International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education (IeJSME)

Authors: Htar Htar Aung, Nilar Shwe, Tin Tin Myint, Tin Moe Nwe.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: It is still a challenge that the dissecting room has a place in learning gross anatomy. Understanding the students’ preference of learning tools is important to devise alternative teaching aids for improvement in learning anatomy. This study was conducted to assess student’s preference of learning tools available in the anatomy laboratory of an integrated curriculum.

Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out for 4 weeks among 741 medical and dental students of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), University Sabah Malaysia (UMS) and University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). Pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administrated questionnaires including open-ended questions were distributed. The data were analyzed by using SPSS 17.

Results: Most of the participants were Malays (86%) and female (67%). The students from IIUM, UiTM, UMS and UNIMAS preferred the plastic model in terms of handability and application in examination (OSPE). It was statistically significant (p<0.05). In terms of understanding and information, the students of IIUM, UiTM and UMS
preferred the plastic model while UNIMAS students preferred the prosected wet specimen over the plastic models. In terms of overall preference, students of IIUM and UiTM preferred the plastic model (85.8% and 44.1% respectively). In UNIMAS, their preference for the prosected wet specimen (90.7%) was slightly higher than for the plastic model (87.8%). UMS students preferred both cadaver (51.9%) and plastic model (50%).

Conclusion: Most of the students preferred the plastic model as the best learning tool in studying gross anatomy. This study suggests that plastic model may hold a role in enhancing students’ learning of gross anatomy in an integrated curriculum.

Keywords: Cadaver; learning tool; plastic model; prosected wet specimen; students’ preference.

Citation: IeJSME 2018 12(1): 11-17

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.12.1.11

Authors: Sarvesh Seger, Chen Giap Tee, Samin Uddin, Wen Han Sia, Mie Aye Lwin.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Depression is a debilitating illness and has become a leading cause of disability worldwide. According to the National Health Survey IV, the prevalence of lifetime depression was 2.4% and current depression was 1.8%. In a review article published by the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, the prevalence of depression in Malaysia was estimated to be between 8% and 12%. A cross-sectional study carried out in Selangor, Malaysia showed that 10.3% of adults aged 18 and above suffered from depression. Depression carries dire societal and health-related consequences that affect both the individual and the community as a whole, and is potentially a chronic illness with high morbidity, rate of relapse and recurrence. This study was performed to identify the prevalence of depression and factors associated with it.

Method: A cross-sectional study was done on 354 Malaysian adults above the age of 18 residing in the district of Mantin, Malaysia. Non-Malaysians and people with known-depression were excluded. A questionnaire was developed to detect the sociodemographic factors and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) was used
to screen for depression.

Results: The proportion of the participants shown to score mild to major depression was 44.4%. Higher prevalence was found in individuals who were males (45.2%), in the age group of 38 years and below (48.3%), Malays (45.5%), having low levels of income (46.0%), having lower levels of education (45.7%), not married (48.1%), a parent (45.3%), having positive family history of depression (60%) and suffering from chronic illnesses (48.4%). Satisfaction with family members was a strong and independent factor associated with depression (OR 3.051, CI 1.445-6.444, p-value 0.002).

Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in the study population of Mantin was high and significantly associated with family satisfaction. Creating awareness regarding depression in this community is recommended. Projects and programmes encouraging individuals to connect with the family should be considered. In addition, policies should be put in place to promote more family time in the community.

Keywords: Depression, prevalence, associated factors, PHQ-9, Malaysia.

Citation: IeJSME 2019 13(1): 4-14

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.13.1.4

Authors: Gerald Jian Ming Lee, Sze Mi Tey, Tze Keei Lim, Kar Siang Chew, Rajitha Chamath Wickrama, Malik Goonewardene.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Inter-observer variations are one of the several limitations in the use of Symphysis-Fundal Height
(SFH) measurements which are frequently used to screen for foetal growth abnormalities prior to ultrasound foetal biometry.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to measure the interobserver variations of SFH measurements obtained
by Semester 8 medical students of the International Medical University (IMU), Malaysia and to determine whether there is any association between maternal and observer factors and the inter-observer variations.

Method: A cross sectional study was carried out among 77 pairs of the IMU Semester 8 medical students who underwent training in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) posting from 26th February to 31st May 2018. The first student in each pair was aware of the patient’s demographics, her gestational age (GA) and her obstetric complications if any, while the second student was blind to all the maternal data. The Limits of Agreement between the two SFH measurements obtained by a pair of students were calculated. The association between the inter observer variations in the SFH measurements obtained by a pair of students and maternal height, weight, GA, parity, body mass index (BMI) and the students’ duration of training in the O&G posting were studied.

Results: The limits of agreement between the two SFH measurements obtained by a pair of students were very wide and ranged from – 6.0 cm to + 5.6 cm. Approximately 34% of the 77 pairs of students had inter-observer variations of SFH within the clinically acceptable limit of – 2cm to +2cm. There was no association between inter-observer variations in SFH and maternal height, weight, GA, parity, body mass index (BMI) and the students’ duration of training in the O&G posting.

Conclusions: There were wide inter-observer variations between the SFH measurements obtained by IMU Semester 8 medical students but the variations were not associated with maternal or observer factors.

Keywords: Inter-observer variations, symphysio-fundal height measurements, medical students, maternal factors, observer factors.

Citation: IeJSME 2019 13(1): 15-25

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.13.1.15