Browsing by Author "Khakurel, Gita"
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Publication A Cross Sectional Study on Menstrual Hygiene Practices Among Adolescent School Girls(Rapti Academy of Health Sciences (RAHS), 2025) Karki, Prabin Kumar; Khakurel, Gita; Shrestha, Biju; Gautam, KalyanAbstract: Introduction: Menstrual hygiene is an important component of adolescent girls reproductive health and well-being. Inadequate knowledge, poor access to sanitary materials, and cultural taboos can negatively affect health, education, and quality of life. In Nepal, socio-cultural practices and limited resources often hinder proper menstrual hygiene management among school girls. This study was conducted to assess menstrual pattern and hygiene practices during menstrual cycle among adolescent school girls. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 210 adolescent school girls from grade 7 to 10 of secondary schools located at Balkot, Bhaktapur. Data were collected using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire covering menarche age, menstrual patterns, hygiene practices and availability of facilities. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23, with descriptive statistics recorded. Results: A total of 210 participants were included in the study. Mean age of menarche was 11.86±1.09 years. During menstruation, 95.24% used commercially available sanitary pads only. All the participants practiced proper disposal of sanitary materials, and had access to private washing facilities at school. Good menstrual hygiene practice was observed among most of the participants. Conclusion: Menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent school girls in Nepal remains a challenge. Majority of participants in our study reported availability of separate girls toilet with access to water and soap/handwash, however sanitary pads weren’t available at school. Improving school based menstrual education, ensuring the availability of sanitary pads, and enhancing water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure in schools are essential to promote better menstrual health and reduce school absenteeism.Publication Association of Resting Blood Pressure Levels with Pain Sensitivity Parameters among Medical Students(Institute of Medicine, 2025) Khakurel, Gita; Kharel, Sushil; Karki, Prabin Kumar; Gautam, KalyanABSTRACT Introduction: Pain perception varies among individuals and is influenced by multiple physiological factors, including blood pressure. The present study aimed to assess the association of resting blood pressure with pain sensitivity parameters among medical students of a medical college. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done in first and second year medical students aged 17-25 years. Pain sensitivity was assessed by the Cold Pressor Test. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to determine the association between blood pressure and pain sensitivity parameters. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics, with a significance level set at p<0.05. Results: Resting systolic blood pressure increased significantly in both sexes (Males:123.13±5.40 to 126.93±3.97; Females:113.35±8.26 to 119.76±5.67) following cold pressor test, while diastolic BP rose significantly only in females. Males had significantly higher pain threshold (23.32±3.00 vs 20.06 ± 4.15) and pain tolerance (92.18±14.06 vs 65.46±12.81) compared to females, while females reported significantly higher pain ratings (6.57±1.64 vs 5.32±1.08) on the visual analog scale (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between resting blood pressure and both pain threshold and pain tolerance in both males and females. In contrast, pain rating showed a significant negative correlation with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in males (r = –0.247 and –0.343, p = 0.020 and 0.001, respectively) and females (r = –0.320 and –0.504, p = 0.004 and <0.001, respectively). Conclusion: This study shows an inverse relationship between resting blood pressure and pain sensitivity, with stronger associations observed in females. The study also highlights sex-based differences in both pain perception and physiological response to cold-induced stress. Keywords: Blood pressure; cold pressor test; medical students; pain sensitivityPublication Diurnal Variability of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Healthy Adult Employees of a Medical College of Kathmandu(Institute of Medicine, 2021) Khakurel, Gita; Gautam, Kalyan; Chalise, SanatABSTRACT Introduction: Peak expiratory flow measurement is a simple measure of respiratory capacity to diagnose airflow obstruction and monitor treatment response in patients with pulmonary diseases. But there is wide diurnal variability in its values. The objectives of this study was to determine the diurnal variability of peak expiratory flow rate in healthy adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in employees of Kathmandu Medical College, Duwakot between March to August 2020. A total of 74 subjects of 30-45 years were included in the study. After adequate training, subjects were asked to record their own peak expiratory flow five times a day by Mini-Wright peak flow meter. Diurnal variability was expressed as amplitude percent mean and standard deviation percent mean. Data analysis was done by student’s unpaired t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results: The mean peak expiratory flow rate (in L/min) were lowest in morning (male: 478.75±45.91; female: 362.86±20.51) followed by progressive rise throughout the day and highest at evening (male: 531.88 ±43.95; female: 415.71±20.97) with slight fall at bedtime (male: 486.88±46.38; female: 362.86±20.51). The difference in peak expiratory flow rate at different time periods was statistically significant in both males and females (p<0.001). The diurnal variability as calculated by amplitude percent mean and standard deviation percent mean were found to be significantly higher in females (p=0.001 and 0.004 respectively). Conclusion:There is a variation of peak expiratory flow rate recorded during different time points of the day in healthy adults. Keywords: Diurnal variation, peak expiratory flow rate, spirometryPublication Prevalence of Thyroid Disorder in Pregnant Women Visiting a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study(Nepal Medical Association, 2021) Khakurel, Gita; Karki, Chandrima; Chalise, SanatAbstract: Introduction: The function of the thyroid gland is altered during pregnancy. Thyroid disorders during pregnancy are associated with serious maternal and fetal outcomes. Universal screening for thyroid disorders is recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy. This study aims to determine the prevalence of thyroid disorder during pregnancy in women attending a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital from March 2020 to August 2020 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review committee with reference number 20032020. The pregnant women >18 years of age, irrespective of their gestational age and gravida status, were included in the study by convenience sampling method. The participants were screened by estimation of thyroid function test. Data were collected, and statistical analysis was done in Statistical Packages for Social Services version 20.0. Results: A total of 329 pregnant women were included in this study. The prevalence of thyroid disorders in the present study is 24.62 %. The most common thyroid disorder observed was subclinical hypothyroidism comprising 65 (19.75 %) cases followed by overt hypothyroidism 8 (2.43%) cases. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of thyroid disorders during pregnancy in our settings. Timely screening of pregnant women helps in the early diagnosis and management of complications related to thyroid disorders.