A Comparison Between Students’ Performance In Multiple Choice and Modified Essay Questions in the MBBS Pediatrics Examination at the College of Medicine, King Khalid University, KSA

Objectives: To investigate the relation between the students' scores in MCQs and MEQs of the summative assessment in pediatrics at the College of medicine KKU. Introduction: Student assessment is the most difficult task in medicine since it is ultimately related to human life and safety. Assessment can take different types of formats with advantages and disadvantages and there is no single prescribed method of choice. Research Methods: This is a quantitative, observational retrospective study enrolling 50 students who completed the final MBBS examination in pediatrics in 2015.The medical students’ scores in MCQs and MEQs in the final MBBS pediatrics examination were collected and SPSS used for analysis. Results: 52% of the students scored A and B, 46% scored C and 2% scored D and nobody scored F. The mean percentage scores in MCQs, MEQs and the combined are75.03%, 79.99% and 76.68% respectively. The standard deviation (SD) for MCQs, MEQs and combined are 0.0753, 0.0763 and 0.0559 respectively.There are no significant differences in means and SD. The correlation (CR) between MCQs and MEQs is -1.73%. The CR between MCQs and MEQs for those who scored A and B is 7.38% which could indicate a weak but significant +ve CR (p value 0.017), (table3). For those who scored C inverse CR (-74.38%) was observed between MCQs and MEQs. Discussion: The main finding of this study was the weakly negative CR between students' performance on MCQs and MEQs. Good performance in MCQs is not necessary correlated with good performance in LEQs. This is not in agreement with Oyebola et al. and Moqattash et al findings, who reported positive CR in the performance of their students. The discrepancy observed in performance between MCQs and MEQs could be explained by the subjectivity and the difficulty in avoiding bias in setting and marking essay questions.   Key Words: multiple choice questions, Modified long essay questions, correlation

The impact of sickle cell anemia on the quality of life of sicklers at school age

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is prevalent in Sudan in general, and in particular in the western part of the country among Misseria tribe. School absence, depressive symptoms, embarrassment, social disturbances, and emotional disturbance present negative impact for sicklers. Therefore, an urgent call for improving the quality of life of sicklers is needed. Objectives: To examine the impact of SCA on the quality of life of school-age children affected by the disease from the perspective of three dimensions: psychological, social, and schooling. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study carried out over 2 weeks' period in April 2011 in Western Sudan, Gineana District. This study included 107 patients within the age group of 7–15 years with confirmed diagnosis of SCA in a steady state. A sickler with SCA who had hemoglobin genotype “SS” on hemoglobin electrophoresis without crises over the past 4 weeks was considered to be in steady state. Questionnaires designed by expert covering social and psychological aspects of the disease were filled by the authors. Results: Of 107 patients with confirmed diagnosis of SCA in steady state, 54.2% of them were male. About 17.8%, 29.6%, 23.4%, 48.6%, 16.8%, and 45.8% of the patients suffered from school absence, teasing, embarrassment due to bedwetting, embarrassment due to jaundice, failure to contribute to school activities such as sport, and depressive symptoms, respectively. Around 8.4% of the patients repeated classes. Divorce and anxiety among sicklers' families were found in 6.5% and 8.4%, respectively. Twenty-one (19.6%) families had less interest in social activities in the community. Conclusion: Sickle cell disease has many social and psychological problems which need to be addressed. Enuresis, depressive symptoms, school absentees, and deterioration in school performance were the common problems encountered

Evaluation of educational quality of pediatrics course 2 at the College of Medicine, King Khalid University by students

Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine the factors that could improve pediatrics teaching and outcomes from student feedback. Methods: King Khalid University (KKU) is one of the pioneer universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which adopt traditional curriculum. Students who finished pediatrics 2 MBBS course were kindly requested to answer a well-structured 21 validated questions regarding the course in June 2015. SPSS version 22 (IBM) software was used for analysis; Chi-square test was applied to measure the significant differences among the responses; and the level of significance was 0.05, which means P < 0.05 shall be considered a significant defense. Results: Most of the students viewed the course as valuable, understood and viewed instructors as dynamic, energetic, enhanced presentations, enhanced discussion, friendly, made students feel welcome in seeking help/advice in or outside of class, accessible to students, and discussed current developments in the field. Examinations tested course content as emphasized by the instructor, with available facilities for the course and homework. On the other hand, a significant number of students think the course does not increase their interest in the subject, no clear explanation, proposed objectives inconsistent with actually taught. Students were encouraged to ask and to express themselves and students evaluation unfair. Conclusion: Students feedback gives good reflections regarding limitations of the traditional curriculum, gives recommendations to improvement

ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG STICKLERS

Introduction: Growth retardation in weight and height was reported among patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA).The growth retardation, delayed sexual development and poor immunologic response are possibly due to the under nutritional state associated with the disease. The active metabolic state observed in sicklers is due to an increase in the synthesis of Hb, cardiac work, cell turnover, and a decrease in appetite and intake. Objectives: Tto compare anthropometric measurement (weight, height and body mass index (BMI) ) between sicklers and normal children and to study factors related to the nutritional status of sicklers. Patients and methods: This comparative hospital based study based study done among sicklers and control group using a questionnaire. Results: Stunted weight (less than 3rd centile) was observed in 49 (56.3%) sicklers compared to 9(11.4%) controls, 38(43.7%) sicklers and 51(64.6%) controls had their weight in the range between 5th-95th centile while 30(34.5%) sicklers and 7(8.9%) controls had their height less than 5th centile. A total of 40(46%) sicklers and 53(67.1%) control had a height outside the range of than 5th-95th percentile ,however it was observed that 17(19.5%) sicklers had their height more than 95th compared to 19(24%) controls. BMI was recorded as less than 5thin 51(58.7%) of the sicklers compared to7(8.9%) in the controls. Children from low social class were recorded in79.6%, 63.3% and 78.4%of weight, height and BMI stunting respectively .Finally stunting in weight, height and BMI was more obvious in older children. Conclusion: Most of sickle cell anemia patients had weight and body mass index retardation, this problem was mostly observed towards adolescent age