NepMed is a Nepal MEDLINE(Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online) by Nepal Health Research Council(NHRC). It includes bibliographic information for articles from academic biomedical journals covering medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry veterinary medicine, and allied health sciences.
Recent Publications
Antimicrobial Resistance of Acinetobacter Species and Pseudomonas Species in a Tertiary Care Center in Gandaki Province, Nepal
(Nepal Health Research Council, 2025) Sharma, Bimala; Kafle, Simrin; Koirala, Krishna; Giri, Dhurba; Ghimire, Shivahari; Rajput, Bhudev Singh; Tiwari, Bishnu Raj
Abstract:
Background: This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial resistance rates of Acinetobacter species and Pseudomonas species isolated from clinical samples in an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) surveillance site in Gandaki Province, Nepal.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of data from an AMR surveillance site was extracted and analyzed, covering the time period from January 2020 to June 2024. A total of 575 Acinetobacter species and 687 Pseudomonas species were identified, with varying numbers tested for susceptibility against different antibiotics. Resistance rates were calculated for each pathogen-antibiotic combination.
Results: Resistance in Acinetobacter species was observed in 49.9% of isolates to amikacin and 42.7% to gentamicin, whereas Pseudomonas species showed resistance rates of 21.2% and 18.5%, respectively. Resistance to piperacillin–tazobactam was identified in 54.0% of Acinetobacter species and 24.6% of Pseudomonas species. Notably, 80.3% of Acinetobacter species and 62.6% of Pseudomonas species were resistant to ceftazidime, while carbapenem resistance was observed in 59.3% of Acinetobacter species and 14.8% of Pseudomonas species. Norfloxacin resistance was observed in 38.3% of Acinetobacter species and 43.5% of Pseudomonas species, whereas only 4.0% of Acinetobacter species and 11.4% of Pseudomonas species isolates were resistance to tigecycline. Resistance rates varied across sample types, with Acinetobacter species from respiratory samples and Pseudomonas species from urine samples exhibiting the highest resistance.
Conclusions: The study underscores alarming levels of antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter species and Pseudomonas species. Acinetobacter species demonstrated higher resistance to most antibiotics compared to Pseudomonas species. The variation in resistance patterns across sample types highlights the need of infection site and pathogen-specific antibiotic stewardship strategies.
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, their Related Risk Factors and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Isolates Among Hemodialysis Patients
(Nepal Health Research Council, 2025) Ghimire, Kripa; Paudel, Shristi; Pradhan, Shanti; Regmi, Sanjib Mani; Gautam, Gyanendra
Abstract:
Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria in hemodialysis patients is a common problem due to their decreased immunity and renal function which often leads to development of urinary tract infection and other complications. However, there are no adequate guidelines that recommend the routine screening and management of such patients in most of the developing countries including Nepal resulting in antibiotic misuse. This study was done to find the magnitude of asymptomatic bacteriuria among hemodialysis patients along with their antibiotic susceptibility and related risk factors.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on hemodialysis patients from July 2023 to January 2024. Midstream clean catch technique was used for urine collection. Urine specimens were processed for identification of uropathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility test by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method following standard guidelines. Statistical analysis was done by Excel 2016 and SPSS 26, the point estimate was calculated at a 95% confidence interval.
Results: The overall prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 27%. Escherichia coli (43.47%) was the most frequent isolate. Imipenem and Amikacin were the most sensitive antibiotics among Gram negative isolates while Ceftriaxone and Nitrofurantoin were the most resistant antibiotics. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the major multidrug resistant pathogen. Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus were commonly associated risk factors for asymptomatic bacteriuria in hemodialysis patients.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates high prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among hemodialysis patients. Routine screening of asymptomatic bacteriuria aids in early detection and management of complications along with optimization of antibiotic use.
Status of Physical Activity and Associated Factors among Secondary School Teachers in Pokhara Metropolitan, Nepal
(Nepal Health Research Council, 2025) Ranabhat, Kamal; Choulagai, Bishnu Prasad; Neupane, Dinesh Raj; Shahi, Shubhadra; Shrestha, Kiran; Kunwar, Ramesh; Rajbanshi, Manish; Rana, Himalaya; Adhikari, Anita; Joshi, Gobind Raj
Abstract:
Background: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death globally, with physical inactivity as a significant risk factor. In Nepal, lifestyle-related health issues are rising, necessitating an understanding of physical activity patterns in specific groups like secondary school teachers. This study aims to assess the status of physical activity and associated factors among secondary school teachers in Pokhara, Nepal.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to April 2023 among 406 secondary school teachers in Pokhara. Physical activity was measured using the IPAQ-long form, and other variables were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Univariate and bivariate analyses were followed by logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for factors associated with moderate and high physical activity.
