Browsing by Author "Nepal, Samata"
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Publication Evaluation of Errors on Death Certificates(Nepal Health Research Council, 2024) Atreya, Alok; Acharya, Bina; Yadav, Purushottam Prasad; Menezes, Ritesh G; Nepal, SamataBackground: Death certificates provide vital data for disease surveillance and health policy. However, errors are common globally, undermining data reliability. This study analyzed prevalence and types of errors in death certificates at a tertiary hospital in Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study reviewed all death certificates issued at Lumbini Medical College, Nepal from April 2020 to April 2022. Certificates were assessed for errors including improper sequencing, absent time intervals, abbreviations, illegible writing, and inaccurate immediate, antecedent, and underlying causes of death as per international guidelines. Errors were classified as major or minor. Results: Of 139 certificates, none were error-free. The most common error was incorrectly or incompletely filling the immediate cause of death (77.7%). Other errors included absent time of death (17.3%), abbreviations (57.6%), illegible writing (22.3%), and omitting the hospital stamp/medical council registration number (8.6%). Based on international criteria, 76.3% had minor errors, 23% had both major and minor errors. Conclusions: This study found a high rate of errors in death certification at a tertiary hospital in Nepal, undermining data accuracy. Regular training and monitoring with feedback are recommended to improve certification practices. Accurate cause-of-death data is vital for healthcare policy and decision-making in Nepal. Keywords: Cause of death; certification; international classification of diseases; major errors and minor errors.Publication Prevalence of Medical Student Syndrome among Medical Students of Nepal(Nepal Health Research Council, 2024) Nepal, Samata; Atreya, Alok; Bhandari, Swasti; Sapkota, Laxmi Prasad; Menezes, Ritesh G.; Gnawali, Laxman; Adhikari, KishorBackground: Medical student syndrome (MSS) entails the development of symptoms of the same disease as the one being studied in medical students. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Medical student syndrome among medical students in Nepal and identify associated factors. Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted at Lumbini Medical College Palpa, Nepal on medical students. Google form-based questionnaire was made, and the link was distributed to the students. A cut-off score was derived for Medical student syndrome. Students whose scores exceeded this threshold were categorized as having experienced Medical student syndrome. The responses received from the consenting students were downloaded in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and exported to SPSS v 26 and analysed. Results: The overall prevalence of Medical student syndrome was 17.8%. There was no significant difference in Medical student syndrome scores between genders (p = 0.801). However, year of study significantly influenced Medical student syndrome scores (p = 0.001, ?² = 0.069), with final year students reporting higher scores. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study revealed a significant prevalence of Medical Student Syndrome among medical students in Nepal, with nearly 18% reporting symptoms of the condition. Keywords: Hypochondriasis; medical students; mental health; Nepal.Publication Unintended Consequences: A Critical Analysis of Nepals Rape Law Reform and Its Impact on Juvenile Justice(Nepal Health Research Council, 2024) Atreya, Alok; Acharya, Apurba; Paudel, Sudip; Nepal, SamataThe increase of the age of consent to 18, with the Muluki Penal Code that came into effect in 2017, created an unintended burden on the juvenile justice system in Nepal. The amendment, drafted to protect minors from sexual exploitation by adults, resulted in the criminalisation of consensual relationships between adolescents. The surge of inmates aged 16 to 18 years is leading Nepal into a crisis in its juvenile correction centres, with overcrowded facilities, decrepit conditions, and increased violence. This crisis was underlined by three deaths in juvenile correction centres at Bhaktapur, Parsa, and Banke up to September 2023. This article explores the legal, social, and ethical dilemmas generated by Nepal's reforms of rape law and advocates for a more nuanced approach in safeguarding vulnerable populations without moralising normal adolescent sexual conduct. This approach is based on the consideration of pending challenges for the juvenile justice system and the development of strategies to reconcile child protection goals with the realities of adolescents' relationships. Keywords: Informed consent; juvenile delinquency; Nepal; rape.