Journal Issue:
Volume: 10, No 3, Issue 39, JUL-SEP, 2012

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Volume

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Issue Date

2012

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

1812-2027

Journal Volume

Journal Volume
Volume: 10

Articles

Publication
The Right to Sight
(Kathmandu University, 2012) Nepal, BP
NA
Publication
A Study of Prevalence of Taenia Infestation and Associated Risk Factors Among the School Children of Dharan
(Kathmandu University, 2012) Sah, RB; Pokharel, PK; Paudel, IS; Acharya, A; Jha, N; Bhattarai, S
ABSTRACT Background Taenia prevalence has remained high among certain ethnic groups and occupational diseases in Nepal. Taenia saginata and Taenia solium species are worldwide in distribution. Infection is found most often in rural areas of developing countries with poor hygiene and living in close contact with pigs and eating undercooked pork meats. This allows the tapeworm infection to be completed and its cycle to continue. Objectives To measure the prevalence of taenia infestation and to identify risk factors associated with taenia infestation among the school children of Dharan. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among 935 Government and private school going children of Grade VI, VII, and VIII of Dharan during 2007 to 2008. Stratified random sampling method was applied to choose the schools and the study subjects. The prevalence was calculated, Chi-square test was used to measure the association of risk factors and taenia infestation. Results Taenia species was found to be high (5.5%) among the school children of Dharan. Infection rate of taenia among the male children (6.0%) was slightly higher than female (4.8%). There were no cases of taenia infestation found among children washing hands with soap. Regarding meat consumption in the non-vegetarian group, taenia infestation was found higher (6.5%) among pork eating than non- pork eating (4.7%). No significant relationship was traced among the factors in the causation of taenia infestation although slight indications present. Conclusion Taenia species was found very high among the school children of Dharan. No such association was found with the risk factors. KEY WORDS Prevalence, risk factors, taenia infestation, school children, Dharan
Publication
Risk Factors for Stunting Among Children: A Community Based Case Control Study in Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2012) Paudel, R; Pradhan, B; Wagle, RR,; Pahari, DP; Onta, SR
ABSTRACT Background Stunting, a chronic condition, is an underlying cause of child morbidity and mortality in Nepal. This study intends to identify the factors causing stunting among children that will help to prioritize the strategies at the district level. Objective The objective of the study was to identify the risk factors for stunting among children of age between 6 to 59 months. Methods The study was based on community-based case control design in the mid-west, Surkhet Nepal from August to September 2010. The cases were stunted children and controls were the children without stunting. Data was collected by interviewing those children’s mothers and measured length/height of 118 children as cases and 236 children as controls. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the best model of factors leading to stunting. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used as a measure of association. Results Socio-economic risk factors for stunting comprised mothers without earning (OR=3.11, 95% CI 1.26-7.65), food deficit families (OR=4.26, 95% CI 1.73-10.45) and care taker of the children other than mother (OR=3.02, 95% CI 1.19-7.70). Environmental risk factors for stunting consisted of kitchen without ventilation and children exposed to pesticide. Inappropriate exclusive breast feeding (OR=6.90, 95% CI 2.81-16.97), complementary feeding less than four times a day (OR=3.60, 95% CI 1.32-9.95) and dietary diversity below WHO standard (OR=4.06, 95% CI 1.70-9.67) were factors of stunted children. Diarrhea was found significantly associated with stunting (OR=7.46, 95% CI 2.98-18.65). Conclusions Stunting was found to be as a result of multiple factors such as socio-economic, environmental and inappropriate feeding practices. KEY WORDS Children, community, case-control study, risk factors, stunting
Publication
Comparison of Ketamine, Fentanyl and Clonidine as an Adjuvant During Bupivacaine Caudal Anaesthesia in Paediatric Patients
(Kathmandu University, 2012) Singh, J; Shah, RS; Vaidya, N; Mahato, PK; Shrestha, S; Shrestha, BL
