Assessment of the Burden on Caregivers of Patients with Mental Disorders- A cross-sectional study

Background: Caregivers play an important role in the management of all chronic mental illnesses. Thus the aim of this study was to assess the burden and to find out the association between the level of burden among caregivers of mentally ill patients and related variables. Material and Method: An analytical cross-sectional, study was conducted among the caregivers of mentally ill patients visiting at selected Hospital of Bharatpur. Burden Assessment Schedule (BAS) tool was used to collect the data. A chi-square test was used to find the association between levels of burden with related variables. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.   Results: Research showed that among 204 caregivers 61.8% had a moderate level of burden and none of the caregivers had a mild level of burden however 38.2% had a severe level of burden. The statistically significant factors that affect the level of burden in the caregivers are the place of residence, relation with the patient, duration of mental illness, duration of caregiving and monthly expenditure for treatment are the statistically significant variables to the level of burden. Conclusion: More than one-third of the caregivers have a severe level of burden. The level of burden is high among the female as among the male. Caregivers who are married and education status less than the primary level have a high level of burden.   Keywords: burden, caregivers, cross-sectional, mentally ill patients DOI: https://doi.org/10.3126/jkahs.v2i3.2665

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Overweight and Obesity in Reproductive Women of a Municipality in Western Nepal

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are major health-related problems causing an economic burden on societies around the world. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to determine the associated factors among reproductive women in a municipality in western Nepal. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was performed and data was collected by convenience sampling method including 353 women aged 15-45 years. Chi-Square test was used to assess the factors associated with overweight and obesity. The odds ratio was computed using binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 55% . Age (p < 0.001), education (p = 0.02), occupation (p = 0.012), marital status (p = 0.008), presence of chronic disease (p < 0.001), dietary pattern (p = 0.01), restaurant visit (p = 0.002) and stress (p = 0.003) were significant associated factors for overweight including obesity. The odds of being overweight or obesity was higher but not statistically significant in women aged 25-35 years (OR = 2.57 ; 95% CI: 0.89-7.4, p = 0.082), in married women (OR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.08-2.02), and in parous women (OR = 2.38; 95 % CI: 4.05-27.57). The odds of being overweight or obese were significantly higher in the respondents who had no chronic disease  (OR = 6.81, 95% CI: 2.10-10.16). Conclusion: We observed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in our sample. Age, education, occupation, marital status, presence of chronic disease, dietary pattern, restaurant visits, and stress were associated with overweight or obesity

Mean Nasal Index of Dental Students of A Dental College in Nepal

Introduction: Human nose is one of the important anthropometric parameters for identification of ethnicity and sex of an individual of an unknown identity. The nasal index holds a great value in anthropological studies, because it is one of the anthropometric indices acknowledged in nasal surgery as well as management.  The study aims to find the mean nasal index and the nose type of dental students of Kantipur Dental College of Nepal. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 dental students of age groups 17-25 years, in the Department of Anatomy, Kantipur Dental College Teaching Hospital and Research Center, Basundhara, Kathmandu. The studied population belongs to dental students of Kantipur Dental College and Research Centre. The nasal parameters including the nasal height, nasal width was measured using Digital Vernier Caliper and the nose was classified in three different types based on the value of nasal index. Results:   The mean nasal index of total population was 81.34±14.88 mm with confidence interval range of 78.85 and 83.83 mm. Mesorrhine type of nose was found to be most common among the total population. Mean nasal index in male is 84.49±12.46 mm and in female is 80.66±15.32 mm.   Conclusions: This study concludes that the mean values of nasal index of all the students falls under mesorrhine (medium) type of nose.

