Publications by authors named "Sunila Shakya"

Introduction: Cancer is the primary cause of death globally, and despite the significant advancements in treatment and survival rates, it is still stigmatized in many parts of the world. However, there is limited public health research on cancer stigma among the general female population in Nepal. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of cancer stigma and its associated factors in this group.

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Background: Cervical cancer ranks as the most common cancer among Nepalese women with a high incidence and mortality. Despite evidence that effective screening programs reduce disease burden, screening services are under-utilized. Cancer stigma can be a major barrier to cervical cancer screening uptake among Nepalese women.

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Background: Cancer stigma is known to have an adverse impact on cancer patients as well as vulnerable groups who are at risk of developing cancer. In Nepal, there is no validated instrument for assessing cancer stigma and there has been relatively little research examining the stigmatization of cancer among the Nepalese population.

Objective: We aimed to validate the Cancer Stigma Scale (CASS) among apparently healthy Nepali women.

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Given the scarcity of data on diabetes prevalence and associated risk factors among women in rural Nepal, we aimed to examine this, using glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as a diagnostic tool. A cross-sectional survey addressing reproductive health and non-communicable diseases was conducted in 2012-2013 among non-pregnant, married women in Bolde, a rural district of Nepal. HbA1c ≥ 6.

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Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent worldwide, and especially in South-Asia. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), 25(OH)D levels below 30 nmol/L are defined as vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and levels between 30−50 nmol/L as insufficiency (VDI). Besides its role in calcium homeostasis, it has been postulated that vitamin D is involved in metabolic syndrome.

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Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common during pregnancy and can result in adverse delivery and birth outcomes. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of STIs; Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Treponema pallidum (syphilis), Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among pregnant women visiting an antenatal care center in Nepal.

Materials And Methods: We adapted and piloted the WHO standard protocol for conducting a prevalence survey of STIs among pregnant women visiting antenatal care center of Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal.

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Objectives: Despite being preventable, cervical cancer remains the most common cancer among women in Nepal, a country where there is no nationwide screening programme. Hence, the objective was to investigate and better understand Nepali women's perceptions on barriers to participation in cervical cancer screening and what might facilitate their participation.

Methods: A qualitative study design with focus group discussions was employed and women were purposively invited.

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Introduction: We have previously determined the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among women in rural Nepal. In the current study, we also wanted to examine the prevalence of and risk factors for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the same population.

Methods: Population-based study of nonpregnant women ≥ 15 years who were married or had a history of marriage in the past, residing in five rural villages in Nepal.

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Introduction: In this study we aimed to determine the overall and type-specific prevalence of cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and risk factors for such infection among women in rural Nepal, and to investigate the distribution of HPV infection by cervical cytology.

Material And Methods: The study was conducted among women aged ≥15 years in five rural villages within Kavre District in Nepal. Sociodemographic data and information on risk factors for cervical cancer were obtained through an interview, and a cervical specimen was collected for HPV DNA detection and typing using the Anyplex ll HPV28 Detection system, and for Papanicolaou test.

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The main purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of cervical cancer among women in rural Nepal and explore the feasibility and impact of a community-based awareness program on cervical cancer. Community-based educational meetings on cervical cancer and its prevention were conducted among women's groups in rural Nepal. Through a questionnaire, the women's baseline knowledge of risk factors, symptoms, and perceived risk of cervical cancer were identified.

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