Prevalence and Associated Factors of Malnutrition in Under Five Children in a Rural Mountainous Area of Nepal: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study

Background Nutrition is believed to be very essential for socio economic development of the country and is an essential component of sustainable development goals. Malnutrition is a major public health problem in Nepal and is more common among under-five year children. Malnutrition among children is complex problem globally, affecting the physical, mental and social development. Objective To estimate the prevalence and explore the associated factors of malnutrition in study population. Method It was a community based cross-sectional study conducted among rural population of Nepal. Wards were selected by simple random sampling technique and household in each ward were selected by systemic random sampling. The mothers of 302 participants aged 12 to 59 months were interviewed for requisite information using pretested questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were taken using standard technique for each participant. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 was used for data analysis. Result The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 36.8%, 37.5%, and 14.6% respectively. We found statistical significant association between underweight and children in lower age group, larger family size, lower level of mother's education and illness in past one month. Factors that are significantly associated with stunting are children in lower age group, lower level of mother's education and illness in past one month and wasting is significantly associated with children in lower age group. Conclusion This study showed the prevalence of malnutrition is high in study population. Factors associated with malnutrition were child's age, family size, mother's education and illness in past one month.

A Community Based Cross Sectional Study to Estimate the Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hypertension in Rural Nepal

Background Hypertension is a major global public health problem because of its high prevalence as it significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and blindness. Epidemiological shift in prevalence of non-communicable diseases have been observed in Nepal and it is also evident that hypertension and related complications are major contributors to death and disability in Nepal. Objective To estimate the prevalence and explore the associated factors of hypertension in study population. Method A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural population of Nepal with multistage sampling design. A total of 422 participants aged 18 to 65 years of age participated in the study. The information was obtained using pretested questionnaire which included demographic information of individuals and other risk factors like alcohol and tobacco use, physical activity. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure was recorded and hypertension was defined as per JNC VII criteria. Result The overall prevalence of hypertension was 27.7% (male: 32.7%, female: 19.8%). Mean systolic and diastolic BP were 123.79 ± 12.46 mmHg and 81.56 ± 8.32 mmHg, respectively. Age (eldest age group, AOR=4.92: CI: 1.24-19.46), participants with lower level of education (higher education, AOR=0.173: CI: 0.05-0.53), ethnicity (Janajatis, AOR=2.85: CI: 1.44-5.65) and smoking (current smokers, AOR=10.30: CI: 4.39-24.16) are found to be significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion This study showed the prevalence of hypertension is high in study population. Increasing age, low level of education, ethnicity and smoking were independent risk factors for hypertension.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hypertension among Adults in Rural Nepal: A Community Based Study

Background Hypertension is a major health problem throughout the world and is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular mortality. It is important to detect and manage prehypertension and hypertension to reduce the risk of correlated complications especially cardiovascular diseases. Objective The objective of the study was to find the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among the adults in rural Nepal. Method A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 648 respondents. The information was obtained using pre-tested questionnaire which included demographic information of individuals and other risk factors like alcohol and tobacco use, physical activity and diet preference. Height, weight and blood pressure were recorded and hypertension was defined as per Joint National Committee (JNC) VII guidelines. Result The overall prevalence of hypertension was 20.5 % and pre-hypertension was 46.6%. The males had higher prevalence of hypertension (30.6%) compared to females (13.8%). Bivariate analysis showed male gender, smoking and non vegetarian diet have association with hypertension. Male gender [OR 2.50 (1.68 - 3.74)] and non vegetarian diet [OR 0.11 (0.01 - 0.85)] were found to be significantly associated with hypertension in multivariate analysis. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was high in the study population. In absence of life style modification and risk reduction the individuals categorized as prehypertension have great risk of developing hypertension in the future which may pose a great challenge in the future. Hence, there is a big scope for screening and primary prevention strategies to curb the epidemic of hypertension.

Assessment of Nutritional Status of Children Under Five years of age in rural Nepal

Background Nutritional status of children is one of the major predictors of child survival. However, malnutrition is a major public health problem in most of the developing countries and occurs prominently among under-five children. In context of Nepal, nearly 37% children are suffering from underweight, 41% from stunting and 11% are suffering from wasting. These children are at a substantially greater risk of severe acute malnutrition and death. Objective The objective of the study was to assess the nutritional status of children under five years of age and to find the factors associated with malnutrition. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dolakha and Kavre districts of Nepal for assessing the nutritional status of under-five children and associated factors. A total of 243 under five children were included from two purposively selected village development committees (VDCs) i.e. one from each district. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 22 Version and ENA Software Version 2011 were used for analyzing the data. Result Out of 243 children, according to WHO based on weight for height assessment, 17 (7.0%) were wasted, in height for age analysis, 97 (39.9%) were stunted and in weight for age assessment, 46 (18.9%) were underweight. Conclusion In the study population, there is high prevalence of malnutrition, especially stunting among under-five. Taking into account weight, height, age, and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements of malnourished children more than threefifths of them were found below -2SD and nearly one-fourths below -3SD which needs intervention.

