates of eyelid incision and female circumcision. More than 84.5% and 98.8% of the mothers surveyed, respectively, reported milk teeth extraction as a useful treatment for diarrhea and eyelid incision in the treatment of eye disease. The damage done by milk teeth extraction includes complications from unhygienic conditions (e.g. ostitis and osteomyelitis). Although many children survive these ill advised procedures and their complications, the considerable damage done to some of the children makes these procedures serious health hazards. Intensive health education with relevant health activities to correct the use of these traditional practices is advised.^ieng