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Background: This systematic review collated the literature on the prevalence rate of different types of intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy in South Asia., Methods: Systematic literature searches were conducted in four major databases (Embase, Scopus, PubMed, PubMed Central) to identify relevant articles published from the inception of each database to May 2021, which reported data on the prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy in South Asia. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool for prevalence studies was used to assess the risk of bias in individual studies. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence and corresponding 95% confidence interval due to significant between-study heterogeneity., Results: Thirty-seven studies were reviewed which showed an overall prevalence of IPV from South Asian countries was 23.4% (physical violence: 13.6%; sexual violence: 8.5%; emotional violence: 20.2%)., Conclusions: There was a higher prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy reported, with an overall prevalence ranging from 1.7% to 66.4% across studies. Emotional violence was more prevalent form when compared to sexual or physical violence.

Background: The growing concern over pesticide use has been linked to self-harm and suicide especially in agricultural countries like Nepal.  Pesticides like organophosphorus and aluminum phosphide cause the majority of deaths. Although organophosphorus poisoning is common means for suicide, Aluminum phosphide poisoning is also encountered occasionally. Our case series aims to look after the intent of poisoning and the outcome of the patients following Aluminum phosphide poisoning., Methods: This hospital record-based study includes Aluminum phosphide poisoning patients presenting to the emergency department of Scheer Memorial Adventist Hospital from first January 2017 to 31st December 2020. Data were analyzed using SPSS version-22., Results:   Out of 25 total poisoning cases, most of them were female (60%) and married (56%).  The case fatality rate was 84% among which 20% cases were brought dead while 64% died in the hospital. All poisoning cases were suicidal in intent., Conclusions: Herein we report a case series on 25 Aluminum phosphide poisoning cases with high case fatality rate and all cases being suicidal in intent.

Background: Gender-based violence is a key global concern due to the high prevalence and increased socio-economic burden for survivors. However, estimation of the prevalence of gender-based violence is difficult due to differences in study design and underreporting of abuse, especially in developing nations. Therefore, we conducted this study to estimate the prevalence of Gender-based violence among women living in the SAARC region., Methods: The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020219577). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed throughout the review. A thorough database search was conducted to identify studies done in the SAARC region. Title and abstract screening were done in Covidence, followed by a full-text review. Data were extracted and pooled for analysis using the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subgroup analysis was done where possible., Results: A total of 76 studies were included in the systematic review and metaanalysis. The community prevalence of domestic violence (DV) was 43.8% (95% CI, 35.1% - 52.9%), GBV prevalence was 34.9% (95% CI, 30.2% - 39.9%) and IPV prevalence was 39.8% (95% CI, 30.7% - 49.6%). GBV prevalence was highest in illiterate women [54.2% (95% CI, 46.8% - 61.5%)] and lowest among women with higher than secondary level education [23.1% (95% CI, 16.2% - 32.0%)]. The prevalence of GBV among women in pregnancy or postpartum period was 32.3% (95% CI, 25.1% - 40.4%, I2: 98.64), while among female sexual workers, the prevalence of Gender-based violence was 42.1% (95% CI, 28.1% - 57.5%, I2: 99.25)., Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of Gender-based violence in the SAARC region. Higher socioeconomic status and educational status are protective factors for Gender-based violence. However, more studies using validated tools are needed to understand the true extent of the problem.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a common, preventable, and treatable disease. Here, we conducted a systematic review of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and its risk factors in Nepal for the last two decades., Methods: We systematically searched databases to find all relevant Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease research papers from 2000 to 2020. Two reviewers screened the literature using Covidence based on the study protocol. Data extraction was done using Microsoft Excel from selected studies. Final data analysis was done using CMA v.3. Our review protocol is available in PROSPERO (CRD42020215486) on 20 November 2020., Results: The database search revealed 1416 studies of which 13 were included in quantitative analysis. The prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the adult population was 22·7% (CI, 12·5-37·7) of whom 54·9% were female (CI, 51·9-57·9). Nearly three-fourth of the participants (73·1%) of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients had informal education (CI, 58·6-84·0). The commonest primary occupation was agriculture and farming in 39·4% (CI, 31·3-48·2), followed by homemaker (36·8%). It was observed that 28·5% of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients were former smokers, 25·8% non-smokers, and 59·4% were current smokers. More than two-third (76·2%) of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients relied upon traditional firewood cooking, whereas only 14.6% was adopted fireless cooking., Conclusions: The pooled prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Nepal was significantly high with more cases in females compared to males. Smoking and traditional firewood cooking were major risk factors among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease cases in Nepal.

