Journal Issue: Vol. 62 No. 271 (2024) MARCH
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Volume
Number
Issue Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
JNMA Print ISSN: 0028-2715; Online ISSN: 1815-672X
Journal Volume
Articles
Acute Poisoning among Children Admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
(Nepal Medical Association, 2024) Aryal, Surabhi; Karki, Susmin; Lamichhane, Machhindra
Abstract
Introduction: Acute poisoning is one of the critical causes of hospital admission in children worldwide. Understanding the clinico-demographic profile of childhood poisoning will help in developing targeted prevention strategies. This study aimed to find the prevalence of acute poisoning cases among children admitted to a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among 4972 children admitted in the pediatric ward, High Dependency Care Unit, and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary care hospital in Nepal. The data were collected from the hospital records from over three years between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022 after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. A convenience sampling method was used. Data related to the clinical and demographic data were collected from the patients with acute poisoning and analyzed. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated.
Results: Out of 4972 paediatric cases admitted to the hospital, acute poisoning was seen in 57 (1.14%) (0.81-1.39, 95% Confidence Interval) patients. Out of these acute poisoning cases, 31 (54.39%) were accidental. The mean age was 10.10±5.40 years with 35 (61.40%) patients from the adolescent age group.
Conclusions: This study conducted in a Nepalese tertiary care hospital identifies acute poisoning as a notable concern among pediatric admissions.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma among Patients with Chronic Liver Disease in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
(Nepal Medical Association, 2024) Gnawali, Arun; Pathak, Rahul; Koirala, Dinesh; Pandey, Rajesh; Hamal, Rabin; Jha, Anurag; Bhandari, Brindeswari Kafle; Gyawali, Siddinath
Abstract
Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary liver cancer. Viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and autoimmune hepatitis are the common causes of hepatocellular carcinoma. Usually patients present at advanced stages where curative treatment is no longer possible. This study aimed to find the prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with chronic liver disease in a tertiary care centre.
Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in a single tertiary care centre from March 2020 to August 2022. The study was done among inpatients of the Department of Gastroenterology after ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. A total population sampling method was used and data were collected using predetermined proformas. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated.
Results: Among 1440 patients, hepatocellular carcinoma was seen in 54 (3.75%) (2.77-4.73, 95% Confidence Interval). At the time of diagnosis, 48 (88.89%) were symptomatic. The presenting symptoms were weight loss seen in 35 (64.81%) being the most common. Out of them, 37 (68.52%) consumed alcohol and 40 (74.07%) smoked cigarettes.
Conclusions: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a notable concern. Alcohol-related liver cirrhosis is the most frequent condition encountered in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in our setting.
Induction of Labour in a District Hospital of Rural Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
(Nepal Medical Association, 2024) Chapagain, Raju; Basnet, Roshan; Rai, Sandesh; Chaudhary, Diwakar; Thapa, Isha
Abstract
Introduction: Induction of labour, a medical intervention before spontaneous onset, is employed when the risk of continuing pregnancy is elevated. Common indications include intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, placental abnormalities, prelabor rupture of membranes, post-term pregnancy, and intrauterine foetal demise. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of induction of labour in a rural setting in Nepal.
Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in the District Hospital Tehrathum using patients’ record files from 14 January 2021 to 14 January 2023. Ethical approval was obtained from Nepal Health Research Council. Demographic variables were collected along with maternal outcomes which include indication of induction of labour, mode of delivery, indication of lower segment caesarean section and foetal outcomes include APGAR score at one and five minutes, birthweight and liquor colour. A total population sampling method was used in the study and 95% confidence Interval was used to calculate the point estimate.
Results: Among 640 deliveries during the study period 118 (18.43%) (15.43- 21.43, 95% Confidence Interval) underwent induction of labour. Sixty-three (53.4%) of the 118 patients who underwent induction of labour were primigravida.
Conclusions: The prevalence of induction of labour was comparable with previous studies. Neonatal outcome, rate of vaginal and lower segment C-section deliveries after induction of labour using misoprostol is comparable with other studies.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Research Ethics among Researchers in Nepal
(Nepal Medical Association, 2024) Ghimire, Namita; Adhikari, Santoshi; Sharma, Subhanshi; Basnet, Rojina; Acharya, Richa; Verma, Shashi; Gyanwali, Pradip
Abstract
Introduction: The universal health research ethical principles must be adhered to ensure a balance between science and safeguarding participants' rights, safety and dignity. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of research ethics among researchers in Nepal.
Methods: The study was carried out among 449 researchers who submitted proposals for ethical review and approval from the Ethical Review Board of the Nepal Health Research Council between January 2017 to August 2021. Simple random sampling was done ensuring a proportional representation of researchers from all areas of health research. A structured questionnaire was administered online for data collection.
Results: The participants aged between 23-80 years old consented to complete the survey questionnaire. The median age of the respondents was 35 (23-80) years. Among all the respondents, 52 (11.58%) were unaware about the National Ethical Guideline for Health Research. Similarly, 110 (24.50%) respondents strongly agreed that the ethical review process impairs research and makes it harder for researchers to conduct research; 372 (82.85%) respondents had pursued research activity only after obtaining ethical approval.
Conclusions: Half of the respondents had knowledge on different aspects of research ethics.