Journal Issue: Volume: 58 No. 226, June (2020)
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Volume
Number
Issue Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
JNMA Print ISSN: 0028-2715; Online ISSN: 1815-672X
Journal Volume
Articles
Delivery of Surgical Services in the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic Era
(Nepal Medical Association, 2020) Shrestha, Badri Man
N/A
Prevalence of Smoking among Medical Students in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital
(Nepal Medical Association, 2020) Shrestha, Neharika; Shrestha, Nikhil; Bhusal, Suzit; Neupane, Asmita; Pandey, Rakshya; Lohala, Nita; Bhandari, Arpan Pratik; Yadav, Mandeep Kumar; Vaidya, Abhinav
Abstract
Introduction: Tobacco smoking is one of the most important preventable risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. It has been seen that medical students have a higher frequency of smoking
compared to the general population. This study aims to determine the prevalence of smoking among
third-year medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the hospital's third-year
undergraduate medical students over a four-month period (October 2019 to January 2020). Ethical
clearance was received from the Institutional Review Committee of Kathmandu Medical College
and Teaching Hospital. The whole sampling technique was used to collect data. The Global Health
Professional Students Survey questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis was done in the
statistical package for social sciences.
Results: The prevalence of current smoking among selected medical students of Kathmandu Medical
College and Teaching Hospital is 34 (30.1%), majority male 26 (23%). Fifty-six (49.4%) of them had
ever smoked cigarettes in their life, and 27 (23.9%) had their first cigarette in late adolescence. The
number of students who used other forms of tobacco was comparatively lower i.e. 6 (5.3%). Many
of the students 53 (46.9%) were exposed to second-hand smoke both at home and in public, while 18
(15.9) exposed only at public places, and 6 (5.3%) only at home.
Conclusions: Our study has concluded that there is a notable prevalence of smoking among the
participants. This points to the need for specific training sessions in their clinical years about smoking
cessation for themselves and regarding counseling for patients.
Keywords: medical students, prevalence, smoking, tobacco
Prevalence of Domestic Violence among Infertile Women attending Subfertility Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital
(Nepal Medical Association, 2020) Silwal, Ajita; Thapa, Bandana
Abstract
Introduction: Millions of couples suffered from Infertility worldwide. Infertility can cause intense emotional pain in women resulting in stress, anxiety and depression. Domestic violence in infertile women can further results in poor health status and lowers the quality of life. The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence of domestic violence among infertile women attending subfertility clinic of tertiary hospital.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among infertile women in a tertiary
hospital from July to August 2018 after taking ethical approval. Convenient sampling was used. Face
to face interview was conducted using a structured interview schedule. Data analysis was done in
the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) were used to
analyze the data. Point estimate at 95% CI was calculated along with frequency and proportion for
binary data.
Results: Domestic violence was found among 62 (55.35%) women at 95% Confidence Interval (46.15-
64.55). The emotional violence accounted for 57 (50.89%), physical violence for 19 (16.96%) and sexual
violence for 18 (16.07%). The prevalence of domestic violence was more 22 (61.11%) in women with
secondary infertility than in women with primary infertility 40 (52.63%). The main perpetrators of
domestic violence were family members 28 (45.16%).
Conclusions: The study concluded that women experiencing infertility are exposed to various forms
of domestic violence, emotional one being most common. Routine screening for domestic violence
in infertility clinics is necessary to give affected women an opportunity to access appropriate health
care and support services.
Keywords: domestic violence, infertility, violence
Micro-Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Neonatal Sepsis of a Tertiary Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
(Nepal Medical Association, 2020) Manandhar, Sunil Raja; Basnet, Rydam
Abstract
Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality among low
birth weight and preterm babies in developing countries. The main objective of this study is to find
the level of micro-Erythrocyte sedimentation rate in neonatal sepsis.
Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the neonatal unit over six months
period (November 2019 to April 2020). All preterm, term and post-term babies with neonatal sepsis
delivered at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital were enrolled. Ethical clearance was
received from the Institutional Review Committee of Kathmandu Medical College (Ref: 181020191).
Convenient sampling method was applied and statistical analysis was done with Statistical package
for social sciences 19 version.
Results: Out of 75 babies, confirm sepsis is 13 (17.3%), probable sepsis is 40 (53.4%) and suspected
sepsis is 22 (29.2%). Micro-Erythrocyte sedimentation level is elevated (≥15mm in 1st hr) in 25 (33.3%)
babies with a mean micro-Erythrocyte sedimentation level 9.32±5.4 (2-18) mm in 1st hr. The elevated
micro- Erythrocyte sedimentation level was seen in relation to sepsis types and C-reactive protein.
Conclusions: The bedside micro-Erythrocyte sedimentation level aids in the diagnosis of neonatal
sepsis.
Keywords: c-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, neonatal sepsis
Perceived Stress and Stressors among Medical and Dental Students of Bhairhawa, Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
(Nepal Medical Association, 2020) Bali, Harleen; Rai, Vaibhav; Khanduri, Nitin; Tripathi, Rupam; Adhikari, Khushbu; Sapkota, Binam
Abstract
Introduction: Medical school is recognized as a stressful environment that may have a negative
effect on a student’s academic performance, health, and psychosocial well-being. This could further
impact future health professionals’ attitudes and compromise patients’ care. This study aims to find
out various sources of stress for medical and dental students to help prevent many future health
problems in a student’s life.
Methods: It was a cross-sectional study done in Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairhawa,
Nepal, among undergraduate final year bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery and third and
fourth year (phase I and phase II) dental students, using a questionnaire with Likert’s scale. Data
obtained was tabulated and analyzed using analysis of variance.
Results: Results showed that stress during exam 210 (92.9%) and preparation phase 200 (88.5%) stood
out as the maximum stressors for our study group. The least stress-causing element was recorded as
terms with seniors 45 (19.9%), adjustment with roommates 52 (23.01%), and competing with peers
69 (30.53%). Length of course 187 (82.74%), understanding the course 173 (76.55%), reading several
textbooks 171 (75.66%), and work overload 165 (73.01%) amounted to significant stressors.
Conclusions: Stress has a detrimental effect both on health as well as academic performance. The
stressors at the campus should be identified and proper coping assistance should be provided to
individual students. Systemic efforts are needed to address their concerns and make mental health
care easily accessible to them. Counseling and awareness are recommended.
Keywords: academic performance, medical school, mental health, stress