Perception of educational environment among undergraduate students of health disciplines in an Iranian university.

OBJECTIVES: This paper seeks to determine the perception of Medical, Nursing and Midwifery students about their educational environment and compare their perceptions in terms of disciplines, demographic attributes and academic level. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, Medical, Nursing and Midwifery students in Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran, were selected using stratified random sampling method (N=378). They completed the standard Persian version of Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze data. RESULTS: The mean score of DREEM was 106 ± 24.6. The mean scores in five domains of DREEM questionnaire including students' perception of learning, perception of teachers, scientific abilities, students' perception of educational environment and students' perception of social conditions were 23±8, 23.4±6, 18±5.5, 25.5±7.7 and 15.8±4, respectively. In the first four domains (p=0.000, F=27.35), (p=0.000, F=9.9), (p=0.000, F=18.5), (p=0.000, t=18.7) and for total scores (p=0.000, F=22.77), the three disciplines were significantly different. Also, there was a significant difference between mean total score (p=0.021, t=2.3) and scores of students' perception of learning (p=0.008, t=2.65) and social conditions (p=0.022, t=2.3) with respect to gender. CONCLUSIONS: According to these results, students tend to have a positive attitude towards their educational environment. The findings of this study are useful to identify areas in need of improvement by employing more specialized tools and planning for improvement.

Tailgut cyst in an infant with imperforate anus: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Tailgut cyst (TGC) is a rare congenital lesion that originates from remnants of the embryonic post-anal gut. It presents as a multilocular presacral mass mainly in young women. Microscopically, the cyst lining is composed of different types of epithelium such as stratified squamous, transitional, or glandular. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a term female newborn referred to our hospital for evaluation and management of imperforate anus. During dissection of the presacral space to release the rectum, a multicystic mass adherent to the distal part of rectum was detected and completely excised. Histopathology confirmed the TGC diagnosis. CONCLUSION: TGC is a very rare lesion, but it should be considered in differential diagnosis of any presacral mass, even in infancy. Complete excision is the preferred treatment and can be done more easily neonatally or in infancy.