Experiences of healthcare workers who faced physical workplace violence from patients or their relatives in Nepal: a qualitative study.

Introduction: Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers (HCWs) has become a global concern. Our aim was to investigate the firsthand experience of HCWs who faced physical WPV from patients or their relatives in Nepal and to identify the factors that contribute to WPV, its consequences, as well as recommendations from HCWs on preventing and managing WPV in healthcare settings.

Methods: We conducted semistructured in-depth interviews of 12 HCWs who faced physical WPV from patients or their relatives in the last 2 years in Nepal.

User experience and perceived usability of nurse-led telemonitoring among women with gestational diabetes in Dhulikhel, Nepal.

Objective: To assess the usability and acceptability of nurse-led telemonitoring in managing gestational diabetes among Nepalese women.

Methods: We conducted a convergent mixed-method study among 91 pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes at Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal. Participants received glucometers and blood pressure monitors, along with training and instructions to measure and record their blood pressure and glucose levels at home once a week.

Socio-economic factors associated with cancer stigma among apparently healthy women in two selected municipalities Nepal.

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.

Association of gestational weight gain rate with infant birth weight and cesarean delivery: A prospective cohort study in Nepal.

Gestational weight gain (GWG) is linked to pregnancy outcomes, such as birth weight and delivery mode, though research in low-income countries like Nepal is limited. We examined the association of GWG rate with infant birth weight and cesarean delivery in a prospective cohort of 191 pregnant women in Nepal, using data collected from August 2018 to August 2019 at a peri-urban hospital in Dhulikhel. Participants included women with singleton, full-term live births, with GWG rate calculated from weight gain between the second and late pregnancy stages, divided by the weeks in between.

Development and Testing of a Mobile App for Management of Gestational Diabetes in Nepal: Protocol for a User-Centered Design Study and Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nepal. GDM self-management, including intensive dietary and lifestyle modifications and blood glucose monitoring, is critical to maintain glycemic control and prevent adverse outcomes. However, in resource-limited settings, several barriers hinder optimal self-management.

A service evaluation of weight management for glycaemic control and remission of type 2 diabetes using traditional food in Nepal (Ho-DIRECT NEPAL): a single-arm trial.

Background: Remission of early type 2 diabetes (T2D) is possible; however, diet programmes proven effective are unaffordable in many southeast Asian populations where T2D is more frequent and more aggressive at lower body weight and younger age. We evaluate an entirely food-based service.

Methods: This study employed a single-arm intervention and follow-up design for intervention evaluation in existing hospital people with T2D of under 5 years known duration.

Impact of a community health worker led intervention for improved blood pressure control in urban Nepal: an open-label cluster randomised controlled trial.

Background: Effective control of hypertension remains challenging in low and middle-income countries. We tested the effectiveness of comprehensive approaches to hypertension management including six home visits by community health workers with regular follow up by a trained healthcare provider on blood pressure levels in Nepal.

Methods: We implemented a non-blinded, open-label, parallel-group, two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial, with 1:1 allocation ratio in Budhanilakantha municipality, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Challenges in Effective Referral of Cardiovascular Diseases in Nepal: A Qualitative Study from Health Workers' and Patients' Perspective.

Background: Nepal, currently facing a high burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which poses the highest mortality rate in the country, does not seem to have a proper referral strategy. This study explored the wide range of factors and challenges that affect the referral system of CVD cases in Nepal.

Methods: In this qualitative study, we conducted face-to-face and telephone interviews with purposely selected 57 key participants which included 35 healthcare professionals from tertiary, secondary, and primary levels from Bagmati Province and 22 CVD patients (myocardial infarction and stroke) from Bagmati and Madhesh Provinces.

Effectiveness of a group-based Diabetes Prevention Education Program (DiPEP) in a population with pre-diabetes: a cluster randomised controlled trial in Nepal.

Background: Although several lifestyle intervention studies have been conducted in low/middle-income countries, there were no such studies in Nepal. Therefore, a group-based culturally tailored Diabetes Prevention Education Program (DiPEP) was conducted recently. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of DiPEP in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), weight, waist circumference, physical activity and diet among population with pre-diabetes.

Exploring knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials, and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal.

Background: Inappropriate use of antimicrobials is a global public health issue, particularly in developing countries, including Nepal, where over-the-counter sales and self-medication of antimicrobials are common.

Objectives: To explore knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Nepal.

Methods: The study was conducted in three rural and five urban municipalities of the Kavrepalanchok district from May 2021 to August 2021.

Designing and Developing a Mobile App for Management and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes in Nepal: User-Centered Design Study.

Background: Mobile apps can aid with the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by providing patient education, reinforcing regular blood glucose monitoring and diet/lifestyle modification, and facilitating clinical and social support.

