Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Hypertension Among Antihypertensive Medication Users.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is growing among the population of Nepal. We aimed to determine the current knowledge, attitude and practice of hypertension among hypertensive patients taking antihypertensive medication in the community of Central Nepal. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the hypertensive patients in Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal from July 2015 to September 2015 using clustered sampling technique. Suitably designed and validated questionnaire of knowledge, attitude and practice on hypertension consisting of 27 questions were used to determine the KAP scores. The difference in the median KAP scores between sex, level of education and duration of hypertension were assessed using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients met the inclusion criteria and majority of them were male (60%), had received primary education (36%) and had hypertension for ≥5 years (46.5%). The blood pressure ranged from 100-180/60-110 mmHg. The median K, A and P scores were 8 (6), 5 (1) and 6 (3) respectively. K and A were statistically associated with sex both at p<0.001 and level of education (K at p<0.001 and A at p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The current knowledge, attitude and practice among hypertensive patients using antihypertensive medication can be improved.

Clinico-epidemiological study of low birth weight newborns in the Eastern part of Nepal.

Low birth weight (LBW) remains an important cause of newborn morbidity and mortality. A hospital based prospective and descriptive study was conducted at Paediatric wards, Nursery, Neonatal intensive unit (NICU) and Post natal ward during period of June to October 2010 to note the clinico-epidemiological profile of Low Birth Weight (LBW) newborns. Incidence of the LBW babies in our hospital was 14.45%; more than four fifth (82.2%) baby's mothers were primigravida. Eighty two percent mothers had unbooked pregnancies. Twenty and half percent LBW babies were twins. The mean duration of hospital stay of the subject was 7.4 (± 5.5) days. The mean birth weight of LBW babies was 1648 (± 344) grams. Clinical sepsis, non physiological jaundice and hypoglycaemia were the three most common complications of LBW babies. Antibiotics, oxygen and phototherapy were the three commonest modes of therapy. Majority of children (82.0%) improved and were discharged. Birth weight and gestational age were significantly different between survivors and babies who expired. Primigravida and lesser antenatal visits were important risk factors for Low birth weight babies. Birth weight, gestational age, apnoea and mechanical ventilation were the predictors of outcome.

Oral zinc supplementation for reducing mortality in probable neonatal sepsis: a double blind randomized placebo controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of Zinc in the treatment of neonatal sepsis. DESIGN: Double blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary Care Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 614 neonates with probable neonatal sepsis. INTERVENTION: The drug group (n=307) received 1mg/kg/day of elemental zinc, and placebo group (n=307) received the placebo, in addition to antibiotic therapy and supportive care, till the final outcome (discharge/death). OUTCOME MEASURES: Decrease in mortality rates (primary outcome), duration of hospital stay and need of higher lines of antibiotic therapy (secondary outcomes) were tested. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. No statistically significant differences between drug and placebo group were found in mortality rate (9.77% vs 7.81%; P=0.393), mean duration of hospital stay (142.85 ± 69.41 hrs, vs. 147.99 ± 73.13 hrs; P=0.841), and requirement of higher lines of antibiotic therapy (13.35% vs 12.05%, P=0.628) after supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not report decrease in mortality rates, duration of hospital stay and requirement of higher lines of antibiotic therapy following zinc supplementation in neonatal sepsis.

Risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in babies born to 'O' positive mothers: a prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperbilirubinemia in a neonate is one of the most common problems that may occur in 60-70 % of term and 80% of preterm babies. It is known to be associated with significant morbidity like neonatal bilirubin encephalopathy and even death. Clinically, and almost exclusively ABO incompatibility occur in 'A' and 'B' blood group babies of O '+ve' mothers. These babies are reported to be at high risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia (serum bilirubin level more than 16 mg/dl). OBJECTIVES: To find out the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia in babies born to 'O' positive mothers. To estimate the risk of ABO incompatibility in babies born to 'O' positive mothers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study conducted in B. P. Koirala institute of Health Science (Department of Pediatrics and Dept. of Gynae and Obstetric) from July 2002 to June 2003. A total of 199 women having 'O' positive blood group admitted to the Department of Gynae and Obstetric were included in the study. A piloted proforma was used to collect information. The blood group of neonates was tested by tile and slide method and serum bilirubin was estimated by diazo method in the Central Laboratory Services and Emergency laboratory of BPKIHS. The data was observed and analysis was carried out using statistical software SPSS-10. RESULTS: Total 37 (18.5%) babies had developed hyperbilirubinemia and among them 14 (38%) were from group of babies having 'O' Positive blood group and 23 (62%) were from group of babies having other than 'O' Positive blood group. There was 2.6 times higher chance of having hyperbilirubinemia in the babies with ABO incompatibility than 'O' Positive babies after adjusting other significant variables. CONCLUSION: Among different significantly associated variables, ABO incompatibility was found to be a major risk factor for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.It was seen that neonate with ABO incompatibility had two times higher chances of having hyperbilirubinemia than those babies with O '+ve' blood group. This finding in BPKIHS suggests that there is a need of screening cord blood bilirubin and continuous monitoring of bilirubin level in the hospital especially among ABO incompatible neonates.

