Browsing by Author "Poudel, L"
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Publication Awareness and Knowledge of Glaucoma and their Associated Factors among Staffs in a Tertiary-level Hospital in Central Nepal(Kathmandu University, 2022) Shrestha, A; Shrestha, P; Shrestha, T; Shrestha, RM; Sujakhu, D; Dhakal, K; Thapa, G; Adhikari, S; Karki, S; Poudel, LABSTRACT Background Since glaucoma-related blindness may only be prevented with early identification and treatment, finding asymptomatic individuals in the target population is critical. It is thus important to determine the awareness and knowledge on glaucoma. Objective To determine the knowledge and awareness on glaucoma among the staff of a tertiary level hospital in central Nepal. Method This was a cross sectional study among the staffs of Dhulikhel Hospital who participated voluntarily in the study. The data was collected through the administration of semi-structured questionnaires. R version 4.0.3 (2020-10-10) was used for the data analysis. Categorical variables are presented as frequency (percentages) and the numerical ones are presented as mean (standard deviation). Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval were estimated through logistic regression analysis for determining factors associated with awareness and knowledge of glaucoma. Result A total of 107 (89.2%) participants had heard about glaucoma of which 93 (86.9%) had good knowledge and 14(13.1%) had poor knowledge on glaucoma. The mean score of knowledge was 64.1±16.9. Only 47.7% of the participants said that glaucoma also has an asymptomatic course. We could not find an association of awareness and knowledge of glaucoma with any of the selected sociodemographic variables. Conclusion Although there was a fairly good glaucoma related awareness and knowledge among hospital staff, we found lack of understanding on some critical issues on glaucoma, mainly related to its asymptomatic nature. There is thus room for improvement in educating about glaucoma even in healthcare settings. Given the necessity of expanding glaucoma awareness in the public, hospital staff might potentially serve as messengers to the communities KEY WORDS Awareness, Glaucoma, Hospital Staffs, Knowledge, PracticePublication Clinical Characteristics of Cataract Patients and Outcome of Cataract Surgery in Tertiary Care Hospital in Central Nepal(Kathmandu University, 2022) Shrestha, A; Shrestha, P; Shrestha, T; Makaju Shrestha, R; Shrestha, B; Poudel, L; Shrestha, JKABSTRACT Background Cataract remains the leading cause of avoidable blindness in low-income countries such as Nepal. Despite the availability of surgical interventions for cataract in leading institutions, still a large number of patients from remote areas delay or have difficulty in getting treatment, present late or with complications. Objective To determine the clinical characteristics and visual outcome of patients undergoing cataract surgery in Tertiary Care Hospital in Central Nepal. Method We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 138 patients who underwent cataract surgery at a tertiary care hospital from January 2018 to September 2022. R version 4.0.3 was used for the data analysis. Categorical variables are presented as frequency (percentages) and the numerical ones are presented as mean (standard deviation). Result During follow-up visits between one to three weeks, 91.9% out of 135 patients had normal/near normal presenting visual acuity and with best correction it was 96.9% out of 131 patients. About 1.6% out of 124 operated eyes still had moderate visual impairment after best correction when they visited for follow-up at 12 weeks. Conclusion The study findings underline the ongoing gap in increasing access to cataract treatment, given the large proportion of individuals who still presented extremely late. KEY WORDS Cataract, Complication, Characteristics, Outcome, SurgeryPublication Community-based Screening of Cervical Cancer in an Urban Setting in Nepal: A Cross-sectional Study(Kathmandu University, 2024) Shrestha, A; Poudel, L; Khanal, B; Poudel, K; Shakya, S; Timsina, P; Shakya, P; Shrestha, S; Paneru, BABSTRACT Background In Nepal, cervical cancer is among the most prevalent cancers among females, yet only about 8% of women have undergone screening, highlighting significant barriers to access in low-resource settings. Objective To assess and report the outcomes of a community-based cervical cancer screening with visual inspection of acetic acid and an active follow-up program in Budhanilkantha municipality, Kathmandu Valley. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study in Budhanilkantha Municipality among 1360 women aged 30 to 60 who attended community-based cervical cancer screening camps. Trained research assistants collected socio-demographic and reproductive health data through interviews, abstracted medical records about Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid outcomes, and made follow-up calls to those who screened positive. We conducted descriptive analysis and logistic regression to assess associations between screen positivity and women’s characteristics. Result A total of 1,360 women visited the camp, with 98.3% undergoing visual inspection with acetic acid, and 7.25% screening positive. Among those referred, 78% followed up at the recommended hospital; diagnostic tests indicated that 12.3% had low- grade lesions and 1.36% had high-grade pre-cancerous lesions. The adjusted model revealed no statistically significant associations between Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid positivity and variables such as age, ethnicity, education, and reproductive history. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the community-based Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) cervical cancer screening method was highly acceptance and had high treatment follow-up among women in urban Nepal. KEY WORDS Cervical cancer, Screening, Visual inspection with acetic acidPublication Prevalence and Associated Factors of Dental Caries among School Children in Bharatpur, Chitwan(Kathmandu University, 2024) Poudel, S; Sapkota, D; Poudel, L; Poudel, S; Khatri, E; Sapkota, KABSTRACT Background The burden of dental caries among children is increasing due to consumption of sugary substances, poor oral care practices, and inadequate health service utilization. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and associated factors of dental caries among school children. The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of dental caries and associated factors among school children of private school of Bharatpur metropolitan city. Objective To assess the prevalence of dental caries and associated factors among school children of private school of Bharatpur metropolitan city. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 150 children of two different private schools of Chitwan by using multi-stage probability sampling technique. The data was collected from 22nd November 2019 to 4th December 2019. Data were collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire to identify the prevalence of and associated factors of dental caries and decayed, missing and filled Permanent teeth (DMFT) index criteria. Result Out of total 150 children, 68% had dental caries. Among them, 64.5 % had caries in deciduous teeth, 17.6 % in permanent teeth and 17.6% had caries on both types of dentition. Only 40.7% of children had received dental check-ups. The mean Decayed, missing and filled primary teeth (DMFT)/ decayed, missing and filled Permanent teeth (DMFT) was 1.91 and 0.54 respectively. 83.3% and 57.1% of children had low severity caries in permanent and deciduous dentition respectively. The educational level, brushing habits, sugar consumption, and snack consumption, bottle feeding at infancy and mother’s occupation was found to be associated with dental caries. Conclusion The study showed high prevalence of dental caries among school children. Less than 50% of children had a dental checkup in case of dental problems only. Association of dental caries was found with level of education, brushing habits, sugar consumption, snack consumption bottle feeding at infancy and mother’s occupation. KEY WORDS Children, Dental caries, Prevalence, Severity