Journal Issue: Volume: 15, No 2, Issue 58, APRIL-JUNE 2017
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Volume
Number
Issue Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
1812-2027
Journal Volume
Articles
The Heart-health Associated Research, Dissemination and Intervention in the Community (HARDIC) Trial for Nepalese Mothers regarding Diet and Physical Activity: A Process Evaluation
(Kathmandu University, 2017) Vaidya, A; Oli, N; Eiben, G; Krettek, A
ABSTRACT
Background
Mothers with young children in the peri-urban Jhaukhel-Duwakot Health
Demographic Surveillance site of Bhaktapur district have misconceptions and poor
behavioural practice regarding diet and physical activity. We developed the Heart-
health Associated Research, Dissemination and Intervention in the Community trial
- a health promotion intervention for mothers.
Objective
The objective of this study was to evaluate the intervention’s feasibility, acceptability,
potential for transferability and scaling up, and to determine its immediate outcome.
Method
Duwakot and Jhaukhel were randomly selected as the intervention and control
communities, respectively. We trained 47 peer mothers from Duwakot, each of whom
gave classes with 10 fellow mothers of their neighbourhood. The process evaluation
was carried out on a continuous basis at different points of the intervention held
from August to November 2016.
Result
In round one, the participation and completion rates were both > 90% for peer
mothers; and 85% and 70%, respectively, for the fellow mothers. However, the
participation rates fell in the round two of the intervention. On the whole, the
mothers expressed satisfaction and acceptance of the course content and training
modality. Immediate evaluation of the intervention showed improvement of
knowledge, attitude and practice of diet and physical activity among both groups of
mothers.
Conclusion
The successful implementation of the intervention targeting diet and physical activity
clearly demonstrates the feasibility of health promotional activities in the Nepalese
community for improvement of cardiovascular health.
KEY WORDS
Diet, health promotion, mothers, physical activity, process evaluation
Protective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Lagenaria Siceraria (Molina) Against Maximal Electroshock (MES) -Induced Convulsions in Albino Rats
(Kathmandu University, 2017) Tirumalasetti, J; Patel, MM; Shaikh, U; Pokala, N; Harini, K
ABSTRACT
Background
The Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) belongs to family Cucurbitaceae, commonly known
as bottle guard or calabash in English. All the parts of plant like root, fruit, leaves and
flower has been evaluated for its various activities like antioxidant, antihelmintic,
cognitive enhancer, anticancer, antianxiety, antidepressant, antihyperlipidemic,
fibrinolytic cardio protective and hepatoprotective. Even though it is claimed to have
antiepileptic action, no documentation is available.
Objective
To assess the anticonvulsant activity of aqueous extract of Lagenaria siceraria by
Maximal Electroshock seizure induced seizure models on Albino rats.
Method
Albino rats were taken and divided into five groups, each consisting of five rats. One
group was used as control (normal saline 10 ml/kg), one as standard (phenytoin),
and three groups for the test drug (aqueous extract of Lagenaria siceraria (AELS) in
the doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) treatment. In MES model, Maximal electrical
shock of 150 mA was passed for 0.2 seconds through corneal electrodes after 30
minutes of giving the drugs and normal saline. Different stages of convulsions were
noted down along with time spent by the animal in each phase of convulsions. Data
were statistically analyzed by One way ANOVA followed by multiple Dunnett’s test.
Result
The mean reduction in hind limb extension phase was 8.2±2.10 after 400 mg/kg of
AELS which is highly significant (p<0.001) like phenytoin. AELS at 800 mg/kg exhibited
a significant 17±2.64 (p<0.05) protection against tonic extensor phase.
Conclusion
Aqueous extract of Lagenaria siceraria has anticonvulsant activity.
KEY WORDS
Anticonvulsant, epilepsy, lagenaria siceraria, maximal electroshock
Ocular Morbidity among Earthquake Survivors in a Community Based Hospital in Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2017) Shrestha, P; Sthapit, PR
ABSTRACT
Background
Nepal suffered a massive loss of lives and property following devastating earthquake
on Saturday 25 April, 2015 and 12 May, 2015. Though Nepal is prone to natural
disasters and ocular trauma being important cause of visual morbidity, the impact of
ocular trauma in disaster setting has rarely been studied.
Objective
The aim of this study was to report the spectrum of ocular morbidities among the
earthquake survivors who presented to a tertiary care Hospital which lies close to
major earthquake hit districts of Nepal.
Method
This is a hospital based retrospective study where details of all the cases with ocular
injury or ocular diseases during first three weeks of earthquake were extracted from
the record books of Ophthalmology and Emergency department. Detail ophthalmic
examination findings and treatment received by the patients were also noted from
the records, tabulated and analyzed.
Result
There were total 3679 earthquake survivors, majority from Kavrepalanchowk district,
visiting our Hospital during first three weeks of earthquake among which 92 patients
had ocular problems. Among the 117 affected eyes, 75% had unilateral involvement.
Males and females were equally affected. Children and adolescents of age group
11-20 years was the most commonly affected age group. Spectrum of ocular injuries
ranged from lid lacerations, conjunctival inflammation to sixth nerve palsy and
traumatic optic neuropathy.
Conclusion
Ocular morbidity either in the form of ocular injuries or diseases were common in
polytrauma cases among the earthquake survivors. Though most of them had eyelid
injuries and conjunctival inflammations, vision threatening conditions were also
observed which needed expert opinion and meticulous treatment.
KEY WORDS
Earthquake, ocular trauma, ocular morbidity
Disease Profile and Hospital Outcome of Newborn Admitted to Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit at Tertiary Care Center in Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2017) Chapagain, RH; Basaula, YN; Kayatha, M; Adhikari, K; Shrestha, SM
ABSTRACT
Background
Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) is decreasing in Nepal but at a slower pace than infant
and child mortality. In order to improve neonatal outcome, Care of sick children can
be done better so as to aid in reducing neonatal mortality rate.
Objective
The objective was to identify pattern of diseases and outcome admitted to Neonatal
Intermediate care Unit (NIMCU).
Method
A retrospective study was conducted at Neonatal Intermediate care Unit of Kanti
Children’s hospital from Bhadra 2071 to Shravan 2073 (August 2014 to July 2016).
Result
Total 1286 neonates were admitted in Neonatal Intermediate care Unit with the
highest admission in the months of Bhadra (August-September) 12.52% and the
lowest in Push (December-January) 4.82%. Among the admitted cases, 1,028 (80.0%)
were full term while 256 (20.0%) were preterm. Among the total admission, 43.6%
were less than 7 days old which is the most vulnerable period during the newborn
phase. Admission due to neonatal sepsis was 892 (69.36%). Among them, 628
(70.40%) were late onset neonatal sepsis while 264 (29.60%) were early onset.
Neonatal jaundice accounted for 12.36% (159) of the cases while Hypoxic Ischemic
Encephalopathy accounted for 4.80% (62) of cases. Congenital Heart Disease were
53 (4.12%) and neonatal pustulosis were 27 (2.20%). Meningitis accounted for 45
(3.49%) of cases and UTI 29 (2.22). Death during treatment were 18 (1.39%). 7% of
cases deteriorated and referred to NICU while, 3.2 % of cases were referred to other
centers and 5.1% of cases were either discharged on request or left against medical
advice.
Conclusion
Neonatal sepsis including both early and late onset, Congenital Heart disease, birth
asphyxia and neonatal Jaundice accounted for majority of admission in NICU. Three
of four these etiologies are preventable up to some extent.
KEY WORDS
Morbidity, mortality neonate, sepsis, outcome