Longitudinal study of olfactory dysfunction among COVID-19 patients in a single tertiary centre in Malaysia

Aim: The aim of the study was to outline the longitudinal outcomes of olfactory dysfunction amongst patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a single tertiary centre in Malaysia. Material(s) and Method(s): Adults patients who tested positive for COVID-19 via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and were admitted to Hospital Sungai Buloh, Malaysia, were recruited in this study. The patients completed a questionnaire via telephone interview comprising the following details: age, sex, ethnicity, comorbidities, general and otorhinolaryngological symptoms, and onset and duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The patients with persistent olfactory and gustatory dysfunction at the time of the initial interview were followed up every 3 to 5 days until resolution. Result(s): A total 185 patients were included in this study out of 378 patients contacted. Ninety patients reported olfactory dysfunction symptoms, with 59 of them complaining of anosmia. The mean age of the participants was 39.52 years (age range: 18-66 years). More than half of the patients with olfactory dysfunction had no comorbidities (55.56%). Of the 90 patients with olfactory dysfunction, 66 patients (73.3%), including 40 males and 26 females, regained their olfactory function completely within 2 weeks. The remaining 24 patients were contacted after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Ten patients (11.1%) were found to have recovered their sense of smell after one month, while 5 patients (5.56%) recovered within 2 months, and 1 patient (1.11%) recovered in 3 months. Conclusion(s): Complete recovery was noted in 73% of the patients within a period of 2 weeks, whereas persistence of symptoms was noted in 6 patients (6.67%) after 3 months.Copyright © Pediatr Med Rodz 2022.

Prevalence of Loss of Smell and Loss of Taste in COVID-19 Infected Patients.

BACKGROUND: The clinical presentations of COVID-19 have been variable, with atypical presentations being reported worldwide. Different studies have shown that olfactory and gustatory symptoms are present in confirmed COVID-19 cases, who may not have had other nasal complaints earlier. The high prevalence of these symptoms, exhibiting olfactory dysfunction before the appearance of others, is a relevant finding to aid for early detection of COVID-19. In this study, we aim to find out about the prevalence of anosmia and ageusia in COVID-19 and its correlation with age, sex, and severity of disease in the Nepalese population. METHODS: Patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) done at Shukraraaj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Kathmandu were recruited. Questionnaires based on loss of taste and loss of smell components including age, sex, ethnicity, comorbidities were prepared, and the patients were interviewed retrospectively by phone contact. RESULTS: A total of 300 patients were enrolled in our study. The mean age of the patients was 38.36±14.24 years. Prevalence of loss of smell was 54%(N=162) and loss of taste was 53% (N=159). Both of the symptoms were present in 45% of patients. The severity of the disease has a statistically significant effect on the loss of smell and taste whereas gender and smoking history has no significant difference over it. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the COVID-19 positive patients in our cohort had either loss of taste or loss of smell with the severity of disease having a significant effect on it.

An ethnomedicinal field survey report on traditionally used plants by the Nepalese of Alubari Jungle Busty in Darjeeling Himalaya as potential immunity booster and fever-related herbal drugs

As a result of several ethnobotanical field visits in and around Alubari Jungle Busty of Darjeeling Himalaya from August 2012 till May 2019, mostly new ethnic uses of different plant parts including dosimetry of 24 wild plant species were documented. Documentation was based on oral interviews with experienced and elderly Nepalese people mainly in respect to immunity boosters and instant remedies against fevers including COVID-19. Some plant parts which were also used by the Nepalese of Alubari Jungle Busty as blood purifiers, lowering high blood pressure, energy provider during a long walk, diarrhoea, chronic piles, bronchitis, asthma, throat pain, cold and cough, were also documented. Present work also embodies botanically authenticated binomial names of documented wild plant species, vernacular names, knowledge informants, voucher information, live photographic documentation and study area map. © 2022, National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources. All rights reserved.

