Primary health care (PHC) is the best approach to achieve health goals in a country. As medical students are a prominent part of future health care providers, it is important to assess their knowledge regarding basic concepts and functions of PHC. Total 400 medical students, 200 (50%) each from public and private medical universities responded in this study. Mean score was 15.21 ± 2.43 and 14.9 ± 2.89 respectively with no significant difference (P=0.370). On the basis of mean score the data is dichotomized into two groups i.e. above average and average (score > 15) and below average (score <15). Hence, 137 (68.5%) students from public and 131 (65.5%) students from the private university fell in the average and above average category. This study shows challenges related to the knowledge and the medical students' level of understanding of the functioning of PHC system.

RE the the data and statistical analysis ABSTRACT Objective: To assess and compare the awareness on Primary Health Care amongst medical students from different academic years of medical universities in Karachi, Pakistan. Background: The primary health care (PHC) system in Pakistan is not well developed yet, with lack of access to basic health services and a shortage of primary care physicians. Evaluating the awareness medical students from different years of study have about PHC and whether that influences their career decision-making (medical specialty choices) is important to assess the current state of PHC and predict its future in Pakistan. Hence this study aims to analyze awareness about PHC amongst medical students from different academic years of medical universities. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted amongst medical students from different academic years of Karachi, Pakistan. Sample size of 400 medical students was calculated by WHO (World Health Organization) sample size estimation calculator and 25% medical students from each year were obtained by non probability quota sampling technique. Data was collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis. Results: Total 400 medical students from different academic years responded in this study with mean score obtained by them is 15.0 ± 2.67. On the basis of mean score obtained by students, the data is dichotomized into two groups i.e. average and above (score > 15) and below average (score <15). Most of the medical students from 1 st to 4 th year of MBBS showed average or above average awareness about PHC. Statistically significant differences were seen in the awareness about some aspects of PHC among 1 st and 4 th year medical students. Conclusion: This study highlights key features on the differences in students’ awareness about concept of primary health care throughout their medical study. It also identifies challenges related to medical students’ level of understanding of the functioning of primary health care system.