Objective: This study aimed to describe our process of designing and developing a culturally tailored app, Garbhakalin Diabetes athawa Madhumeha-Dhulikhel Hospital (GDM-DH), to support GDM management among Nepalese patients by applying a user-centered design approach.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team of experts, as well as health care providers and patients in Dhulikhel Hospital (Dhulikhel, Nepal), contributed to the development of the GDM-DH app.

Facilitators and barriers to hypertension management in urban Nepal: findings from a qualitative study.

Introduction: In Nepal, one-fourth of the adult population has hypertension. Despite provision of comprehensive hypertension services through the primary healthcare system, huge gaps in treatment and control of hypertension exist. Our study explored the individual, interpersonal, health system and community-level barriers and facilitators affecting hypertension management in urban Nepal.

Coronary Artery Disease in Nepal: Current Perspective, Challenges, Need for National Practice Guidelines, and Potential Solutions.

South Asians are estimated to have a 40% increased risk for coronary artery disease as compared to populations from other regions. Nepal, as a South Asian country, should also analyze the burden of coronary artery disease and its risk factors to minimize cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We reviewed the barriers to cardiovascular care and its services in low- and middle-income countries, including Nepal.

A critical analysis of health system in Nepal; Perspective's based on COVID-19 response.

Background: Nepal moved from a unitary government to a federal system of government in 2015 under its constitution. Nepal is a federal democratic republic governed by three levels of government: a federal, provincial, and local level. The response to COVID-19 in Nepal has been majorly led and controlled by the federal government.

Association between cancer stigma and cervical cancer screening uptake among women of Dhulikhel and Banepa, Nepal.

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.

Cluster randomised trial to evaluate comprehensive approach to hypertension management in Nepal: a study protocol.

Introduction: Despite having effective approaches for hypertension management including use of antihypertensive medication, monitoring of blood pressure and lifestyle modification many people with hypertension in Nepal remain undetected and untreated. A comprehensive intervention which provides personalised counselling on lifestyle modification, medication adherence together with support for regular monitoring of blood pressure is expected to achieve well controlled blood pressure.

Methods And Analysis: This is a community-based, non-blinded, parallel group, two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial, with an allocation ratio of 1:1, conducted in Budhanilkantha municipality, Nepal.

How Did People with Prediabetes Who Attended the Diabetes Prevention Education Program (DiPEP) Experience Making Lifestyle Changes? A Qualitative Study in Nepal.

Diabetes can be prevented through lifestyle modification in the prediabetic phase. A group-based lifestyle intervention called 'Diabetes Prevention Education Program' (DiPEP) was tested recently in Nepal. The present study aimed to explore experiences of making lifestyle changes among people with prediabetes participating in the DiPEP.

Nutrition and food security in Nepal: a narrative review of policies.

In the past few decades, the Nepali government has endorsed several nutritional policies, strategies, and guidelines. Given the lack of a comprehensive review of such policy documents, this review aims to describe the nutrition and food security policies and understand the existing policy gaps in Nepal. Findings from this study can be used to develop policies and programs to address Nepal's current and future nutritional needs.

Reliability and validity of a Global Physical Activity Questionnaire adapted for use among pregnant women in Nepal.

Background: Physical activity (PA) plays an important role in optimizing health outcomes throughout pregnancy. In many low-income countries, including Nepal, data on the associations between PA and pregnancy outcomes are scarce, likely due to the lack of validated questionnaires for assessing PA in this population. Here we aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of an adapted version of Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) among a sample of pregnant women in Nepal.

Validation of the Cancer Stigma Scale in Nepalese Women.

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.

Factors Associated with Medication Adherence among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Nepal.

As diabetes increases globally, high mortality increases due to complications of uncontrolled sugar. Medication adherence is important to control blood sugar and prevent its complications. Objective of the study was to identify factors associated with medication adherence among type 2 diabetes patients.

Effect of a social media-based health education program on postnatal care (PNC) knowledge among pregnant women using smartphones in Dhulikhel hospital: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Postnatal care services helps in detecting and subsequently managing life threatening complications. With the ubiquitous use of the mobile phone in Nepal, social media based postpartum education has the potential to increase PNC knowledge among pregnant women. This study aimed to assess the effect of social media-based health education program on PNC knowledge among pregnant women attending Dhulikhel hospital, Nepal.

Prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among home isolated COVID-19 patients in Western Nepal.

Introduction: Globally, COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on mental health. In Nepal, COVID-19 positive cases have to self-isolate at home in multi-generational and multi-family households. This could be strongly associated with depression, anxiety, and stress-related health outcomes.

Association between 1 trimester diet quality & gestational weight gain rate among pregnant women in Dhulikhel, Nepal.

Background: Despite promising data from high-income countries, the impact of diet quality on gestational weight gain (GWG) has not been investigated in the context of many low-income countries including Nepal.

Methods: We prospectively examined the association between 1 trimester diet quality and GWG rate among a cohort of singleton pregnant women (n = 101; age 25.9 ± 4.