2026-06-222026-06-22https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14572/6708About the Journal The Journal of Public Health Concern Trust (JPHECT) is an official peer-reviewed health science journal of Public Health Concern Trust-Nepal (phect-NEPAL). phect-NEPAL is a non-profit organization affiliated with the Social Welfare Council (SWC). It is published once a year. This journal aims to disseminate knowledge and research in nursing, public health, medicine, and education. This journal welcomes original research articles, review articles, case reports, book reviews, students section, etc. It aims to provide a platform for publishing scientific papers related to medicine, health science, nursing education, Public health as well as health administration and management. The manuscripts will be subjected to blind peer review by the subject experts before acceptance. The editorial board reserves the right to publish the articles that have been accepted in the review process. Aim of the Journal The aim of the JPHECT is to: To disseminate knowledge and research works carried out in Medicine, nursing, public health, and education. To increase the visibility and use of scholarly articles. To promote capacity building and foster research culture within a phect Nepal. To foster collaborative research work with national and international Institutes and organizations. Scope of the Journal The journal publishes research articles from the field that cover all medical science disciplines, medical education, nursing, public health, health policy, and health care management, as well as health-related ethical and social issues. JPHECT provides special attention to publications that have an immediate impact on health and policy, and these articles will also receive preference through fast-track review. High-quality research papers including novel findings are preferred by the journal. Peer-reviewed original research papers, case studies, editorial reviews, guest editorials, opinions, and letters to the editor may be requested by the editorial board and published in the journal. Peer review process The manuscripts are forwarded to two highly qualified peer reviewers who are blind to the identity of the contributor and vice versa, to receive a thorough review, feedback, and suggestions. The Editor-in-Chief and peer reviewers make the final call on whether to approve or reject the manuscript. The peer reviewer's comments and the manuscript's acceptance or rejection are communicated to the contributors. Accepted articles must be resubmitted when any required edits or clarifications from the peer review process are completed. The accepted articles are delivered to the relevant author, who has to return them after they have been edited for grammar, punctuation, print style, format, and other mistakes. Failure to respond to the galley proof could cause the piece to be rejected or delayed in publication. The Editorial Process The manuscripts will be reviewed for possible publication with the understanding that they are being submitted to JPHECT and have not been published, simultaneously submitted, or already accepted for publication elsewhere. The editors review all submitted manuscripts initially. Manuscripts with insufficient originality, serious scientific and technical flaws, ethical issues, or lack of a significant message are rejected. Or if a good article is written poorly, the author is requested to re-submit it after revision according to phect journal format. All manuscripts received are duly acknowledged. Manuscripts are sent to two or more expert reviewers without revealing the identity of the contributors to the reviewers. The journal editor of phect meticulously reviews each manuscript based on the comments from the reviewers and makes a final decision on the manuscript. The contributors will be informed about the reviewers' comments and the acceptance/rejection of the manuscript. Articles accepted would be copy-edited for grammar, punctuation, print style, and format. Page proofs will be sent to the corresponding author, which has to be returned within seven days. Nonresponse to proof copy may delay the publication of the same article or may even get it rejected from the journal. Processing Fee Authors do not need to pay for the submission, processing, or publication of articles in JPHECT. Open Access Policy The journal