scholarly journals Screening for Depression in Adolescents in Gokarneshwor Municipality-4, Kathmandu

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niraj Shrestha ◽  
S Pandey

Depression which is characterized by hopelessness and loss of interest in social activities is common during adolescence. However it is often unrecognized and the burden is even more in low income countries. It also increases the risk of suicide in future. Hence in a developing country like Nepal it is important that such cases are detected at the early stage preventing further worsening of the condition. A simple set of questionnaires like Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) 9 can be used to screen for depression. Using this questionnaire screening for depression was carried out in adolescents of Gokarneshwor municipality, ward 4. Four hundred and twenty participants were selected by the process of systematic random sampling. Based on answers to nine questions score was given and adolescents categorized as having no, mild, moderate or severe depression. The PHQ 9 score suggested that 13.1% were suffering from depression, out of which 23.6% from moderate to severe depression which required psychiatric consultation. Out of those shown to have some form of depression 40.0% said they had thought of self harm in last 2 weeks. Late adolescence was significantly associated with depression. Thoughts related to self harm were also six times more in late adolescent age group than the early adolescent age group.

EMJ Radiology ◽  
2020 ◽  

Retained foreign bodies have become very rare in countries where the safety rules in the operating theatre are very rigorous and follow precise guidelines. There are low-income countries where hospital structures are precarious, in which the implementation of surgical safety rules has only been effective recently. Surgical teams in these countries are not yet well trained in the observance of the guidelines concerning swab count, meaning that textilomas are not uncommon. Abdominal textiloma may be asymptomatic, or present serious gastrointestinal complications such as bowel obstruction, perforation, or fistula formation because of misdiagnosis. It may mimic abscess formation in the early stage or soft tissue masses in the chronic stage. This case report presents a 27-year-old female who underwent an emergency laparotomy in a rural surgical centre for an ectopic pregnancy. Two months later, a swelling had appeared on the left side of her abdomen, gradually increasing in size, which was not very painful but caused digestive discomfort and asthenia. Intermittent fever was described and treated with antibiotics. The patient was referred to a better equipped centre to benefit from a CT scan. A textiloma was strongly suspected on the CT but a left colic mass was not excluded. Laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis of textiloma and the postoperative course was uneventful. Prevention rules must be strengthened in these countries where patients can hardly bear the costs of iterative surgeries for complications that are avoidable.


Author(s):  
Abirami Kirubarajan ◽  
Shannon Leung ◽  
Xinglin Li ◽  
Matthew Yau ◽  
Mara Sobel

Background Though cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, its incidence is nearly entirely preventable. Young people have been an international priority for screening. However, in both high-income and low-income countries, young people have not been screened appropriately according to country-specific guidelines and in many countries, screening rates for this age-group have even dropped. Objectives The aim of this systematic review was to systematically characterize the existing literature on barriers and facilitators for cervical cancer screening among young people globally. Search Strategy We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines of four databases: Medline-OVID, EMBASE, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.Gov. Selection Criteria We only examined original, peer-reviewed literature. Databases were examined from inception until the date of our literature searches (12/03/2020). Articles were excluded if they did not specifically discuss cervical cancer screening, were not specific to young people, or did not report outcomes or evaluation. Data Collection and Analysis All screening and extraction was completed in duplicate with two independent reviewers. Main Results Of the 2177 original database citations, we included 36 studies that met inclusion criteria. Our systematic review found that there are three large categories of barriers for young people: lack of knowledge/awareness, negative perceptions of the test, and practical barriers to testing. Facilitators included stronger relationships with healthcare providers, social norms, support from family, and self-efficacy. Conclusions Health systems worldwide should address the barriers and facilitators to increase cervical cancer screening rates in young people. Further research is required to understand this age group.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Koju ◽  
K Manandhar ◽  
R Gurung ◽  
P Pant ◽  
TRS Bedi

Hypertension is one of the major cardiovascular problems in middle and low income countries. There are few studies conducted in Nepal which shows significant number of hypertensive popu­lation in suburban area. Systematic random sampling from voter lists of all the members more than 18 years of age of Dhulikhel Municipality was done. 796 among 1150 sampled population were interviewed and their blood pressure was measured twice using mercury sphygmomanom­eter in standard method in their home. The average blood pressure was taken for study. Hyper­tension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or on antihypertensive treatment. Total number of study population was 796. Among them 490 (61.6%) were female and 306 (38.4%) were male with age ranging from 18 years to 88 years (mean 48.41±17.38). Overall prevalence of hypertension was 28.9% (male 28.8%, female 29%). The prevalence was increasing with age (11.1% in <30 years to 44.8% in >70 years). Ac­cording to JNC 7, 29.1% were in Pre-hypertensive group. This study shows that Hypertension is significant in suburban area of Nepal. Nepalese Heart Journal | Volume 7 | No.1 | November 2010 (special issue) | Page 35-39 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njh.v7i1.8500


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Kastro Dake ◽  
Temesgen Lera Abiso

BACKGROUND፡ In low income countries, bearing many children is the main factor affecting maternal health. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of reversible long term contraceptives utilization and identify factors associated with it among married women of child bearing age in Areka District in South EthiopiaMETHODS: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey involving systematically recruited 346 married women of reproductive age group. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire on May 2019. We used SPSS version 25 for data entry and analyses. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to select exposure variables with crude association. Multivariate analysis was done to control for potential confounders and identify predictors of the outcome. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI)was reported, and statistical significance was declared at p<0.05.RESULTS: The prevalence of reversible long term contraceptives utilization among married women of reproductive age group was 134(38.7%). Utilization of Reversible Long Term Contraceptives (RLTCs) was positively associated with being protestant Christian religion follower, advanced educational status, history of abortion, and having a better attitude towards reversible long term contraceptives. In other words, being housewife, being daily laborer, having no radio in the household and making fertility decisions alone were negatively associated.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of RLTCs in the study area was high. Women should be empowered educationally through other alternative opportunities to formal school. In addition to electronic media, different community events and community conversations should be used to convey messages on contraceptives particularly RLTCs. Behavioral change communications would benefit women in shaping their attitudestowards RLTCs.


Author(s):  
Anahita Zakeri ◽  
Firouz Amani ◽  
Vahid Abbasi

Background: Burns after traffic accidents, falls and interpersonal violence are the fourth most commonly damaged worldwide. Annually more than 11 million people suffered to sever burns that most of them need for interventions and according WHO statistics, yearly more than 300000 people die from fire-related burns and most of them occurred in low income countries. The aim of this study was Epidemiological study of burns registered in Fatemi hospital in Ardabil, 2016.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study has been done on 200 burns registered in burn unit of Fatemi hospital in 2016. Information included age, sex, residence place (urban-rural), marital status, time and area of burn, percent and degree of burn, cause and mechanism of burn, hospitalized time and result of treatment completed by a checklist and analyzed by statistical methods in SPSS version 19.Results: Of all patients, 118 (59%) were male, 62.5% rural and 50% single. Most of burns occurred in age group less than 10 with 33%. The most common cause of burns was hot liquids with 51.5%. Most of cases had burn in degree 2 (71%) and 53.5% of cases hospitalized five days in hospital. 93.5% of patients improved and discharged.Conclusions: Results showed that most of burns in this study occurred in age group less than 10 year. So, that it is necessary to prevent these events in future by taking the necessary measures and control and prevention by families.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Kastro Dake ◽  
Temesgen Lera

Abstract Background: In low income countries, maternal mortality rate remains high. Bearing many children is the main factor affecting maternal health. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of reversible long term contraceptives utilization and identify factors associated with it among married women of child bearing age in Areka town in South Ethiopia Methods: We did a community-based cross-sectional survey involving systematically recruited 346 married women of reproductive age group. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire on May 2019. We used SPSS version 25 for data entry and analyses. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to select exposure variables with a crude association. Multivariate analysis was done to control for potential confounders and identify predictors of the outcome. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was reported and statistical significance was declared at p <0.05.Results: The prevalence of reversible long term contraceptives utilization among married women of reproductive age group was 38.7% in the study area. Utilization of reversible long term contraceptives was positively associated with being Protestant Christian religion follower (AOR=5.33; 95% CI: 1.63, 17.40), advanced educational status (AOR=5.78; 95% CI: 1.97, 17.02), history of abortion (AOR=7.17; 95% CI: 2.81, 18.27), and having a better attitude towards reversible long term contraceptives (AOR=2.85; 95% CI: 1.46, 5.57). Whereas, being a housewife (AOR=.27; 95% CI: .09, .79) and daily laborer (AOR=.14; 95% CI: .02, .80), having no radio in the household (AOR=.40; 95% CI: .16, .99) and making fertility decisions alone (AOR=.12; 95% CI: .04, .37) were negatively associated. Conclusion: Women should be empowered educationally through other alternative opportunities to school. On top of electronic media, other alternative media should be used to convey messages on contraceptives particularly RLTCs. Behavioral change communications would benefit women in shaping their attitudes towards RLTCs.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wossenseged Lemma ◽  
Daniel Tarekegn ◽  
Meseret Birhanie

Abstract Abstract Background: Ethiopia, the second populous nation in Africa, has been grouped under low income countries. Stunting, underweight and wasting in school children in Ethiopia are very common. The aim of this research was to evaluate the nutritional status compared to WHO standards and impact of intestinal helminthes on normal growth, normal hematological and biochemical values in the school children in Azezo Elementary School in Gondar Town. Methods: Demographic data and information about possible risk factors were obtained using standard pre-tested questioners for all study subjects. WHO AnthroPlus software version 1.04 (WHO, Geneva, Switzerland) were used to classify school children as normal, stunted, wasted and obese after height and body weight measurements were obtained. The Kato Katz technique was performed to screen students for intestinalhelmenthinfections and calculate eggs per gram stool (epg). Haematological and biochemical normal values were obtained from hematology fully-automated cell counter (Mindray BC-3200) and Mindray BS-200E chemistry analyzer. Results: Atotal of 384 school children with age ranged from 7 to 15 years old were recruited in this study. Of the total school children analysed for body mass index and height for age Z scores (BAZ and HAZ scores), 103 (26.8%) were wasted (Z scores < -2SD) and 47 (12.2%) stunted (< -2SD). Gender showed no statistically significantly differences (p>0.05) for BAZ and HAZ. The prevalence of overall stunting in 7-10 age group was 0.7% (1/146) compared to 19.5% (46/236) in 11-15 age group (p=0.000). Intestinal helminthes infections were statistically significantly associated (p = 0.000) with hypo-gycocemia, hypo-proteinaemia and anemia compared with non-infected school children. The likelihood of anemia in intestinal helminth infected school children, when it was compared with uninfected was 148 times higher for both Ascarislumbericoides-Schistosomamansoni co-infection, 38 times for Hook worm, 20 times for Schistosomamansoni and 3 times for Ascarislumbericoidesmono-infection. Conclusion: Malnutrition and intestinal helminthes infections are serious problem in normal growth of the school children. Poverty associated malnutrition is the most important risk factor for stunting. Key Words: School children; Malnutrition; Intestinal Helminth infections; Nutritional status ; Gondar town


Author(s):  
Rashmi Anupozu

Objective: The main objective of the present study is to determine the depression and anxiety using standardized rating scales in cancer patients. Methods: This prospective observational study was performed in 120 cancer patients at a local government cancer hospital. Subjects were interviewed and data were collected using standard Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaires. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26. Results: Out of 120 patients, 75.8% were male and 24.2% were female. The maximum number of subjects (n=66, 55%) were within the age group of 41–60 years and from the urban region (54.2%). Analyzing the depression status from the PHQ-9 questionnaire, severe depression was seen high among females (31%) when compared to males (19.8%). From the scores obtained by the GAD-7 questionnaire, it was found that males with normal anxiety (26.4%) and severe anxiety (11%) were more when compared to females. On performing regression, females were 0.572 times at a higher risk of developing depression and 2.005 times likely to have GAD when compared to males. Conclusion: The present study suggests that majority of subjects with psychiatric disorders are in the age group of 41–60 years and are from the urban region. Early screening of the cancer patients for depression and GAD using validated questionnaires such as PHQ-9 and GAD-7 and providing appropriate counseling or therapy on a timely basis helps them to manage their adverse symptoms and boosts the mental health of the subjects.


2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 821-826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keokedthong Phongsavan ◽  
Alongkone Phengsavanh ◽  
Rolf Wahlström ◽  
Lena Marions

Background:Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer of women in the world, and it becomes a major cause of cancer mortality in low-income countries. Currently, little is known regarding cervical cancer incidence in Laos, although it is anticipated to be high like in neighboring countries. To be able to develop a screening program in the country, it is essential to explore women's perception of the disease. The purpose of this study was therefore to describe knowledge, awareness, and attitudes regarding cervical cancer among rural women of Laos.Methods:In a descriptive cross-sectional study, women were interviewed using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic factors, knowledge of the disease and its risk factors, awareness, and attitudes toward cervical cancer and its prevention.Results:Eight hundred women were included in the study, and 58% claimed to know about cervical cancer. Approximately one third (38%) considered themselves to be at risk, but less than 5% had ever had a Papanicolau test. Sixty-two percent believed it was possible to prevent cervical cancer and that vaccination may be a suitable method, but only 14% know about risk factors. Another method for prevention was frequent vaginal douching, which was suggested by 70% of the women. Symptoms like bleeding and discharge were correctly identified as possible indicators of cervical cancer, but only 57 women (7%) knew that an early stage of the disease could be symptom-free. Lack of subjective symptoms was the main reason for women to refrain from gynecological examinations.Conclusions:This study indicates that rural women in Laos have limited knowledge about cervical cancer and even less about screening and prevention. There is a need to educate the general community about the disease and its prevention.


Policy Papers ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
Author(s):  

Background. The case for sovereign state-contingent debt instruments (SCDIs) as a countercyclical and risk-sharing tool has been around for some time and remains appealing; but take-up has been limited. Earlier staff work had advocated the use of growth-indexed bonds in emerging markets and contingent financial instruments in low-income countries. In light of recent renewed interest among academics, policymakers, and market participants—staff has analyzed the conceptual and practical issues SCDIs raise with a view to accelerate the development of self-sustaining markets in these instruments. The analysis has benefited from broad consultations with both private market participants and policymakers. The economic case for SCDIs. By linking debt service to a measure of the sovereign’s capacity to pay, SCDIs can increase fiscal space, and thus allow greater policy flexibility in bad times. They can also broaden the sovereign’s investor base, open opportunities for risk diversification for investors, and enhance the resilience of the international financial system. Should SCDI issuance rise to account for a large share of public debt, it could also significantly reduce the incidence and cost of sovereign debt crises. Some potential complications require mitigation: a high novelty and liquidity premium demanded by investors in the early stage of market development; adverse selection and moral hazard risks; undesirable pricing effects on conventional debt; pro-cyclical investor demand; migration of excessive risk to the private sector; and adverse political economy incentives.


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