Browsing by Author "Shrestha, T"

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    Awareness and Knowledge of Glaucoma and their Associated Factors among People Visiting 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; Adhikari, B
    ABSTRACT Background Glaucoma is one of the major causes of irreversible blindness globally. Almost 60 million people globally are affected by glaucoma making it the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Diagnosis of glaucoma early on is vital for timely management and prevention of blindness. However, it is challenging to diagnose it early because it is asymptomatic in the initial stage, and there is also the dearth of appropriate screening tools. Awareness, knowledge, and beliefs are believed to influence the treatment-seeking behavior of people as well as their uptake of services. Objective To assess the awareness and knowledge about glaucoma among general patients and patient attendants visiting Dhulikhel Hospital. Method We conducted a cross sectional quantitative study among general patients visiting Dhulikhel Hospital. We collected data using face-to-face interviews with semi- structured questionnaires. We analyzed data in R version 4.0.3 (2020-10-10). We presented numerical variables as mean and standard deviation whereas categorical variables as frequency and percentage. We determined factors associated with awareness and knowledge of glaucoma using logistic regression analysis and estimated adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval. Result Of 379 participants, a total of 214 (56.5%) participants had heard about glaucoma. Out of the participants who heard about glaucoma, the mean knowledge score was 48.3±21.7 and 53.3% had good knowledge on glaucoma. The odds of having heard about glaucoma were two percent lower (AOR=0.98; 95%CI: 0.97-0.99; p-value 0.036) in the older participants compared to one year younger participant, 1.98 (95%CI:1.01-3.86; p-value 0.046) times higher among literates and 2.79 (95%CI: 1.76- 4.41; p-value < 0.001) times among participants with previous ocular examination. The odds of having good knowledge was 1.94 (95%CI: 1.10-3.42; p value 0.021) times among participants with previous ocular examinations. Conclusion The knowledge and awareness regarding glaucoma in a hospital-visiting population in central Nepal was low. Half of the participants were unaware of the disease glaucoma and half of the participants who heard of the glaucoma had poor knowledge on glaucoma. KEY WORDS Awareness, Glaucoma, Knowledge
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    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, L
    ABSTRACT 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, Practice
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    Prevalence of Refractive Error and Ocular Pathologies among School Children: Finding from the School Eye Program of Dhulikhel Hospital
    (Kathmandu University, 2021) Shrestha, A; Shrestha, P; Shrestha, T; Makaju Shrestha, R; Sujakhu, D; Dhakal, K; Thapa, G; Paneru, D
    ABSTRACT Background Childhood blindness and visual impairments could lead to the onset of blindness among children and adolescents. New cases appear particularly between the ages of 6-15 years and if uncorrected, runs a risk of developing Amblyopia, strabismus. There exists a mounting need to strengthen and modify established school eye health programs in Nepal as per the local needs and conditions. Objective To determine the prevalence of refractive error and ocular pathologies among school children in rural Nepal. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted in nine schools of Kavrepalanchowk and Bhaktapur district with 953 students screened from December 2018 to February 2020. The team of optometrist, ophthalmic assistants and ophthalmologist applied a standard protocol for screening of refractive error as a part of the school eye program of Dhulikhel Hospital. Other standard eye examinations were performed to note the ocular pathologies. The association of socio-demographic factors of students having refractive errors with that in emmetropes was identified using logistic regression analysis. Result A total of 953 students were screened in nine study sites, age ranged from 5-19 years. There were 183 students (19.2%) with refractive errors. Blurred vision was the common complaint reported by 2.5% of students. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed higher age group children (aOR=2.93; 95% CI: 1.62-5.29; P=0.01) and urban area children (aOR=4.37; 95% CI: 0.87-21.98; P=0.07) to have higher odds of refractive error. Conclusion Refractive error is the major eye problem among school children. Despite its high prevalence, there is still a major gap in timely diagnosis and treatment. Regular vision screening and timely treatment is required for better addressing refractive error among school-going children. KEY WORDS Ocular pathology, Refractive error, School children
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    Study of Characteristic Retinal Findings among Hypertensive Population Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Nepal
    (Kathmandu University, 2022) Shrestha, T; Shrestha, R; Kaiti, R
    ABSTRACT Background Systemic hypertension is one of the most common chronic, debilitating diseases prevalent in the modern era, with many complications in terms of stroke, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease and retinopathy. When it comes to the eye, as a target organ damage, it leads to one of the many vision threatening conditions, hence degrading the quality of life. Early detection and subsequent management of patients at risk of hypertensive retinopathy serves to be a crucial panacea in the treatment course. Objective To investigate the characteristics retinal findings among hypertensive population and analyze the associated risk factors. Method A hospital based prospective study was conducted, among 250 patients presenting to ophthalmology outpatient department in Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital (DH-KUH), over a time span of 6 months, to analyze hypertensive retinopathy and its implications. Fundus examination under mydriasis was done on all subjects and hypertensive retinopathy was graded according to the modified Scheie classification. Result Most patients belonged to age group of 56-65 years (30%). Nearly half (48%, N=120) of the hypertensive population had some forms of retinopathy. Grade II hypertensive retinopathy (24.8%) was the most common hypertensive change observed. Majority (55%) of the patients with retinopathy were smokers. About two-third of the subjects (67.5%) had been diagnosed to have hypertension and under treatment for over 5 years. Conclusion The occurrence of retinopathy among hypertensive patients attending ophthalmology department is higher. Awareness regarding systemic hypertension and its effect on ocular health is very important to be disseminated among public. Timely referral among medical specialities could diagnose and prevent curable blindness among hypertensive patients. KEY WORDS Epidemiological analysis, Retinopathy, Systemic hypertension

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