Consequently, a detailed awareness of the standard anatomy of this region is critical for the medical practitioner in the processes of diagnosis and treatment. chronic infection Within the Nepalese pediatric population, aged 6 to 16, no anatomical study on the specified topic was found within our existing database. A key objective is to obtain baseline posterior cranial fossa bone volume and foramen magnum surface area measurements. This will empower better diagnosis, classification, and treatment of diseases impacting the posterior fossa and craniovertebral junction, ultimately serving as a regional anatomical reference point. Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, and Kavrepalanchowk, Nepal, served as the locations for a retrospective prospective observational study, conducted from February 1st, 2021, to January 31st, 2022. To ensure compliance with our sample size requirements, a convenient sampling approach was employed by us. Of the patients presenting at our emergency and outpatient departments, 68 were selected due to their compliance with the inclusion criteria. Consecutive head CT scans of 68 pediatric patients, revealing no bony or soft-tissue abnormalities, were examined following their recruitment into the study. The volume of the posterior fossa was measured from 128 slices using the SOMATOM PERSPECTIVE CT Scanner's (Siemens, Germany) integrated 3D volume calculator program, which was part of the advanced workstation. Employing the formula r², the area of the foramen magnum was determined, with 'r' representing the average radius ascertained from the antero-posterior and transverse diameters. A study of patients revealed ages from 6 to 16 years, with a mean age of 10.56 ± 3.38 years and a male-to-female ratio of 1 to 1.125. On average, the posterior fossa possessed a volume of 16561.852 cubic millimeters. The foramen magnum's mean anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter, and surface area were measured at 331.012 mm, 272.012 mm, and 2860.009 mm², respectively. Through CT scan examinations of Nepali children, the study determined normal volume ranges for the posterior cranial fossa, together with various dimensions and surface areas of the foramen magnum, which may serve as future guidance.
The worldwide dissemination of the COVID-19 pandemic, triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The SARS-CoV-2 virus's impact on the respiratory system can vary, resulting in asymptomatic individuals to severe pneumonia cases. Severe presentations can evolve into acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with a 69% average fatality rate. For the purpose of diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection, the real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assay remains the established laboratory reference. In spite of that, achieving the end result entails a period of 6 to 8 hours, making it a protracted procedure. In order to effectively manage and prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, quick and accurate screening tests are vital. selleck compound Monoclonal anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, utilized in lateral flow immunoassays targeting SARS-CoV-2 antigens, could serve as a complementary screening method if their accuracy matched that of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A rapid antigen test's sensitivity and specificity relative to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) will be assessed in this investigation. Shree Birendra Army Hospital in Kathmandu served as the site for a four-month cross-sectional hospital-based study, conducted using Method A. As per our findings, the rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) Ag kit demonstrated a sensitivity of 60.6% and a specificity of 96.4%. A positive predictive value of 837% and a negative predictive value of 890% were observed. Likewise, the likelihood ratio for positive cases was 170, and that for negative cases, 0.04. As determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the overall accuracy of the antigen kit was found to be 881%. Our study's findings firmly support the conclusion that rapid antigen kits are most suitable for screening purposes.
Cervical cancer ranks as the most frequent cancer type among Nepali women, causing the most cancer-related deaths within the reproductive age group. In spite of this, proactive and regular screening can help to prevent its emergence. This study aims to determine the utilization of cervical cancer screening, its comprehension, and the perceptions held by women, along with any associated factors. A cross-sectional study recruited 360 women, aged 30 to 60, via random selection from five administrative wards in Bhaktapur municipality, for participation in interviews. The percentage of women who employed cervical cancer screening using either Pap tests or visual inspection with acetic acid reached 322 percent. Subsequently, awareness of cervical cancer and its associated screening methods stood at 478 percent. All participants perceived a high level of benefits and facilitating elements. More than four-fifths of them perceived the barriers and susceptibility as minimal. Women in the 51-60 age bracket demonstrated a higher propensity for completing the screening test (AOR=1314), conversely, unemployed women were more predisposed to undertaking the test (AOR=329). Women cognizant of cervical cancer and its screening methods were predisposed to a higher probability of undergoing the screening procedure (AOR=5365). The screening was more prevalent among women who viewed barriers as low (AOR=583) and the issue as highly serious (AOR=667). The overall conclusion is that only 33% of women in the study had undergone Pap test/VIA screening. Remarkably, a significant positive correlation was observed between awareness of cervical cancer and high perception levels of the disease, and the likelihood of performing this screening. Henceforth, health program planners should craft more rigorous and bespoke awareness campaigns to enhance screening rates amongst younger and working women.
Unutilized, unwanted, and outdated pharmaceuticals stored at home represent a twofold threat to both human health and the ecological system. Imaging antibiotics Medical personnel should understand the correct methods for the disposal of these pharmaceuticals. The study's goal is to measure the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of healthcare personnel in managing the disposal of expired, unwanted, and unused pharmaceuticals. Using Method A, a web-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal, focusing on faculties and junior residents, utilizing a semi-structured proforma. By utilizing a Google Form, the data were collected. Descriptive statistics were computed. A statistical package, SPSS, was used for the analysis involving Chi-square test and Student's t-test, with a significance level set at 0.05. Of the 294 healthcare professionals who participated, having an average age of 35.37 years (standard deviation 6.63 years), 231 (representing 78.6%) were male, while 151 (or 51.4%) were faculty members. The knowledge score, on average, was higher for faculties (2371111) in comparison to Junior residents (2331155), as determined by an F-statistic of 0.102 and a p-value of 0.750. Regarding medication disposal, junior residents (140 out of 143, 97.9%) demonstrated a better attitude than faculty members (141 out of 151, 93.4%), a statistically significant result [F(2, 1) = 3558, p = 0.0059]. Junior residents (36 from 143, or 251%) performed better in medication disposal than faculties (24 from 151, or 158%), according to a statistically significant result (2 (1)=3895, p=0.0048). Despite a generally positive outlook, healthcare professionals demonstrated a gap in their knowledge and practical skills regarding the disposal of expired and unused medical supplies. Healthcare professionals frequently kept medicines at home in significant numbers. The findings are beneficial for devising plans that mitigate the use of unused medications and help establish appropriate disposal protocols.
Breakthrough infections can occur as a result of SARS-CoV-2 variants, harboring multiple mutations within their spike proteins, circumventing the immunity provided by the first-generation vaccines. A comprehensive assessment of socio-demographic attributes, clinical manifestations, and outcomes is sought for hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 patients, with a focus on the distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. In a study employing SPSS version 17, data on socio-demographic details, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were compiled for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, differentiated by vaccination status: fully vaccinated (two doses Covishield/AstraZeneca or BBIBP-CorV or a single dose Janssen), partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated. Statistically significant (p<0.005) differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection risk were identified between vaccinated (234%) and unvaccinated (97%) professional degree holders, when contrasted with unvaccinated individuals. Older age and multiple comorbidities, such as bronchial asthma, diabetes, and hypertension, were linked to a heightened risk of in-hospital death. In the context of COVID-19, full or partial vaccination against concerning SARS-CoV-2 variants might lead to a decrease in the rate of deaths occurring within the hospital setting.
Acute cholecystitis, a frequent surgical ailment, presents a significant burden. Crucial to patient care and management is the prompt diagnosis in the early stages of the condition. Evaluating the contribution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the emergency setting is the objective of this study, regarding the diagnosis or exclusion of acute cholecystitis, coexisting choledocholithiasis, and acute pancreatitis. Birtamod Teaching Hospital, within its Radiodiagnosis departments B and C, Nepal, facilitated this study, which ran from July 2016 until November 2019.