Browsing by Author "Thapa, B"
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Publication A Point Prevalence Study of the Use of Antibiotics in Six Tertiary Care Hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal(Kathmandu University, 2022) Jha, N; Thapa, B; Pathak, SB; Pandey, A; Pokhrel, S; Shankar, PR; Bhandary, S; Mudvari, A; Dangal, GABSTRACT Background Point prevalence survey (PPS) on antibiotic use developed by the WHO has already been used in many hospitals globally. Objective To obtain information on antibiotic prescribtion using point prevalence survey methodology in six private hospitals in the Kathmandu valley. Method This descriptive cross-sectional study was completed during 20th July to 28th July 2021 using point prevalence survey methodology. The study was conducted among inpatients admitted at or before 8:00 AM on the day of survey in various wards. Data was presented as frequencies and percentages. Result Maximum number of patients were above 60 years [34 (18.7%)]. Number of male and female participants were equal [91 (50%)]. Only one antibiotic was used in 81 patients (44.5%) followed by two antibiotics in 71 (39%) patients. Duration of prophylactic antibiotic use was one day in 66 (63.7%) patients. Blood, urine, sputum, and wound swabs were the common samples for culture. Cultures were positive for 17 (24.7%) samples. The common organisms isolated were E. Coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Ceftriaxone was the most used antibiotic. Drug and therapeutics, infection control committee and pharmacovigilance activities were present in 3/6 (50%) study sites. Antimicrobial stewardship was present in 3/6 (50%) and microbiological services was present in all hospitals. Antibiotic formulary and antibiotic guideline were present in 4/6 sites and facilities to audit or review surgical antibiotic prophylaxis choice in 2/6 (33.3%) sites, facility to monitor antibiotic use in 4/6 (66.6%) and cumulative antibiotic susceptibility reports in 2/6 (33.3%) study sites. Conclusion Ceftriaxone was the most used antibiotic. E. Coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia were the commonly isolated organisms. Not all parameters for infrastructure, policy and practice and monitoring and feedback were present at the study sites. KEY WORDS Antibiotics, Point prevalence survey, Private hospitals, Tertiary care centersPublication Adolescent Health Risk and Behavior Survey: A School Based Survey in Central Nepal(Kathmandu University, 2017) Thapa, B; Powell, J; Yi, J; McGee, J; Landis, J; Rein, L; Kim, S; Shrestha, S; Karmacharya, BABSTRACT Background A comprehensive study of adolescent health risk specific to the Dhulikhel catchment area has not been performed. Objective This survey assesses trends in demographics, nutrition, hygiene and related infrastructure, causes of injury, violence, mental health, substance abuse, and menstrual hygiene. Method A 40 question survey was adapted from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, translated into the Nepali language, and administered to 1200 students in eight different schools in central Nepal. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Result The data has identified nutrition, infrastructure, mental health, and menstrual hygiene as areas for improvement. The number of adolescents who reported going hungry some, most, or all of the time (30.5%, 25.8%, 13.9%) reveals a need for better food access. Approximately 44.5 % of students had no access to soap and water at school. Students who endorse dissatisfaction with themselves was 6.5% and those with suicidal ideation or attempt was 11.8% of the surveyed population. A significantly greater percentage of students who reported suicidal ideation also reported engaging in behaviors related to physical violence, substance abuse, being dissatisfaction with themselves, insomnia due to anxiety, and loneliness. Of the female students, 40.1% reported missing school at least once in the last three months due to their period. Conclusion This data shows a need for better food access, improved infrastructure in schools in central Nepal, and the need to address the prevalence of mental health issues through program interventions. KEY WORDS Adolescent health, School health, SurveyPublication Assessment of Cardiopulmonary Fitness and Physical Activity in Health Science Students(Kathmandu University, 2024) Pun, DB; Jha, JP; Magar, BP; Thapa, BABSTRACT Background Insufficient physical activity and poor cardiopulmonary fitness increases the risk of chronic diseases and premature mortality. Sedentary lifestyle is observed among young health science students. Objective To assess cardiopulmonary fitness and physical activity levels among health science students at Jumla. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted on health science students at Karnali Academy, Jumla. Cardiopulmonary fitness was assessed using the Queen’s College Step Test to calculate VO2max. International Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied to measure physical activity in terms of Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) value. Data analysis utilized GNU-PSPP software with descriptive and inferential statistics. Result Total 107 students participated (56 females), aged 18-37 years. Their median VO2max was 40.05 ml/kg/min, significantly higher in males [51.69 (IQR 45.81 – 57.57)] than females [36.37 (IQR 34.90 – 38.58)] (p<0.001). Median weekly physical activity was 1030 MET-minutes/week, with males reporting higher levels [1436 (962 - 2670)] than females [678 (414 – 1103)] (p<0.001). VO2max had a positive correlation with total MET value per week (r = 0.504, p<0.001), and negative correlation with body adiposity (p<0.02). Multiple linear regression revealed physical activity level, sex, and BMI as significant predictors of VO2max (p<0.01). Conclusion Health science students at Karnali Academy have average levels of cardiopulmonary fitness and physical activity, lower in females. Targeted interventions can improve their fitness, benefiting the wider population in future. Further research should explore barriers to physical activity and factors influencing healthy lifestyle adoption among health science students in this region. KEY WORDS Exercise, Health occupations, Physical fitness, StudentsPublication Awareness of Burn First Aid Management among Undergraduate Medical Students at a Medical College Teaching Hospital(Kathmandu University, 2024) Thapa, S; Thapa, B; Shrestha, SABSTRACT Background First aid training, educational degree of health sector employee is linked to greater levels of knowledge, awareness and positive outcome in burn injury and its management but studies have shown insufficient level of awareness with unsatisfactory skills not only among professional healthcare workers but also in medical students. Objective To assess the knowledge and confidence of our medical students towards basic burn first aid and management. Method Cross sectional observational study was done using a structured, self-reported 16 multiple choice questionnaire with total marks of 30. Students was graded accordingly: more than 25 points: good, 16-25 points: satisfactory and less than 16 points: poor level of awareness about burn first aid management. Confidence in management of burn related victims, information on receiving of prior formal training in burns and sources of knowledge in students were also evaluated. Result Only a satisfactory level of awareness is seen in medical students 62.1%, 98.2% had not received any kind of formal training and the medical college curriculum was the main source of information (69.2%) followed by journals (47.1%) and internet (26%). 78.4% students felt that the curriculum provided to them was inadequate and only 5.3% students were confident in managing burn first aid. Conclusion There was inadequacy in the knowledge of burn first aid amongst undergraduate students therefore clinical course in managing burns into the undergraduate curriculum is vital. KEY WORDS Awareness, Burns, First aid management, Medical students, PerceptionPublication Diagnostic Accuracy of Drop Hydrogen Peroxide Test as a Novel Bedside Diagnostic Test to Differentiate Transudative and Exudative Pleural Effusion Against Light’s Criteria(Kathmandu University, 2022) Vaidya, N; Sapkota, P; Chaurasia, S; Thapa, B; Bhandari, N; Bhattarai, IABSTRACT Background Diagnostic evaluation of pleural fluid according to Light’s criteria to differentiate between exudative and transudative fluid takes 1 or 2 working days. For rapid clinical management, especially in critically ill patients, a simpler bedside diagnostic test can be done which has similar diagnostic accuracy as that of Light’s Criteria. Objective To determine the diagnostic accuracy of Drop Hydrogen Peroxide test to differentiate exudative and transudative pleural effusion in comparison to Light’s criteria. Method A concurrent validity test was performed using a convenient sampling technique including patients presenting to the Department of Internal Medicine from January to September 2021, who had pleural effusion. Two milliliters of tapped pleural fluid of patients who underwent aseptic thoracocentesis was collected in a test tube to which one to two drops of 20% hydrogen peroxide was added. Presence of bubbles suggested an exudative type of fluid. Rest of the tapped pleural fluid was sent to the laboratory for further evaluation by Light’s criteria, which was compared with the results by Drop Hydrogen Peroxide Test. Result There were 83 patients who had pleural effusion, of them a total of 43 patients had transudative pleural effusion while 40 patients had exudative pleural effusion based on Light’s criteria and 37 patients had transudative pleural effusion while 46 patients had exudative pleural effusion based on drop hydrogen peroxide test. Conclusion The drop hydrogen peroxide test allows cost effective and prompt evaluation of the type of pleural effusion is exudative or transudative, thereby making it a convenient diagnostic bedside test. KEY