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
Etiological Factors of Infertility among Couples Visiting Kathmandu Model Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
(Public Health Concern Trust-Nepal (phect-NEPAL), 2024) Bhandari, Srijana; Dangal, Ganesh; Karki, Aruna; Pradhan, Hema Kumari; Shrestha, Ranjana; Bhattachan, Kabin
Abstract:
Introduction: Infertility is one of the major health related concern in developing countries, affecting couples in various aspects of life such as emotional, mental, social, and financial. Hence, knowing about the prevalence and its causative factors can help to estimate its burden in the society and provides insight for proper investigation and management of the infertile couples and to address the major burden of the society. Also knowing about various etiological factors of infertility helps to address them timely with close follow up during antenatal period for better perinatal outcomes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 134 couples visiting Gynacelogy OPD of a tertiary hospital using pretested structured questionnaire. Non probability convenience sampling was done and the data was analysed using SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive statistical method was used for analysis.
Results: Primary and secondary infertility was noted in 64.2% and 35.8% couples respectively. Among females, ovulatory disorder was the most common cause of infertility with polycystic ovarian syndrome found in 17.9% female along with unilateral fallopian tubal blockage seen in 17.9% followed by hypothyroidism found in 10.44%.Whereas in male, asthenospermia was the most common cause found in 32.25% followed by oligospermia found in 9.67% male.
Conclusions: The study provides valuable insights into the etiological factors of infertility among both men and women. The identified causes underscore the complexity of reproductive health and emphasize the need for a holistic approach to fertility assessments and interventions to reduce the burden of society and also for good perinatal outcomes.
Practices, Attitudes of Doctors and Patient’s Perspectives Regarding Breaking Bad News at a Tertiary Health Centre
(Public Health Concern Trust-Nepal (phect-NEPAL), 2024) Aryal, Prayush; Tamrakar, Nijina; Yadav, Bharat Kumar; Pokharel, Yagya Raj
Abstract:
Introduction: Breaking bad news using SPIKES protocol will help effective bad news delivery to the patients. Assessing doctor’s practices and attitudes in bad news delivery and exploring patient’s perspectives on how bad news was delivered to them could give information about doctors’ communication with patients. This study aimed to assess doctors’ practices and attitudes of breaking of bad news and explore patients’ perspectives.
Methods: The authors did questionnaire based qualitative and quantitative cross sectional study at a tertiary health centre in Nepal. They asked 75 doctors from various departments regarding their practices of breaking bad news as per SPIKES protocol. They inquired the same number of patients/relatives about how the bad news was broken to them. Practice scores among doctors were analyzed. The response of patients were compared with the doctors’.
Results: MD residents and doctors from Pediatric ICU/Neonatal ICU had better practice scores than Medical officers and doctors from Emergency department respectively. Consultants felt more confident in breaking bad news. Eighty four percent of the doctors wanted to deliver the bad news to the family members first than the patient. Most of the doctors believed they broke bad news as per the SPIKES protocol. However, as per patient’s perspectives they were not delivered the news as per the protocol.
Conclusion: Most of the doctors agreed to practice breaking bad news as per SPIKES protocol and felt confident in doing so. There was a discrepancy regarding patient’s perspectives and doctor’s practice in how delivery of bad news was done.
Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders in First Trimester of Pregnancy at Kathmandu Model Hospital
(Public Health Concern Trust-Nepal (phect-NEPAL), 2024) Pradhan, Hema Kumari; Dangal, Ganesh; Karki, Aruna; Shrestha, Ranjana; Bhattachan, Kabin
Abstract:
Introduction: Thyroid disorder is a common endocrine disorder in pregnancy. The reference range of thyroid function is lower in pregnancy. Optimum thyroid function is required to prevent complications in mother and fetus. Pregnant ladies without symptoms of thyroid disorder may have abnormal value. This study was done to find the prevalence of thyroid disorder in pregnant ladies attending Kathmandu Model Hospital in first trimester.
Methods: This was an observational study of pregnant ladies who attended Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Kathmandu Model Hospital from September 2021 to February 2022. Pregnant ladies in first trimester with singleton pregnancy without history of thyroid disorder were included in the study. Thyroid function test (TFT) was done after obtaining consent. Data were collected and analyzed.
Results: A total of 488 pregnant ladies were included in the study. Thirty-seven (7.58%) pregnant ladies had abnormal result, out of which 34 (6.96%) had subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).
Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism was high in the present study and BMI was not associated as risk factor.
Inception of Journal of Public Health Concern Trust
(Public Health Concern Trust-Nepal (phect-NEPAL), 2024) Dangal, Ganesh
High Voltage Electric Burn Injury to Scalp Managed with Phenytoin Dressing
(Public Health Concern Trust-Nepal (phect-NEPAL), 2025) Kharel, Animesh; Magar, Mangal G; Karki, Bishal; Nakarmi, Kiran K; Rai, Shankar Man
Abstract:
Phenytoin, an antiepileptic medicine was identified by Putnam and Merritt from Harvard Medical School and published in 1937, has also been documented for wound healing by accelerated epithelialization and increased connective tissue activity. 1 Though Phenytoin has also been used for superficial dermal burns, ulcers and diabetic wounds, there is paucity of data in its uses in burn wounds. We hereby present a case where phenytoin powder was used for secondary healing of a high voltage electric burn wound over the scalp with exposed calvarium.