Educational Achievement in Medical Students Entered University between 1995 and 2003, Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Background & Objective : Assessing students’ grades in their courses and in national comprehensive exams may help us in the assessment of educational status of different departments indirectly. In this study, the internal consistency of medical students’ scores in Kerman University of Medical Sciences was assessed. Methods : In a historical cohort study, students’ grades and other information for entrance years between 1995 and 2003 were extracted from the central admission office and 10 indicators for educational achievement were defined for each student. Having used Cronbach's alpha and linear regression, we checked the internal consistency of scores. Also, we used factorial analysis and related graphs (Dendrogram) to evaluate the consistency between factors of students’ educational achievement. Results : Females were more successful in all series of students except for national comprehensive exams. Although internal consistency in males’ scores was more than females’, males’ scores in specific courses of basic sciences were more related to the scores of their basic sciences comprehensive exams. In addition, internal consistency in males’ scores was more than females’ especially in clinical courses. Higher age at entering university could cause a decrease in educational success. Students’ grades in various courses had slight consistency with national comprehensive exams. Moreover, the internal consistency of scores during clerkship and internship were significantly lower than the other phases. Conclusion : Lower consistency of scores in clinical courses may imply lower validity of these scores. Unlike higher educational success in females, it seems that stability in males’ scores was greater in most indicators. Keywords: Educational achievement, Internal consistency, Educational success evaluation, Medical student of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Endodontic Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the study of disease distribution and factors determining or affecting it. Likewise, endodontic epidemiology can be defined as the science of studying the distribution pattern and determinants of pulp and periapical diseases; specially apical periodontitis. Although different study designs have been used in endodontics, researchers must pay more attention to study designs with higher level of evidence (LoE) such as randomized clinical trials

Relationship between Individual and Social Characteristics of Medical Students of Iran and Academic Failure: Systematic Review

Background & Objective: Recognition of the causes and correlates of academic failure, which is one of the failures of the education system, is an important practical issue in education researches. Despite the large number of studies in this field in Iran, no comprehensive reviews of all published documents in this respect have been carried out. Thus, the aim of the present study was the systematic review of all texts published during the previous 15 years and determination of the role of individual, personality, and social factors related to academic failure of students. Methods: In the present study, documents were systematically reviewed and information gathered. Articles, which were related to the causes of academic failure of students of medical universities in Iran and published from March 1999 until February 2010, were studied. Using census method, 1008 articles were screened. The full text of 26 articles with minimum quality of research was available. Results: Based on the findings of the study, male gender, higher age of entry to college, marriage, mental and physical problems, lack of interest in the field of education, lower average score of school diploma or previous degree, longer duration of time from diploma to university admission, lack of studying during the term, greater use of the internet, and lack of scientific and research activities are individual factors that can lead to academic failure in students. Based on the systematic review of literature, the causes of academic failure of students were having a second job, living in the dormitory, and a non-empirical diploma. Among familial and social factors, low education level of father and mother, financial problems, family problems, large number of family members, poor social activity, and being an extrovert were associated with academic failure. Conclusion: Despite the many studies on the causes of academic failure, it seems that the standards and definitions used in different studies vary. Therefore, to promote the quality of work, standardization must be performed. The views of faculty members were largely consistent with the facts found in the literature. This showed that university teachers’ experiences in this regard are reliable. Moreover, considering the major listed causes, it seems that groups who are at higher risk of academic failure can be identified and preventive measures applied to them. Key Words: Systematic review, Medical sciences, Students, Academic achievement, Academ

An Evolutionary Approach towards Ph.D. Educational System in Medical Sciences in Iran: a Systematic Review of Educational Models in the World’s Leading Universities

Background & Objective : In this study, we aimed to evaluate the status of World’s leading universities in Ph.D. students’ education and to compare it with Iranian universities applying the approach of educational status evaluation in a research based way. Methods: Using a systematic review, all documents present in the webs and related links of universities of first 10 countries in Shanghai’s Academic Ranking of World Universities were systematically reviewed information related to Ph.D. education was systematically collected and analyzed. Results : Reviewing 28 leading universities revealed that the educational model in educating Ph.D. students in 22 of them was research based and the rest are using course based model. Passing taught courses, as an index in course based model, is considered to be among minimum course requirements in most of the universities which are using research based model. In cases where passing such courses is voluntarily, a consultant professor plays a significant role in guiding the students in selecting and attending theoretical courses. Conclusion : Based on the above explanation and similar to other successful countries, it seems that it is time to create various models for training postgraduate students to meet industrial needs. With revisions in educational curriculums, purposeful attempts should be made to solve possible problems and train people who meet country’s developmental needs in regards with the twenty year prospect. Keywords: Postgraduate education, Shanghai’s Academic Ranking, Research based curriculum, Scientific development, Ph.D.

