Journal Issue: Volume: 18, No 2, Issue 70, APRIL-JUNE, 2020
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Volume
Number
Issue Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
1812-2027
Journal Volume
Articles
COVID-19 in Pregnancy: Pregnant Women Might be at Greater Risk for Severe COVID-19
(Kathmandu University, 2020) Dangal, G
NA
Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Hospital Experience Regarding COVID-19 among Post-partum Mothers at a Tertiary Care Center: A Cross-sectional Study
(Kathmandu University, 2020) Adhikari, SP; Pariyar, J; Sapkota, K; Gurung, TK; Adhikari, SR
ABSTRACT
Background
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are more susceptible to viral infection and in the
year 2020 they have to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Since, no successful treatment
and vaccine has been developed so far, efforts to enhance the knowledge, attitudes,
and practice of the public, especially the high-risk groups like pregnancy and post-
partum period are crucial to manage COVID-19 pandemic.
Objective
To analyze the knowledge, attitude, practice and hospital experience regarding
COVID-19 among post-partum mothers at a tertiary care center of Nepal
Method
The data collection was based on direct interview after receiving written consent from
the research participants, using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire
consisted of 4 major domains- knowledge (8 questions), attitude (6 questions),
practice (5 questions) and experience (5 questions). Standard descriptive statistics
were used for the data, mean and standard deviation for continuous variables
whereas frequencies and percentages for categorical variables.
Result
A total of 203 post-partum women participated in the study. Almost all the
participants had heard about COVID-19 (96.6%). A majority of them were aware
about how COVID-19 gets transmitted and its preventive measures. Most of the
participants (88.2%) knew that COVID-19 has effects on pregnancy. Almost all of
participants (97%) wore mask during hospital stay. All of the women washed their
hands with soap water or alcohol based sanitizer. A majority of the mothers (79.3%)
wore mask while breastfeeding their baby.
Conclusion
The post-partum mothers have good knowledge, attitude, practice and experiences
regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
KEY WORDS
Attitude, COVID-19, Experience, Knowledge, Post-partum
Online Education Status at Dental Colleges During COVID-19 Pandemic in Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2020) Shrestha, RM; Shrestha, S; Acharya, A; Gupta, A
ABSTRACT
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused lockdown situation impeding all educational
institutions including dental colleges. The circumstance demanded online classes as
the alternative strategy for continuation of education.
Objective
To assess current practice and perception about online education among faculties of
dental colleges in Nepal.
Method
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 208 faculties of all dental colleges in
Nepal. Data collection was done through structured online questionnaire comprising
demographic information, practice and perception of the respondents towards
online education. Descriptive statistics surveyed the frequency distribution and Chi-
square test assessed the difference in perception among the faculties of different
universities.
Result
The response rate was 74.3%. Faculties commonly used PowerPoint presentation
(96.6%) on Zoom platform (83.3%) using laptop (94.7%) with Wi-Fi connection
(91.8%). Majority of faculties had good or satisfactory access to internet (94.8%).
The faculties believed that the online class environment was interactive (95.2%);
but it was not effective (86.5%) as live classroom. Majority of the faculties (79.4%)
felt tracking of students’ presence was difficult. There was no significant difference
on perception towards online class among the faculties of Kathmandu University,
Tribhuvan University and BP Koirala Institute Health Sciences at p < 0.05.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has paved the way for e-learning in dental education in
Nepal. Faculties agree to complete the theory syllabus and conduct sessional exams
as an alternative during the lockdown period. However, they show strong reservations
in carrying out practical/clinical simulations and university exams online. Training on
e-learning and institutional strategy for online education is recommended.
KEY WORDS
Dental college, Faculty members, Online education, Pandemic, Perception, Practice
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Related to COVID-19 among Healthcare Personnel in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Nepal: A Cross-sectional Survey
(Kathmandu University, 2020) Basnet, S; Dahal, S; Tamrakar, D; Shakya, YR; Jacobson, C; Shrestha, J; Shrestha, SK
ABSTRACT
Background
COVID-19 is significantly affecting the healthcare system globally. As a result,
healthcare workers need to be updated on the best practices for the proper
management of the disease.
Objective
The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP)
related to COVID-19 among healthcare personnel.
Method
This was a cross-sectional study conducted among medical personnel at Dhulikhel
Hospital Kathmandu University Hospital using a semi-structured questionnaire on
KAP related to COVID-19 from May 8th to June 8th, 2020. We analyzed survey data
by using descriptive statistics. Spearman rank correlation, chi-square test and binary
logistic analysis were used to examine the association between sociodemographic
characteristics with KAP related to COVID-19.
Result
Among 220 participants, the majority were nurses (60%) followed by doctors
(27.7%), paramedics (10%) and technicians (2.3%). The results showed that 68.6% of
healthcare personnel had a good knowledge with appropriate practices (98.5%) and
negative attitude (59.3%). In the multivariate binary logistic analysis, the healthcare
workers with the clinical experience level of one to five years (OR:.42, 95% CI:.19-
.96) and more than 5 years (OR: .16, 95% CI: .04-.63) were significantly associated
with negative attitude. The confidence score for managing COVID-19 (OR:1.16, 95%
CI:1.02-1.34) was significantly associated with an optimistic attitude.
Conclusion
Healthcare workers are knowledgeable about COVID-19 and proactively practising to
minimize the spread of infection but lack optimistic attitudes. Hence, the constantly
updated educational programmes related to COVID-19 for targeted groups will
contribute to improving healthcare workers’ attitude and practices.
KEY WORDS
Awareness, COVID-19, Infectious disease
Orthopaedic Services during Nationwide COVID-19 Lockdown: Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital Experience and Review of Literature
(Kathmandu University, 2020) Kayastha, SR; Parajuli, B; Basi, A; Shrestha, D
ABSTRACT
Background
The Nepal government issued a nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 from 24
March to 21 July 2020. This halted elective medical services in our hospital. A number
of modifications in the orthopaedic practices at our department were made.
Objective
This article discusses the impact on orthopaedic load at the Department of
Orthopaedics and Trauma, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital during
the lockdown.
Method
This is a longitudinal observational study done during the nation-wide lockdown
including all the patients who presented to the hospital requiring orthopaedic
consultation. For comparison purposes, the patient numbers from the same date in
previous year (2019) were retrieved.
Result
We received no COVID-19 cases requiring orthopaedics consultation. A total of 1828
patients were seen in the Orthopaedic Outpatient Department, 1077 trauma patients
in the Emergency Department, 216 patients were admitted and 210 orthopaedics
procedures were performed at the operation theatre. There was 82.21% decrease
in OPD patients and 56% less surgeries in OT compared to the same duration of last
year.
Conclusion
There was a great reduction in the patient numbers visiting the hospital, which
reflected in decreased number of admission and surgery. A greater part of our work
during the lockdown was trauma.
KEY WORDS
COVID-19, Orthopaedics, Trauma