Estimation of leisure time physical activity and sedentary behaviour among school adolescents in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Leisure-time physical activity is essential for healthy and physically active life; however, this domain of physical activity is less common in developing countries. Information on leisure time physical activity and sedentary behaviour among Nepalese population is not available. The study was carried out to assess leisure time physical activity and sedentary behaviour among high school adolescents and identify the associated factors in Nepal. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in Banke district, Nepal in 2013 among higher secondary school students using self-administered questionnaire based on International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A sample of 405 students, 178 females and 227 males, of the age-group 15 to 20 years from seven schools were included in the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with participation in leisure time physical activity and sedentary behaviour. RESULTS: Engagement of female in leisure time physical activity was lower but mean time spent on sitting per day was higher. Students who walked to school and have playground/parks near home, younger females (OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.18-8.08), females living in nuclear families (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.01-4.62) and males who cycled to school (OR: 8.09, 95% CI: 2.35-27.80) and have provision of extra-curricular activities (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.04-5.97) were more likely to be engaged in leisure time physical activity. On the other hand, students who did not have playground in school and lived in rural areas were more likely to sit for more than 6 hours a day. Likewise, male students of private school (OR: 6.41, 95% CI: 2.89-14.21), who used vehicle to reach school (OR: 5.90, 95% CI: 1.26-27.75) and have no provision of extra-curricular activities (OR: 2.98, 95% CI: 1.09-8.07) had longer sitting time. CONCLUSION: Difference in leisure time physical activity and sedentary behaviour was found among male and female school adolescents. Interventions are needed not only to promote leisure time physical activity but also to reduce sedentary behaviour among this group.

Utilization of maternal and child health services in western rural Nepal: a cross-sectional community-based study.

BACKGROUND: Considering the commitment and investment of Nepal to reduce maternal and child mortality, understanding service utilization and factors associated with a child and maternal health services is important. OBJECTIVES: This study was examined the factors associated with utilization of maternal and child health services in Kapilvastu District of Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010 by interviewing 190 mothers having children of aged 12-23 months using the standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: Immunization status (97.4%) and vitamin A supplementation (98.4%) was high. However, initiation of breastfeeding within an hour of birth was low (45.3%) and 63.2% had practiced exclusive breastfeeding. Majority (69.5%) of respondents delivered their child at home and 39.5% sought assistance from health workers. The mothers who did not have any education, mothers from Dalit/Janjati and the Terai origin were less likely to deliver at the health facility and to seek the assistance of health workers during childbirth. CONCLUSION: The immunization program coverage was high, whereas maternal health service utilization remained poor. Interventions that focus on mothers from Dalit/Janjati group and with lower education are likely to increase utilization of maternal health services.

Epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a descriptive study in the mid-western region of Nepal.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in terms of time, place, and person among inpatients at the Mid Western Regional Hospital (MWRH) in Nepal. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out by analyzing trends using secondary data for the fiscal years 2006-2009 in the inpatient department of the MWRH. RESULTS: The majority of patients admitted for treatment of COPD were women (60%) and from higher ethnic groups (having a comparative advantage in terms of social and economic status), with a greater prevalence among those aged 60-69 years (37% of overall cases). The incidence of COPD increased in consecutive years, with the highest load during the winter months. The cases were most concentrated in places with easiest access to the hospital. CONCLUSION: COPD was found in higher proportions among women, those aged 60-69 years, and upper caste groups, during the cold months, and among residents of areas near the hospital in the mid-western region of Nepal. It is recommended that further detailed research and health education regarding COPD be carried out to reduce its burden and associated losses.