Browsing by Author "Paudel, Deepak"
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Publication Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases and Emerging Attention in Gandaki Province, Nepal(Nepal Medical Association, 2025) Khadka, Khim Bahadur; Paudel, DeepakAbstract Non-communicable diseases have become a major health challenge globally, including in Nepal. Deaths due to non-communicable diseases in Nepal are increasing, accounting more than half of total deaths. Major contributors to deaths due to non-communicable diseases include cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers, digestive diseases such as pancreatitis and cirrhosis of liver, and diabetes. To address this, Gandaki Province organized integrated screening sessions for non-communicable diseases covering 2,976 high-risk individuals aged 40 years and above from six districts. The preliminary findings of screenings revealed a high prevalence of hypertension, high blood sugar, obesity, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Designating Falgun as the month for the non-communicable diseases screening campaign throughout the country helps in promoting awareness, screening, and management of these diseases through effective coordination and resource allocation for successful impact.Publication Navigating Uncertainty: The Future of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey and Nepal Health Facility Survey in Evolving Public Health Landscape in Nepal(Nepal Medical Association, 2025) Paudel, DeepakAbstract Effective data systems are essential for driving focus and processes within health systems. Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Health Facility Surveys (HFS) play a critical role in providing nationally representative data on service quality, health indicators, and resource allocation. Although the next round of Nepal Health Facility Survey was scheduled for 2026 and Nepal Demographic and Health Survey for 2027, these surveys face uncertainty due to recent decisions by the new U.S. administration to cut foreign aid, including support for the DHS project. In Nepal, data from DHS and HFS are indispensable for evaluating health systems, shaping evidencebased policies, and monitoring public health progress. However, funding uncertainties threaten to create data gaps, may distort health sector priorities, and diminish opportunities for developing future leaders in health sector. This situation highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions, investments in robust routine data systems, and strengthened collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the continuity of vital health system data.Publication Role of Prophylactics Antibiotics in Clean Head and Neck Surgery in a Tertiary Care Center of Nepal: A Prospective Comparative Study(Nepal Health Research Council, 2024) Paudel, Deepak; Karki, Anil Bikram; Shrestha, AmodBackground: Surgical site infections are well recognized complications of any surgical procedures. In head and neck surgeries, prophylactic antibiotics are commonly used to prevent Surgical site infections, in contaminated and clean contaminated procedures. Guidelines advised against routine antibiotics use in clean surgeries, but in our setting, non-compliance is frequent, resulting excessive antibiotics use. Objective of the study was to compare the Surgical site infections rate between prophylactics antibiotics group and no antibiotics group in clean head and neck surgery. Methods: It was a prospective comparative study conducted at a tertiary care centre of eastern Nepal. Patients were assigned to two groups, one receiving prophylactic antibiotics and another receiving no antibiotics. Results: Out of 131 patients, 66 received prophylactic antibiotics and 65 did not. Thyroidectomy was the most common surgery. The surgical site infection rate was 6.06% in antibiotic group and 7.69% in no antibiotic group, the difference was not significant (p=0.744). The risk reduction of surgical site infection with use of antibiotics was 0.0163 and number need to treat was calculated to be 61.35 About 3% of the patients who were administered antibiotics experienced adverse drug reactions. Factors, such as gender, amount of blood loss, smoking, placement of drains had no significant impact on Surgical site infections rate. Conclusions: Prophylactics antibiotics does not offer substantial advantages in preventing surgical site infections and are not advised for such procedures. Moreover, their use increases the financial burden and risk of adverse drug reactions to the patients. Keywords: Adverse drug reaction; antibiotics; surgical site infections; thyroidectomy.Publication Validation of Nepali Version of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire for Head and Neck Cancer Patients.(Nepal Medical Association, 2025) Paudel, Deepak; Karki, Anil Bikram; Parajuli, BibasAbstract Introduction: Quality of Life (QoL) encompasses physical, functional, emotional, and social wellbeing, often assessed via self-reported questionnaires. The University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) instrument, designed for Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patients, is a validated, concise, and practical tool widely used in clinical settings. The objective of the study was to translate and assess the content and face validity of the Nepali version of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UWQOLv4.1-N) and evaluate its psychometric properties in HNC patients. Methods: Quality of Life (QoL) encompasses physical, functional, emotional, and social well-being, often assessed via self-reported questionnaires. The University of Washington Quality of Life (UWQOL) instrument, designed for Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patients, is a validated, concise, and practical tool widely used in clinical settings. The objective of the study was to translate and assess the content and face validity of the Nepali version of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UWQOLv4.1-N) and evaluate its psychometric properties in HNC patients. Results: The UWQOLv4.1-N demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.87), and excellent test-retest reliability and stability (r = 0.93). A strong correlation (r > 0.50) was observed between similar domains of the UWQOL and EORTC QLQ-C30 and HN355. UWQOL composite scores demonstrated a strong correlation with all domains of global questions at admission, as well as after 3 and 6 months of treatment (p< 0.01). Conclusions: The Nepali version of UWQOLv4.1-N is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the QoL of HNC patients in Nepal.