Cytogenetic analysis of children with suspected genetic disorder.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze chromosomes in children with suspected genetic disorder and to categorize the chromosomal basis of genetic disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty children were selected from the patients attending genetic clinic, Department of Pediatrics, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences presenting with dysmorphic feature, mental retardation, short stature, congenital malformations and ambiguous genitalia with age between 0-15 years. Cytogenetic analysis was carried using standard peripheral blood lymphocyte culture method and G-banding technique in Cytogenetic laboratory of Department of Anatomy, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. RESULTS: Chromosomal disorders were identified in 33.34% (10) of children. The most common chromosomal abnormality was Down syndrome (26.67%) followed by Turner syndrome (6.67%). CONCLUSION: The cytogenetic analysis of children with suspected chromosomal aberration is important to uncover the contribution of chromosomal disorder in genesis of dysmorphisms, mental retardation, short stature, sexual ambiguity and congenital malformation in children and prevent further potentially unpleasant investigation being undertaken.

Clinical profile and outcome of children presenting with poisoning or intoxication: a hospital based study.

Poisoning is a common preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Most of the poisoning in children less than 5 years of age is accidental. Objective of the study was to study the clinical profile and outcome of childhood poisoning and intoxication. This was a retrospective study done in patients who were admitted in pediatric wards and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences with history of ingestion of poison or intoxication or envenomation firom January 2005 to June 2008. The data collected were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 software. There were 122 children enrolled in study. Male: female ratio was 1.4:1. The mean age of presentation was 5.8 years. Among 122 patients, 43.4% received pre-referral treatment in the form of gastric lavage, atropine etc. Organophosphorus poisoning was the commonest poisoning seen in 55 (45.1%) patients followed by hydrocarbon 12 (9.8%), mushroom 10 (8.2%) and organochlorine 10 (8.2%) poisoning. During treatment, 50.0% received antidotes. 55.7% received antibiotics, gastric lavage and anticonvulsants were required in 43.4% and 13.9% respectively. Overall survival was 87.4%. The time interval between intoxication and presentation to hospital, mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and presence of coma (GCS <8) were significantly different between survivors and expired cases. In conclusion, organophosphorus is the commonest agent involved in childhood poisoning. Overall, the outcome is good with 87.4% survival in our hospital. The time gap between the poisoning and presentation to hospital and presence of coma predict mortality.

Profile of renal diseases in Nepalese children.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To find out the profile of renal diseases in children hospitalized in the pediatric department of the tertiary care university teaching hospital in Eastern Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all the patients admitted at the department of pediatric from April 2002 to March 2007 was carried out for the presence of any renal diseases on the basis of their clinical presentation, laboratory findings and final diagnosis. RESULTS: A total number of 10,396 children were admitted during the study period out of which 651 (6.3%) children had renal disease. Among them, nephrotic syndrome seen in 222 patients (34.1%) was the commonest renal disease, followed by post streptococcal nephritis in 187(28.7%) and hemolytic uremic syndrome 66(10.1%), other renal diseases seen were acute renal failure in 25 (3.9%), lupus nephritis 24 (3.7%), urinary tract infection in 23 (3.5%) Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) nephritis 26 (4%), chronic renal failure in 27 (4.2%) and other miscellaneous causes 51 (7.8%). CONCLUSION: A substantial number of children are hospitalised with renal diseases, and current trends indicate that majority of them are preventable. In near future, there is a need to develop a comprehensive service for the children with kidney diseases in Nepal.

Retinopathy of prematurity in a tertiary care hospital in eastern Nepal.

