Pm Shyangwa

A clinico-epidemiological study of snake bite in Nepal.

Envenoming from snake bite is an important medical condition, frequently encountered at the emergency department of BPKIHS hospital (Dharan, Nepal). This is a retrospective study of 52 cases of suspected snake bite who presented at the department from August 1993 to November 1994. Analysis of the data showed that snake bite was more frequent between the ages of 11 to 20 years (36.7%) and 2.5 times more common in males. Fifty-seven per cent of the bites occurred between 1600 h and midnight with highest incidence (51%) occurring during the monsoon (August–October). Twenty per cent of the patients were able to identify the snake species as venomous and 90% of them presented to the hospital within 3 h of being bitten. Sixty per cent of the bites were in the lower limb. Neurotoxicity due to envenoming was recorded in nine patients (17%). No case of coagulopathy was recorded. The overall case fatality was 3.8% but mortality amongst those exhibiting signs of neurotoxicity was 22%.

Risk Factors for Drug Abuse Among Nepalese Samples Selected from a Town of Eastern Nepal

The study focuses on the serious issue related to the adolescents’ and adults’ behavior and health. It aims to identify the risk factors for drug abuse from samples taken from a town of Eastern Nepal. This is a matched case-control study. The conditional logistic regression method was adopted for data analysis. The diagnosis cut off was determined by Receiver Operating Characteristic curve. A representative sample of 150 matched pairs was recruited from Dharan in 2006. The final model after adjusting 17 possible variables each other, detected some factors like education, occupation, short temper, depression, etc that were significantly associated with drug abuse, but shy behavior was not a significant predictor for drug abuse among the study sample. The level of education, occupation and depression were the strong predictors as identified by the model. The findings of the study may have implications to aware families and schools in developing countries like Nepal.

Clinico-demographic profile among female with alcohol related problems in the eastern part of Nepal

Background: Alcohol can affect anyone. It is not prejudicial towards any race, colour, sex, religion or economic level. It affects individual’s life, personal relationship, health and occupational functioning.1 Alcohol is estimated to cause a net harm of 3.7% of all deaths and 4.4% of the global burden of disease.3 This study will provide baseline data and pave way for further studies and broaden the implication for the management and control of alcohol related problems in female. Objective: To provide baseline data about the clinico-demographic profile of the female with alcohol related problems. Method: A semi- structured proforma was designed to collect the data. A total of 51 female patients participated in the study after giving their written informed consent. Result: The maximum number of patients were in the age group of 41-50 (37.2%); followed by the age group 31-40 (31.3%). The mean age was 42.63 ± 11.11 years. The predominant caste was Rai 33.3% followed by Limbu 19.6%. All the cases were Hindus by religion. Most of the cases were married (82.3%) housewives, (56.8%) with nuclear family (68.6%) and illiterate (58.8%). The age of first alcohol intake was 17.45±9.45 years, total duration of use 24.86±14.7. Family custom (56.88%) was the most common reason for the first use of alcohol. Local distilled alcohol was preferred (58.8%) and 72.5% used to drink alone. The most common presenting complaint was auditory hallucination (12.36%). Conclusion: The most affected age group was at the peak of their economic and reproductive abilities. Most of the patients were illiterate and jobless. A comprehensive educational awareness program about alcohol use and its effects on the female as a whole, with special attention to pregnancy and lactation is to be undertaken at the community level, with maximum female participation. It is important to recognize and realize that women have unique aspects to their alcohol problems and to understand the complex interplay of roles they have to play in the form of daughter, mother, wife, in-law and manager of the household activities including taking care of children as well as elderly at home and plan accordingly. Health Renaissance 2015;13(2): 30-42

Factors affecting on Adherence to the Prescribed Drugs in Diabetic Patients Visiting a Tertiary Care Centre

Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol. 2, No.2 Issue 4 May-October 2013 Page 11-17 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v2i2.8799