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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.

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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.

Objective: To determine the effects of supervised tooth brushing exercise on the oral hygiene status of school going children in Peshawar. Study Design: Prospective observational study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at a girl’s government school in university town, Peshawar, from Jul to Dec 2018. Methodology: All girls between age 7-10 years with mixed dentition, minimum plaque index score 2 and gingival index score 0 were included in the study. Sixty four girls were allocated into group A (intervention) and group B (control) using computer generated random numbers. Intervention group (32 subjects) was exposed to video plus supervised tooth brushing on a cast model while control group (32 subjects) only exposed to video on brushing technique. The plaque index score was recorded for oral hygiene status as outcome measure of intervention after one month. Results: The mean age of the participants was 9.53 ± 1.08 years. There was statistically significant difference in the plaque scores of interventional and control group after one month (0.3125 ± 0.470 vs. 1.312 ± 0.644, p<0.001) as compared to baseline data (1.90 ± 0.296 vs. 2.0 ± 0.00, p=0.83). The difference for frequency of tooth brushing between the two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.088). Parental watch during tooth brushing between the two groups was statistically insignificant (p=0.055). Conclusion: Supervised tooth brushing improved the oral hygiene status of the children therefore oral health education was effective in establishing good oral health among school children.