Journal Issue: No 4, Issue 28, OCT-DEC, 2009
Volume
Number
Issue Date
2009
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
1812-2027
Journal Volume
Articles
Economic and social burden due to injuries and violence in Nepal: A cross-sectional study
(Kathmandu University, 2009) Joshi, SK; Shrestha, S
Abstract
Background: Injury and violence cause five million deaths annually in the world which is around 9% of the global
mortality. Eight out of fifteen leading causes of deaths in the age group 15-25 years are injury related.
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the incidence, severity and socio-economic burden of injuries and
violence in two cities of Nepal.
Materials and methods: Relevant data was collected from 17th August 2008 to 16th September 2008 from injured
patients attending emergency departments at six health centres in two cities.
Results: In total, 505 injury cases were reported. 42.5% of the injuries occurred in roads and 34.1% at home. 65% of
road traffic injuries involved motorcycles. The majority (60%) of the injured subjects were economically active. A single
injury case cost 126.2 US$ including all the expenses and the loss due to inability to work.
Conclusion: The high incidence of injuries, especially road traffic injuries, adds a huge economic burden to nation.
Key words: disabilities, economic burden, injuries, violence
A review of HIV in prisons in Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2009) Dolan, K; Larney, S
Abstract
Background: HIV in prisons is a serious public health concern. People in prison are at risk of contracting HIV through
injecting drug use, unprotected sex and tattooing. However, most countries have largely neglected HIV prevention and
care in prisons.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to review HIV prevention and care in Nepal’s prisons
Materials and methods: This was carried out by Systematic review of published and grey literature.
Results: Nepal’s National HIV Strategy acknowledges the importance of prisons in broader HIV prevention efforts.
However, prison conditions are poor and there is no accurate information regarding HIV prevalence or risk behaviours
among prisoners. HIV prevention interventions have largely been limited to ad hoc training workshops. Antiretroviral
treatment is not available to HIV infected prisoners.
Conclusion: There is recognition in Government policy documents that prisons must be involved in efforts to stem the
HIV epidemic. However, HIV prevention and care remains largely non-existent in Nepal’s prisons. Efforts to obtain
external funding to initiate and maintain programs such as drug dependency treatment and condom distribution are
required. Attention could also be given to introducing alternatives to incarceration for less serious offenders and drug
dependent offenders.
Key words: HIV, prison, Nepal
Clinical features of HIV/AIDS and various opportunistic infections in relation to antiretroviral status among HIV seropositive individuals from Central Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2009) Sharma, S; Dhungana, GP; Pokherel, BM; Rijal, BP
Abstract
Background: So far, antiretroviral therapy is the only effective treatment available to HIV/AIDS patients. Provision
of combined package of treatment, care and support service as well as regular assessment of the therapy increases its
effectiveness.
Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between antiretroviral therapy status and clinical
features/opportunistic infections among HIV seropositive individuals.
Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Study was carried out between October 2007 and May 2008 in
150 HIV patients of Kathmandu, Central Nepal. After taking informed consent pre-structured questionnaire was filled to
assess clinical features and specimen were collected to investigate major OIs as per standard microbiological procedure.
All the information were entered into SPSS 11.5 system and analysed.
Result: Of the 150 patients, 100 (66.7%) were males and 50 (33.3%) were females. The age group 21-30 years was
predominant followed by 31-40 years (42%). Significant relationship could be established between intake of ART and
cardinal symptoms of HIV/AIDS (χ2 value ranging from 4.11 to 9.34). However, no significant relationship could be
established between the intake of ART and distribution of different OIs (χ2 values ranging from 0.15 to 1.6).
Conclusion: Antiretroviral therapy was found to effective enough to reduce the clinical features of AIDS. Diagnosis and
treatment of opportunistic infections should be routinely done for both groups of patients.
Key words: Antiretroviral therapy, CD4 count, HIV/AIDS, Nepal