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With the aim of evaluating the impact of supervised training during a postgraduate course in obstetrics and gynaecology, the variability of symphysis-fundus (SF) height measurements was studied by a group of general practitioners (GPs), all of whom provided primary antenatal care. A nested analysis of variance was used. The SF height measurements of the group differed significantly from those of a senior obstetrician and the course training had no impact on the variability. Similar studies should evaluate measurement variability in the light of pregnancy outcome.

This article reports a survey conducted to measured serum cholesterol in pupils aged 13-16 years in a municipality in the county of Finnmark and in a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane. Cholesterol levels were analysed and information was collected by questionnaire on eating habits, smoking habits and occurrence of cardiovascular disease in the family. We did not find any differences between the two communities in respect of cholesterol level, nor any relationship between eating habits and cholesterol level. Pupils with parents and/or grandparents with cardiovascular disease had a significantly higher cholesterol level than pupils with no such disease in their family.

Summary. In a study to evaluate the repeatability of symphysis-fundal (SF) height measurements by medical students, and the effect of practical training in obstetrics on this repeatability eight medical students and an obstetrician initially measured the SF height three times each in six pregnant women. The students were then split into two groups: a training group and a control group. After a training period at the University Hospital in Trondheim, another series of measurements were taken on another group of pregnant women. For comparison of results analysis of variance was used. Within and between observer variation are presented, and the results showed that the practical training had a positive effect on the repeatability of SF height measurements.