Introduction
Statistics helps medical students understand research. Without understanding statistics, students can’t choose the proper analysis in their research. We aimed to assess the attitude toward statistics, usage of statical software and associated factors for using statistical analysis software in Sudan.
Method
A cross-sectional online survey was distributed among undergraduate medical students across ten Sudanese universities. The study aimed to measure their attitude towards statistics using Survey of Attitudes Toward Statistics (SATS-36) scale.
Results
In total, 489 students were participated with a mean age of 21.94 ± 1.61 and a slight female preponderance (52%, n = 256). The overall attitude towards statistics was 4.64 ± 0.91. The mean attitude scores for the components of SATS-36 scale was higher for students who were using statistical analysis software demonstrating significant difference in affect (p = 0.002), cognitive competence (p = 0.002), value (p = 0.002), Interest (p = 0.004) and Effort (p = 0.029). Almost half of the students (47%) had attended a biostatistics workshop with only 26% of them reported using statistical analysis software. Of the latter group, 72% (n = 91) used SPSS while 50% (n = 64) used excel. Univariate logistic regression showed students who had previously used an statistical software were more likely to be studying in their sixth year compared with second year (OR: 12.652, CI 95% 4.803– 33.332; p < 0.001), older age (OR: 1.224, CI 95% 1.079– 1.388; p = 0.002), attended a course in research methodology (OR: 3.383, CI 95% 2.120– 5.398; p < 0.001) or biostatistics (OR: 1.886, CI 95% 1.252– 2.841; p = 0.002), initiated or participated in a research project (OR:4.349, CI 95% 2.839 – 6.661;p < 0.001) or published a paper (OR: 8.271, CI 95% 3.542 – 19.312; p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The study showed an average attitude towards statistics among medical students. Being at higher years, participating or publishing research and attending research workshop are associated with the usage of statistical software. Also, few students were using statistical software.
Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or Covid-19 is a nationwide public health emergency with significant impact on human life.
Objective: To develop a new simple hematological prognostic index for Covid-19 severity state.
Patients and methods: This observational cross sectional study was conducted on 250 patients with Covid-19 disease. Age, gender, and severity of Covid -19 were recorded. Complete blood count and lactate dehydrogenase were measured.
New index: COVID-19 severity-Iraqi-index = CSI index to predict COVID-19 severity. CSI index is monocyte/lymphocyte absolute counts multiplied by LDH (lactate dehydrogenase)/upper normal reference laboratory range of LDH value.
Results: Mean age of patients was 50.4 + 15.1 years. Majority of patients were Males 148 (59.2%)..Most of patients were in stage 2 and 3 (> 94% ). There was a significant difference between means of White Blood Cells, lymphocytes and Monocytes among the different stages of the disease (P = 0.0001, 0.036, 0.012). There was a significant moderate correlation between the prognostic index and the stage of the disease (r=0.41, p=0.0001).
Conclusions: CSI index is a new simple predictor of clinical outcome in patients with covid-19 during early stage of the disease.
Introduction and importance
Sternalis/rectus sterni is a rare muscle found in the anterior chest wall, it occurs in 35% of humans. The early detection of its presence is critical in regular mammogram screening in order to avoid possible differential diagnostic dilemma.
Case presentation
We report here a case of the sternalis muscle observed bilaterally, it was found during routine dissection session of an elderly male cadaver in the dissection room, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum.
Clinical discussion and conclusion
Sternalis muscle is a familiar entity to anatomists, but can pose a diagnostic and surgical dilemma to some clinicians. Presence of the muscle can be confusing in regular mammogram screening and CT and MRI should be utilized to clear the dilemma, and further evidence needs to be explored and studied.
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