DSpace Collection:

Oral Hygiene and Tobacco Use Practices in Rural Villages of Jhapa District, Nepal

2024-03-15T05:46:34Z

Title: Oral Hygiene and Tobacco Use Practices in Rural Villages of Jhapa District, Nepal Authors: Basnet, Bishal Babu; Sharma, Khem Raj Abstract: Abstract Background: Smoking and use of smokeless tobacco affect oral as well as general health. People are reluctant to achieve good oral health in lieu of the avoidance of deleterious habits. The objective of this study was to analyze two contrasting health behaviors; the oral hygiene practices against tobacco use in a sample from eastern Terai. Methods: This is questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey carried out in Jhapa district located in eastern Nepal. In this report, practice of toothbrushing, use of fluoridated toothpaste, frequency of using tobacco related products (paan, gutkha, chilim, cigarette, bidi, hukkah) was assessed. Association of health behavior to sociodemographic variables were tested with regression analysis at 95% confidence limits. Results: A total of 1178 respondents (response rate = 96.8%) completed the interview, among them 80.8% were males. Mean age was 52.21 years (SD = 15.943). Overall 72.6% used fluoridated toothpaste and toothbrush for cleaning teeth, 58.8% consumed tobacco related products. Interdental aids utilization was very less (1.2% using dental floss). Age was significantly related to both toothbrushing and tobacco-consuming. Educational status was related significantly to toothbrushing (p<0.05). Other sociodemographic variables (marital status, ethnicity, educational status) were not related to consumption of deleterious products (p>0.05). Conclusions: Our results showed that consumption of tobacco related products is moderately high in Terai village and oral health practice was found to be influenced by educational status. More such studies to identify status of oral health and impact of tobacco are recommended. Keywords: Oral health; smokeless tobacco; smoking; tobacco Description: Original Article

COVID-19 Pandemic: Shortage of Personal Protective Equipment, Use of Improvised Surrogates, and the Safety of Health Care Workers

2024-03-15T05:47:07Z

Title: COVID-19 Pandemic: Shortage of Personal Protective Equipment, Use of Improvised Surrogates, and the Safety of Health Care Workers Authors: Shrestha, Gentle Sunder Abstract: NA Description: Letters to the Editor

Key Informant Methods: An Innovative Social Mobilization Strategy to enable Communitybased Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation for People with Disability

2024-03-15T05:47:50Z

Title: Key Informant Methods: An Innovative Social Mobilization Strategy to enable Communitybased Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation for People with Disability Authors: Pandey, Ashok; Gautam, Pratima Abstract: Abstract Key informant method is an innovative technique for identifying people who are disabled in the community, by training local volunteers to act as key informants. Key informants are the local native people include teachers, village doctors, local health workers, religious leaders, community leaders, students, traditional healers, police, NGO staffs, health professionals, local journalists, village councils etc. For them, host organization organized a training to train the key informants to identify and refer the suspected disable people. The study proved key informant method as a valid method for identification of disabling children. Key informant method had a high sensitivity (average 98%) for case detection in all groups but specificity was lower (average 44%), particularly for hearing impairment. Key Informant Method can be used to collect data on types of disabilities, cause, the magnitude of impairments, severity, quantify a need for disabled people, and making access to services (including adoption, health check-up, vocational training, rehabilitation, and other facilitation training). Keywords: Bangladesh; disability; key Informant; key informant methods Description: Viewpoint

Can Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia Improve Rural Anesthesia Services and Address Safety Issues in Low Income Country? Perspective from Nepal

2024-03-15T05:48:28Z

Title: Can Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia Improve Rural Anesthesia Services and Address Safety Issues in Low Income Country? Perspective from Nepal Authors: Hamal, Pawan Kumar; Rayamajhi, Anuj Jung; Pokhrel, Nabin; Yadav, Rupesh Kumar; Bhattarai, Prajjwal Raj; Bista, Navindra Raj Abstract: Abstract Provision of anesthesia services in a deprived area particularly in low income countries is a major challenge all over the globe. Along with issues of manpower, logistics, services, there lies agendas of safety and accuracy while delivering the services. With rise in ultrasound use in regional anesthesia, pain and perioperative care, it is prudent that some of these issues can be addressed with proper training, mentoring and monitoring. The global idea needs to be implemented locally to reach out to huge volume of patients who are inadequately treated for the various painful conditions. A group of regional enthusiasts from Nepal takes the vision and mission in Nepalese context to address the issues. Keywords: Low income country; rural anesthesia; safety; ultrasound guided regional anesthesia Description: Viewpoint