ABSTRACT Background Caudal epidural analgesia with bupivacaine is very popular in paediatric anaesthesia for providing intra- and postoperative analgesia. Several adjuvants have been used to prolong the action of bupivacaine. Objectives To compare the efficacy of ketamine, fentanyl and clonidine in terms of quality and duration of analgesia they produce when added with caudal bupivacaine by single shot technique in children. Methods Eighty children, age one to ten years, undergoing sub-umbilical surgery, were prospectively randomized to one of four groups: caudal analgesia with 0.75 ml/ kg of 0.25% bupivacaine in normal saline (Group B) or caudal analgesia with 0.75 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine with 1 μg/kg of clonidine in normal saline (Group BC) or caudal analgesia with 0.75ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine with ketamine 0.5mg/kg (Group BK) or caudal analgesia with 0.75ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine with fentanyl 1mcg/kg (Group BF). Post-operative pain was assessed for 24 hours using the FLACC scale. Results The mean duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group BC (629.06 ± 286.32 min) than other three groups P < 0.05. The pain score assessed using FLACC scale was compared between the four groups, and children in Group BC had lower pain scores, which was statistically significant. The requirement of rescue medicine was lesser in Group BC. Clonidine in a dose of 1 μg/kg added to 0.25% bupivacaine for caudal analgesia, during sub-umbilical surgeries, prolongs the duration of analgesia of bupivacaine, without any side effects in compare to fentanyl or ketamine. Conclusion We conclude that clonidine in a dose of 1 μg/kg, added to 0.25% bupivacaine for caudal analgesia and administered as a 0.75 ml/kg mixture in children, for sub- umbilical surgery, significantly prolongs the duration of post-operative analgesia when compared to 0.75 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine in normal saline than 0.75 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine with ketamine 0.5 mg/kg or 0.75 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine with fentanyl 1 mcg/kg or 0.75 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine alone, without any side effects. KEY WORDS Bupivacaine, caudal analgesia, clonidine, fentanyl, ketamine, post-operative analgesia, sub-umbilical surgery
Publication
Clinical Profile of Patients Presenting with Breast Cancer in Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2012) Acharya, SC; Jha, AK; Manandhar, T
ABSTRACT Background Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in Nepal. Even though the evaluation and treatment of patients is done as per western guidelines, there are considerable variations in risk factors, presenting stage and prognostic factors such as receptor status. Objective To evaluate the clinical profile of patients presenting with breast cancer in Nepal. Method The study was conducted at Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Bir Hospital and Department of Radiation Oncology, BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur from 16th July 2007 to 15th June 2008 for a period of one year and 114 patients were enrolled. Detailed history, clinical examination and necessary investigations performed. Histological features including receptor status were recorded. Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) staging system was as per American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), fifth edition. Data was collected in preformed case report form and was managed using SPSS version 13. Results The incidence was high (34.2%) among perimenopausal women age ranging from 41 to 50. The majority of women presented with lump (98.2%) and others with pain (21.9%), nipple retraction (16.7%), ulceration (7.9%), discharge (7%), or symptoms of metastasis (6.1%). Regarding receptor status, the majority (64.0%) were Estrogen receptor (ER) and Progesterone receptor (PR) negative with 21.9 percent. ER+PR+, Younger women were more likely to be both ER and PR negative. Where available, Her- 2 immunohistochemistry showed that 45.0 % of post menopausal women were Her-2 neative, compared to 64.0 % of premenopausal women. Incidence of Triple negative disease was 41.3 %. The most common stage at presentation was stage III (26.3%). Conclusion Majority of patients were perimenopausal, presenting with locally advanced disease (Stage III and Stage II) and with average tumor size two to five cm and were hormonal receptor negative. These findings are similar to other South Asian population but is inverse than profile reported in Western populations. KEY WORDS Breast Cancer, Estrogen Recepter (ER), Progesterone Recepter (PR), Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor - 2 (Her-2/neu)

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