Journal of University Medical & Dental College

LEAPS of faith- exploring development and implementation of a longitudinal curriculum focusing on mental health, leadership, altruism,ethics and EDI, Professional Identity Formation for medical and dental students

2024-11-28T03:56:01+00:00

Abstract

In the ever-changing healthcare scenery of Pakistan, demands on health professionals extend far beyond clinical proficiency. These include ethical integrity, effective leadership, care for mental well being and respect of equity, diversity and inclusion. The LEAPS (Leadership, Ethics, Altruism, Professionalism/professional identity and Study skills/patient safety) module is a pioneering educational framework designed for MBBS and BDS students in Pakistan. Structured in a longitudinal fashion, spanning four years, LEAPS boasts of culturally relevant best practices, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and resilience-building strategies to nurture empathetic, culturally competent, and resilient healthcare practitioners. This article outlines the inception, innovative structure, and transformative impact of the LEAPS curriculum.

Exploring hematological diversity, a comprehensive study of CBC variations among the population of Tehsil Kot-Momin Sargodha

2024-11-28T04:25:25+00:00

Objectives: To ascertain the diversity and patterns observed in the complete blood count within the population of Tehsil Kot-Momin , Sargodha.

Study Design: Observational Cross Sectional Study

Place of Study: Rai Medical College,Sargodha

Materials & Methods: A comprehensive collection of 401 CBC samples was meticoulously acquired from individuals at Medina Medical Complex in Kot-Momin ,Sargodha, subsequent to securing verbal informed consent. Subsequent research activities were conducted at Rai Medical College,Sargodha, post-recipt of sanction from the institutional ethical review committee. The time frame for data accumulation extended from june 2023 through August 2023 and the results were analyzed on SPSS Ver 27.

Results: The study aimed to explore gender differences in hematological parameters among a sample of 401 individuals. Key findings indicated significant gender-based variations in hemoglobin (p < 0.001), total RBC count ( p< 0.001), hematocrit (p <0.001) , platlelt count (p=0.008), and mean platelet volume (MPV) (p=0.033). In this investigation, male subjects were observed to possess higher mean concentration of hemoplobin , total erythrocyte count and hematocrit levels relative to their female counterparts, who demonstrated an augmented mean thrombocyte count. Significantly, the mean thrombocyte volume (MTV)-a proxy for platelet volume - was markedly distinct between genders, alluding to potential differences in thrombocyte function or production. Conversly, the study revealed no statistically significant disparities in parameters such as leukocyte count (WBC) , mean corpuscular volume ( MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) , mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and proportions of hematocrit (PCT), as well as neutrophil,lymphocyte ,monocyte, eosinophil and basophil counts, thereby indicating a homogeneity in these hematological indices across genders.

Conclusion: This study offers a comprehensive analysis of variations in hematological parameters across different groups, highlighting significant differences in hemoglobin , total RBC count, hematocrit, platelet count and mean platelet volume. These findings underscore the potential influence of biological and physiological factors on blood profiles, suggesting a need for personalized approaches in the interpretation of hematological data for clinical or diagnostic purposes.

Assessing the impact of verbal and written oral hygiene instructions on orthodontic patient outcomes

2024-11-28T04:48:33+00:00

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Due to increasing trends in orthodontic treatment to improve occlusal relationships and smile esthetic, maintenance of oral hygiene should be the first priority of the patient. Different methods were used for oral hygiene instructions (OHI) which included chair-side education, message reminders, and behavioral modification. The objective of this study was to compare the oral hygiene status of patients given verbal instructions and written instructions.

METHODOLOGY: The comparative study includes 50 orthodontic patients selected from the age group 12-30 years from the orthodontic department of Azra Naheed Dental College Lahore. They divided into two groups: group one was given verbal instructions and group two was given written. Plaque disclosing agent was applied to the upper anterior teeth and the color displayed in response was recorded. After a month the status and results of oral hygiene were again evaluated for both groups.

RESULTS: The results showed that the patients who were given written oral hygiene instructions showed better maintenance of oral hygiene with p-value ≤ 0.001 showing significant results when compared with those who were given verbal instructions with p-value = 1.00 showing non-significant results. Plaque index as disclosing agents didn’t show any blue pigmentation in written OHI, while blue pigmentation was observed in verbal OHI.

CONCLUSION: The patients given written oral hygiene instructions responded better as compared to the patients given verbal instructions which also enhanced patient cooperation.

Prevalence of non-compliance to prescribed antihypertensive medication among hypertensive middle-aged adults at a tertiary care hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

2024-11-30T06:08:58+00:00

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Uncontrolled hypertension due to non-compliance with prescribed treatment is one of the main reasons for premature illness and mortality in Pakistan. There is a lack of data on the prevalence of non-compliance with prescribed antihypertensive therapy among hypertensive middle-aged adults in Pakistan. To determine the overall prevalence of non-compliance with prescribed antihypertensive medication among middle-aged hypertensive patients at a tertiary care hospital in Faisalabad, Pakistan.