WORDS Diagnostic tests, Exudates and Transudates, Hydrogen peroxide, Pleural effusion, ThoracocentesisPublication Differential Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in School Going Adolescents: Comparing Healthy Individuals with Those Experiencing Depression and Anxiety(Kathmandu University, 2024) Thapa, B; Kumar, S; Laskar, NB; Bhandari, SS; Gupta, SABSTRACT Background Adolescents often struggle with depression and anxiety, which can greatly affect their well-being and functioning. Early detection is crucial for timely intervention and long-term health. Objective The objective of this study is to compare heart rate variability between depressed and anxious adolescents and their healthy peers. Method In this cross-sectional study, adolescents aged between 13-18 years were randomly selected from various schools. Participants were assessed for depression and anxiety using the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-25 (RCADS-25). Heart Rate Variability was measured using Power lab, with recorded variables including Median normal to normal interval (NN), Standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval (SDNN), Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD), Percentage of successive normal to normal interval differing by more than 50 milliseconds (pNN50), Low frequency power % (LF), High frequency power % (HF), and the LF:HF ratio. Result Reduction in certain time domain HRV parameters was observed among the subset of depressed students in Classes XI and XII, such as NN interval (p=0.019), SDNN (p=0.024), and RMSSD (p=0.034). Anxious adolescents showed a significant reduction in HRV compared to their healthy counterparts [(NN, p<.001), (SDNN, p=0.011), (RMSSD, p=0.017), (pNN50, p=0.016). Students with symptoms of both depression and anxiety demonstrated significantly reduced HRV parameters compared to the healthy group, affecting NN, (p<.001), SDNN, (p=0.003), RMSSD, ( p<.001), pNN50, (p< .001), HFP %, (p< .001) and LF: HF (p=.005). This association was observed in both males and females. Conclusion Adolescents with depression and anxiety have lower HRV than their healthy peers. Monitoring HRV may help to objectively detect these conditions. KEY WORDS Adolescents, Anxiety, Depression, Heart rate variabilityPublication Emerging trends of nosocomial Citrobacter species surgical wound infection: concern for infection control(Society of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists of Nepal (SODVELON), 2010) Thapa, B; Karn, D; Mahat, KAbstract Background Surgical wound infection is a common problem among patients who undergo operation. Several factors play important role in this infection process including endemic nosocomial infection without proper infection control measures. Objectives To study the occurrence of the pathogens in post-operative wound infections, their antibiotic resistance patterns, and comparison with published reports. Methods Various specimens obtained from the surgical wound during a period of four months were processed for bacteriological culture in the Department of Microbiology, Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test for pathogens isolated. The relevant literatures were searched and compared with the present study. Results Among 79 culture positive cultures, Citrobacter sp. (n=23) was most frequently isolated from surgical wound infection. Twenty strains were multidrug resistant. In comparison with other studies, this study highlights the emergence multi-drug resistant Citrobacter sp. as a leading cause of surgical wound infection. E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter sp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus sp., and Enterobacter sp. were also isolated from 19, 13, 10, 8, 2, 2, and 2 cultures, respectively. More than 50% of these pathogens were resistant to most of the β-lactam antibiotics tested and most of them were multi-drug resistant while these pathogens showed variable level of resistance to fluroquinolones and amino glycosides. Conclusion The frequent isolation of multi-drug resistant nosocomial strains of Citrobacter sp. in surgical wound infection is a remarkable trend. This pathogen and their resistant genes could be endemic to the institution and can cause difficult-to-treat infection if infection control committee is not revitalized and infection control strategies are not implemented. Key words Citrobacter sp.; Multi-drug resistant; surgical wound infection.Publication Evaluation of fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph nodes in Kathmandu Medical College, Teaching hospital(Kathmandu University, 2009) Hirachand, S; Lakhey, M; Akhter, J; Thapa, BAbstract Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is a simple and rapid diagnostic technique. Because of early availability of results, simplicity, minimal trauma and complications, the aspiration cytology is now considered a valuable diagnostic aid and is part and parcel of a pathologist’s repertoire. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of lymph nodes in our institution in comparison to result of histopathology. Materials and methods: The present study on 130 patients of lymphadenopathy was conducted in the Department of Pathology Kathmandu Medical College Teaching hospital, Kathmandu from June 2006 to May 2008 (2 years). Results: In this series of FNAC cervical lymph nodes were 66 (50.76%), and axillary lymph nodes were 20 (15.38%). Male to female ratio of the patients was 1: 0.9. Th age of patients ranged from 3 to 85 years. FNAC diagnosis was found to be as follows : reactive hyperplasia 54( 41.55%), tubercular lymphadenitis 36 (28 %), metastatic carcinoma 16 (12.3%), granulomatous lymphadenitis 12 ( 9.2 % ), lymphoma 8 (6%) and suppurative lymphadenitis 4(3%) . Out of 28 cases of FNAC 26 (92.85%) were consistent with histopathological diagnosis of tubercular lymphadenitis. In metastatic carcinoma to lymph nodes sensitivity and specificity of FNAC were 100% each. Conclusion: FNAC is useful and reliable in diagnosing neoplastic and non- neoplastic lesions of lymph nodes. It helps in planning surgery for malignant cases, where definitive operative intervention can be performed in one session. Key words: FNAC, lymphadenopathy.Publication Factors Influencing Brain Drain among Nepalese Nurses(Kathmandu University, 2017) Thapa, B; Shrestha, KABSTRACT Background Brain drain means migration of technically skilled people from one country to another country. Migration of health workers including nurses are the result of interplay of many push and pull factors. Push factors are those conditions that influence the nurses’ decision to leave their own country. Conversely, pull factors are those conditions in a given country that attract nurses, influencing their movement to that country. Objective The objective of this study was to identify push and pull factors of brain drain among the Nepalese nurses. Method Descriptive cross sectional study was done among 228 Nepalese nurses working in five different countries in 2016 by using quota sampling technique. A self administered questionnaire consisting of structured four-point Likert scale was designed to collect information on push and pull factors of brain drain. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed using SPSS version 16. Result Many of brain drained nurses had ranked very important push factor was personal ambition (72.8%) and very important pull factor was better job and career opportunity (77.2%). Majority of nurses working in Nepal had ranked very important push factor was lack of job and career opportunity (86.0%) and pull factor was better job and career opportunity (85.1%). All push and pull factors were significantly associated with brain drain. Conclusion Most of the Nepalese nurses were forced to go abroad due to personal ambition, followed by low salary, and lack of job and career opportunity. Nurse migration out of Nepal is likely to persist and even increase if underlying factors aren’t properly resolved. KEY WORDS Brain drain, nurses, pull factors, push factorsPublication Human Resources for Cardiovascular Disease Management in Nepal: A National Need Assessment(Kathmandu University, 2021) Thapa, B; Sharma, S; Shrestha, A; Maharjan, R; Jha, N; Bajracharya, S; Shrestha, S; Neupane, T; Sapkota, BP; Koju, RP; Oli, NABSTRACT Background Human resources are the mainstay of the healthcare system. Higher numbers of health workers have better healthcare coverage and outcomes. Availability of trained human resources to address the exponential rise in cardiovascular disease in Nepal is a national concern. Objective To assess the need of human resources for cardiovascular disease management in Nepal. Method We conducted an exploratory sequential mixed-method study. We developed a task force and organized a national workshop to engage stakeholders and collect feedback on the research process. We did a desk review and conducted 24 key informant interviews. We did thematic analysis from the codes generated. Result There is no clear definition and required estimation of health workers for cardiovascular disease management. There is a shortage of health workers with 8.9 doctors, 20.8 nurses, 0.05 cardiologist/cardiac surgeon, 4.2 pharmacist, 10.2 laboratory technicians per 10,000 population. There is a comprehensive human resource plan but it does not provide details of human resources for cardiovascular disease management. There is a lack of public private collaboration for human resource management. However, there is production of human resources for cardiovascular disease management through pre-service specialized courses and in- service training. Conclusion A clear definition and estimation of health workers with stringent human resource plan for cardiovascular disease management is essential. The government can still address these gaps by establishing a well-equipped central health workforce unit and expanding collaboration with private sectors. KEY WORDS Cardiovascular diseases, Human Resource for health, National need assessment, Nepal