Knowledge and attitude towards hypertension among female community health volunteers of Bharatpur Metropolitan: a cross-sectional study in Nepal

Background: Hypertension is one of the major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and becoming a serious public health problem globally. The rising burden of hypertension in Nepal requires a community-based intervention that can be provided through female community healthcare volunteers (FCHVs). Our study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes towards the prevention of hypertension among FCHVs of Bharatpur Metropolitan (BM). Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted and face-to-face interview was employed to recruit all the participants (n=207). Frequencies and percentages were used to describe the characteristics of the participants. An Independent t-test was used to determine the association between knowledge and attitude of hypertension with participants’ socio-demographical characteristics. All the tests were carried out at the statistically significant of p value <0.05. Results: The majority of participants (40.6%) belonged to the age group 40 to 49 years. Education (7.7±1.5, p=0.001), religion (7.5±1.7, p=0.017,) and family history of hypertension (7.8±1.7, p=0.018) were statistically significant with the knowledge of hypertension. Similarly, education (9.6±0.9, p=0.000), and self-history of hypertension (9.5±0.7, p=0.014) of participants were statistically significant with the attitude of hypertension. Conclusions: Despite having satisfactory knowledge and attitude on hypertension, some of the participants were unable to identify a systolic and diastolic range of blood pressure for hypertension, risk factors, and complications of hypertension. This study highlighted strengthening targeted orientation programs toward hypertension for the FCHVs to improve their knowledge and beliefs about hypertension.

Pediatric femoral hernia.

Pediatric femoral hernias account for less than 1% of all groin hernias. Pediatric femoral hernias are rather uncommon more so in males, often overlooked, misdiagnosed and treated as inguinal hernia. Femoral hernia masquerading as inguinal hernia in a seven year old male is reported along with review of relevant literature.

Port exteriorization appendectomy: is it the future?

The time honoured surgical procedure open appendectomy seems to be on the decline, it may be replaced in the modern era by laparoscopic appendectomy ("in appendectomy") performed with three trocars, or by the port exteriorization appendectomy ("out appendectomy") which can be done with two ports or even one. These techniques combine the benefits of decreased tissue trauma and operative time in addition to other advantages of minimal invasion. We conducted this study to know the effectiveness of Port Exteriorization Appendectomy, to analyze its complications and to assess the conversion rate. A one year prospective study consisted of fifty cases; a combination of emergency and elective group. They were operated under general anaesthesia and different variables were documented. Mean operative time, conversion rate, hospital stay, complications and patient satisfaction. There were 27 females with the (F: M) ratio of 1.17:1. The operative time of 23.3 mins, conversion in 4 (8.0%) patients and 2.4 days of hospital stay contributed to 86.0% operative success rate. Surgical site infection was seen in 5 (10.0%) patients and one (2.0%) developed pelvic abscess. On analysis of the satisfaction level, 44(93.6%) were completely satisfied and one (2.1%) patient seemed disappointed with the technique for cosmesis though, 42 (89.3%) remained completely satisfied and 5(10.7%) didn't like their scars. Port exteriorization appendectomy's efficacy can be verified by 86.0% success rate, operative time of 23.3 mins, indoor stay of 2.4 days, and minimal undesirable sequlae. However, more authentic results could be obtained if this technique is compared to open or laparoscopic appendectomy in a well designed randomized controlled clinical trial.