METHODOLOGY: A Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over six months from December 2023 to May 2024. All hypertensive patients aged between 40 and 59 years who are conveniently available are included in this study. Data were directly collected from participants by using a structured questionnaire Hill-Bone Medication Adherence Scale. Informed consent was obtained, and participants were briefed on the research topic. The researcher explained the questionnaire in Urdu, which was completed in their presence, ensuring confidentiality to respect participants' ethical rights.

RESULTS: A non-compliance score below 25 suggests a low non-compliance rate of 1.56%. Scores between 25-35 indicate moderate non-compliance at 8.31%. Scores of 35-45 show substantial non-compliance with a rate of 62.86%. Severe non-compliance, with scores above 45, results in a high rate of 27.27%.

CONCLUSION: The study reveals varying compliance levels among hypertensive patients, highlighting minimal to severe non-compliance, necessitating targeted interventions to reduce non-compliance rates.

The darker perspective behind skin lightening practices and its effect on mental Health

2024-12-02T04:41:45+00:00

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In Pakistan, individuals seem to have a strong preference for a light skin tone due to it being one of the criteria that defines “beauty” universally. There is a plethora of research that has investigated the implications of darker skin color and the role media and culture has played in it. The current study aims to find out the reasons people seek fairer skin tones as well as the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among them in Pakistan.
METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted over a period of 6 months in the dermatology OPD of Fatima Hospital Baqai Medical University, Karachi where 250 individuals participated (196 = females, 54 = males) by non-probability purposive sampling. Just over 60% (172 individuals) of the sample size indicated that they fell in the dark skin color category. The results suggest that anxiety, depression, and stress have a significant association with skin tone (p-value< 0.05).
RESULTS: The reasons for adopting skin-lightening treatments were diverse;90(36%) of participants reported that they are using the treatment for fairness because of their own will,87( 35) indicated media, and 73(29) selected relatives/friends/husbands. They were also asked to fill DASS-21 scale to determine the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression that come with the pressure of seeking fair treatments.

CONCLUSION: This study highlighted that skin tone is an important determinant of mental health and impacts the lives of women and men individuals with darker skin face more anxiety, depression, and stress due to sociocultural pressure.

Labial frenum attachment and its association with oral hygiene status in patients reporting to a local tertiary care dental hospital

2024-12-03T07:54:05+00:00

Background and Objective: The labial frenum plays an important role in providing attachment between the lip and the alveolar process and at the same time contributes significantly to the maintenance of proper oral hygiene. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the labial frenum attachment in both the upper and lower jaw and investigate its potential association with the age, gender, and oral hygiene condition among individuals presenting to a local tertiary care hospital

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore over a period of six months. A total of 360 patients were included in the study after obtaining permission from the institutional ethical review committee The labial frenum type was identified and recorded for both mandible and maxilla. The oral hygiene status was accessed using the oral hygiene index (simplified). Assessment of both frenal attachment and oral hygiene was done by the same examiner to minimize the chances of any bias.

Results: Our study included a total of 360 patients with 47% (171) males and 53% (189) females. Moreover, in our study, the most common type of frenal attachment was gingival (65%), followed by mucosal (19%) and less commonly the papillary (11%) and papillary penetrating (6%) types. A strong association was observed between the frenal attachment type and oral hygiene status among our study population (P value= 0.00).

Conclusion: The association of frenal attachment with oral hygiene and gender is statistically significant.

Comparison between VO2 max and serum lactate levels of male body builders and non-body builders in Pakistan

2024-11-28T03:24:52+00:00

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Volume oxygen maximum (VO₂max) is a measure of physical fitness and athletic performance. Lactate accumulation during exercise occurs when anaerobic metabolism predominates. There is a difference of opinion among researchers on the intensity of exercise needed to cause this release and whether lactate levels play a role in it. The study aims to determine the effect of VO₂max on the circulatory lactate levels and assess the comparison between the two parameters in male bodybuilders steroid non-users.

METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted at the exercise physiology laboratory at the Postgraduate medical institute (PGMI) Lahore, Pakistan. The study involved 20 healthy male subjects within the age range of 20 to 35 years recruited through convenient non-probability sampling. Group I: non-bodybuilders, Group II: bodybuilders not using anabolic steroids. All participants underwent a graded exercise test on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) equipment up till exhaustion for VO₂max assessment. Blood sampling was done pre and post-exercise (80% of VO₂max) to measure blood lactate levels. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 23. Mean ± SD was calculated for quantitative variables. Paired t-test was used for comparison for pre- and post-exercise test variables. p-value <0.05 taken as statistically significant.

RESULTS: Bodybuilders achieved a significantly higher VO₂max as compared to non-bodybuilders (p <0.001). Blood lactate levels increased significantly in all the study groups at an exercise intensity of 80% of VO₂max (p <0.001).

CONCLUSION: Exercise intensity of 80% of VO₂max is sufficient for the significant increase in blood lactate levels.

