Practices Regarding COVID-19 among Online Respondents in Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The alarming rate of rise in COVID-19 cases led to lockdown in Nepal in order to curb the transmission and spread of the virus among the general public. This research was conducted to know the practices regarding the COVID-19 among the general population of Nepal. The aim of the study is to find out the value of different practices regarding COVID-19 which includes use of face masks, avoiding crowded places and hand hygiene. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 509 online respondents residing 28th November to 15th December 2020 in Nepal. Ethical approval for the study was taken from the Nepal Health Research Council (Reference number 1350). Convenient sampling method was used. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Software Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26.0. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Out of 509 participants, 492 (96.66%) (Confidence Interval= 95.1%-98.2%) uses mask, 437 (85.85%) (Confidence Interval= 82.82%-88.87%) avoided going to crowded places and 503 (98.82%) (95% Confidence Interval= 97.88%-99.76%) practiced hand hygiene during lockdown. Among 492 (96.66%) who wore face mask during the lockdown, 482 (94.69%) were still continuing using the face mask after the restriction was eased. CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes good practices regarding COVID-19 among Nepalese population but is still not satisfying. This depicted adequate awareness among the public as a result of adequate dissemination of information and resources during the lockdown.

Rare Encounter of Renal Hydatid Cyst: A Case Report.

Cystic Echinococcosis or Hydatid disease is caused by the infection with the larval stage of long tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus. This condition often remains asymptomatic for years before the cyst grows large enough to cause symptoms in affected organs. The most common organs involved are liver and lungs although the heart, brain, bone, central nervous system, and kidney may also be involved. This case is about a young woman who presented with left flank pain and urinary tract infection who was later diagnosed as having left renal hydatid cyst. The cyst was approximately 7.8×6.6×8cm with internal multiple septations at the lower pole cortex of the left kidney. Laparoscopic pericystectomy was performed and with no postoperative complications, she was discharged on albendazole and other supportive medication. With timely management using combination therapy, this condition is curable and the patient can live a healthy life with normal kidney function.

Anxiety among COVID-19 Patients during Their Stay in Isolation Ward in a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Once a patient is diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, they are required to stay in isolation for some period of time without any social interaction whether be at home or in a hospital setting. The fear of contagion, stigmatization of COVID-19, the social isolation and fear of disease complication has undeniably brought lots of stress and other mental health problems among the infected patients. The main aim of this study is to find the prevalence of anxiety among patients staying in the isolation ward of a tertiary care center. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 147 COVID-19 patients admitted in the isolation ward of a tertiary care center in Nepal from 20 June to 25 July 2021. Ethical approval was taken from Nepal Health Research Council (Reference number 3546). Convenient sampling method was used. Analysis of the data was done using Microsoft Excel and Software Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26.0. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was done and frequency and percentage were calculated. RESULTS: Out of 147 participants, 29 (19.74.%) (95% Confidence Interval= 13.31-26.17) experienced some form of anxiety symptoms during their stay in isolation. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety among COVID-19 patients in this study is similar to other studies done in similar settings. Anxiety among COVID-19 patients is quite high as compared to non COVID-19 patients, therefore assessment of mental health conditions like anxiety, insomnia, depression in patients admitted with COVID-19 should be performed along with the management of physical symptoms.