COVID-19 And Nepal: A Gender Perspective

The ongoing Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic is in its height, the measures taken to control the spread of this pandemic is acute and harsh. With the increasing new cases every hour it has caused a panic among every individual. Economy of the countries are equally affected. However, the direct and indirect impactof this pandemic on gender related needs are least prioritized and discussed. Evidences so far reveal the mortality being proportionately higher in males.This fact may not remain the same in Nepalese context becausewomen are more vulnerable in this low-income country where limited resources are allotted to women’s health. Majority of the workforce at frontline health care are women in the form of nurses, midwives and female community health volunteers (FCHV). Government of Nepal has decided to mobilize FCHVs for COVID-19 response in the community and these FCHVs who provide services at ground levels are at occupational risk of acquiring the infection

Reproductive Health Issues and Use of Family Planning Methods among Married Adolescent Mothers

Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy is a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. Nepal ranks among the twenty countries with the highest child marriage rates in the world. Adolescent mothers are at higher risk for poorer maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study intended to find the reproductive health issues and use of family planning methods among married adolescent mothers at a tertiary care center in a western part of Nepal. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among adolescent mothers who attended the family planning counseling session at Community Medicine Out-patient Department at a tertiary care center. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection and variables were entered in SPSSTM version 16. Descriptive statistics were presented in terms of mean and percentage. Results: Among 235 adolescent mothers, the mean age of adolescent mothers was 18.02 years (SD = 1.13). Almost 93.2% had not used any kind of contraceptive methods previously. Limited knowledge, uncomfortable talking about contraception and spousal denial were common reasons for not using contraception. Obstetric related complications were observed in 13.6% and one in ten neonates required neonatal intensive care unit admission during the study period. After the counseling session, six out of ten expressed current choice of long-acting reversible contraceptives method in which Jadelle implant was preferred. Conclusion: Our study among the adolescent mothers showed that use of family planning methods before pregnancy had been very low. Policies need to focus on meeting the unmet need for family planning among married adolescent girls

Self-rating on Self-directed Learning: A Cross- Sectional Survey on a Cohort of Medical Undergraduates from Nepal.

Introduction: As medicine is an ever-changing field, it necessitates medical students to develop independent  learning skills for continuous learning process. Self-directed learning (SDL) is a learning strategy where students take the initiative to learn on their own. It is basically an independent study where the students use available resources and learn independently of the subject. Methods: This self-administered questionnaire study assessed five domains of SDL consisting of 60 items. The responses were made on a five-point Likert scale: from 5 = always to 1 = never. The level of self-directed learning was categorized as high, moderate and low if the scoring range was between 221-300, 141-220 or 60-140 respectively. Any student scoring in the range between 221 and 300 was considered an effective self- directed learner. Results: The present study found three out of four the students (74.7%, n=56) were active self-directed learners. However, one out of four students were half-way in becoming self-directed learners. Conclusion: SDL skill is crucial not only for the students but also for the clinicians in a complex learning process for continuous advancement of knowledge in medical profession. The findings of the present study showed that majority of the students were effective self-directed learners. The effectiveness of SDL process can be accomplished if the students are encouraged and motivated during Problem Based Learning (PBL) sessions. Identifying the factors that spark interest amongst the students to learn on their own can be achieved by active feedback sessions

Clinico-epidemiology of Hymenoptera Stings in and around Kaski District, Nepal.

Introduction: In Nepal, morbidity and mortality from Hymenoptera stings is mainly from three commonly encountered insects: hornets (local: aringal), wasps (local: barulo) and honey bees (local: mahuri). The present study documents the incidence of hymenoptera sting in Western Region of Nepal and explores the cause behind such unprovoked attack upon human subjects. Methods: This hospital-based study included all the patients with history of insect sting attending the Emergency Department of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara from May 2015 till November 2015. Results: Of total 16 cases during the study period three were brought dead cases. The alleged insect happened to be bee in two cases, hornet in two cases, and wasp in eight cases with a case of unidentified insect sting. Severe burning pain with swelling, redness and itching were the common presenting symptom in all the admitted patients (n=13). Conclusion: Agricultural activity during the day was the cause of most unprovoked stings followed by deliberate destruction of the insect hive. Immediate medical attention in the nearby health care facility to the victims will save mortality. The health care facility also needs to have surplus lifesaving medication to counteract the life-threatening anaphylaxis reactions from such stings