Impact of preoperative dental anxiety on intraoperative pain perception during tooth extraction: a cross-sectional study

2024-11-28T08:44:27+00:00

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Dental anxiety is a global concern. Due to this, patients may experience the same dental procedures differently. According to the literature, tooth extraction is a dental procedure that provokes a high level of dental anxiety. This study aims to explore the relationship between preoperative dental anxiety and intraoperative pain perception during tooth extraction. Identifying various factors that trigger dental anxiety is important for understanding psychological influences on dental experiences.

METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Dental Hospital, The University of Lahore. After obtaining ethical approval, 195 participants were included. Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale and the Visual Analog Scale were used to measure anxiety level and pain perception. Statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA and correlation tests, were performed using SPSS software (version 25.0) to evaluate the relationships between preoperative anxiety, intraoperative pain, and various influencing variables.

RESULTS: Findings showed a significant positive correlation between preoperative anxiety and intraoperative pain perception. Females exhibited higher anxiety levels than males. Patients with a history of previous extractions or those undergoing molar extractions had increased anxiety. Interestingly, patients with high to severe anxiety reported experiencing less pain, possibly due to the expertise of the treating surgeons.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights the intricate relationship between preoperative dental anxiety and intraoperative pain during tooth extraction. Insights obtained can help develop personalized care strategies, contributing to a broader understanding of psychological aspects in dental settings. Further research with varied populations is recommended to validate the study's findings.

Evaluation of integrated modular & traditional curriculum learning environment in medical education

2024-11-28T03:39:28+00:00

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Most medical schools in Pakistan follow a traditional teaching methodology but a newer and refined method named Integrated teaching methodology has been introduced and proven to be more effective than the former method. The study aims to evaluate the pros and cons of integrated modular & traditional curriculum learning environments.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 214 students from 1^st year and 2^nd Year MBBS were enrolled in the study using the convenience sampling technique. 1^st Year students were grouped as Group A undergoing an Integrated learning environment and 2^nd Year students as Group B undergoing a traditional learning environment at Abwa Medical College, Faisalabad. A pre-validated John Hopkin’s Proforma was distributed to collect data and was analyzed in SPSS 26 using the student’s t-test. The P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS: Out of 214, a total of 180 participants recorded their responses. 58% of the total were male and 42% were female. The responses favored the integrated learning environment as it is conducive, supportive, and provides better opportunities in terms of leadership and career options. The curriculum design was also student-centered and designed according to the student's needs as compared to the traditional learning environment. The participants recorded a healthy and positive relationship with the faculty with a statistically significant P-value <0.05.

CONCLUSION: The integrated modular system fosters the ability of critical thinking and innovation among students. The curriculum design offers an integrated modular system that is flexible and student-centered which also yields positive outcomes and change among the students.

Prevalence of Needlestick Injuries and the preventive response of affected Dental healthcare persons working in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Abbottabad Pakistan.

2024-11-29T02:55:33+00:00

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Needle sticks and other sharps injuries are common and serious hazards in healthcare facilities, exposing healthcare workers to blood-borne pathogens like HIV, hepatitis B, and C and affecting the physical and psychological health of dental staff. Our study aims to find the prevalence of needle injuries and preventive responses by affected ones.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted at various Dental hospitals and clinics in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Abbottabad Pakistan, from December 2023 to May 2024. A close-ended questionnaire was distributed among 400 dentists and other healthcare workers at participating dental hospitals and clinics to collect the data. A total of 345 completely filled forms were collected and assessed by using SPSS 22.

RESULTS: Out of 345, 241 healthcare persons reported needle injury at least once. The majority of injuries (78%) occurred at the chairside, 14% in the operation theatre and 8% at other locations. 197(81.7%) were self-inflicted during needle uncapping/recapping, and 44 (18.3%) were by the assisting staff. About 82% of injuries were with syringes while 18% were by sutures or other sharps. To manage the Needlestick injury (NSI), 159(66%) immediately washed the injury site with water and soap, 27(11%) pressed to bleed, 19(8%) applied antiseptic, 17(7%) took post-exposure prophylaxis against Hepatitis B, C and HIV/AIDS and 8 % did nothing.

CONCLUSION: This study showed that Needlestick injury (NSI) was a common finding at dental workplaces, leaving a physical and psychological fear impact on healthcare persons.

Effect of the Synthesit Dietary Supplement on Serum Cholesterol Levels

2024-11-28T02:55:05+00:00

ABSTRACT

The present case report investigates the influence of SYNTHESIT dietary supplements on serum cholesterol levels in a 69-year-old male patient with dyslipidemia from Sevastopol, Russia. During the observation period, the patient’s cholesterol levels initially decreased after he began taking SYNTHESIT. However, this was followed by a slight increase in cholesterol levels as the supplement regimen continued. The results indicate that SYNTHESIT has an inconsistent effect on cholesterol; it lowers it at first and then causes a small increase over time. This case underlines the need for further studies to explore the long-term effects of SYNTHESIT on cholesterol management and its possible implications for dyslipidemia treatment strategies.