{"title":"Gender variability in performance of multiple-choice question-based assessment on medical biochemistry topics among 1st year MBBS students","authors":"Elvia Jamatia, B. Goswami, S. Kaushik, B. Koner","doi":"10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_420_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_420_22","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Owing to its popularity and ubiquity, multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are now a commonly used assessment means used in medical education. However, the gender variability in the performance of students in MCQ-based examinations has been a notable topic of exploration in educational research. AIM: To discern if there are any gender-based differences in the performance as well as the risk-taking tendency in MCQ-based assessment among the 1st year medical students in Biochemistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational study was carried out on 237 1st year MBBS students as an end-of-module assessment test on “Miscellaneous topics in Biochemistry.” Six different types of formats of MCQs: single best response, multiple responses, true and false, reason assertion, pictorial, and matching types were administered to them. The performances of the students were compared among the different types of MCQs after stratifying the students according to gender and academic standing. The percentages of students who attempted and who correctly marked a particular type of MCQ were compared using appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the pattern of scoring, attempt, or skipped questions in between the two genders in any of the six types of MCQs. The difference was observed in the type of MCQ formats preferred and the risk aversion pattern between the two genders. CONCLUSION: To affirm the gender neutrality and fairness of MCQ-based examinations, all the formats of MCQs must be administered in MCQ-based assessments.","PeriodicalId":13457,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research (KLEU)","volume":"13 1","pages":"237 - 241"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79741525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A comparison of postoperative analgesic efficacy of opioid-free anesthesia using intravenous paracetamol (15 mg/kg), lignocaine (2 mg/kg), and magnesium sulfate (20 mg/kg) versus standard opioid anesthesia using intravenous tramadol (2 mg/kg) for preemptive analgesia in abdominal surgeries under gen","authors":"Neena Jain, Neha Surendran, Meera Kumari, P. Kumar, Veena Patodi, Kavita Jain","doi":"10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_168_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_168_22","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTION: Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience and is considered the fifth vital sign. Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) is a technique where no intraoperative systemic, neuraxial, or intracavitary opioids are administered during the anesthesia. The prescription misuse/overuse has generated an opioid crisis which has led to the need for OFA. In this study, we will investigate the 24-h postsurgical analgesia and analgesic consumption with the use of OFA versus opioid anesthesia (tramadol) in patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. METHODOLOGY: Sixty patients of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Grade I-II scheduled for various abdominal surgeries were randomly assigned into two groups, with 30 patients in each group. Group A (opioid-free group): received IV lignocaine (2 mg/kg), IV magnesium sulfate (20 mg/kg), and V paracetamol (15 mg/kg) in 100 ml NS. Group B (opioid group): received IV tramadol (2 mg/kg) in 100 ml NS. Hemodynamic parameters, postoperative analgesic consumption, duration of analgesia, and any adverse effects were recorded. RESULTS: A very significant difference was observed between the study groups for mean values of mean arterial pressure at the last stages of surgery, with hemodynamics more stable in the opioid-free group (P < 0.01). In terms of mean values of minimum alveolar concentration throughout the surgery, the opioid group showed more anesthetic-sparing effect (P < 0.05). In terms of postoperative pain scores between the groups, the opioid-free group experienced less pain (P < 0.01). There was no difference between the groups in postoperative analgesic consumption and duration of analgesia. More side effects were noted in the opioid group. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that avoiding opioid use by preemptive administration of intravenous paracetamol, lignocaine, and magnesium sulfate provides safe, effective, and satisfactory analgesia in patients undergoing various abdominal surgeries under general anesthesia.","PeriodicalId":13457,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research (KLEU)","volume":"27 1","pages":"219 - 224"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76048697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anit M. Thomas, V. Lakshmi, Akash Arun, S. Sebastian
{"title":"Re-emergence of rabies: Assessment of knowledge and self-reported practices regarding rabies among youth in Central Kerala","authors":"Anit M. Thomas, V. Lakshmi, Akash Arun, S. Sebastian","doi":"10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_129_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_129_23","url":null,"abstract":"Background: In India, about 15 million people are bitten by animals, mostly dogs, every year and need post-exposure prophylaxis. During and after the Covid era, there has been an increase in the number of cases of rabies and deaths due to rabies. It is estimated that number of animal bites may be many times more than those reported. The recent rabies death among people who have taken anti-rabies vaccines on schedule have triggered concerns. Objective: To assess the existing knowledge and self-reported practices among youth regarding rabies in central Kerala. Materials and Methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted among youth belonging to age group of 20-40 years of both genders in Pathanamthitta District, Central Kerala from October 2022 to December 2022. Variables were expressed using percentages and proportions. A Chi-square test was used for analyzing the association between demographic variables and knowledge related to rabies. Results: Among the study participants, 53% of them had good knowledge in rabies. Chi-square test of the study data revealed an association between educational status, place of residence of study participants and their knowledge regarding rabies. Conclusion: Although about half of the study population had good knowledge regarding Rabies, the inadequate knowledge of the remaining half of the study population needs to be addressed urgently