Background A pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged and affected most of the world in early 2020. To inform effective public health measures we conducted a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) survey among a Hausa Muslim society in Nigeria in March 2020. Methods The study is an analytic cross-sectional survey with questionnaires administered to the general population including Health Care Workers (HCW) in Kano, Nigeria. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling following informed consent. The percentage of KAP scores were categorized as good and poor. Independent predictors of good knowledge of COVID 19 were ascertained using a binary logistic regression model. Results The questionnaire was administered among urban 32.8%, peri-urban dwellers 32.4%, and to online participants 34.8%. The peri-urban and urban participants were given paper questionnaires. There were 886 study participants with mean age 28.58yrs [SD:10.25] (Interquartile range [IQR]:22yrs–32yrs), males 55.4% with 57.3% having had or were in tertiary education. Most participants were students 40% and civil servants 20%. The overall mean [standard deviation (SD)] for knowledge, attitude and practice scores expressed in percentage was 65.38%[SD15.90], 71.45% [SD14.10], and 65.04% [SD17.02] respectively. Out of the respondents, 270(30.47%) had good knowledge (GK), 158(17.8%) had good attitude (GA), and 230(25.96%) had good practice (GP) using cut-off scores of 75%, 86.5%, and 75% respectively. Over 48% did not agree COVID-19 originated from animals while 60% perceived the pandemic to be due to God’s punishment. Also, 36% thought it was a man-made virus. When rating fear, most respondents [63.5%] had marked fear i.e. ≥ 7 out of 10 and 56% admitted to modifying their habits recently in fear of contracting the virus. As regards attitude to religious norms, 77.77% agreed on cancellation of the lesser pilgrimage as a measure to curb the spread of the disease while 23.64% admitted that greater pilgrimage (Hajj) should proceed despite the persistence of the ongoing pandemic. About 50% of the respondents insisted on attending Friday congregational prayers despite social distancing. One in four people still harbored stigma towards a person who has recovered from the virus. 28% felt some races are more at risk of the disease though 66% mentioned always practicing social distancing from persons coughing or sneezing. Almost 70% of respondents said they were willing to accept a vaccine with 39% saying they would be willing to pay for it if not publicly funded. In univariate analysis increasing age and having been ever married were associated with GK while tertiary education was associated with GA [Odds Ratio; 95% Confidence Interval] 2.66(1.79–3.95). Independent positive predictors of GK were those who were or had ever been married, those who had marked fear of COVID-19, and had modified their habits in the last three months. Those who had non-tertiary education and had the questionnaire administered as paper rather than online version had GK but age was not a predictor. Conclusion Knowledge of transmission and preventive measures should be improved in the general population cognizant of cultural norms and Islamic practices. The study highlights the importance of considering belief systems and perception in developing control measures against COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To assess the impact of interactive virtual pathology slides on students’ understanding of pathological disease processes. Materials & Methods: The study was conducted at Shifa College of medicine, Islamabad. Class of 3rd year MBBS, comprising of 111 students, was divided into two groups during two teaching modules. All students received online lectures prior to practical sessions. In the first module, one group was taught virtual slides through online interactive sessions, whereas the second group was taught same set of slides, using light microscopy and glass slides. Both groups were assessed at the end of the module by online test and their scores were compared. Similar exercise was repeated in the second module in which the control group became the test group to remove the selection bias. Questionnaire feedback was taken from students to get their perceptions. The results were compared by applying t-test and p-value was calculated. Results: The mean score of test group (group-1) in first module was 14.90 whereas mean score of control group (group-2) was 10.99. The t test was applied, and p-value calculated was significant (p=0.04). In the second module the groups were flipped. The mean score of test group (group-2) was 14.29 whereas control group (group-1) was 10.09. The p value was calculated which was again significant (p=0.04). The students gave their feedback through questionnaire. Conclusion: Overall, we believe that the use of virtual microscopy significantly improves student’s understanding of pathological lesions. Keywords: Education, medical, pathology, undergraduate, virtual microscopy.

