Browsing by Author "Karki, Rajesh"
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Publication Anxiety in Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19 in Tertiary Level Hospital, Kathmandu: A Cross- sectional study(Central Department of Public Health, 2024) Rijal, Alisha; Ramtel, Juna; Rijal, Sita; Subedi, Susheela; Karki, RajeshAbstract Background: The rising cases and mortality of COVID-19 has led to stress and fear of uncertainty among COVID-19 patients. Objective: The study aimed to assess anxiety in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in tertiary level hospital at Kathmandu. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 159 COVID-19 patients at a tertiary level hospital. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select sample from COVID general wards. Face to face interview was used to assess level of anxiety using Generalised Anxiety Disorder- seven (GAD-7). SPSS 26.0 version was used to analyse the data. Chi-square test was applied to measure the association between level of anxiety and socio-demographic, source of information and hospital related information(p≤0.05). Results: Among 159 COVID-19 patients, more than (37.7%) of the respondents were from the age group of 51˗70 years where the mean age was 50.42±16.32 years. Approximately half (49.7%) of the respondents had experienced varied degree of anxiety. More than one third (38.4%) of respondents had mild anxiety, 10.7% had moderate anxiety and 0.6% had severe anxiety. Anxiety in the respondents was associated with socio-demographic factors like religion, educational status and days of hospital stay (p<0.05). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased varying degree of anxiety. Hence, adequate intervention and evaluation into mental health awareness, and psychosocial support is necessaryPublication Prevalence and Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Working Mothers of Infants Aged 6 to 12 months: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Kathmandu, Nepal(Central Department of Public Health, 2024) Basnet, Rojina; Karki, Rajesh; Poudel, RoshaniAbstract Background: Exclusive breastfeeding, a vital infant feeding practice, may be influenced by workplace factors and women’s labor force participation. This study aims to identify the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practices and associated factors among working mothers with infants aged 6 to 12 months. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study took place from February 2016 to April 2016, involving 250 working mothers at Kanti Children’s Hospital, Kathmandu. Mothers were purposively selected and underwent face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, mean, median, and standard deviation, presented study findings. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified significant factors associated with exclusive feeding (p < 0.05). Results: In the total sample, the majority of mothers (49.0%) were aged 30-35 years, with a mean age of 29.93 (± 2.79) years. Approximately one-third (33.0%) practiced exclusive breastfeeding, and the majority (52.0%) were employed in academic sectors. While all mothers had access to maternity leave, only 1.6% took a 6-month leave. More than half of the mothers (56%) exhibited poor knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding, and 76% expressed a positive attitude towards workplace breastfeeding. Factors associated with increased exclusive breastfeeding included good knowledge, longer maternity leave, a complete history of postnatal checkups, and the availability of breastfeeding facilities in the workplace. Conclusion: Our data indicate a low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers. We recommend the effective implementation of government policies regarding maternity leave and breastfeeding facilities in the workplace. This includes advocating for exclusive breastfeeding, ensuring that both public and private organizations comply with maternity leave provisions, providing adequate breastfeeding facilities at workplaces, and enhancing awareness about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the health of both mother and child.Publication Prevalence of depression among Geriatric Population in a Rural Municipality of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study(Nepal Medical Association, 2024) Kaphle, Maheshor; Karki, Rajesh; Thapa, Anjana; Bhatta, RameshAbstract Introduction: Depression is a major public health concern among the elderly, affecting their quality of life and overall well-being. Despite the increasing elderly population in Nepal, data on the prevalence of depression in rural areas is limited. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence of depression among the geriatric population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals aged 60 years and above in three randomly selected wards of Shivapuri Rural Municipality. Respondents were selected using consecutive sampling. The Nepali version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was administered through face-to-face interviews. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number 080/81-437). Descriptive analysis was conducted for categorical variables using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The overall prevalence of geriatric depression was 115 (28.75%; 95% CI: 24.36%-33.46%), with a mean depression score of 3.54±3.17. Among those with depression, majority reported mild depression 79 (68.70%) reported mild depression, 79 (31.22%) were male, 88 (30.66%) were under 75 years of age, 46 (35.66%) self-rated their health as not good, 16 (32.66%) had COPD and 33 (30%) were hypertensive elderly. Conclusions: About one third of the elderly reported of having depression and more than 50% had mild depression. The depression was more in age group less than 75 years, male, married and in nuclear family.