Need for Prioritizing Health: An Old War-Cry Reiterated By COVID-19

The poor state of health care in Nepal will be burdened further following the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The government failed in timely stockpiling of medical supplies and equipment, development of health infrastructure, including laboratories and quarantine centres, restriction and screening of international travel and information dissemination to the general public. While efforts have now been made to increase the capacity for diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2, the government still needs to further increase the availability and accessibility throughout the country. This would be the first step in fighting the pandemic. However, it is also important to prepare for the worst case. Similarly, advocacy programs should be developed to inform the general public and alleviate their fears about the disease. These measures would not only help Nepal’s capability to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak but could lay the foundations to improve the health of the citizens in general, even after this epidemic is controlled and could go a long way in developing trust of the government in the populace

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Hypertension Among Adults in Palpa District, Nepal

Introduction: Hypertension mostly remains asymptomatic when controlled, however, there is always an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and renal failure. The higher the blood pressure, the higher the likelihood of harmful consequences to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, brain, and kidneys. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the adult population. The blood pressure was measured from the left arm, the respondents in sitting posture and arm support at the heart level. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 22% and higher in people above 60 years of age. The prevalence of hypertension was more in people who had elevated waist to hip ratio (65%) and positive family history (40.8%). The prevalence of hypertension was observed high among diabetics (63.2%) and in smokers (33.3%). Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension was seen positively associated with increasing age, smoking, alcohol sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, stress, central obesity and >25 BMI

Subnational mapping of HIV incidence and mortality among individuals aged 15–49 years in sub-Saharan Africa, 2000–18 : a modelling study

Background: High-resolution estimates of HIV burden across space and time provide an important tool for tracking and monitoring the progress of prevention and control efforts and assist with improving the precision and efficiency of targeting efforts. We aimed to assess HIV incidence and HIV mortality for all second-level administrative units across sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: In this modelling study, we developed a framework that used the geographically specific HIV prevalence data collected in seroprevalence surveys and antenatal care clinics to train a model that estimates HIV incidence and mortality among individuals aged 15–49 years. We used a model-based geostatistical framework to estimate HIV prevalence at the second administrative level in 44 countries in sub-Saharan Africa for 2000–18 and sought data on the number of individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) by second-level administrative unit. We then modified the Estimation and Projection Package (EPP) to use these HIV prevalence and treatment estimates to estimate HIV incidence and mortality by second-level administrative unit. Findings: The estimates suggest substantial variation in HIV incidence and mortality rates both between and within countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with 15 countries having a ten-times or greater difference in estimated HIV incidence between the second-level administrative units with the lowest and highest estimated incidence levels. Across all 44 countries in 2018, HIV incidence ranged from 2 ·8 (95% uncertainty interval 2·1–3·8) in Mauritania to 1585·9 (1369·4–1824·8) cases per 100 000 people in Lesotho and HIV mortality ranged from 0·8 (0·7–0·9) in Mauritania to 676· 5 (513· 6–888·0) deaths per 100 000 people in Lesotho. Variation in both incidence and mortality was substantially greater at the subnational level than at the national level and the highest estimated rates were accordingly higher. Among second-level administrative units, Guijá District, Gaza Province, Mozambique, had the highest estimated HIV incidence (4661·7 [2544·8–8120·3]) cases per 100000 people in 2018 and Inhassunge District, Zambezia Province, Mozambique, had the highest estimated HIV mortality rate (1163·0 [679·0–1866·8]) deaths per 100 000 people. Further, the rate of reduction in HIV incidence and mortality from 2000 to 2018, as well as the ratio of new infections to the number of people living with HIV was highly variable. Although most second-level administrative units had declines in the number of new cases (3316 [81· 1%] of 4087 units) and number of deaths (3325 [81·4%]), nearly all appeared well short of the targeted 75% reduction in new cases and deaths between 2010 and 2020. Interpretation: Our estimates suggest that most second-level administrative units in sub-Saharan Africa are falling short of the targeted 75% reduction in new cases and deaths by 2020, which is further compounded by substantial within-country variability. These estimates will help decision makers and programme implementers expand access to ART and better target health resources to higher burden subnational areas

