OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of Epidural steroids on postoperative pain and hospital stay in patients having a single-level lumbar discectomy. METHODOLOGY A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Neurosurgery department, Qazi Hussain Ahmad Medical Complex, Nowshera.  Sixty patients with a mean age of 40.3±9.21 years were enrolled. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups: Group A patients were given intraoperative epidural methylprednisolone 80 mg, while Group B patients were given only normal saline. Pre- and post-operative pain was assessed after 6 hours, 12 hours and at the discharge time from the hospital. The duration of hospital stay was also noted. RESULTSOut of 60 patients, 55.0% were male, and 45.0% were female, with an overall mean age of 40.3±9.21 years. The VAS score in Group A was 0.82±0.26 compared to 2.30±0.71 in group B (P <0.000). And at first follow-up, the VAS score was 0.13±0.05 and 1.25±0.33 in groups A and B, respectively.   The length of hospital stay was 1.39±0.44 and 1.98±2.50 in groups A and B, respectively. CONCLUSION Intra-operative epidural steroid is beneficial in reducing post-operative pain and hospital stay.

OBJECTIVES To identify a preference for current teaching methods and use new teaching aids through feedback by medical students and teachers of first and second-year MBBS. METHODOLOGY This cross-sectional study was conducted on 91 MBBS students and teachers of Nowshera Medical College (NMC), Nowshera. Both male and female students and teachers of NMC of class first and second-year MBBS participated in the study. A feedback proforma-based questionnaire was filled out by all the participants online using Google forms. Participants were given the option to select more than one option in the case of the mode of teaching and tool of teaching. The data was collected, analyzed and presented in tabular and graphical forms using SPSS version 23. RESULTS Out of the 91 participants who responded to our research, 45 (49.5%) were males, and 46(50.5%) were female. The majority, 74 (81.3%), were MBBS students, while 17(18.7%) were MBBS teachers. Most of the participants selected more than one option. Most 48(52.7%) of the participants preferred lectures as the mode of delivery while 35(38.4%) opted for SGD, for demonstrations 14(15.3%), PBL 33(36.2%), assignments 13(14.2%0 and notes opted by 4(4.39%). 60.4% (55) were selected to use whiteboards and markers. Only 15.3% (14) were in favour of Powerpoint use, dissection 25(27.4%), models 29(31.86%), and figures 11(12%). CONCLUSION Lectures remain the most preferred teaching method in basic medical sciences among teachers and students, along with other teaching methods. Multiple teaching tools must be used during the class instead of solely depending on Powerpoint presentations.

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor disability in children with worldwide having incidence of 2 per 1000 live births. Children with CP have motor disability, decreased ability to walk, poor feeding and limited exposure to sunlight. Malnutrition, behavior challenges and motor deficits in CP children are common causes of depression in their mothers. Aim: The present study focused to estimate the severity of depression in mothers, looking after the children suffering from severe CP and to compare their depression scoring with the scores of mothers having healthy children. Methods: The cross-sectional comparative study included 21 mothers having children suffering from severe CP and 21 controls (Mothers of normal children). Depression was calculated by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean scores of BDI II between the two groups Conclusion: Results revealed that mothers having CP children are more depressed than mothers having healthy children. It imitates the importance of psychiatric, social and family support to mother along with the treatment of the child. Keywords: CP, depression, BDI II.

Background: Young adults use energy drinks that have high caffeine levels. Higher consumption will increase health risk. Effects of different ingredients on health need to be investigated. Consumption of energy drinks has become popular in students but there has been little research regarding energy drink consumption patterns in college students in Pakistan. Aim: To determine energy drink consumption patterns in college students, prevalence and frequency of energy drink use and the perception of students about benefits and hazards of energy drinks consumption. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on total of 180 medical students of Nowshera from all years of medical course from Jan 2019 to Dec 2019. 180 medical students were selected through convenient sampling technique. After obtaining verbal consent the data were collected using a self-administered, closed ended questionnaire and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Results: Frequency of energy drinks consumption was found to be 110(61.1%) in a sample of 180 medical students of MBBS. Sting was the most common brand consumed 73.33% consumed by them. The major reasons reported for its usage were to gain/replenish energy and boost stamina by 46(29.8%), and studying for examination by 25(16.2%). Advertisement 24(15.5%) was reported as the major source of information followed by friends 47(30.5%). Significant differences were found between usage of energy drinks with gender (<0.001), i.e., 79(71.8%) males and 31(28.2%) females. Conclusion: Consumption of energy drinks, despite the variation in the reason for choosing such drinks, is quite common in college students. Consumption rate was high in male gender (63.9%). The main reasons for consumption were to gain/replenish and boost energy and to increase the concentration in studies. A greater percentage (54.6%) of the students were aware of the adverse effects of energy drinks consumption. Keywords: Energy drinks, Health risk, Consumption, Energy, Socioeconomic status

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) is a common chronic viral disease that affects liver. About 7% people worldwide are infected with HBV with the majority of the cases seen in developing countries with limited medical facilities. It is a blood-borne disease and contributing factors for risk assessment varies from place to place. Aim: To acquire key factors for risk assessment of hepatitis B patients of the northern area of Pakistan. Methods: A case-control study was done among the patients visiting Ayub Teaching Hospital for a regular checkup. The sample included 80 cases and 80 controls by the non-probability convenient method. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS 23. Frequencies, mean, standard deviation, p values and odds ratio were calculated. Results: A total of 160 subjects were included in this study(80 controls & 80 cases of HBV. Mean age for cases was 38.74±13.597 years. Odds ratios and p values were calculated for different factors. The odds ratio for a history of blood transfusion, sharing toothbrushes, eliciting injectable drugs, history of recent dental procedure and surgical procedure were 1.581, 1.116, 2.206, 1.581 and 1.165 respectively. Conclusion: Although not significant, yet, low socioeconomic status, family history and piercing ears/nose and tattoos resulted in a higher percentage ascontributing factors of HBV infection. In Northern areas of Pakistan, these factors for risk assessment of hepatitis B should be kept in mind and proper disease awareness and primary prevention program should be observed. Keywords: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), risk assessment, Northern areas, KPK, Pakistan.