The burden and correlates of multiple cardiometabolic risk factors in a semi-urban population of Nepal:a community-based cross-sectional study

This study assessed the burden and correlates of three cardiometabolic risk factors, (hypertension, diabetes, and overweight/obesity), and their possible clustering patterns in a semi-urban population of Nepal. Data were obtained from a community-based management of non-communicable disease in Nepal (COBIN) Wave II study, which included 2,310 adults aged 25-64 years in a semi-urban area of Pokhara Metropolitan City of Nepal, using the World Health Organization-STEPS questionnaire. Unadjusted and adjusted binary logistic regression models were used to study the correlates of the individual risk factors and their clustering. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and overweight/obesity was 34.5%, 11.7%, and 52.9%, respectively. In total, 68.2% of the participants had at least one risk factor and many participants had two risks in combination: 6.8% for 'hypertension and diabetes', 7.4% for 'diabetes and overweight/obesity' and 21.4% for 'hypertension and overweight/obesity'. In total, 4.7% had all three risk factors. Janajati ethnicity (1.4-2.1 times), male gender (1.5 times) and family history of diabetes (1.4-3.4 times) were associated with presence of individual risk factors. Similarly, Janajati ethnicity (aOR: 4.31, 95% CI: 2.53-7.32), current smoking (aOR: 4.81, 95% CI: 2.27-10.21), and family history of diabetes (aOR: 4.60, 95% CI: 2.67-7.91) were associated with presence of all three risk factors. Our study found a high prevalence of all single and combined cardiometabolic risk factors in Nepal. It underlines the need to manage risk factors in aggregate and plan prevention activities targeting multiple risk factors

Operational Gaps in Implementing the COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing in Madhesh Province of Nepal, May–July 2021

In Nepal, case investigation and contact tracing (CICT) was adopted as an important public health measure to reduce COVID-19 transmission. In this study, we assessed the performance of CICT in Madhesh Province of Nepal against national benchmarks, using routine programmatic data reported by district CICT teams. Between May and July 2021, 17,943 COVID-19 cases were declared in the province, among which case investigation was performed for 30% (95% CI: 29.6–31.0%) within 24 h (against 80% benchmark). As a result of case investigations, 6067 contacts were identified (3 contacts per 10 cases), of which 40% were traced and tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection (against 100% benchmark). About 60% of the contacts tested positive. At most 14% (95% CI: 13.1% to 14.9%) of traced contacts underwent a 14-day follow-up assessment (against 100% benchmark). We found the performance of the CICT program in Madhesh Province to be sub-optimal and call for corrective measures to strengthen CICT in the province and the country at large. Similar studies with wider geographical scope and longer time frames are needed to identify and address deficiencies in data recording and reporting systems for COVID-19, in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal and others

COVID-19 Amongst Travelers at Points of Entry in Nepal: Screening, Testing, Diagnosis and Isolation Practices

WHO recommends surveillance for COVID-19 among travelers at Points of Entry (POE) to countries. At 13 selected POE at the Nepal-India border, between March 2021 and July 2021, we describe the screening, testing, diagnosis and isolation practices of COVID-19 amongst travelers. Those who stayed in India or elsewhere for > one day and those who did not have a negative RT-PCR result within the last 72 h of travel were tested for COVID-19 with rapid antigen diagnostic tests. Daily surveillance reports maintained at POE were used for analysis. Of 337,338 travelers screened, 69,886 (21%) were tested and 3907 (6%) were diagnosed with COVID-19. The proportions tested averaged 15% during April-May when screened numbers were high and increased to 35% in July when screened numbers had decreased. The proportions diagnosed positive peaked at 10% in April-May, but decreased to below 1% in June and July. Testing coverage varied from 0–99% in the different POE. Most COVID-19 cases were Nepalese, male, <60 years of age, migrant workers and presented with fever. Of COVID-19 cases, 32% had home-based isolation, 64% underwent community-based isolation and the remainder either went to hospital or returned to India. In conclusion, about one fifth of travelers overall were tested, with coverage varying considerably over time and among different POE. Strengthening surveillance processes at POE is needed