World Health Organization's Vision 2020 program has recognized Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) as an important cause of childhood blindness in industrialized and developing countries. In the last few years, it has been identified in many under developed countries as well, as a result of improved neonatal intensive care. In Nepal, ROP screening is carried out in a few tertiary hospitals but there is no published data on this disease. The purpose of this study was to find out the incidence, severity and risk factors of ROP among infants screened in a tertiary care hospital in the Eastern Region of Nepal. A prospective cohort study was carried out in neonates with gestational age of 34 weeks or less and, or birth weight of 1700 gm or less born over the period of one year. Dilated fundus examination of all babies was done by indirect ophthalmoscopy between 2-4 weeks after birth and followed up till the retinal vascularization was complete. Classification of ROP was done according to international classification (ICROP). Maternal and neonatal risk factors were also noted. A total of 55 babies fulfilled the screening criteria. ROP was present in 25.45% (n=14) of the babies. Threshold disease was noted in 5.45% (n=3) of the babies screened. Low birth weight (p<0.01) and low gestational age (p<0.01) was significantly associated with the incidence of ROP. Oxygen supplementation (p=<0.01) was an independent risk factor. ROP screening should be performed in all preterm low birth weight infants where there is availability of good neonatal intensive care units. The examination should be intensified in those having risk factors like oxygen. Further studies in the other tertiary care hospitals in Nepal would help to establish the screening criteria for Nepalese infants.

Knowledge about human genetics among school students of eastern Nepal.

School students from 10 to 19 years of age are adolescents. Adolescent girls are usually exposed to consequences of early marriage, pregnancy and increased responsibility. Genetic disorders are important issues to persons of the reproductive age group. History-taking and screening-tests could uncover risk factors that require diagnostic testing during pregnancy. Therefore, the present survey was conducted among 707 school students (55.6% males, 44.4% females) to find out their knowledge about human genetics. Data were collected as written responses to a close-ended questionnaire. The knowledge of students about human genetic was found to be poor. The majority of students was not aware of the prevalence of genetic disorders in the community. Many students (75%) felt that genetic laboratory facilities and counseling services are necessary in this country. More than half of the students did not know the name of a hospital where genetic laboratory services are available. The study indicates that there is a need to introduce the basics of human genetics in the school curriculum and to implement strategies for awareness programs about genetic disorders and their early detection for possible intervention.

Asthma symptomatics school children of Sonapur.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is one of the most common illnesses in children. Factors influencing development of asthma have not been studied in rural population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two thousand school-going children from three schools of Sonapur VDC, Sunsari in the surrounding of industries were screened for the presence of symptoms of asthma using a questionnaire suggested by International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Children (ISSAC). RESULTS: One hundred twenty children were identified with symptoms of bronchial asthma. For each child with asthma two age and sex matched non-asthmatic control were selected from the study population. History, clinical examination and in-depth interview were carried out for all cases and controls. Factors associated with presence of symptoms of asthma on multivariate analysis were: passive smoking (OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.85-7.65), pets at home (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.04-29.15), and absence of windows in living rooms (OR 4.03, 95% CI 1.17-13.79). Factors such as family history of asthma, history of worm infestation, fuel used for cooking, location of kitchen and food allergy were not significant in statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: Thus, passive smoking, inadequate ventilation and domestic animals and pets (dogs and cats) at home are significant risk factors associated with presence of symptoms of asthma in these children.

Etiology and clinical profile of pediatric cataract in a tertiary care center of Eastern Nepal.

Cataract is one of the leading causes of blindness in children. There are very few studies from Nepal on pediatric cataract. The present study is an attempt to get information on clinical profile and etiology of cataract in pediatric age group with an emphasis on preventable factors. A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out in a tertiary referral hospital in Eastern region of Nepal. After obtaining detail history, all children upto 14 years of age with cataract underwent examination under slit lamp or the operating microscope. Cataract is broadly classified into traumatic and non-traumatic groups. TORCH test for rubella, random blood sugar, urine reducing substance, chromosomal analysis were done in children with non-traumatic cataract Out of 172 children 34 (88%) had non-traumatic and 65 (12%) traumatic cataract. The mean age was 5.63 +/- 3.59 years and 7.39 +/- 3.94 years in non-traumatic group and traumatic group respectively. 8 (9.82%) patients with non-traumatic cataract were below the age of one year. Among non-traumatic cataract, 42 (37.50%) had hereditary, 9 (8.03%) had systemic syndromes, 5 (4.46%) had cataract due to maternal infection, 3 (2.67%) had metabolic disorder. While 11 (9.82%) cataract were associated with other ocular dysmorphology, cause was not ascertained in 31 (idiopathic). 11 (9.82%) had complicated cataract. 24.1% (n=27) of children with bilateral cataract had nystagmus at the time of presentation to hospital. In traumatic group, play related injuries were more common than household injuries. A very few children were below one year of age at the time of presentation to hospital. Establishing pediatric vision screening program in the primary health posts, genetic counseling, maternal immunization, health education to school children and use of safety glasses are some important measures that could prevent cataract blindness in our children.