in order to prevent the resurgence of rabies.","PeriodicalId":13457,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research (KLEU)","volume":"13 1","pages":"215 - 218"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74030811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessment of nutritional and mental health status of institutionalized geriatric people","authors":"K. Joyce, S. John, S. Monica","doi":"10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_554_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_554_22","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Health and nutritional assessment of the institutionalized geriatric population is essential in providing better health care. OBJECTIVE: To assess the institutionalized geriatric population's nutritional and mental health status. METHODOLOGY: One hundred elderly people aged 60 years and above residing at Little Drops – Old Age Home, Mangadu, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, were selected for the study. General information was obtained using a structured interview schedule. Nutrient intake was assessed using the three day dietary recall method. Standard methods were used to measure anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical parameters. Mental health was assessed using the Depression, anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) tool. RESULTS: Noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension (37%), osteoporosis (35%), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (25%) were reported by the participants. Walking and hand exercises were the most common form of physical exercise. The mean height, weight, and body mass index were 153.55 ± 11.83 cm, 55.49 ± 14.21 kg, and 23.83 ± 6.50 kg/m2, respectively. The mean systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were 128.61 ± 21.12 mmHg and 80.37 ± 10.70 mmHg, respectively. The mean hemoglobin value of male and female participants was 11.90 ± 2.33 g/dL and 11.09 ± 1.92 g/dL, respectively, thus indicating the presence of anemia. The intake of macro and micronutrients was less than the recommended dietary allowances. The decrease in food intake was due to tooth problems, xerostomia, difficulty in swallowing, nausea, and vomiting. Based on the scores obtained using the DASS-42 tool, most of the participants (70%) were depressed. CONCLUSIONS: The results specify the need to conduct periodical medical screening programs to improve the health status of geriatric people.","PeriodicalId":13457,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research (KLEU)","volume":"75 1","pages":"268 - 273"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86336247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Guruvammal Paramasivam, V. Ramasubramanian, S. Ayyanar, S. Mathumathi, P. Bijulakshmi
{"title":"A cross-sectional study on the mental health of survivors of COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu, India","authors":"Guruvammal Paramasivam, V. Ramasubramanian, S. Ayyanar, S. Mathumathi, P. Bijulakshmi","doi":"10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_375_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_375_21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The novel coronavirus COVID 19 has been having an impact on the mental health of people. Studies have shown that a considerable percentage of people who have recovered from the infection suffer from mental health issues. Hence, it is important to follow-up on the persons who have recovered from the illness so that adequate support is provided to aid in reducing morbidity due to the illness. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted among persons who had recovered from COVID-19 in a single hospital. Participants were contacted a month following their discharge from the hospital and they were encouraged to fill in the questionnaire containing the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) scale and the Impact of Event Scale (IES) scale. The scores were analyzed for the presence of anxiety, depression, stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Those who had scores indicative of severe levels were encouraged to follow-up with the psychiatrists for appropriate treatment and therapy. RESULTS: The scores obtained in the DASS showed that 2.5% of the participants had scores indicative of severe levels of stress, 25.3% of the participants had scores indicative of severe anxiety, and 7.3% of the participants had scores indicative of severe levels of depression. The scores in the IES indicated that 15.1% of the participants indicated that there was a significant impact on their mental health due to the event and 17.2% of the participants had scores indicative of the presence of symptoms of PTSD. There is a strong correlation between the scores of IES and the degree of lung involvement. CONCLUSION: Persons who have recovered from COVID-19 are at risk at developing anxiety, depression, and PTSD.","PeriodicalId":13457,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research (KLEU)","volume":"22 1","pages":"231 - 236"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73730962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abhinav Arya, Sarthak Das, Shikha Sahay, Archana Malik
{"title":"Digital literacy: The need of the hour in medical education during the COVID pandemic era","authors":"Abhinav Arya, Sarthak Das, Shikha Sahay, Archana Malik","doi":"10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_579_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_579_22","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13457,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research (KLEU)","volume":"80 1","pages":"329 - 330"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87977302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Utilization of online health information by smartphone users of an urban area of Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu – A cross-sectional study","authors":"K. Annadurai, R. Vetrivel","doi":"10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_591_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_591_22","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Internet has become a popular first-hand source of information for preventive, promotive, and curatives services. Online health information seekers face a big challenge with unregulated flow of information from Internet. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To assess the utilization of online health information of smartphone users and to study the various determinants of utilization of online health information of smartphone users of an urban area of Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 216 adult smartphone users residing in an urban area of Thiruporur, Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. Through a systematic random sampling method, the participants were selected. Pretested semi-structured schedule was used after getting informed consent through face to face interview method. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 version software. RESULTS: Utilization of online health information was 86.2% among smartphone users of an urban area of Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. Nearly 12% of the online health information seekers self-medicated with the information they obtained online and about 60% of the online health information seekers did not validate the health information they obtained online with any of the health care providers. CONCLUSION: Even though, online health information empowers the population, there is some major negative effect like self-medication. This study found that the utilization of online health information was three fourth percentages among smartphone users and only a few of the participant's accessed expertise information sources like government websites for health information. Thus needs definite regulation in the form of appropriate legislation to control the unregulated inflow of health information.","PeriodicalId":13457,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research (KLEU)","volume":"87 1","pages":"278 - 284"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73457740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Short-term effect of multifidus muscle intramuscular electrical stimulation in chronic low back pain","authors":"M. Sharma, Sarika Chaudhary","doi":"10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_182_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_182_22","url":null,"abstract":"Interventions for mechanical low back pain (LBP) include physical therapy and pharmaceutical management, as well as surgical intervention. Although the paraspinal muscles have been identified as important spinal stabilizers and are targeted during physical therapy, diminished activation of this muscle can lead to biomechanical dysfunction and lead to mechanical LBP. Intramuscular electrical stimulation (IMES) with low-frequency (2 Hz) current facilitates release of endogenous opioids which promotes analgesia and causes activation of multifidus muscle and improves the changes produced by muscular dysfunction. After single session of intervention, the patient reported that her pain levels were 0 and 1 on a numeric pain scale of 0-10 during rest and walking, respectively. The average score on the Oswestry LBP Disability Questionnaire was reduced from 43/50 to 11/50. Thus, IMES can be used as an effective therapeutic strategy to directly target the deep multifidus muscle and to treat mechanical LBP produced due to multifidus dysfunction.","PeriodicalId":13457,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research (KLEU)","volume":"74 1","pages":"305 - 307"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78988405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A giant mucopyocele of the ethmoidal sinus resulting in impeding orbital complications","authors":"S. Swain, Debasmita Dubey","doi":"10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_599_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_599_22","url":null,"abstract":"Mucoceles are benign and slow-growing lesions of the paranasal sinus that develop following blockage of the sinus ostium. It slowly enlarges and fills the paranasal sinus completely. If the mucocele content is infected, the lesion is called a mucopyocele. Most of the mucoceles are found in the frontal and anterior ethmoidal sinuses. It may expand to the orbit, leading to ocular disorders. The clinical manifestations of the paranasal sinus mucocele depend on the vital structures affected and can be classified as rhinological, ophthalmologic, and neurologic symptoms and signs. Preoperative computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging are helpful to identify the size, location, and extension of the mucocele of mucopyocele of the paranasal sinus. The primary treatment of the mucocele or mucopyocele is a surgical approach like endoscopic sinus surgery with marsupialization of the mucocele. In this case report, we describe a case of a giant mucopyocele with an extension into the orbit.","PeriodicalId":13457,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research (KLEU)","volume":"41 1","pages":"320 - 323"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87440839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Awareness of stroke in a teaching hospital in North Karnataka: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Saraswathi Tenagi, A. Saroja, K. Naik","doi":"10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_452_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_452_22","url":null,"abstract":"CONTEXT: The 2018 consensus statement of the Indian Stroke Association ranks stroke as the second leading cause of death in India, thus making it a public health challenge. The associated stigma and inadequate knowledge stand as a hurdle in early detection of the disease, which delays treatment leading to disabilities. AIMS: To assess the awareness of risk factors, warning symptoms, and treatment of stroke and its consequences. METHODOLOGY: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted between July 2019 and January 2020. Relatives of patients who came to the outpatient and inpatient departments of psychiatry in a tertiary care teaching hospital in North Karnataka were invited to participate in this study and interviewed one to one and the responses were noted in the questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the 403 people who were interviewed, 97.5% had heard about stroke, 86.1% knew the signs and symptoms of stroke, and 81.8% knew the various risk factors associated with stroke. Almost all responded that the stroke-affected person should be taken to the hospital. Seventy percent felt that it affected daily living, while around half responded that stroke was a preventable disease but were unwilling to make lifestyle changes or modify the risk factors. The respondents agreed that health-care professionals were the best source of information about stroke in the community. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge about the warning symptoms and risk factors seems to be better in people attending the teaching hospital, but a lack of knowledge when it comes to treatment, stroke outcome, and prevention of stroke is evident. Health awareness activities should focus on treatment-seeking behavior, rehabilitation, and primary preventive aspects.","PeriodicalId":13457,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research (KLEU)","volume":"22 1","pages":"248 - 255"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88450883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}