RESUMO
This study was designed to compare the performance of medical students in physiology when assessed by multiple choice questions (MCQs) and short essay questions (SEQs). The study also examined the influence of factors such as age, sex, O/level grades and JAMB scores on performance in the MCQs and SEQs. A structured questionnaire was administered to 264 medical students' four months before the Part I MBBS examination. Apart from personal data of each student, the questionnaire sought information on the JAMB scores and GCE O' Level grades of each student in English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. The physiology syllabus was divided into five parts and the students were administered separate examinations (tests) on each part. Each test consisted of MCQs and SEQs. The performance in MCQs and SEQs were compared. Also, the effects of JAMB scores and GCE O/level grades on the performance in both the MCQs and SEQs were assessed. The results showed that the students performed better in all MCQ tests than in the SEQs. JAMB scores and O' level English Language grade had no significant effect on students' performance in MCQs and SEQs. However O' level grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics had significant effects on performance in MCQs and SEQs. Inadequate knowledge of physiology and inability to present information in a logical sequence are believed to be major factors contributing to the poorer performance in the SEQs compared with MCQs. In view of the finding of significant association between performance in MCQs and SEQs and GCE O/level grades in science subjects and mathematics, it was recommended that both JAMB results and the GCE results in the four O/level subjects above may be considered when selecting candidates for admission into the medical schools.
Assuntos
Avaliação Educacional/métodos , Fisiologia/educação , Estudantes de Medicina , Inquéritos e Questionários/normas , Adolescente , Adulto , Educação de Graduação em Medicina/normas , Avaliação Educacional/normas , Escolaridade , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Nigéria , Critérios de Admissão Escolar/estatística & dados numéricos , Livros de Texto como AssuntoRESUMO
A study of Ca++, Mg++-ATPase activity was carried out in normal (HHm) and diabetic Nigerians of both sexes with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The results showed that protein concentration of erythrocyte ghost membranes of healthy humans (HHm) was the highest when compared with protein concentrations of IDDM and NIDDM patients. The protein concentration was lowest in IDDM, while the value in NIDDM was between those of HHm and IDDM. The basal activities of erythrocyte Ca++-ATPase from IDDM and NIDDM were determined and were found to be significantly lower than that of HHm. The addition of calmodulin (CaM) 2 microg/ml stimulated the activity of the calcium pump in all the groups (IDDM, NIDDM and HHm). The effects of calcium (Ca++) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on the activity of the pump from each group were determined. Enzyme kinetics (Km and Vmax) revealed that the activity of Ca++, Mg++-ATPase was initiated by ATP in the presence of Ca++ in a dose-dependent manner. Calmodulin also enhanced the activity of the enzyme in the presence of Ca++ in all the groups, though activities in IDDM and NIDDM were significantly lower than in HHm. There was no significant difference in the activities between IDDM and NIDDM. These results suggest a defective calcium translocating mechanism in diabetic Nigerians.
Assuntos
População Negra , ATPase de Ca(2+) e Mg(2+)/análise , ATPase de Ca(2+) e Mg(2+)/fisiologia , ATPases Transportadoras de Cálcio/análise , ATPases Transportadoras de Cálcio/fisiologia , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/metabolismo , Membrana Eritrocítica/química , Membrana Eritrocítica/enzimologia , Trifosfato de Adenosina/fisiologia , Adulto , Idoso , População Negra/genética , Cálcio/fisiologia , Calmodulina/fisiologia , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/genética , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/genética , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , NigériaRESUMO
A structured questionnaire was administered to 346 medical and dental students who were about to take the Part I MBBS/BDS degree examination. Apart from personal data of each student, the questionnaire sought information on their post-graduation career preferences in ten medical specialties, lectureship in anatomy, physiology or biochemistry, career in the armed forces, politics or business. They were required to give reasons for their choices. The results showed that 89.6% of the students were aged 19 to 24 years and 94.8% were admitted via concessional entry. Forty-one percent of the students preferred surgery, while 15%, 11% and 7.8% chose careers in obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and internal medicine respectively. The specialties of radiology, anaesthesia, psychiatry, pathology, community medicine and general practice were unattractive to most students. Only 1.5% of the students wanted to become lecturers in anatomy and physiology while none wanted to lecture in biochemistry. Choice of career in the armed forces, politics and business was low. Nine students (2.6%) wanted to be pastors/missionary doctors. The main reasons for the choices are personal interest (73.7) and better financial reward 11.8%. Sex had a significant effect on choices. The results were discussed and their implications were highlighted. Suggestions on how to solve the problems identified were made.