Background: COVID-19 is a highly contagious viral disease. The anxiety, misinformation about COVID-19, and the fear of being infected by the virus have led to widespread stigma in local communities. Thus, we conducted a study to evaluate the status of patients and disease-associated stigma of patients who recovered from COVID-19., Methods: Status of discharged/ improved COVID-19 individuals were followed after their discharge within 2 months after COVID-19 status through telephonic interview. Data of interview was recorded in excel sheets, which was imported in Stata v. 15. Simple descriptive analysis performed and finding presented in appropriate tabulation. Further binomial logistic regression analysis was performed for post-treatment stigmatization., Results: Among 365 case details retrieved, 262 cases contained contact details. Among them, 221 total phone calls were made, of which only 94 could reach for phone interview. 50 (53.19%) were male; 59 (62.77%) were married; and 85 (90.43%) were Hinduism by religion. Majority (n=74, 78.72%) were asymptomatic. The average hospital/isolation stay of patients was 11.23±4.75 days. Among interviewed individuals, 24 (25.81%) reported some type of stigmatization. Individuals with comorbidities and tested for travel purpose has less chance of stigmatization comparing than others. Higher the age in years and longer the duration of hospital/isolation stay; higher the odds of having stigmatization., Conclusions: High level of stigma was seen among COVID-19 survivors. The stigma associated with COVID-19 was shown to increase with age and length of hospital stay while the stigma decreased with the presence of co-morbidities and was tested for travel purposes.

Background: Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of deaths worldwide among children and young adults aged between 5 to 29 years. The risk of road traffic accident-related death is higher in low-income countries. Thus, we aim to evaluate the epidemiology of road traffic accidents in Nepal during the fiscal years from 2009/10 to 2019/20., Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis of the published police records publicly available on the official webpage of Nepal Police. A study was carried out after written permission from Nepal Police. The data obtained were analysed using Microsoft Excel-13., Results: Analysing available data about reported road traffic accidents events showed an increasing trend in road traffic accidents from the fiscal years 2011/12 till 2019/20, with a steeper increase in the number of road traffic accidents in fiscal years 2017/18 and 2019/20. In fiscal years 2009/10, 11,747 vehicles collided; which rose to 25,788 in the fiscal years 2019/20. More cases of road traffic accidents were reported to occur from 12 noon-6 pm in a day. Among reported road traffic accidents commonest predispositions behind road traffic accidents was the negligence of driver followed by over speed. Among those individuals who died due to road traffic accidents, most of them were male., Conclusions: We found an increasing trend of road traffic accidents, vehicle collisions, and injuries in Nepal over the past ten years especially among two-wheelers and four-wheelers like the car, bus, and autorickshaw.

Background: Pregnancy induced hypertension is a major cause of global maternal mortality and morbidity. This review was conducted to fulfill the objective of evaluating the status of pregnancy induced hypertension in Nepal., Methods: The protocol for this review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020211210). Pubmed, Embase, Google Scholar, Scopus and Pubmed Central were searched using appropriate keywords for relevant studies. Data analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software version 3. Forest plot was used to visualize the prevalence and risk factors of Pregnancy induced hypertension. Random effect model was used and the level of heterogeneity was high. Joanna Briggins Institute bias assessment tool was used for the analysis of bias in the included studies., Results: Twenty studies were included in the review. The pooled prevalence of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia were 2.6% (95% CI, 1.2%-5.3%) and 0.5% (95% CI, 0.2%-1.1%) respectively. The majority of cases were young women and had not complete or unbooked antenatal visits. Cesarean delivery was the most common mode of deliveries in 50% of deliveries (proportion, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.40-0.60) among patients with PIH followed by vaginal deliveries in 43.1% (proportion, 0.431; 95% CI, 0.336-0.532); and rest 6.9% were vacuum/forceps assisted deliveries (proportion, 0.069; 95% CI, 0.050-0.093). Common maternal complications were abruption in 6.56% of Pregnancy induced hypertension cases, rest were pulmonary embolism, renal injury., Conclusions: The prevalence of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in Nepal were 2.6% and 0.5%. Younger woman and women with poor antenatal checkups had increased risk of Pregnancy induced hypertension. Cesarean delivery was the most common route of delivery and common maternal complications were abruption placenta, pulmonary embolism, renal injury etc. Keywords: Eclampsia; hypertension; maternal mortality; Nepal; pre-eclampsia; pregnancy-induced.

