Environmental health effects of brick kilns in Kathmandu valley.

INTRODUCTION: Brick kilns operating in Kathmandu valley are known to be a leading cause of air pollution. The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of brick kilns on environment and human health. This study has been done at Duwakot VDC in Bhaktapur. METHODS: This study was conducted during brick kilns operating and not operating periods. Different methods were used for data collection, such as household environmental health survey, school health examination, and air quality measurement for total suspend particles, particulate matter of size less than 10 microns, Sulphur Dioxide, Oxides of Nitrogen, and Carbon Monoxide. RESULTS: A total of 330 individuals were interviewed during household environmental survey and majority of them expressed about smoke related respiratory discomfort at home and surrounding. Out of 141 school children who underwent thorough physical health examination, 79 students were from Ganesh Public School (located near to brick kilns) and 62 were from Nabin English School (far away from brick kilns). Statistically significant high odds ratios for respiratory problems like tonsillitis (4.17 95% CI 2.05, 8.45) and acute pharyngitis (4.08 95% CI 2.01, 8.33) were observed among the students from Ganesh Public School. Average value of particulate matter of size less than 10 microns and total suspend particles for the pre operation time was 0.029 mg/m3 and 0.033 mg/m3 respectively whereas, it reached 0.050 mg/m3 and 0.056 mg/m3 respectively during the brick kiln operation time. CONCLUSION: The concentration of various air pollutants was higher during the operation of brick kilns at Duwakot. Similarly, the health status of the school children attending the school close to the vicinity of the brick kilns was worse compared to the students attending the school away from the brick kilns.

Acquaintance with the actuality: community diagnosis programme of Kathmandu Medical College at Gundu village, Bhaktapur, Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: In Nepal, various field programs such as community diagnosis programmes (CDP) have been initiated to make the education of doctors, nurses and dentists more community oriented and relevant and suited to the health care scenario. Community diagnosis refers to the identification and quantification of the health problems in a community and identification of their correlates for the purpose of defining those individuals or groups at risk or those in need of health care. The article presents the main activities of community diagnosis as a core component of community-based education for the medical students at Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal. METHODOLOGY: A 4 weeks' Community Diagnosis Programme was conducted by MBBS II students (9th Batch) of the Kathmandu Medical College under the supervision of the Department of Community Medicine in November 2006 in the rural community of Gundu VDC (village development committee). The tools used included pre-tested questionnaires, weighing machines, measuring tapes, stethoscopes and sphygmomanometers. After the data collection and compilation, the students presented their findings in oral presentations, accompanied by a written report, including essential recommendations for improving the health status of these communities. RESULTS: The students benefited from the necessary process of integrating clinical skills and a public health approach, so as to enhance their epidemiological thinking and be of greater use to the communities where they will practice. The community also benefited by achievement of behavioral changes leading to healthier lifestyles and increased awareness of health-related matters and their role in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: CDP is a way to practically demonstrate that the link between a medical college and society is possible. That is, a medical college can serve the community and thus society, with specific activities to improve health and the skills of students who will serve as future health professionals.

Health profile of school children in Bhaktapur.

OBJECTIVES: To find out the existing common health problems among school children and to arouse health consciousness among the children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the students studying in Mandev Amrit Smriti School, Jhaukhel VDC of Bhaktapur District were included in the sample. The methods used were the interview, clinical history and check-up for provisional diagnosis. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to record information regarding name, age, sex, standard in which s/he was studying, physical examination/personal hygiene, anthropometric measurements, clinical findings, provisional diagnosis etc. The medical instruments used in the survey were: weighing machine, measuring tape, and thermometer. Common medicines like Jeevanjal packets, Albendazole tablets for deworming, Metron, amoxicillin, paracetamol, Tagyl etc were also distributed to the needy students. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The physical examination of all 118 students in age group ranging from 3 to 13 years of Mandev Amrit Smriti School situated at Jhaukhel VDc of Bhaktapur district was carried out. Thirteen health related problems were detected in this study. The most important three problems were ear problems (22.03%), worm infestation (16.10%) and dental caries (13.56%). Thus school health education should mainly aim at these problems and the care and cleanliness of ears and teeth by proper and regular brushing should be stressed. Applying Water low classification, 33% males were found normal as per their weight for age. 61.9% males were stunted and 4.8 % males were wasted. Likewise, 54.6% females were found normal as per their weight for age. 43.6% females were stunted and 1.8 % females were wasted.