Results: Most participants were male (53%) and Brahmins/Chhetris (69.2%), with a mean age of 38.65 years. The majority (86.3%) met WHO physical activity guidelines, with 65.3% reporting moderate and 21.5% high activity levels. Higher physical activity was associated with being male (aOR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.11–4.35), higher education (aOR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.45–5.73), walking while teaching (aOR: 9.13, 95% CI: 4.20–19.87), and access to walking areas (aOR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.12–4.62).
Conclusion: Male teachers, those with higher education, and those who walked while teaching were more likely to engage in higher physical activity. Access to walking-friendly environments also positively influenced activity levels. Promoting walking friendly spaces and addressing educational and occupational factors could enhance physical activity among teachers.
Hypertension Among the Elderly Population and its Associated Factors in Nepal: Analysis from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022
(Nepal Health Research Council, 2025) Sapkota, Krishna Prasad; Shrestha, Aman; Gaire, Bashanta; Karmacharya, Isha; Adhikari, Nilam; Thapa, Ram Krishna; Chiluwal, Sudip; Dhakal, Usha
Abstract:
Background: Current evidence suggests an increasing prevalence of hypertension and associated burden among the older population in Nepal. Despite being a common health problem and a strong risk factor for chronic health conditions among older adults, there is a gap in the literature regarding the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among the older population in Nepal. Hence, this study aimed to find the prevalence and factors associated with hypertension among older adults in Nepal.
Methods: The 2022 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey data on older adults aged 65 years and above (n=725) was used in this study. Hypertension was operationalized as a binary variable, indicating its presence or absence. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to test the association of lifestyle factors such as obesity, food insecurity, and sociodemographic factors with hypertension while accounting for complex survey design features.
Results: The prevalence of hypertension among older population in Nepal was 37.4%. Among the lifestyle factors, individuals with overweight [adjusted odds ratio (aOR=2.03, p=0.006)], obesity (aOR=2.71, p=0.018), and those who used non-iodized kitchen salt (aOR=3.38, p=0.016) had higher odds of having hypertension. Among sociodemographic factors, greater age, and ethnic minorities such as Dalits and Terai Janajati had higher odds of having hypertension. Moreover, older adults in the richer wealth quintile (aOR=0.42, p=0.016) had lower odds of having hypertension than those in the poorest quintile.
Conclusions: This study found a notable prevalence of hypertension among the older population in Nepal. Targeted hypertension screening programs for older adults should be prioritized. Similarly, hypertension awareness and healthcare access should be improved among lower-income and marginalized ethnic households such as Dalits, and Tarai Janajatis by enhancing the capacity of the local governments.
Knowledge Regarding Unsafe Abortion and Legalization of Abortion among Adolescents
(Nepal Health Research Council, 2025) Gupta, Mala; Magar, Esther Budha; Chaudhary, Ranjana; Parajuli, Ashya; Pandey, Ashok
Abstract:
Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines abortion as pregnancy termination before 20 weeks gestation or a fetus born weighing less than 500gm. Nearly half of all abortions worldwide are unsafe. Each year more than one lakh abortions are done in Nepal and the number of women seeking abortion services is in increasing trend. It has been identified as one of the major public health problems in Nepal
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted among 448 adolescent students of grade 10 in 7 different schools of different municipalities in Sarlahi district. Simple random sampling using 50% prevalence and structured-self-administered questionnaires were used. Data was entered and analysed by using SPSS version 16.0.
Results: Among all 448 respondents, it was found that 1.3% of them were married and only 41.3% of respondents had adequate knowledge of abortion, similarly only 46.2% know about its legalization in Nepal. Among them, the majority was male respondents but adequate knowledge of abortion was found high among females i.e. 51.14% and adequate knowledge of its legalization in Nepal was found high among males i.e. 58.75%.
Conclusions: This is to conclude that, there is no significant relationship between different variable of respondents and their knowledge on Abortion and its legalization in Nepal.