Background: Hypertension, diabetes, glomerulonephritis, obesity, and family history of kidney diseases are major risk factors for chronic kidney disease. Due to the paucity of data on a national level regarding the prevalence, risk factors, and complications of chronic kidney disease, we performed this meta-analysis., Methods: We searched online databases from January 2000 till October 2020. Two reviewers screened articles using Covidence software. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software version 3 was used for data analysis., Results: Among chronic kidney disease patients, 35.96% were found to have high LDL, 34.22% had hypercholesterolemia, 39.18% had hypertriglyceridemia, and 42.23% had low HDL. Pigmentary changes were reported in 37.71%, pruritus in 30.96%; and xerosis in 48.55%. Among the reported nail problems, the brown nail was reported in 7.19%, half and half nail in 6.07%, and white nail in 20.65%., Conclusions: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease among high-risk cohorts in Nepal was significant among risk group with hypertension and diabetes being the most common risk factors. The most common stage of chronic kidney disease was Stage V, and the common complications were skin problems and dyslipidemia.

Background: The global spread of COVID-19 and the lack of definite treatment have caused an alarming crisis in the world. We aimed to evaluate the outcome and potential harmful cardiac effects of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin compared to hydroxychloroquine alone for COVID-19 treatment., Methods: PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, and World Health Organization clinical trial registry were searched using appropriate keywords and identified six studies using PRISMA guidelines. The quantitative synthesis was performed using fixed or random effects for the pooling of studies based on heterogeneities., Results: The risk of mortality (RR=1.16; CI: 0.92-1.46) and adverse cardiac events (OR=1.06; CI: 0.82-1.37) demonstrated a small increment though of no significance. There were no increased odds of mechanical ventilation (OR=0.84; CI: 0.33-2.15) and significant QTc prolongation (OR=0.84, CI: 0.59-1.21). Neither the critical QTc threshold (OR=1.92, CI: 0.81-4.56) nor absolute ?QTc ?60ms (OR=1.95, CI:0.55-6.96) increased to the level of statistical significance among hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin arm compared to hydroxychloroquine alone, but the slightly increased odds need to be considered in clinical practice., Conclusions: The combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin leads to small increased odds of mortality and cardiac events compared to hydroxychloroquine alone. The use of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin led to increased odds of QT prolongation, although not statistically significant.

Background: Premenstrual syndrome is group of psychosomatic symptoms which occurs during second half of menstrual cycle. Significant number of reproductive aged females suffer from it with its impact on their daily activities. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence, severity and impacts of Premenstrual syndrome on female students of a teaching hospital of Kathmandu, Nepal., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among female students of a teaching hospital from Kathmandu over a period of three months. Premenstrual Symptom Screening Tool was used to quantify the symptoms severity and their effect in activities. In addition; patient profile, socioeconomic status were recorded. The obtained information was entered in Statistical Package for Social Sciences and analyzed. Findings were then interpreted using chi-square test., Results: Out of the 285 respondents, 206 (72.3%) reported at least one premenstrual syndrome symptom of moderate to severe intensity among which 74 (25.9%) had at least one severe symptom. Six individuals (2.1%) fulfilled all criteria for Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder and 49 (17.2%) fulfilled the criteria for moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome and rest (80.7%) were having no or mild premenstrual syndrome with isolated symptoms. PMS was found to have significant association to menstrual bleeding (p?0.001) and severity of dysmenorrhea (p?0.001), family history of premenstrual syndrome (p=0.019) and physical activity (p=0.021)., Conclusions: Premenstrual syndrome is common in female and has a considerable impact on day to day activities activities although its severe form Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder is less common.