Spectrum of Gastrointestinal Perforations in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Central Nepal: An Analytical cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Perforations of the gastrointestinal tract are frequently encountered surgical emergencies associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to evaluate different spectrum of gastrointestinal tract perforations, their presentations, mode of surgery, complications and factors associated with mortality.   Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the Surgical Gastroenterology Department at College of Medical Sciences, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal from October 1st 2021 to October 31st 2022. Patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for GI tract perforations were included in this study. Patients demographics, comorbidities, preoperative investigation, site and cause of perforation, type of surgery and postoperative complications were recorded.   Results: A total 100 patients with gastrointestinal perforations were analyzed. The mean age was 46.55 years. Male predominance with M:F=1.56:1 was seen. Almost 54% patients presented after 24 hrs of onset of pain. Peptic ulcer disease as a cause of perforation was seen in 26%, trauma in 23% cases, appendicular perforation in 20%, malignant perforation in 8%, tubercular perforation in 7% and foreign body perforation in 3% cases. Duodenal, appendicular and colorectal perforations were seen in 28%, 20% and 17% cases respectively. Total morbidity was 54% and mortality was 13%. Increasing age, delayed presentation, presence of comorbidities, systolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg, oliguria, presence of malignancy were significantly associated with high mortality.   Conclusion: Perforations of duodenum, appendix and colorectum are commonly encountered. Acid peptic disease, trauma and infections are the leading causes of perforations. Increasing age, delay in presentation, comorbidities, oliguria and hypotension are the factors associated with high mortality

Spectrum of Gastrointestinal Perforations in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Central Nepal: An Analytical cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Perforations of the gastrointestinal tract are frequently encountered surgical emergencies associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to evaluate different spectrum of gastrointestinal tract perforations, their presentations, mode of surgery, complications and factors associated with mortality.   Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the Surgical Gastroenterology Department at College of Medical Sciences, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal from October 1st 2021 to October 31st 2022. Patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for GI tract perforations were included in this study. Patients demographics, comorbidities, preoperative investigation, site and cause of perforation, type of surgery and postoperative complications were recorded.   Results: A total 100 patients with gastrointestinal perforations were analyzed. The mean age was 46.55 years. Male predominance with M:F=1.56:1 was seen. Almost 54% patients presented after 24 hrs of onset of pain. Peptic ulcer disease as a cause of perforation was seen in 26%, trauma in 23% cases, appendicular perforation in 20%, malignant perforation in 8%, tubercular perforation in 7% and foreign body perforation in 3% cases. Duodenal, appendicular and colorectal perforations were seen in 28%, 20% and 17% cases respectively. Total morbidity was 54% and mortality was 13%. Increasing age, delayed presentation, presence of comorbidities, systolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg, oliguria, presence of malignancy were significantly associated with high mortality.   Conclusion: Perforations of duodenum, appendix and colorectum are commonly encountered. Acid peptic disease, trauma and infections are the leading causes of perforations. Increasing age, delay in presentation, comorbidities, oliguria and hypotension are the factors associated with high mortality

Topography Of Short Hepatic Veins And Interface Veins For Safe Tunneling During Hanging Maneuver Of Liver

Introduction: During hanging maneuver liver resection, a tunnel is created at the interface of the liver and Inferior venacava (IVC). Gap between the middle and right hepatic vein is known as Fossa venacava. A gap between the Inferior right hepatic vein and the Caudate vein is known as a Vein gap. The Fossa venacava and Vein gap provide a safe plane for the insertion of forceps during tunneling. The aim of this study is to determine the topography of this safe plane. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done. Twenty livers were used in our study. Major hepatic veins, distance of Vein gap, Fossa venacava, and each vessel present at the interface between liver and IVC was measured by a Vernier caliper. All the collected data was entered and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 (SPSS-20).  Results: The average length of retro hepatic IVC was 49.5±10.5 mm and the diameter of 25.6±4.4 mm. The inferior right hepatic vein was present in 60% of cases while the Caudate vein was present in 85% of cases. Fossa venacava had an average distance of 12.3±3.46 mm and the Vein gap was 18.9±7.1 mm. Conclusion: While tunneling between IVC and the liver, Fossa venacava could be as small as 4.6 mm. The shortest distance of the Vein gap could be as small as 5.8 mm. The intermediate course of forceps insertion is safer than the right or left course

Statistical Analysis on Nutritional Status and its Associated Factors of Under Five Years Children in Nepal

