Stress among Resident Doctors Working in Different Hospitals of Nepal in the Face of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The emergence and propagation of COVID-19 pandemic has subjected resident doctors to greater workload and consequent psychological implications. Many studies have illustrated various degrees of mental health issues among health care workers in general; however very limited ones have focused primarily on the resident doctors. Therefore, this study aimed to find out the prevalence of stress among the resident doctors of Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in all the teaching hospitals of Nepal with ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number-245). An online self-designed structured questionnaire developed using Google forms along with questions from stress subscale of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 was disseminated to the residents via social media platforms using Convenience sampling technique. Responses generated were analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: The prevalence of stress among resident doctors was found to be 16 (8.2%) (4.3-12.1 at 95% Confidence Interval). Greater prevalence of stress was seen among residents working outside Kathmandu valley, those in the frontline and those who were unmarried. Loss of collaborative study/ professional and academic growth experiences was responsible for causing extremely severe stress among 60 (30.9%) residents, followed by stress due to uncertainty regarding COVID-19 58 (29.9%) and unavailability/lack of quality control of personal protective equipment 58 (29.9%). Conclusions: This study has shed light upon the prevalence of stress and its precipitating factors in Nepalese resident doctors due to COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings could help address these issues for their mitigation promptly.

Download Full-text

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness among First to Fourth Year Undergraduate Students of a Medical College in Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.5297 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 58 (229) ◽

Author(s):

Kumar Roka ◽

Sabina Khadka ◽

Sanju Dahal ◽

Meenakshi Yadav ◽

Puja Thapa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness ◽

Daytime Sleepiness ◽

Binary Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Sciences ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Introduction: Excessive Daytime Sleepiness is a significant health problem among medical students worldwide which can impair their cognitive and academic performances. Our study aims to determine the prevalence of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness among the first to fourth year undergraduate students of the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences-College of Medicine. Methods: Following the ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee with registration no. 317, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the first to fourth year medical students of the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences-College of Medicine from 4" to 10" August 2020. Two hundred and thirty-two students were selected for the study using the stratified random sampling technique. Epworth Sleepiness Scale was used to obtain data on daytime sleepiness among the study participants. The data were entered into Google spreadsheets and later analyzed. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with the frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: The prevalence of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness among the first to fourth year undergraduate students of the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences-College of Medicine is found to be 67 (31.02%) at 95% Confidence Interval (24.85-37.19). It was found to be highly prevalent among the fourth year undergraduate medical students 20 (35.09%) and least prevalent among the first year students 13 (26.00%). Excessive Daytime Sleepiness was found to be slightly higher among females 23 (34.85%) than males 44 (29.33%). Conclusions: Excessive Daytime Sleepinessis highly prevalent among medical students in our study as suggested by various international studies.

Download Full-text

Perinatal Mortality among All Deliveries in a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.6691 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 59 (243) ◽

pp. 1075-1080

Author(s):

Saraswoti Kumari Gautam Bhattarai ◽

Roshana Ghimire ◽

Sapana Duwadi ◽

Rabin Khadka ◽

Kanchan Gautam

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Perinatal Mortality ◽

Congenital Anomalies ◽

Binary Data ◽

Care Center ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Tertiary Care Center ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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.

Download Full-text

Assessment Of Anxiety In Patients Attending Baqai Dental Teaching Hospital Karachi-A Cross Sectional Study

Journal of Bahria University Medical and Dental College ◽

10.51985/jbumdc2018097 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 09 (01) ◽

pp. 34-37

Author(s):

Aisha Wali ◽

Syed Abrar Ali ◽

Talha M Siddiqui ◽

Mahnoor Farzand ◽

Laraib Malik

Keyword(s):

Teaching Hospital ◽

Dental Anxiety ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

Sample Population ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Female Patients ◽

Oral Diagnosis

Objective: The objective of the present study was to assess the anxiety levels in patients visiting Dental teaching Hospital by using Corah Dental anxiety scale. (DAS) Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients attending Out Patient Department of Oral Diagnosis Baqai Dental College between June 2017 - Jan 2018. A simple random sampling technique was used for the study purpose. The sample population included patients attending OPD of Oral Diagnosis Department for routine dental checkups, scaling, filling, root canal treatment and extraction. Descriptive statistics were obtained and the mean standard deviation was calculated. Chi-square test was done to compare association of dental anxiety among male and female patients visiting Baqai Dental College. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Version22). Results: Based on severity of dental anxiety, 46.4% , 34.8% and 15.2% males were found to be moderately, highly and extremely anxious respectively whereas 53.6% , 65.2% and 84.8% females were found to be moderately , highly and extremely anxious. Conclusion: The present study concluded that female patients were found to be more anxious than males. Therefore dental surgeons should take adequate measures to manage level of dental anxiety amongst patients visiting dental teaching hospitals of Karachi

Download Full-text

Childhood Overnutrition among School Going Children in a Municipality: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.5367 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 59 (242) ◽

pp. 868-871

Author(s):

