Journal Issue: Volume: 2, No. 1 (2026)
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2026
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eISSN: 3102-0194 pISSN: 3102-0186
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Articles
An Urgent Case for Gold Open Access Publishing in LMICs: A Nepal-India Perspective
(Nepal APF Hospital, 2026) Vaishya, Raju; Vaish, Abhishek; Shrestha, Sailendra Kumar Duwal
Abstract:
Scholarly publishing today encompasses several distinct models, each offering different levels of accessibility and reuse. Traditional subscription publishing places the final article behind a ‘paywall’, limiting access to institutions or individuals with paid subscriptions. In contrast, Open Access (OA) models make articles freely available, but differ in how rights and access are granted. These models represent a spectrum of accessibility and sustainability options, shaping how knowledge is disseminated, shared, and used worldwide.
Effectiveness of Kangaroo Mother Care in Early Weaning of Oxygen Therapy among Preterm Neonates in a Tertiary Care Center in Nepal: A Quasi-Experimental Study
(Nepal APF Hospital, 2026) Karki, Rajani; Basnet, Sudha; Gupta, Pradeep Kumar; Thapa, June; Adhikari, Punam; Shah, Prakash Man
Abstract:
Introduction: Kangaroo Mother Care is a cost-effective intervention based on skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding that improves survival in preterm and low birth weight infants. Early initiation of Kangaroo Mother Care during respiratory support has shown benefits in stabilizing vital parameters and improving oxygenation. The aim of this study was to find out the effectiveness of early Kangaroo Mother Care during oxygen therapy in preterm neonates.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted among 62 preterm neonates of less than 37 weeks of gestation who were on assisted respiratory support, admitted in neonatal ward and neonatal intensive care unit of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital from May 2023 to March 2024. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the Institute of Medicine (Reference no: 545(6-11) E2). The enrolled neonates were alternately assigned to the two groups interventional and conventional care group. Neonates in intervention group were started on KMC while still receiving oxygen therapy while the conventional care group received daily routine care. Data was collected in predesigned performa and was entered in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26.
Results: The duration of oxygen therapy was shorter in the Kangaroo Mother Care group than in the conventional group, with a mean difference of 29.30 h (95% CI 45.98 to 12.62; p=0.001). Hospital stay was shorter in the same group (6.47± 2.84 vs 7.55±3.74 days; p=0.215). Complications were also less frequent, and vital parameters improved significantly after one hour of Kangaroo Mother Care.
Conclusions: Early Kangaroo Mother Care during oxygen therapy reduces duration of oxygen therapy, hospital stay and neonatal complications along with stabilization of vital parameters.
Histopathological Examination of CT-Guided Lung Biopsy in Patients Attending Tertiary Care Hospital, Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study
(Nepal APF Hospital, 2026) Sinha, Amrita; Sedhain, Sapana; Bhattarai, Soorya
Abstract:
Introduction: Among various lesions encountered in the lung, lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and a cause of cancer-related deaths. Among malignancies, non-small cell lung carcinoma is the most common lung cancer. A CT-guided lung biopsy is a quick, reliable, and simple technique with fewer complications than other methods for diagnosing pulmonary lesions. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the histopathological outcomes of CT- guided lung biopsies and to classify the identified lung lesions.
Methods: This was a hospital-based, prospective, cross-sectional study conducted from 1st August 2023 to 31st January 2024, with ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC-PA-314/2023). A Convenience sampling included 73 patients. The obtained data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package of the Social Sciences version 16.
Results: The majority of cases with lung lesions were seen in the 71-80 years age group with male predominance. Of the 73 cases included in the study, neoplastic lesions comprised 56 (76.71%), followed by non-neoplastic lesions in 9 (12.33%), and inadequate biopsies in 8 (10.96%). Of the total 56 malignant lesions, the most common histological type was Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma, comprising 46 (82.14%), among which adenocarcinoma accounted for 30 (53.57%), followed by Squamous Cell Carcinoma accounting for 16 (28.57%).
Conclusions: Lung tumors are quite common in patients presenting with a mass lesion. The most common histological type in this study was Adenocarcinoma.
Morbidities, Complications and Outcomes at Discharge in Newborns Admitted with Respiratory Distress at a Tertiary Care Hospital ofNepal: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
(Nepal APF Hospital, 2026) Shah, Prakash Man; Bhatta, Nisha Keshary; K. C., Subash; Sah, Sukrita; K. C., Sri Ram; Karki, Rajani; Pokharel, Samikshya
Abstract:
Introduction: Neonatal respiratory disorders are among the leading causes of admissions to neonatal intensive care units due to respiratory distress in the early neonatal period. However, studies on their spectrum and outcomes among Nepalese neonates are limited. This study aimed to find out the proportion and types of respiratory disorders among admitted newborns, along with associated complications and outcomes.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Neonatology Unit of a tertiary care hospital from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, among all inborn neonates meeting the inclusion criteria. Convenience sampling was applied, and the sample size taken was 150. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Ref no 241/080/081-IRC). Data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2007 and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 11.5.
Results: Among 150 newborns, the most prevalent morbidity was Transient Tachypnoea of Newborn 56 (37.30%), followed by Meconium Aspiration Syndrome 46 (30.70%). Similarly, 27 (18%) had complications, and 123 (82%) had no complications. Likewise, 134 (89.30%) babies recovered and were discharged, and 7 (4.70%) died during the course of treatment.
Conclusions: This study concluded that the most common morbidity was Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn, followed by Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. This study emphasizes early identification of different types of respiratory disorders and common complications among neonates with respiratory distress which will help in early recognition and treatment thereby minimizing complications and mortality.
Subcutaneous Fat Thickness and Superficial Surgical Site Infectionin Patients Undergoing Open Appendectomy: An ObservationalStudy
(Nepal APF Hospital, 2026) Thapa, Kaushal Samsher; Joshi, Anip; Aryal, Rishikant; Maharjan, Suresh; Yadav, Saurav Suman; Shah, Arina
Abstract:
Introduction: Appendectomy is done for the treatment of acute appendicitis. Surgical Site Infection is a common postoperative complication. Most of the time, body mass index is measured to determine the presence of obesity. Still, it cannot predict adiposity at the incision site, so subcutaneous fat, which can be measured easily at the incision site, can be a better predictor. This study aimed to find a correlation between subcutaneous fat thickness and superficial surgical site infection in patients undergoing emergency open appendectomy.
Methods: This prospective observational study was done from July 2023 to July 2024, including 118 cases with a diagnosis of uncomplicated appendicitis. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Board (Ref: 534/2080/81). Data were collected as per the proforma and maintained in Microsoft excel. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26 and Pearson correlation were used for statistical analysis.
Results: Among 118 patients included, 11 (9.30%) had superficial surgical site infection, which was higher among female patients 6 (12%). The calculated cut-off subcutaneous fat thickness was 2.05 cm in our study. The estimated positive predictive value was 16.99% and the negative predictive value was 98.17% for subcutaneous fat in predicting infection. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed an area under the curve of 0.75, indicating that subcutaneous fat can be used as one of the predictors of superficial SSI infection.
Conclusions: Patients with increased subcutaneous fat thickness at the incision site had a higher incidence of surgical site infection. This concluded that increased subcutaneous fat thickness increases the risk of superficial surgical site infection, and that local adiposity at the site of the incision is a good predictor of surgical site infection.