Cross-sectional study on behavioural determinants associated with sugary foods and beverages and their correlates with body mass index among adolescents in Nagarjun municipality, Nepal.

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the status of and factors associated with behavioural determinants (knowledge, attitude and practice) of sugary foods and beverages among adolescents in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: The study was done at educational institutions located in Nagarjun municipality, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Understanding challenges and enhancing the competency of healthcare providers for disability inclusive sexual and reproductive health services in rural Nepal.

Background: Women with disabilities in rural Nepal face many challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health services including harassment and unpleasant behavior by the healthcare providers. Though National Guideline for Disability Inclusive Health Service in Nepal is in place, there are gaps in providing the sexual and reproductive health needs of women with disabilities. There has been limited research exploring the competency and capacity of health care providers on providing sexual and reproductive health services and information for women living with disabilities.

Perspectives of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes on barriers to diabetes care: a qualitative study.

Background: Diabetes care incorporates multiple integrated elements like self-care practices, patient education and awareness, societal support, equitable access to healthcare facilities and trained healthcare professionals, commitment from the diabetes associations and government policies. There is a dearth of research exploring the barriers experienced by both People with Type 1 diabetes (PwT1D) and People with Type 2 diabetes (PwT2D) in accessing the holistic elements of diabetes care. This study thus aimed at exploring the perceived barriers among PwT1D and PwT2D in accessing diabetes care services in urban and rural areas of Nepal.

Internet addiction prevalence and associated factors among secondary-level private school students in urban Nepal: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of internet addiction and its associated factors among secondary-level private school students in an urban municipality in Nepal.

Design: Cross sectional.

Setting: Private schools in Budhanilkantha Municipality, Kathmandu District in Nepal.

Prevalence and associated factors of gender-based violence for female: Evidence from school students in Nepal-A cross-sectional study.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a major global public health challenge in the 21st century that poses a serious impact on women's health and well-being. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with GBV among secondary school female students in the Sarlahi district of Nepal. Using a cross-sectional study, we collected data from 225 secondary-level female students in the Sarlahi district of Nepal.

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.

Intimate partner violence in Nepal: Analysis of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022.

Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health issue in Nepal. IPV has social and economic impacts on women, family, and the wider society. In this study, we aimed to determine factors associated with IPV among currently partnered women aged 15-49.

Dating violence prevalence and factors associated among undergraduate public health students of Kathmandu metropolitan city, Nepal: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The objective of this research was to assess the prevalence of dating violence (DV) and factors associated among undergraduate public health students of Kathmandu metropolitan city (KMC), Nepal.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving undergraduate public health students in Kathmandu. We recruited the students using probability proportionate sampling techniques.

The prevalence of pain catastrophising in nulliparous women in Nepal; the importance for childbirth.

In Lower-Middle-Income-Countries women are encouraged to present at a birthing facility for skilled care, but attending early can be associated with additional harm. Women admitted in latent labour are more likely to receive a cascade of unnecessary interventions compared with those attending a birthing facility during active labour. One reason that women present early is pain, with higher rates of admission among those who pain catastrophise.

A systematic review of public health interventions to address breast cancer inequalities in low- and middle-income countries.

Background: Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in the world, with a worse prognosis documented in low- and middle-income countries. Inequalities pertaining to breast cancer outcomes are observed at within-country level, with demographics and socioeconomic status as major drivers.

Aim: This review aims to aggregate all available evidence from low- and middle-income countries on public health interventions that can be utilized to reduce breast cancer inequalities within the breast cancer continuum.

Prune belly syndrome: A rare case report.

Key Clinical Message: In babies presenting with an omphalocele, other components of the prune belly syndrome should be scrutinized for early diagnosis and timely intervention.

Abstract: A male baby on his 13th day of life presented with an omphalocele. On evaluation, he had congenital absence of left kidney and bilateral cryptorchidism.

Depression among inmates of Gandaki Province, Nepal: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Depression is a pervasive mental health condition that affects individuals across various demographic categories, including imprisoned adults. The prevalence of mental health problems among inmates worldwide is considerably higher than in the general population, and it is estimated that 11% of inmates have significant mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of depression and factors associated with it among the prisoners of Gandaki Province, Nepal.