A systematic review of questionnaires used on oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice in 12-year-olds

BACKGROUND AND AIM: National oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) data among 12-year-old children need nation-wide programs to help promote oral health. In most countries, oral epidemiologic data are collected by selfadministered structured questionnaires. The aim of this study was to undertake a systematic review of the existing literature about questionnaires used for analyzing the oral health knowledge, attitude, and behavior profile of the 12- year-old children. METHODS: The search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar search engines. The Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) search was performed applying singularly and by combining the following terms retrieved from the MeSH browser provided by MEDLINE: “Knowledge, awareness, attitude, practice, behavior, 12-year-old children, oral health.” RESULTS: Of 176 records found, 29 evaluated oral health KAP in 12-year-old children by structured questionnaires. The most important questions on knowledge (23 of 29 questionnaires) included some items which are focused on the importance of preserving natural teeth, effects of brushing, and sweets and soft drinks on the dentition. The most common questions on practice (28 questionnaires) were brushing activity and dental visits. The attitudes were evaluated by questions about fear of dental treatment, opinion about dentists and dental care (10 questionnaires). CONCLUSION: Considering differences in the available questionnaires showed that despite the importance of promotion of oral health by increasing knowledge, and improving attitudes and practice in 12-year-old children, more work is needed to form a standard questionnaire. KEYWORDS: Oral Health; Knowledge; Attitude; Behavior; Revie

Comparing the results of light microscopy with the results of PCR method in the diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax

Background & objectives: Although polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a new technique in the diagnosis of malaria with very high accuracy; light microscopy is still conventional diagnostic method in Iran. In this study we checked the accuracy of light microscopy using the results of PCR as gold standard in Iran. Methods: The blood samples were collected from 124 febrile cases in Kahnooj district. The blood slides were read by microscopists, and double checked by experts in provincial referral laboratory. DNA samples were processed by PCR to amplify species-specific sequences of 18s subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (18ssrRNA) genes of Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of microscopy in the detection of Plasmodium spp infection were 77% (95% CI: 46–94%) and 100% (95% CI: 95–100%), correspondingly. Also, the estimated positive and negative predictive values were 100% (95% CI: 66–100%) and 97% (95% CI: 91– 99%), respectively. Interpretation & conclusion: According to these results, we believe that the accuracy of light microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria in Kahnooj was acceptable. Expert micorscopists in endemic areas of Iran such as Kahnooj and available equipments in one hand and expensive PCR test on the other hand may convince that in current situation we do not have to change the diagnostic method

The dietary patterns of 12-year-old children and their awareness about the effect of diet on oral health in Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Foods containing carbohydrates have a major effect on the pathogenesis of dental caries. There is a direct correlation between frequency of consumption of foods containing sugar and dental caries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dietary patterns of 12-year-old children and their awareness about the effect of diet on oral health in Iran. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1554 children aged 12 years in 5 provinces in Iran. Subjects were selected based on a multistage stratified cluster random sampling procedure. Data were collected by a culturally adapted questionnaire that included demographic data (such as sex, age, parents’ job and education, and area), and questions about the frequency of consumption of cariogenic and non-cariogenic foods during the previous week. RESULTS: The mean score of diet-related behavior was 17.5 ± 5.9 (from 40). Approximately, 31.0% of children ate sweet foods (chocolate/cake/biscuit/chips), and 39.4% drank soft drinks (sugared tea or coffee or milked/soda/syrup) more than once a day, while 15 percent of children consumed fresh fruit and raw vegetables more than once a day. Students living in urban areas had higher scores in diet-related behavior (18.3 ± 5.4 vs. 16.1 ± 6.4, P < 0.001). The mean scores in Tehran (the Capital of Iran) was significantly higher than other urban areas. In rural areas, the mean scores of villages in Esfahan province, Iran, were higher than other villages. Children whose mothers were employed, and had higher education had significantly higher scores (P = 0.030 and P = 0.012, respectively). Sex and fathers’ education and job had no significant association with diet-related behavior. CONCLUSION: The results showed that dietary patterns was not satisfactory, and the level of consumption of cariogenic foods was high. Study findings recommend that school-based oral health programs should be designed for modifying the dietary habits in Iran. KEYWORDS: Oral Health; Dental Caries; Cariogenic Agents; Diet; Food Habit