Awareness regarding preventive measures of avian influenza among the adult people of Thimi Municipality, Nepal

BACKGROUND

Avian influenza is considered as a threat to global public health. Prevention and control depends on the awareness of the general population as well as high risk-groups. The avian influenza should be viewed more seriously because it may lead to pandemic influenza when the virus mutates its strain with the common human influenza. Thus, this study aims to explore the awareness regarding preventive measures of avian influenza among the adult population of Thimi Municipality.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to explore awareness regarding preventive measures of avian influenza among the adult population of Thimi Municipality.

METHODS

It is a cross-sectional, population based study. It was carried out in Thimi Municipality from May 15 to June 15, 2012. Pre tested structured questionnaire was used for face to face interview with randomly selected 250 subjects.

RESULTS

Out of 250 subjects, 123 (49.2 %) were males. The mean age of subjects was 36 ± 11.8 year. Among total subjects, 94.4 percent had heard about avian influenza. The main source of information was television (94.1%). Majority of subjects (84.9 %) thought that keeping infected birds and poultry as the mode of transmission followed by eating not well cooked poultry meat (82.8 %). Out of total study subjects, 165 (66.0 percent) mentioned fever and 138 (55.2 percent) thought fatigue as the signs and symptoms. As for knowledge about preventive measures, majority (85.6%) stated that cleaning the surfaces that had come in contact with the poultry could prevent the disease and 83.2 % had knowledge that the infection could be prevented by washing hands with soap and water after poultry handling. Awareness regarding preventive measures was found significantly low in females, middle adults, illiterates, and house wives.

CONCLUSION

The awareness regarding avian influenza was quite satisfactory among the adult people of Thimi Municipality. However level of awareness was seen lower in female, illiterate and middle adult. So that along with large scale mass education, there should be specific health education program for the specific group of population.

Pattern of organophosphorous poisoning: a retrospective community based study

BACKGROUND

Pesticide poisoning is very common in Nepal. Hospital based studies from various parts of Nepal have shown that poisoning with organophosphorus compounds is the most common type of poisoning. Current study is undertaken to see the pattern of organophosphorus poisoning and to identify the common risk factors among the cases. If the risk factors are modifiable, attempts in addressing the risk factors and decreasing the likelihood of poisoning will certainly be fruitful in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with organophosphorus poisoning.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the risk factors of organophosphorus poisoning which is major public health problem in Nepal.

METHODS

A community based retrospective study of 75 cases of organophosphate poisoning who were brought to the emergency department of Dhulikhel hospital over the period of 3 years. Basic information was collected from hospital records and home visits were made to study the risk factors. Data were collected through interviews of the study population and their family members using a pre-designed questionnaire.

RESULTS

In this study 75 cases and their families were interviewed of which there were 59% males and 42% females (M/F ratio of 1:1.4). The majority (40%) of the poisoning cases were in the age group 25-34 years. Lower literacy level showed positive association with the incidence of poisoning. Occupation wise vast majority (80%) of the cases were engaged in agricultural work. Suicidal attempts by ingesting organophosphate compounds were high in farmers and females.

CONCLUSION

In this study, majority of the poisoning were attempts of intentional self harm. Agriculture workers and females are high risk groups and may be associated with the fact that they have easy access to the poison. Interventions directed towards health education, counseling, and enforcement of laws restricting the availability and use of harmful pesticides may help in reducing such events in future.

The prevalence of and risk factors for hypertension in adults living in central development region of Nepal

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular disorder and now regarded as major public health problem. It is a precursor to major diseases like myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure etc. There are very limited community based data on hypertension in Nepal, so, information on the prevalence of hypertension in the population is desirable.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence of hypertension and to explore the risk factors associated with hypertension.

METHODS

In a cross sectional study , a total of 527 subjects (males n=214 and females n=313) participated in our study (age =18 years). The participants underwent anthropometric measurement and blood pressure and answered a pretested questionnaire. Hypertension was defined as per JNC VII criteria.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of hypertension was 22.4% (males: 32.7% and female: 15.3%). Age specific prevalence of hypertension showed significant progressive increase in blood pressure ranging from 8% to 35%. Almost 40% of hypertensives did not know about their status. Bivariate analysis showed significant relationship of hypertension with gender, age, literacy, physical inactivity, body mass index (BMI), smoking and alcohol consumption. Multivariate analysis excluded literacy but all other risk factors continued to show positive association with hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Being elderly, less physical activity, obese/overweight, smoking and alcohol consumption are significant risk factors of hypertension. Therefore, intervention measures are warranted emphasizing on modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and obesity to prevent hypertension.