Browsing by Author "Thapa, G"
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Publication 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, BABSTRACT 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, KnowledgePublication 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 Bacterial Conjunctivitis and Use of Antibiotics in Dhulikhel Hospital - Kathmandu University Hospital(Kathmandu University, 2011) Sthapit, PR; Tuladhar, NR; Marasini, S; Khoju, U; Thapa, GABSTRACT Background Acute Infective Conjunctivitis may be due to viral or bacterial infection; though it is usually self limiting, topical antibiotics are often prescribed for rapid recovery. Objectives This study aims to find out prevalence of bacterial infection among cases of acute infective conjunctivitis and to determine their in-vitro antibacterial susceptibilities to commonly used antibacterial agents and to find out whether the rampant use of topical antibiotics are at all necessary or justified. Methods A prospective analytical study conducted over a period of two years on clinically diagnosed cases of Acute Infective Conjunctivitis. Isolation and identification of microorganisms by culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test were done on conjunctival swabs from 65 patients. Results A total of 65 patients were included where children (one month to 10 years old) accounted for the commonest age group (35.4%).On Gram’s Stain, 90.8% were negative for pus cells or micro organisms. Gram positive cocci were found in 6.2% of cases. On culture, bacterial growth was seen in 11 cases (18.9%) among which Streptococcus pneumonia was seen in seven cases (10.8%).The analysis on in-vitro susceptibility testing showed that Chloramphenicol and Gentamicin were the most sensitive (78.6% of samples) drugs for conjunctivitis. Conclusion Ophthalmic antibiotics should be prescribed judiciously in acute infective conjunctivitis even for suspected bacterial cases; since it is found to resolve spontaneously without any serious complications. Chloramphenicol and Gentamicin are drugs of choice if at all required. Key Words acute infective conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, chloramphenicol, gentamicinPublication Ocular trauma in patients presenting to Dhulikhel Hospital(Kathmandu University, 2011) Sthapit, PR; Marasini, S; Khoju, U; Thapa, G; Nepal, BPABSTRACT Background Ocular trauma is an important cause of blindness and ocular morbidity throughout the world. Prevalence studies help to define the target group, plan strategies and thereby lessen trauma related blindness in the country. Objective To identify the risk factors for ocular trauma, those at risk, describe the visual acuity at time of clinical presentation, and assess the nature and severity of ocular trauma in patients presenting to Dhulikhel Hospital’s emergency department and eye OPD with ocular trauma. Methods It is a descriptive and prospective study of all the patients with ocular trauma presenting to Dhulikhel Hospital from December 2009 to December 2010. A complete history and detailed ophthalmologic evaluation was done and noted down. Results There were 112 subjects with ocular trauma. Mean age was 28.43±16.36 years with a range of one year to 74 years. Males predominated with 72.3% frequency (p<0.001). Incidence peaked in third decade of life (p<0.01). Ocular trauma peaked in months of September and October. Presenting visual acuity better than 6/12 was noted in 83.9% of cases whereas 2.7% of cases had visual acuity of <3/60. Household (56.3%, p<0.001) was the commonest place of injury with wooden objects (19.6%) being the commonest object of injury. Most of the injuries were mechanical (85.7%, p>0.001). Conclusion Blunt injuries were more common in young males. Household and workplace were common location of ocular injuries. Public awareness and strict legislation to use personal protective devices can help to reduce the occurrence of ocular injury. KEY WORDS blindness, corneal abrasion, mechanical injury, ocular traumaPublication 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, DABSTRACT 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 childrenPublication Refractive Errors and Visual Anomalies in Schoolchildren in the Kavrepalanchowk District(Kathmandu University, 2010) Marasini, S; Sharma, R; Sthapit, PR; Sharma, D; Koju, U; Thapa, G; Nepal, BPABSTRACT Background Schoolchildren form an important target group for a nation, as any ocular morbidity in this age group has huge physical, psychological and socio-economical implications. Childhood eye disorders can contribute to the burden of blindness in any society. This study aims to highlight the prevalence of ocular morbidity in governmental schools in a sub-urbanised area of Nepal, in relation to ethnic variation. Methods A descriptive study, and the study population used were schoolchildren who were examined in their schools and afterwards referred to the hospital if required. Presenting and best corrected visual acuity, refraction, binocularity assessment, anterior and posterior segment evaluation was carried out. Data was analysed statistically using SPSS software, version 14. Results We examined 1,802 school children. The mean age was 10.78±3.61 years. Ocular abnormality was detected in 11.7%. Low vision and blindness was rare (0.11% and 0.05%). Ocular morbidities were more common in Newar communities (3.71%) followed by Brahamans (3.38%). Lid abnormalities were the most common (3.55%), and morbidities in each ethnicity were followed by refractive errors (3%), conjunctival abnormalities (1.10%), strabismus (0.88%) and amblyopia (0.33%). Refractive errors were most common among Newar communities (1.16%) at almost twice as many Brahamans (0.61%) followed by Mongolians (0.49%). Convergence insufficiency was detected in 2.49% (p<0.01). Conclusions Ocular morbidities are common in children in Kavhrepalanchowk District with lid abnormalities being the most common issue, probably due to a lack of hygienic practice. Ethnic variation of ocular morbidities is an important observation mostly for refractive error and strabismus. Key Words blepharitis, blindness, ethnicity, oculo-visual, visual acuity