Do Endocrinopathies Differ in Most Prevalent Hemoglobinopathy of Middle East: Beta-thalassemia?

Repeated blood transfusions in thalassemia patients is followed by endocrinopathies as diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, hypoparathyroidism, and disorders in calcium and vitamin D homeostasis. The aimof this study was to evaluate the association of beta-thalassemia patientsendocrinopathies and osteoporosis. Serum level of some factors related tothe function of gonads, thyroid, adrenal, and pancreas along with serumlevels of calcium, phosphate, albumin, vitamin D, and iron were measured.Bone marrow density was tested via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry(DXA densitometry). In this study, 56 patients with major thalassemia wereinvestigated. Paraclinical analysis indicated osteopenia in 17 (30.4%) andosteoporosis in 39 patients (69.6%) in addition to other types of endocrinedisorders, such as hypogonadism in 29 (51.8%), hypothyroidism in 13(23.2%), hypoparathyroidism in 1 (1.8%), hypocortisolism in 2 (3.6%), anddiabetes in 9 (16.1%) patients. Endocrinopathies had no significant relationship with osteoporosis and osteopenia in men. However, hypogonadismhad a significant relationship with osteoporosis and osteopenia in womenwith thalassemia. Estradiol level was lower in women with osteoporosisin comparison with women with osteopenia. Ferritin levels had neitherassociation with osteoporosis nor with LH levels (P>0.05). Secondary hypogonadism disorders are the main causes of osteoporosis and osteopeniain female beta-thalassemia patients

Producing the Standard Content in Virtual Education, a Necessary Need

A new world of distance education demands new thinking. Key components to complete the distance educational system require that institutions determine how the process is designed, delivered, integrated and supported. To have a better chance to develop online education in Iran, the academic staff should mention a lot of punctual notes in order to prepare the material which is going to be published as the online course. As a rule, teachers must pay careful attention to the common principles and standards in virtual education. Moreover, they must improve their skills in designing and editing course contents. In the process of virtual education, taking five exact steps can lead us to achieve the main educational goal that is effective learning. These five steps include analysis, instructional design, interface design, development, online testing and evaluation. The key to success in virtual education concerns serious attention to the quality of educational content and the capability to reuse learning objects. It is definitely necessary for the country’s higher educational system to consider this fact having a specialized and scientific view

Defining and detecting malaria epidemics in south-east Iran

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A lack of consensus on how to define malaria epidemics has impeded the evaluation of early detection systems. This study aimed to develop local definitions of malaria epidemics in a known malarious area of Iran, and to use that definition to evaluate the validity of several epidemic alert thresholds.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Epidemic definition variables generated from surveillance data were plotted against weekly malaria counts to assess which most accurately labelled aberrations. Various alert thresholds were then generated from weekly counts or log counts. Finally, the best epidemic definition was used to calculate and compare sensitivities, specificities, detection delays, and areas under ROC curves of the alert thresholds.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The best epidemic definition used a minimum duration of four weeks and week-specific and overall smoothed geometric means plus 1.0 standard deviation. It defined 13 epidemics. A modified C-SUM alert of untransformed weekly counts using a threshold of mean + 0.25 SD had the highest combined sensitivity and specificity. Untransformed C-SUM alerts also had the highest area under the ROC curve.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Defining local malaria epidemics using objective criteria facilitated the evaluation of alert thresholds. This approach needs further study to refine epidemic definitions and prospectively evaluate epidemic alerts.</p