Alisha Thapa ◽

Susmita Nepal ◽

Garima Malla ◽

Sushma Pokhrel

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

School Children ◽

Binary Data ◽

Simple Random Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Point Estimate ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Status

Introduction: Childhood obesity, caused due to excessive fat accumulation, is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths associated with several non-communicable diseases. In Nepal, there is limited data available on the status of overweight and obesity among school children. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of childhood overnutrition among school going children in a municipality. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2019 to July 2019, in four schools of a municipality selected by simple random sampling. Ethical approval was obtained from Nepal Health Research Council (Registration number 380/2019). Data was collected using census sampling from children aged 5-18 years through self-administered questionnaires to the children’s parents. The data was entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for analysis. Point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Out of 379 school children, the prevalence of overnutrition was found to be 38 (10.03%) (95% Confidence Interval= 7.01-13.05). Prevalence of overnutrition was highest in children of age group 10-13 years 23 (60.5%), in females 27 (71.1%), those consuming junk food 4-6 times weekly 14 (36.8%) and those performing daily physical activity less than 60 minutes 24 (63.2%). Conclusions: The prevalence of childhood overnutrition is similar in comparison to other studies done in similar settings.

Download Full-text

Child Sexual Abuse among School Children of a Municipality: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.6865 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 59 (239) ◽

Author(s):

Sushma Shrestha ◽

Swechhya Baskota ◽

Urusha Karki ◽

Lisasha Poudel ◽

Niroj Bhandari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Abuse ◽

Child Sexual Abuse ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

School Children ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Concern ◽

Point Estimate ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Introduction: Sexual abuse remains a hidden and underreported form of violence against children and a serious public health concern. Although it results in severe mental, physical, and psychological risks with consequences such as depression, fear, and low self-esteem, it is still an unexplored and less prioritized area in Nepal. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse among school children of a municipality. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted among 405 students, aged below 18 of Mandan-Deupur Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk from April to May 2018. Ethical clearance was taken from Nepal Health Research Council (Ref no 2506). A simple random sampling technique was used to select the schools. Collected data were then entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage. Results: In overall, 64 (15.8%) (12.4-19.7 at 95% Confidence Interval) were found to be sexually abused, where a high prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse was reported for boys 46 (73.43%). Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, child sexual abuse is seen as a significant issue in the place studied. Awareness programs on child sexual abuse should be organized targeting children along with parents and community people.

Download Full-text

Status of self-esteem in medical students of a college in Kathmandu: A descriptive cross sectional study

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.72824.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 1031

Author(s):

Bikal Shrestha ◽

Stuti Yadav ◽

Subodh Dhakal ◽

Pooja Ghimire ◽

Yubika Shrestha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Institutional Review ◽

The Status

Background: Self-esteem is vital to living a happy, confident and content life. Medical students experience various forms of stress due to academic, financial and social pressures which could affect their levels of self-esteem. This study aims to study the status of self-esteem among undergraduates of a medical college at Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Methods: After receiving the ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC) of NAIHS; we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among the first- to fifth-year medical students from December 2020 to April 2021. 190 were selected for the study using a stratified random sampling technique. This study used the Rosenberg self-esteem scale to measure self–esteem of the participants. A Google Forms questionnaire was sent to the participants via email. Then, the data obtained were entered in the Google sheet and later analyzed using SPSS 27. A Chi-square test was used to identify potential differences in self-esteem scores among different variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: This study included a total of 180 participants, among which, 18.9% (13.19% to 24.61%; at 95% CI) students showed low self -esteem. 74.4% (68.02% to 80.78%; at 95% CI) students had normal self-esteem and 6.7% (3.05% to 10.35%; at 95% CI) students had high self-esteem. The mean self-esteem score was 19.19 (15.01 to 23.37; at 95% CI). Female participants suffered more than males from low self-esteem, and third-year students had the highest percentage of low self-esteem (30.77%). Conclusion: The majority (74.4%) of medical students had normal self-esteem. However, 18.9% students had low self-esteem, among which, third-year students suffered the most (30.77%). Likewise, females exhibited higher prevalence of low self-esteem compared to males. Interventions to boost the level of self-esteem should be carried out to help medical students become confident and efficient doctors.

Download Full-text

Culture Positive Cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum in a Tertiary Care Centre of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.5044 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 59 (236) ◽

Author(s):

Sabina Shrestha ◽

Sunil Raja Manandhar ◽

Om Krishna Malla

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Binary Data ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Point Estimate ◽

Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ophthalmia Neonatorum ◽

Culture Positive

Introduction: Ophthalmia neonatorum although runs a benign course mostly, sometimes may progress to sight threatening complications. The study was conducted to find the prevalence of culture positive cases of opthalmia neonatorum. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care center from January to December 2019. Ethical clearance was obtained from institutional review committee of Kathmandu Medical College. Convenience sampling was done. All data were entered into excel and, then for analysis, exported to Statistal Package for Social Sciences version 21. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: The prevalence of culture positive cases of opthalmia neonaturum is 10 (55.55%) (32.61-78.49 at 95% Confidence Interval). The causative organisms were coagulase negative Staphylococcus 4 (40%), Staphylococcus aureus 3 (30%), Klebsiella 2 (20%) and Pseudomonas 1 (10%). Culture sensitivity of the isolated organisms were different according to the patient even in case of the same organism. Vancomycin 7 ( 70%) was the most sensitive antibiotic followed by Ciprofloxacin 6 (60%), Amikacin 5 (50%) and Cloxacillin 5 (50%) while Azithromycin 1 (10%), Cefixime 1 (10%) and Cotrimoxazole 1 (10%) were the least sensitive. Conclusions: Staphylococcus species was the most common organism isolated from neonates with ophthalmia neonatorum and vancomycin was the most sensitive antibiotic.

Download Full-text

Type A Cubital Venous Pattern among Students of a Dental College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.6431 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 59 (238) ◽

Author(s):

Bipana Manandhar ◽

Ritee Shrestha

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Binary Data ◽

Type A ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dental Students ◽

Point Estimate ◽

International Studies ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Venous Pattern

Introduction: Superficial veins in cubital fossa vary frequently in their anatomical pattern. The knowledge of variation of the cubital venous pattern is very essential for medical professionals for venous access during different medical procedures. This study aims to find the prevalence of Type A cubital venous pattern among students of a dental college. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 dental students of age 18 to 25 years in the department of anatomy of a dental college from November 2020 to February 2021. This study was conducted after obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee. Convenience sampling used and data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Out of 133 dental students, Type A cubital venous pattern was found in 96 (72.18%) (64.56-79.79 at 95% Confidence Interval). Type A cubital venous pattern was seen in the left arm in 116 (43.61%) and in the right arm of 76 (28.57%) students. This pattern was noticed in 30 (22.55%) male and 103 (77.44%) female students respectively. Conclusions: This study showed higher Type A cubital venous pattern among dental students than other international studies.

Download Full-text

Prevalence of Dyspnea among Patients Attending the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.4582 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 57 (219) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anmol Purna Shrestha ◽

Roshana Shrestha ◽

Sanu Krishna Shrestha ◽

Alok Pradhan ◽

Samjhana Basnet

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Binary Data ◽

Tertiary Care Hospital ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Point Estimate ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Introduction: Dyspnea is a common presenting complaint in the emergency department worldwide and a diagnostic challenge for emergency physicians. Our study aims to find the prevalence of dyspnea among patients attending emergency department in our hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the emergency department of Dhulikhel hospital from May 2019 to July 2019 after ethical approval from the institutional review committee. Total 1200 samples were collected by consecutive sampling method. All patients were triaged in the emergency department as a part of regular protocol. The participants were included in the study after obtaining an informed consent from the patient or caretaker (if the patient were not able to provide it). Point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. The statistical analysis was done using R version 3.5.3 (2019-03-11). Results: The prevalence of dyspnea among patients attending emergency department of a tertiary care hospital was 107 (8.9%) (4.6%-13.2%) at 95% confidence interval. The patients triaged into red, orange and yellow categories were 14 (13.1%), 50 (46.7%) and 43 (40.2%) respectively. Median age was 64 years and 74 (69%) were ≥60 years. Sixty-seven (62.6%) were females and 40 (37.4%) were males. Forty-four (41.1%) arrived by ambulance. Most commonly associated symptoms were cough and fever 59 (51.1%) and 44 (41.1%) respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of dyspnea among patients attending emergency department of our hospital is higher compared to that of other studies. This warrants structured and prompt management of dyspnea for quality improvement.

Download Full-text

Health Co-morbidities and Early Marriage in Women of a Rural Area of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.5205 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 58 (230) ◽

Author(s):

Naresh Manandhar ◽

Sunil Kumar Joshi

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Rural Area ◽

Binary Data ◽

Economic Status ◽

Young Person ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Early Marriage ◽

Point Estimate ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Introduction: Early marriage is defined as the marriage of a young person less than 18 years. Early marriage is more prevalent in South Asia as more than half of all child marriage occurs here. Thirtyseven percent of girls in Nepal marry before age 18 years. This study was done to find out the health consequences of early marriage in women of a rural area of Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 10th to 15th Feb 2020 February in 358 women from Panauti, Kavrepalchowk. The convenient sampling method was used. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee. Economic status was assessed by using Kuppuswamy’s socioeconomic scale. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 20. Point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: The prevalence of early marriage was 187 (52.2%) (47.03 to 57.37 at 95% confidence interval). One hundred sixteen (62%) early marriage women had gynecological problems followed by depression problem 85 (45.5%) and miscarriage 32 (17.1%). The mean age of marriage was 17.2 years. The majority, i.e. 167 (89.3%) of respondents who married earlier were Hindu by religion. Early marriage was observed in 104 (55.6 %) of illiterate women. Conclusions: The prevalence of early marriage was high. Early married women had a lower level of socio-economic status, lower level of education, which harmed the participants' health status.

Download Full-text