Comparison of Heartburn among Boarders and Non-Boarders in Relation to Dietary Factors of Female Medical Students - Abstract
Heartburn is a burning sensation behind the chest bone. It is a fairly common complaint associated with a gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorder known as gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study was conducted to compare heart burn in boarders and non-boarders in relation to their food in exclusively female medical students in their 4th year of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). A sample of 40 students was taken on random selection basis. We administrated anonymous survey to 20 boarders and 20 non-boarders that inquired about their eating habits, food choices, impact of carbonated drinks, tea/coffee, and spicy foods on their feelings of heart burn. It also included questions about frequency, time specification and any relation of heart burn to restaurant/hostel mess cooked food and junk-food. It was observed that most of the students had occasional complaint of heartburn and an association with condiments and spicy food was found. Better eating habits and home cooked food were found to cause less heartburn. It is concluded that boarders have relatively higher prevalence of heartburn than non-boarders of similar age.