Detection of Biofilm Production and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern among Clinically Isolated .

Aim: The increasing antibiotic resistance and the ability to form biofilms in medical devices have become the leading cause of severe infections associated with (). Since the bacteria living in biofilms can exhibit 10- to 1,000-fold increase in antibiotic resistance and implicate chronic infectious diseases, the detection of ability to form biofilms is of great importance for managing, minimizing, and effectively treating infections caused by it. This study aimed to compare the tube and tissue culture methods to detect biofilm production and antibiotic susceptibility in MRSA and MSSA.

Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis among Nepalese patients at a tuberculosis referral center.

Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), characterized by isoniazid and rifampicin resistance, is caused by chromosomal mutations that restrict treatment options and complicate tuberculosis management. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of pre-extensively drug-resistant (pre-XDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis, as well as mutation pattern, in Nepalese patients with MDR/rifampicin-resistant (RR)-TB strains.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on MDR/RR-TB patients at the German Nepal Tuberculosis Project from June 2017 to June 2018.

Appropriate complementary feeding practice and associated factors among mothers of children aged 6-23 months in Bhimphedi rural municipality of Nepal.

Background: Appropriate complementary feeding plays a crucial role in the enhancement of child survival; and promotes healthy growth and development. Evidence has shown that appropriate complementary feeding is effective in preventing malnutrition and child mortality. Thus, the main objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of appropriate complementary feeding practice and associated factors among mothers of children aged 6-23 months.

Participatory policy analysis in health policy and systems research: reflections from a study in Nepal.

Background: Participatory policy analysis (PPA) as a method in health policy and system research remains underexplored. Using our experiences of conducting PPA workshops in Nepal to explore the impact of the country's move to federalism on its health system, we reflect on the method's strengths and challenges. We provide an account of the study context, the design and implementation of the workshops, and our reflections on the approach's strengths and challenges.

The impact of decentralisation on health systems: a systematic review of reviews.

Background: Decentralisation is a common mechanism for health system reform; yet, evidence of how it impacts health systems remains fragmented. Despite published findings from primary and secondary research illustrating range of impacts, a comprehensive and clear understanding is currently lacking. This review synthesised the existing evidence to assess how decentralisation (by devolution) impacts each of the six WHO building blocks, and the health system.

Inhibition and Reduction of Biofilm Production along with Their Antibiogram Pattern among Gram-Negative Clinical Isolates.

Background: Bacterial biofilm is a significant virulence factor threatening patients, leading to chronic infections and economic burdens. Therefore, it is crucial to identify biofilm production, its inhibition, and reduction. In this study, we investigated biofilm production among Gram-negative isolates and assessed the inhibitory and reduction potential of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) towards them.

Overcoming the challenges facing Nepal's health system during federalisation: an analysis of health system building blocks.

Introduction: Nepal's move to a federal system was a major constitutional and political change, with significant devolution of power and resources from the central government to seven newly created provinces and 753 local governments. Nepal's health system is in the process of adapting to federalism, which is a challenging, yet potentially rewarding, task. This research is a part of broader study that aims to explore the opportunities and challenges facing Nepal's health system as it adapts to federalisation.

Associated Biochemical and Hematological Markers in COVID-19 Severity Prediction.

Background: The global threat of COVID-19 has created the need for researchers to investigate the disease's progression, especially through the use of biomarkers to inform interventions. This study aims to assess the correlations of laboratory parameters to determine the severity of COVID-19 infection.

Methods: This study was conducted among 191 COVID-19 patients in Sumeru Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal.

Prevalence and antibiogram of bacteria causing urinary tract infection among patients with chronic kidney disease.

Identifying and appropriately managing urinary tract infections (UTIs) among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are essential to reduce further disease complications and economic burden. Hence, this study aims to determine the prevalence of UTIs among CKD patients and study the antibiogram of the bacterial isolates. Four hundred eighty-two clean catch midstream urine samples were collected from CKD patients during the study period.

The burden of mental disorders in Nepal between 1990 and 2019: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

Mental disorders are the leading cause of disease burden, affecting 13% of all people globally in 2019. However, there is scarce evidence on the burden of mental disorders in Nepal. This study used the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 data to assess the prevalence and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of mental disorders in Nepal between 1990 and 2019.