provides immediate free open access to its content so anyone can read, copy, distribute, print, search for, and search within the information, or use it in education or in any other way within the legal agreements. Publisher The JPHECT is published by Public Health Concern Trust-Nepal (phect-NEPAL), Kathmandu Nepal. Editorial Team Editor-In-Chief Prof. Dr. Ganesh Dangal, MBBS (TU), MD (TU), PG Fellowships, FICS (USA), FRCOG (UK) Academic Director, phect-NEPAL/KMHIHS Email: ganesh.dangal@gmail.com Editors Prof. Dr. Shankar Man Rai Senior Consultant, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kritipur Hospital Email: shankarrai1956@gmail.com Prof. Dr. Kedar Baral Patan Academy of Health Science, phect-NEPAL Email: kedarbaral@pahs.edu.np Dr. Hema Pradhan, MD Senior Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kathmandu Model Hospital Institute of Health Sciences (KMH-IHS) Email: drhemapradha@hotmail.com Dr. Amit Mani Upadhyaya, MBBS, MD Urology Senior Consultant, Department of Surgery, Kathmandu Model Hospital Institute of Health Sciences (KMH-IHS) Email: amitmaniupadhyay@gmail.com Dr. Puja Lama, MBBS, MPH Chief, Department of Information, Communications and Documentation, phect Nepal Email: drplama.phectnepal@gmail.com Ms. Sumita Pathak, MN Associate Professor/ Principal, Kathmandu Model Hospital School of Nursing Email: pathaksumita0@gmail.com Ms. Gyanu Maharjan, MN Associate Professor/ Vice Principal, Kathmandu Model Hospital School of Nursing Email: dt.gyanu@gmail.com Dr. Samjhana Subedi, MN, Ed. D Research Coordinator, Kathmandu Model Hospital School of Nursing Email: samjhanasubedi99@gmail.com Ms. Gayatri Maharjan, MN Assistant Professor, Kathmandu Model Hospital School of Nursing Email: maharjangayatri@gmail.com Dr. Bashant Maharjan, MPH Administration and Financial Controller, Kritipur Hospital Email: basant06maharjan@yahoo.com Dr. Basudha Shrestha, Ph.D. Senior Consultant Microbiologist, Kathmandu Model Hospital Institute of Health Science, phect-Nepal Email: Basudha111@gmail.com Dr. Prayush Aryal, MBBS, MD GP/EM, Fellowship in Diabetes Department of Emergency Medicine, Kritipur Hospital Email: aryal.prayush@outlook.com Dr. Mangal Gharti Magar, FCPS Plastic Surgeon, Kritipur Hospital, Co-Founder of the Health Action and Research Email: mangalgm@gmail.com Dr. Umesh Bogati, MS Orthopedic Consultant, Department of Orthopedic, Kathmandu Model Hospital Institute of Health Sciences Email: drumesh985@gmail.com Dr. Saurav Khetan, MD Neonatologist, Pediatrician, Kathmandu Model Hospital Institute of Health Sciences, Email: drsauravkhetan@gmail.com Dr. Deveshree Dangol, MD Senior Registrar, Department of Emergency, Kathmandu Model Hospital Institute of Health Sciences Email: deveshreed@gmail.com Dr. Srijana Bhandari FCPS Resident, Department of Obs/Gyn, Kathmandu Model Hospital Institute of Health Sciences, Email: pista99siru@gmail.com Dr. Kenusha Devi Tiwari, Department of Obs/Gyn, Kathmandu Model Hospital Institute of Health Sciences, Email: kenushadevitiwari@gmail.com Dr. Manish K Yadav, Burns Unit under Department of Burn, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kirtipur Hospital, Nepal, Email: manishkyadav1@gmail.com International Editors Anjana Phuyal, BSN, RN Regis College, 235 Wellesley Street, Weston MA 02493, USA Email: anjanaphuyal@gmail.com Dr Mahesh M. Dangal, MD Nephrology, PeaceHealth Medical Group @ SWMC, Medical. Renal Replacement Service, Peace Health Southwest, Medical Center, Vancouver, WA, USA. Email: mmdangal@yahoo.com Dr Chakra Chaulagain, MD Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, 3100 Weston Road, Weston, FL 33331, USA Email: doc_cpc@hotmail.com Dr Swapni P Patel, DPM, FACFAS Podiatry, Foot & Ankle Surgery, Veterans Affairs Medical Center Boston, USA. Email: swapnilpateldpm@gmail.com Dr. Gayathri Delanerolle, PhD Women’s Health Researcher, Academic affiliation- University of Birmingham, NHS affiliation- Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust, UK Email: gayak@hotmail.co.uk Dr. Om Kurmi, PhD Associate Professor in Epidemiology and Healthcare Research, Centre for Healthcare and Communities, Coventry University, Coventry, UK. Email: omkurmi@googlemail.com Dr. Suman Pant, PhD Scholar Centre for Healthcare and Communities, Coventry University, Richard Crossman Building, Priory Street, CV1 5FB, Coventry, United Kingdom Email: suman.p@fph.tu.ac.th