ObjectiveFine needle aspiration biospy (FNAB) is a simple, cost effective procedure, which can be carried out in the out-patient department. The objective of our study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy in small round cell tumors of childhood, keeping histopathology as the gold standard.ResultsOut of these 50 cases, 35 (70%) were small round cell tumors and 15 (30%) cases of other childhood malignancies and certain reactive conditions. In our study, the most common malignant small round cell tumor (SRCT) on histopathology was Wilms tumor (10 cases) followed by non Hodgkin lymphoma (9 cases). FNAB results were correlated with the histological findings and the diagnostic accuracy of SRCT came out to be 98%. The sensitivity and specificity of FNAB in diagnosing SRCT was 97% and 100% respectively. FNAB was found to be a very useful technique in the initial evaluation of any palpable lesion of childhood. Although the small round cell tumors appear cytologically similar, in the hands of experienced cytopathologists, the subtle morphological features can help towards the final diagnosis. In addition, clinical and radiological findings are invaluable assets, which help to reach the final diagnosis.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3678-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Introduction. Iron deficiency affects approximately 30% of the world population and is frequently encountered in hypothyroid patients. Early recognition and prompt treatment of iron deficiency in hypothyroid patients lead to a favorable outcome. The aim of this study is to prove the usefulness of reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He) as a reliable and effective tool in diagnosis of iron deficiency in hypothyroid patients. Materials and Methods. 154 patients with hypothyroidism were included in the study. They were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 included 66 hypothyroid patients without iron deficiency. They were taken as controls. Group 2 included 66 hypothyroid patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Group 3 included 12 hypothyroid patients with iron deficiency but without anemia (ID). Group 4 included 10 hypothyroid patients which had concomitant iron deficiency with anemia of chronic disorder (ACDC). Ret-He was measured by analyzing blood samples on System XN 350. Thyroid profile, serum ferritin, and biochemical data were measured by an automated analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 23. Results. Ret-He was significantly lower with ( p < 0.001 ) in group 2 (hypothyroid patients with IDA), group 3 (hypothyroid patients with ID), and in group 4 (hypothyroid patients with ACDC) as compared to controls in group 1 (hypothyroid patients without iron deficiency). After ROC analysis area under the curve (AUC) of Ret-He for hypothyroid patients with IDA was 0.96 at cutoff 28.5 pg with sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 90%. AUC of Ret-He in the hypothyroid group with ACDC was 0.99 at cutoff 30.8 pg with sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 90%. AUC of Ret-He in hypothyroid patients with ID was 0.97 at cutoff 31.7 pg with sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 70%. Conclusion. Ret-He is a reliable, rapid, and cost-effective tool for diagnosing iron deficiency in hypothyroid patients.

Objective Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). The aim of this study was to assess the clinico pathological characteristics of DLBCL specifically, among the affected individuals residing in Northern areas of Pakistan who had not been previously included in major lymphoma studies due to their remote location. Results Mean age of the patients was 49.7 years. Male: female ratio was 1.5:1. Primary site was lymph node in 99 (71.74%) patients, out of which, 36 (26.09%) patients had B symptoms and 19 (13.77%) patients had stage IV disease. 39 (28.26%) patients had primary extra nodal involvement, 4 (2.90%) patients had B symptoms and 3 (2.17%) had stage IV disease. Extra nodal sites involved in primary extra nodal DLBCL were gastrointestinal tract (GIT) 19 (48.72%), tonsils 6 (15.38%), spine 4 (10.26%), soft tissue swelling 3 (7.69%), parotid gland 2 (5.13%), thyroid 2 (5.13%) central nervous system (CNS) 1 (2.56), breast 1 (2.56%) and bone marrow 1 (2.56%). Our study revealed increased percentage of patients with nodal DLBCL in stage IV and with B symptoms. Few patients with primary extra nodal DLBCL had B symptoms and stage IV disease at presentation. GIT was the most common site of involvement in primary extra nodal DLBCL.