Malnutrition among under five year of age group is a major underlying cause of the child morbidity and mortality in many developing countries like Nepal. Nutritional status of children is a proxy indicator for assessing the health status of entire population. This study was carried out to evaluate the nutritional status of the most vulnerable age group of children (0-59 months) and to identify different factors associated with it. Generally three anthropometric indicators were often used to assess the nutritional status of children height-for-age, weight-for-height and weight-for-age. This study is based on data of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey.  WHO Anthro software and IBM SPSS 20 were used to analyze the data. The prevalence of the malnutrition (stunted, wasted and underweight) was found in the different aspect. This study consists of 2334 children of under five years age groups, out of this 50.9% were male children and 49.1% were female children, the prevalence of the stunted is 41%, wasted 29% and underweight 11%. The prevalence of diarrhea during the data collection period is 13.80% and prevalence of fever during the data collection period is 18.70%. The statistically significant factor were body mass index of mother, wealth index, size of child at birth and education of mother and smoking habit of mother. Malnutrition (stunted, wasted and underweight) still remains as a major health problem in our country Nepal. So, our government should be focused on those factors which are significantly associated with malnutrition like health care during pregnancy period, education of mother etc. Significant number of under-five children’s of Nepal was malnourished. Maternal factors have significant association with nutritional status of the children which include extra diet in pregnancy and lactation, iron supplements in pregnancy, exclusive breast feeding for six months

Factors Associated with Children Ever Born: A Case Study of Somadi Village Development Committee of Palpa District, Nepal

Fertility is one of the three principal components of population dynamics that determine the size, structure, and composition of the population in any country. Children ever born refer to the number of children born alive to the person up to a specified reference date. It includes children who have died since birth. This study aims to identify the socioeconomic and demographic factors influencing Children Ever Born (CEB) to the women of Somadi village development committee (VDC) of Palpa district of Nepal. This study is entirely based on primary data collected using convenience sampling through questionnaire methods. A representative sample of size 298 married women was taken for the study using proportionate sampling from the different ethnic groups. The result of the study shows that the factors age at marriage, occupation of husband and knowledge of contraceptive/family planning have statistically significant role for varying CEB among the women under study. The result of the study compels to recommend that various awareness programs should be conducted about the use of contraceptive/family planning and to stop practice of early marriage among the women to reduce the higher fertility. The factors ‘knowledge of contraceptive/family planning’, ‘occupation of husband’ and ‘age at marriage’ are seen to have very significant impact for explaining the children ever born (CEB) to the women of Somadi VDC of Palpa district of Nepal

Demographic Profile of Liver Injury Managed at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central Nepal -A Retrospective Study

Background &amp; Objectives:The liver is one of the commonly injured solid organ following abdominal trauma. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of liver injuries managed operatively or non-operatively and predict factors affecting morbidity and mortality.Materials &amp; Methods:This was a retrospective study of 40 liver injuries managed in the department of Surgical Gastroenterology at College of Medical Sciences over a period of 2 years. The liver injury was classified in accordance with the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma liver injury scoring scale. Patients were divided into two groups those managed operatively or non-operatively and were compared in terms of demographic profile and outcome.Results:Forty patients were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 29.95years. Male predominance was seen with 72.5% of the cases. Road traffic accidents were the commonest mode of injury seen in 72.5% cases. The mean Revised Trauma Score (RTS) and Injury severity score (ISS)  were 7.11and 22.58. The mean systolic BP, hospital stay and ICU stay were 93.80 mm of mercury, 11.55 days and 3.55 days respectively. Twenty six patients (65%) were initially managed non-operatively and 14 patients were managed operatively. Five patients had to be converted to operative management for hemodynamic instability. Mortality was 7.6% in patient undergoing non-operative management and 21.43% in patients managed operatively. Low systolic BP at presentation, low RTS score, high ISS score, high AST, ALT and prothrombin time were significantly associated with operative management and mortality.Conclusion:Patients with hemodynamic instability, low RTS score, high ISS score, high liver enzymes have high likelihood of operative management.</p