Pathways to mental health care in Nepal: a 14-center nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: Pathways to care studies are feasible and tested means of finding the actual routes taken by patients before reaching proper care. In view of the predominance of nonprofessional service providers and the lack of previous large studies on pathways in Nepal, this multicenter study is needed. The aim of the study was to trace the various pathways and carers involved in mental health care; assess clinical variables such as the duration of untreated illness, clinical presentation and treatment; and compare geographically and culturally diverse landscapes. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, convenience sampling study performed at 14 centers where new cases were being taken. The World Health Organization Study of the Pathways-to-Care Schedule was applied. The Nepali version of the encounter form was used. The data were collected between 17 September and 16 October 2020 and were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Additionally, perspectives from local investigators were collected and discussed. RESULTS: Most of the first carers were native/religious faith healers (28.2%), followed by psychiatrists (26%). The median duration for the first psychiatric consultation was 3 weeks. The duration of untreated illness was 30.72 ± 80.34 (median: 4) weeks, and the time taken for this journey was 94.99 ± 274.58 (median: 30) min. The longest delay from the onset of illness to psychiatric care was for epilepsy {90.0 ± 199.0 (median: 25.5)} weeks, followed by neurotic illness {22.89 ± 73.45 (median: 2)} and psychotic illness {10.54 ± 18.28 (median: 2)} weeks. Overall, most patients with severe mental illnesses (SMIs) had their first contact with faithhealers (49%), then met with medical doctors (13%) or psychiatrists (28%). Marked differences in clinical presentation surfaced when hilly centers were compared with the Terai belt. CONCLUSIONS: Faith healers, general practitioners and hospital doctors are major carers, and the means of educating them for proper referral can be considered. The investigators see several hindrances and opportunities in the studied pathways. The employment of more mental health professionals and better mental health advocacy, public awareness programs and school education are suggested strategies to improve proper mental health care.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards COVID-19 among Undergraduate Students in Nepal

Background: Nepal is a landlocked country standing highly vulnerable to unfolding pandemic. As per a UNDP survey in May, three in five employees had lost their job during COVID-19 and most of them were youths. During the first 74 days of lockdown, 16 people committed suicide per day (total 1227 cases). Hence, the main objective of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19 in undergraduate students of Nepal. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice among undergraduates of Nepal. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study conducted among undergraduates residing in Nepal through online Google Forms for the conduction of online survey using purposive sampling technique. The participants were called through social media and the process about the use of Google Forms was explained by the researcher. The questionnaires were taken from open-access pre-published article. Univariate and bivariate analyses were applied for assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice and their association with independent variables. Results: In this study, among the 120 respondent who had agreed to take part in the research study, the overall knowledge level was found to be high toward COVID-19 among Nepalese undergraduates (Mean=0.74, SD=0.16), Majority of the participants, that is, 92.5% of participants had positive attitude regarding improved immunity as a measure to protect from COVID-19 and had good practice to prevent COVID-19 (Mean=0.84, SD=0.28). Conclusion: The knowledge was found to be high. Furthermore, optimistic attitude and proactive practice was seen among the undergraduates toward the battle against this pandemic. Contradiction to previous studies, significant association of provincial habitat with attitude towards COVID-19 was found. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Asian Journal of Medical Sciences is the property of Manipal Colleges of Medical Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

COVID-19: challenges faced by Nepalese migrants living in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, COVID-19 has exacerbated the vulnerability of migrants, impacting many facets of their lives. Nepalese make up one of the largest groups of migrants residing in Japan. Crises, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could disproportionately affect migrants from low- and middle-income countries like Nepal, widening health and economic inequalities. An in-depth, comprehensive assessment is needed to appraise the diverse problems they encounter. Drawing upon qualitative interviews, this study aimed to identify challenges faced by Nepalese migrants in Japan as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and to discuss their needs to counter these challenges. METHODS: This qualitative study employed an interpretivist approach to appraise the first-hand experience of Nepalese migrants living in Japan. Fourteen participants (8 males and 6 females, aged 21 to 47 years old) were recruited to participate in semi-structured in-depth telephone interviews (45-60 min) regarding: (a) their perceived current physical and mental health, (b) problems faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and (c) perception of available and necessary support structures. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit the participants. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Six themes were identified: 1) experiencing psychosomatic symptoms, 2) adoption of new healthy behaviors, 3) financial hardship, 4) family concerns, 5) reflections on discrimination and 6) reflections of existing support and expectations of support systems. The findings of our study illustrate the specific impact of COVID-19 among Nepalese migrants regarding their unstable employment conditions, perceived lack of social support, possible obligation to send money home, difficulty in accessing services due to the language barrier, and a lack of effective governmental support from Nepal. Pandemic-related adversity has negatively impacted migrants' mental well-being, exacerbating their vulnerability. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive and timely support should be provided to the vulnerable migrant population. Effective coordination among relevant parties in both countries, including the governments concerned, should be facilitated.