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Shiv Kumar Sah,1 Prastuti Dahal,1 Gyan Bahadur Tamang,1 Dipendra Kumar Mandal,2 Rajesh Shah,2 Sher Bahadur Pun2 1Purbanchal University, Little Buddha College of Health Science, Kathmandu, Nepal; 2Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, Kathmandu, NepalCorrespondence: Shiv Kumar SahPurbanchal University, Little Buddha College of Health Science, Minbhawan, Kathmandu, NepalEmail phrshiv@gmail.comBackground: Anemia is the commonest hematological complications in HIV patients, and has a significant impact on quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. However, little is known about the epidemiology of anemia in this population in a Nepalese setting. Therefore, the present study aimed at assessing the prevalence of anemia in patients living with HIV and further to determine the independent predictors associated with it.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in patients diagnosed with HIV at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, Kathmandu from November 2016 to August 2017. Anemia was considered a core variable, and covariates used for analysis were age, sex, CD4 count, antiretroviral therapy regimen, history of intravenous drug use, marital status, religion, geography, employment status, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Prevalence of anemia and its independent predictors were evaluated. Fisher’s exact and χ2 tests were performed to determine the significance of differences among categorical variables and t-tests for continuous variables. Binary logistic regression was modeled to assess predictors associated with anemia.Results: Of the total 210 patients analyzed, median age was 37.50± 10.57 years, and 110 (52.6%) were male. The estimated prevalence of anemia overall was 66.7% (95% CI 60.64%– 73.35%): mild anemia 14.3% (95% CI 8.25%– 19.74%), moderate anemia 40.5% (95% CI 31.88%– 48.11%), and severe anemia 11.9% (95% CI 6.61%– 17.30%). Prevalence of anemia increased significantly with decreasing CD4 count: 5.71%, 12.85%, and 48.09% among patients with CD4 counts > 500, 200– 499, and < 200 cells/mm3, respectively (P=0.019). Severity of anemia was significantly associated with immunostatus (< 200, 200– 499, and > 500; P=0.048). Female sex was significantly associated with increased odds of anemia (OR 2.27, P=0.007).Conclusion: The present study demonstrated a high rate of anemia in a substantial number of HIV individuals. Therefore, early detection and timely management of anemia, especially in females and those with decreased immunostatus, are crucial to prevent anemia progression and improve quality of life.Keywords: anemia, HIV, risk factors

Background Parasitic zoonoses (PZs) pose a significant but often neglected threat to public health, especially in developing countries. In order to obtain a better understanding of their health impact, summary measures of population health may be calculated, such as the Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY). However, the data required to calculate such measures are often not readily available for these diseases, which may lead to a vicious circle of under-recognition and under-funding. Methodology We examined the burden of PZs in Nepal through a systematic review of online and offline data sources. PZs were classified qualitatively according to endemicity, and where possible a quantitative burden assessment was conducted in terms of the annual number of incident cases, deaths and DALYs. Principal Findings Between 2000 and 2012, the highest annual burden was imposed by neurocysticercosis and congenital toxoplasmosis (14,268 DALYs [95% Credibility Interval (CrI): 5450–27,694] and 9255 DALYs [95% CrI: 6135–13,292], respectively), followed by cystic echinococcosis (251 DALYs [95% CrI: 105–458]). Nepal is probably endemic for trichinellosis, toxocarosis, diphyllobothriosis, foodborne trematodosis, taeniosis, and zoonotic intestinal helminthic and protozoal infections, but insufficient data were available to quantify their health impact. Sporadic cases of alveolar echinococcosis, angiostrongylosis, capillariosis, dirofilariosis, gnathostomosis, sparganosis and cutaneous leishmaniosis may occur. Conclusions/Significance In settings with limited surveillance capacity, it is possible to quantify the health impact of PZs and other neglected diseases, thereby interrupting the vicious circle of neglect. In Nepal, we found that several PZs are endemic and are imposing a significant burden to public health, higher than that of malaria, and comparable to that of HIV/AIDS. However, several critical data gaps remain. Enhanced surveillance for the endemic PZs identified in this study would enable additional burden estimates, and a more complete picture of the impact of these diseases., Author Summary Various parasites that infect humans require animals in some stage of their life cycle. Infection with these so-called zoonotic parasites may vary from asymptomatic carriership to long-term morbidity and even death. Although data are still scarce, it is clear that parasitic zoonoses (PZs) present a significant burden for public health, particularly in poor and marginalized communities. So far, however, there has been relatively little attention to this group of diseases, causing various PZs to be labeled neglected tropical diseases. In this study, the authors reviewed a large variety of data sources to study the relevance and importance of PZs in Nepal. It was found that a large number of PZs are present in Nepal and are imposing an impact higher than that of malaria and comparable to that of HIV/AIDS. These results therefore suggest that PZs deserve greater attention and more intensive surveillance. Furthermore, this study has shown that even in settings with limited surveillance capacity, it is possible to quantify the impact of neglected diseases and, consequently, to break the vicious circle of neglect.

長崎大学学位論文 [学位記番号]博(医歯薬)甲第210号 [学位授与年月日]平成20年9月19日

The burden of disease, most commonly expressed in terms of Disability-Adjusted Life Years, has become a crucial component in decision making processes within the health sector. In Nepal, however, burden of disease estimates are scarce and lack representativeness. To improve our understanding of the burden of disease in Nepal and thereby increase the efficiency of health policies, there is an urgent need to strengthen the local evidence base. All relevant stakeholders should therefore collaborate to generate new data, improve existing data generation mechanisms, make generated data available, and optimize the use of available data.