Assessing performance of the Healthcare Access and Quality Index, overall and by select age groups, for 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Health-care needs change throughout the life course. It is thus crucial to assess whether health systems provide access to quality health care for all ages. Drawing from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 (GBD 2019), we measured the Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) Index overall and for select age groups in 204 locations from 1990 to 2019. Methods: We distinguished the overall HAQ Index (ages 0–74 years) from scores for select age groups: the young (ages 0–14 years), working (ages 15–64 years), and post-working (ages 65–74 years) groups. For GBD 2019, HAQ Index construction methods were updated to use the arithmetic mean of scaled mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) and risk-standardised death rates (RSDRs) for 32 causes of death that should not occur in the presence of timely, quality health care. Across locations and years, MIRs and RSDRs were scaled from 0 (worst) to 100 (best) separately, putting the HAQ Index on a different relative scale for each age group. We estimated absolute convergence for each group on the basis of whether the HAQ Index grew faster in absolute terms between 1990 and 2019 in countries with lower 1990 HAQ Index scores than countries with higher 1990 HAQ Index scores and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile. SDI is a summary metric of overall development. Findings: Between 1990 and 2019, the HAQ Index increased overall (by 19·6 points, 95% uncertainty interval 17·9–21·3), as well as among the young (22·5, 19·9–24·7), working (17·2, 15·2–19·1), and post-working (15·1, 13·2–17·0) age groups. Large differences in HAQ Index scores were present across SDI levels in 2019, with the overall index ranging from 30·7 (28·6–33·0) on average in low-SDI countries to 83·4 (82·4–84·3) on average in high-SDI countries. Similarly large ranges between low-SDI and high-SDI countries, respectively, were estimated in the HAQ Index for the young (40·4–89·0), working (33·8–82·8), and post-working (30·4–79·1) groups. Absolute convergence in HAQ Index was estimated in the young group only. In contrast, divergence was estimated among the working and post-working groups, driven by slow progress in low-SDI countries. Interpretation: Although major gaps remain across levels of social and economic development, convergence in the young group is an encouraging sign of reduced disparities in health-care access and quality. However, divergence in the working and post-working groups indicates that health-care access and quality is lagging at lower levels of social and economic development. To meet the needs of ageing populations, health systems need to improve health-care access and quality for working-age adults and older populations while continuing to realise gains among the young. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The global burden of adolescent and young adult cancer in 2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background In estimating the global burden of cancer, adolescents and young adults with cancer are often overlooked, despite being a distinct subgroup with unique epidemiology, clinical care needs, and societal impact. Comprehensive estimates of the global cancer burden in adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39 years) are lacking. To address this gap, we analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, with a focus on the outcome of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), to inform global cancer control measures in adolescents and young adults. Methods Using the GBD 2019 methodology, international mortality data were collected from vital registration systems, verbal autopsies, and population-based cancer registry inputs modelled with mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Incidence was computed with mortality estimates and corresponding MIRs. Prevalence estimates were calculated using modelled survival and multiplied by disability weights to obtain years lived with disability (YLDs). Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated as age-specific cancer deaths multiplied by the standard life expectancy at the age of death. The main outcome was DALYs (the sum of YLLs and YLDs). Estimates were presented globally and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles (countries ranked and divided into five equal SDI groups), and all estimates were presented with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). For this analysis, we used the age range of 15-39 years to define adolescents and young adults. Findings There were 1.19 million (95% UI 1.11-1.28) incident cancer cases and 396 000 (370 000-425 000) deaths due to cancer among people aged 15-39 years worldwide in 2019. The highest age-standardised incidence rates occurred in high SDI (59.6 [54.5-65.7] per 100 000 person-years) and high-middle SDI countries (53.2 [48.8-57.9] per 100 000 person-years), while the highest age-standardised mortality rates were in low-middle SDI (14.2 [12.9-15.6] per 100 000 person-years) and middle SDI (13.6 [12.6-14.8] per 100 000 person-years) countries. In 2019, adolescent and young adult cancers contributed 23.5 million (21.9-25.2) DALYs to the global burden of disease, of which 2.7% (1.9-3.6) came from YLDs and 97.3% (96.4-98.1) from YLLs. Cancer was the fourth leading cause of death and tenth leading cause of DALYs in adolescents and young adults globally. Interpretation Adolescent and young adult cancers contributed substantially to the overall adolescent and young adult disease burden globally in 2019. These results provide new insights into the distribution and magnitude of the adolescent and young adult cancer burden around the world. With notable differences observed across SDI settings, these estimates can inform global and country-level cancer control efforts. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic