scholarly journals Practice among Healthcare Workers Regarding the Use of Respiratory Protective Equipment during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (236) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sani Sipai ◽  
Bishnu Rath Giri ◽  
Sudhir Sapkota ◽  
Ram Hari Chapagain ◽  
Santosh Manandhar ◽  
...  

Introduction: Healthcare workers are always at the risk of exposure to different diseases like respiratory illness including COVID-19. Using appropriate face mask or respiratory protective equipment correctly can prevent transmission of diseases from and to healthcare workers while caring for patients. The study aimed to find out the practice regarding use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care center. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital during June-July 2020 after receiving ethical approval from the review committee regarding practice of use of face masks. Convenience sampling method was used and a sample size of 162 was taken. Descriptive statistical analysis was done. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Among 162 participants, 123 (75.9%) knew the correct way of using the masks (72.5-79.3 at 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: In this study regarding practice of use of face masks, most of the healthcare workers knew the correct way of using masks and practised hygiene before and after using masks.

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (240) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandra Kala Rai ◽  
Sarbada Makaju

Introduction: Today’s generation is facing an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity. It may be genetic or habitual due to overeating of junk foods and sedentary lifestyle. It directly affects an individual personality and health. The main aim of this study is to find out the prevalence of overweight among medical students in a tertiary care center. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study done in 385 students in a tertiary care hospital from 25th January 2020 to 28th February 2021. The sample was collected by simple random sampling method after the approval from the Institutional Review Committee of Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Height in meter and weight in kilogram of students were measured to calculate body mass index. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package of Social Science software version 16. Point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Among 385 students, 75 (19.48%) (95% Confidence Interval= 15.53%-23.44%) were overweight. Fifty-seven (14.85%) males and 18 (4.69%) females were overweight respectively. In total, there were 197 (51.01%) males and 188 (48.99%) females. Conclusions: The current study shows the prevalence of overweight among medical students is slightly higher than in studies done in similar settings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (237) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isha Bhandari ◽  
Kalpana Karmacharya Malla ◽  
Pukar Ghimire ◽  
Bibek Bhandari

Introduction: Scrub typhus is a mite borne infectious disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, obligate intracellular bacteria, transmitted by chigger mites. Scrub typhus is an emerging febrile illness with clinical suspicion being the only key to diagnosis. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of Scrub typhus among febrile children in a tertiary care center of central Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2019 in the pediatric inpatients of a tertiary care hospital after obtaining ethical clearance from Institutional Review Committee of Institute (Reference number 2020-105). Convenient sampling method was used. Data was analyzed using Statistical Packages for the Social Science version 16. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Out of 1024 febrile patients, prevalence of scrub typhus among febrile children was 55 (5.37%) (3.66-7.08 at 90% Confidence Interval). Of 55 patients, mean age was 9.2 years with 52 (94.6%) of cases diagnosed between July to November. Among 55 patients, other symptoms were vomiting 33 (60%), headache 22 (40%), abdominal pain 19 (34.5%), cough 15 (27.3%), nausea (25.5%), seizure 11 (20 %), and dyspnea 6 (10.9%). Major clinical signs was lymphadenopathy 29 (52.7%). Major complication noted was meningitis 11 (20%). Conclusions: The prevalence of scrub typhus is considerably high during July to November so it should be considered as a differential diagnosis of fever particularly in this period.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (243) ◽  
pp. 1075-1080
Author(s):  
Saraswoti Kumari Gautam Bhattarai ◽  
Roshana Ghimire ◽  
Sapana Duwadi ◽  
Rabin Khadka ◽  
Kanchan Gautam

Introduction: Perinatal mortality comprises the number of stillbirths and death of newborns within seven days of life which is the main contributor to infant and maternal mortality. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of perinatal mortality among all the deliveries in a tertiary care center of a remote part of Nepal. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care center located in Jumla among 3798 deliveries (childbirth) from August 2014 to April 2020. Ethical approval was taken from the institutional review committee (2076/2077/05) of the same institution. A convenience sampling technique was used and the data were collected from the medical record section and then entered and analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequencies and percentages for binary data. Results: The prevalence of perinatal mortality was 187 (4.92%) (4.23-4.60% at 95% Confidence Interval) among 3798 deliveries. Regarding the primary causes; the highest proportion was intrapartum hypoxia 62 (33.3%), spontaneous preterm labor 40 (21.5%), and congenital anomalies 38 (20.4%). Similarly, about the final cause; the highest proportion was birth asphyxia 64 (34.2%), intrauterine fetal death 51 (27.3%), congenital anomalies 35 (18.7%), and complication of prematurity 32 (17.1%). Conclusions: The perinatal mortality was quite high in this study with respect to similar studies done in other countries. The finding of this study showed that quality antenatal care with rural ultrasound service is essential to reduce the causes of perinatal mortality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (233) ◽  
Author(s):  
Surakchhya Gautam ◽  
Anju Khapunj

Introduction: Magnesium deficiency is common in the elderly and critically ill population and hasbeen associated with a prolonged ICU stay. The knowledge of hypomagnesemia is essential as itcould have prognostic and therapeutic implications in the elderly population. This study aimed toestimate the prevalence of hypomagnesemic in the elderly population visiting a tertiary care center. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital fromMarch 21, 2020 to September 21, 2020. After obtaining ethical clearance from the institutional reviewcommittee (Ref. 2003202008), convenience sampling was done. Data were collected and entered inMicrosoft Excel version 2007. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along withfrequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Out of 384 participants, 174 (45%) participants were found to have deranged magnesiumlevels, in which 111 (29%) (31.3-26.7 at 95% Confidence Interval) were found to be hypomagnesemia.Among them, 62 (29.4%) males and 49 (28.5%) females were hypomagnesemia. The average level ofserum magnesium was 2.02±0.76 mg/dl ranging from 0.03 to 4.71. The mean age of participants was70.31±8.13 years, among which the participants between the age group of 71-80 years presented witha maximum percentage of hypomagnesemia. Conclusions: The present study has shown that an apparently-healthy elderly population mayhave a magnesium deficiency that may need to be identified and treated for optimizing clinicalcare. Further multicentric studies with a greater sample size should be done in this field, which willbenefit the elderly population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (231) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangita Thapa ◽  
Rabindra Jang Rayamajhi

Introduction: As the medical facilities are improving, the life expectancy is increasing which has led to rapid rise in elderly population. The epidemiology of many diseases in elderly has been modified, including calcium imbalance. This study aims to know the prevalence of hypocalcemia in elderly population visiting a tertiary care center of Kathmandu. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care center of Kathmandu from March to July 2020 after obtaining ethical clearance (Ref: 2003202007). Total 402 participants at or above 60 years of age groups visiting outpatient departments were included in the study by convenience sampling method excluding those under vitamin D and calcium supplements. Serum total calcium level was measured using standard routine method and corrected with albumin. The serum calcium value less than 8 mg/dl was considered as hypocalcemia in accordance with the reference range of our laboratory. Data analysis for calculation of frequency and proportion was done in Statistical Package of Social Sciences. Results: The prevalence of hypocalcaemia in elderly was found to be 97 (24.1%). Out of 286 participants of age group 60-74 years, hypocalcemia was seen in 75 (26.2%) and among 116 participants of age group >74 years, 22 (19%) were hypocalcemic. Among 181 male participants, 44 (24.3%) had hypocalcemia and out of 221 female participants, 53 (24%) had hypocalcemia. Conclusions: The finding of present study suggests that hypocalcemia is common among elderly which can be life threatening. Therefore, regular monitoring of serum calcium is recommended for this age group.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (242) ◽  
pp. 834-838
Author(s):  
Dilasma Ghartimagar ◽  
Manish Kiran Shrestha ◽  
Adarsh Jhunjhunwala ◽  
Arnab Ghosh ◽  
Sushma Thapa ◽  
...  

Introduction: Gallbladder diseases are prevalent worldwide and present with a diverse histopathological spectrum. Mucosal irritation and chronic inflammation is considered as an important etiological factor for the mechanical or functional dysfunction of emptying of the gallbladder. This study aims to find the prevalence of non-neoplastic lesions of gallbladder among cholecystectomy specimens of a tertiary care center. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, of a tertiary care center from January 2005 to December 2020. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee. All the patients who had undergone cholecystectomy procedures which showed non-neoplastic lesions were enrolled in the study. Convenient sampling was done. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 and Microsoft Excel were used for data analysis. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion forbinary data. Results: Out of 4914 cholecystectomy specimens, 4852 (98.73%) (95% Confidence Interval= 98.42- 99.04) were non-neoplastic lesions. There were 1252 (25.8%) males and 3600 (74.2%) females with a male to female ratio of 1:2.87. Age ranged from 2 to 89 years with a mean age of 45±14.48 years. Gallbladder lesions were observed maximum in age group 41-50 years with 1200 (24.7%) cases. Among the non-neoplastic lesions, cholecystitis without any specific finding was the most common finding with 3028 (62.4%) cases followed by cholelithiasis with 1478 (30.5%) cases. Conclusions: The prevalence of non-neoplastic lesions of gallbladder is similar to other studies done in similar setings. Female predominance was noted in non-neoplastic lesions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (239) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachana Dhakal ◽  
Ramesh Makaju ◽  
Monika Pokharel ◽  
Dipika Basnet ◽  
Mukta Singh Bhandari

Introduction: Lateral neck masses present clinically as neoplastic or non-neoplastic lesions of lymph nodes, salivary glands, and thyroid. Non-neoplastic lesions, if evaluated timely, may not transform into malignancy thus reducing clinical burden. A cytomorphological study using fine needle aspiration is a reliable method for the diagnosis of such masses. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of non-neoplastic lesions of lateral neck mass specimens received in the Department of Pathology in a tertiary care center. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Pathology among lateral neck mass specimens of a tertiary care center from January 2019 to December 2020 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference no: 155/19). A convenience sampling method was used and data analysis was done in Microsoft Excel 2019. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Out of 300 lateral neck mass specimens, non-neoplastic lesions were found in 246 (82%) (77.7-86.3 at 95% Confidence Interval). The involvement of lymph nodes in 117 (47.6%) was the most common finding followed by thyroid 112 (45.5%). Among non-neoplastic lesions, the cytomorphological features of benign nodular goiter 93 (37.8%) was the most common lesion followed by reactive lymphoid hyperplasia 73 (29.7%). Conclusions: The study showed that the prevalence of non-neoplastic lesions was similar to that of other national and international studies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (240) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepa Kunwar ◽  
Archana Manandhar ◽  
Gita Gurung ◽  
Jwolan Khadka ◽  
Manisha Nepal

Introduction: Endodontics is the study of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases or injuries to the dental pulp. The ultimate goal of modern dental care is tooth preservation and root canal therapy/treatment is an available therapeutic strategy to retain teeth. The aim of the study is to find the prevalence of patients visiting a tertiary care center who had endodontic indications. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over one year from April 15, 2020, to February 15, 2021 at a tertiary care hospital. The ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee of Nobel Medical College (Reference number: 409/2020). Convenience sampling method was used. The patients admitted for alcohol use and related problems in the Psychiatry Department, Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar were included. Data entry was done using Microsoft Excel and statistical analysis was done by using Statistical Packages of Social Sciences Version 16.0. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage. Results: Out of 1740 patients, 516 (29.66%) (95% Confidence Interval= 21.46% - 27.51%) had endodontic indications. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis 306 (59.30%) was the most prevalent pulpal disease. Maxillary teeth 300 (58.13%) had more endodontic diseases. While in individual dental elements most affected by endodontic diseases was the mandibular molar teeth 149 (28.87%). Females 348 (67.44%) were predominant for demanding endodontic management than males 168 (32.5%). Conclusions: More female patients and of younger age group in this study population demanded endodontic treatment. Irreversible pulpitis was responsible for the majority of the cases treated and more affected were the posterior teeth


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (244) ◽  
pp. 1252-1255
Author(s):  
Dipesh Paudel ◽  
Deepak Adhikari ◽  
Radha Devi Dhakal

Introduction: Ureteric calculi are lying at any point of ureter from the pelvic ureteric junction to the vesicoureteral junction. If left untreated, ureteropelvic junction obstruction can lead to hydronephrosis. With the improved availability of computed tomography and ultrasound scanning, hydronephrosis is being diagnosed more frequently. The main aim of this study is to find out the prevalence of moderate Hydronephrosis among ureteral calculus on ultrasonography imaging in a tertiary care center of Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 acute ureteral calculus cases at Radiodiagnosis and Imaging Department of Chitwan Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur from 15th August 2020 to 15th May 2021. The ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee of same institution. Convenient sampling technique was used to select the participant. . The collected data was entered in excel 16 and analysed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was done and frequency and percentage were calculated Results: Out of the 110 cases of acute ureteral calculus, 31 (28.2%) (19.79-36.60 at 95% Confidence Interval) has moderate hydronephrosis in the ultrasonographic imaging. The mean age of participants was 31.61±8.51 years and male to female ratio was 1.97:1. Vesicoureteric junction was the most common site for ureteric calculus 39 (35.5%). Conclusions: The ultrasound is an easy method to be applied, and a fast one to help and diagnose obstructive hydronephrosis. The main causes of hydronephrosis are kidney stones, followed by ureteral stones, with a moderate degree of hydronephrosis.


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