Abstract Background Sample size determination is one of the least reported elements in the methods sections of health professions education (HPE) research. Underpowered studies miss real effects, whereas overpowered studies waste participants and resources. Guidance remains fragmented across statistical textbooks and discipline-specific papers, with no unified reference for HPE researchers. Methods We developed this guide as a structured narrative synthesis. Sources were identified through targeted database searching, citation chaining, and standard statistical texts, and selected against pre-specified criteria; where recommendations conflicted, precedence was given to the primary methodological source and to empirical evidence generated within HPE. Rather than proposing a universal formula, which does not exist, we organised sample-size logic by study design. We set out a stepwise workflow and emphasise that the expected difference should be anchored to previous evidence and to educational importance, with pilot work used to estimate variability, recruitment and attrition rather than the effect size itself. For each design we give the statistical rationale, the applicable formula or rule, a worked example with fully stated assumptions, and reporting expectations. Results The designs covered include two-group comparisons of means and proportions, pre–post and repeated-measures designs, cluster-randomized educational trials, survey and questionnaire studies, Delphi and consensus studies, pilot and feasibility studies, qualitative enquiry, simulation-based education, and instrument validation. The guide concludes with a reporting checklist for the methods section, serving investigators, peer reviewers, and journal editors. Precision-based planning, software implementation, and designs beyond closed-form calculation are addressed separately. Conclusions Sample size in HPE research is a design-specific judgment, not a formula-specific calculation. The numerical benchmarks reproduced here are illustrative anchors rather than methodological minima. This guide consolidates that judgment into a practical reference reflecting the methodological diversity of the field.
Co-sleeping or bed sharing is a common practice that is believed to offer convenient and longer breastfeeding time, although it may contribute to the development of early childhood caries (ECC). This study aimed to explore the association between co-sleeping or bed sharing practices and ECC. A search was conducted across electronic databases, journals, and National repositories from their inception to December 2025. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale for cohort studies and a modified version was used for cross-sectional studies to assess the risk of bias. The random effects model was used for meta-analysis and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using ‘Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations’ criteria. A total of 10,635 articles were identified, and the full-text review led to the inclusion of six articles with 2587 participants. A total of 267 children reported co-sleeping, 1193 practiced bed sharing, 1023 engaged in night-time breastfeeding, and 849 were diagnosed with ECC. One study revealed moderate risk, while five studies demonstrated low risk of bias. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across the studies (I2 = 90
Objectives: Mental health concerns among university students are a global issue, and well-being is linked to success in various areas. The mental wellness of the students in professional courses has a profound effect on their academic performance. The research studies on a multidimensional approach to improve mental well-being in nursing students are limited. Hence, the current study was undertaken to assess the impact of multidimensional intervention in improving the mental well-being of undergraduate nursing students. Material and Methods: This was an educational intervention study to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intervention's role in improving the mental well-being of nursing students in southern India. A total of 249 nursing students from I-IV-year undergraduate courses between the ages of 18-24 years from August 2022 to November 2023 were enrolled to go through educational intervention of mental health course, mentorship programme, and team-based learning (TBL) based on their baseline scores of Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Descriptive statistics, including means with standard deviation and percentages accompanied by a 95% confidence interval, were calculated. Chi-square test was used to assess the outcome of the intervention. Content analysis was used to assess the qualitative data. Results: Mental health course on self-care practices showed improvement in the mental well-being scale with statistically significant change across the age groups and at all the academic years of nursing students. The WEMWBS scores after implementation of the educational approach showed a gross and statistically significant improvement in mental well-being across all the phases. Conclusion: The integration of self-care and group mentoring with the mental health course has uplifted students'mental well-being. Guiding students needing curricular and psychological support as components of a plan in our research has promoted mental well-being among the affected group. This has added to the accountability of students in their learning process, keeping them at the centre of learning. Further studies across all streams of health sciences will help reduce the burden of increased mental well-being among university students.
Vitamins are essential micronutrients required for maintaining normal physiological functions. Among them, vitamin D is unique as it functions both as a vitamin and a hormone. Vitamin D deficiency has become highly prevalent worldwide, including in India, and has been implicated in several systemic disorders, particularly cardiovascular diseases. Recent evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the pathogenesis of ACS through endothelial dysfunction, activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, and pro-inflammatory mechanisms. However, the association between vitamin D levels and ACS, as well as its relationship with disease severity, remains inconclusiveBackground: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), more specifically Acute Myocardial Infarction is considered the leading cause of death globally. More than 75% of CVD deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries. 38% of premature deaths due to noncommunicable diseases were caused by CVDs.Traditionally, a number of risk factors have been recognised with regard to development of Myocardial infarction. Several studies done over the last 2 decades have identified new risk factors with potential relevant therapeutic implications. Vitamin D deficiency, amongst others has been the focus of recent interest. Vitamin D deficiency occurs in 50% of the world’s population. The Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in India ranges 50% to 94% and 37% to 99% in community-based and hospital-based studies respectively.(2) The causes for high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in Indians is attributed to dark-skin, lack of adequate direct skin exposure to sunlight and lack of vitamin D in predominant Indian diet. Several recent studies have reported an association between Vitamin D deficiency and Cardiovascular disease; proposed mechanisms being varied. Nuclear Vitamin D receptors have been detected on cardiomyocytes and vascular endothelial cells which could possibly mediate the cardiovascular effects. Not only is low Vitamin D levels, an independent risk factor for Acute Myocardial Infarction but is also associated with worse outcome; however the causal relationship between the latter needs to be further evaluated. Considering the therapeutic implications in patients with CAD and its long term benefits if proven, we aimed to study the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in patients presenting with ACS; thereby paving the way for future interventional studies. Aim: To evaluate serum vitamin D levels in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome and compare them with age- and gender-matched controls, and to assess its association with occurrence and angiographic severity of coronary artery disease.Materials and Methods: A comparative case–control study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry involving 130 participants, with 65 ACS patients and 65 age- and gender-matched controls. Patients aged >18 years were included after informed consent. Individuals on vitamin D supplementation and those with chronic kidney disease, liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, hypoparathyroidism, or drugs affecting vitamin D metabolism were excluded. About 2 mL of venous blood was collected for estimation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D along with routine investigations. Clinical data, including risk factors and coronary angiographic findings, were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to compare vitamin D levels between groups and assess their association with ACS and number of coronary vessels involved. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of ACS.Results: The majority of participants in both groups belonged to the 61–75 years age group, with a male predominance (81.5%). Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were significantly more common among ACS patients compared to controls. The mean serum vitamin D level was lower in ACS patients (21.03 ± 7.29 ng/dL) compared to controls (23.27 ± 6.38 ng/dL), though the difference was not statistically significant. Vitamin D deficiency was more frequent in ACS patients (46.2%) than controls (32.3%). However, no significant association was observed between vitamin D levels and the number of coronary arteries affected. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, vitamin D deficiency was not an independent predictor after adjusting for confounders.Conclusion: Vitamin D levels were lower in ACS patients than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. Vitamin D deficiency was not an independent predictor of ACS or coronary vessel involvement after adjustment for confounders.
