Intimate partner violence against married women of reproductive age in Nepal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern in Nepal and its prevalence has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of IPV among married women of reproductive age in Nepal during the pandemic. Methods: A web-based survey was conducted with 420 participants using a validated questionnaire adopted from the World Health Organization. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed. Results: Our study found that 52.62% of participants experienced IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic with economic violence being the most prevalent type (38.81%) and followed by behavioral control (37.14%), emotional violence (26.20%), physical violence (21.43%), and sexual violence (14.05%). Despite the high level of IPV, only 14% of participants sought help and only 6% reported the violence to the police. Univariate analyses showed that factors such as the husband's level of education and occupation, number of children, property ownership, husband's alcohol use, relationship and quarrels with the husband, fear of the husband, and participation in decision-making were associated with an increased risk of IPV. Multivariate analysis revealed that women involved in decision-making faced a 2.52 times higher risk of violence, that women who reported daily quarrels had a risk 5.47 times that of women who did not endorse fights, and that women who were afraid of their husbands had a risk 16 times that of women who did not report fear. Conclusion: This study reveals a concerning prevalence of IPV among married women in Nepal during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings emphasize the low reporting rates and help-seeking behavior among IPV victims. They also highlight the significant influence of factors such as participation in decision-making, frequent quarrels, and fear. These findings underscore the urgent need to establish support systems for IPV victims and develop targeted interventions tailored to the local context. Furthermore, conducting comprehensive research and understanding the interplay of contributing factors can guide the formulation of effective strategies to combat this pervasive societal problem.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis among Patients with Thyroid Disorders Visiting a Tertiary Care Centre.

Introduction: Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a chronic autoimmune lymphocytic thyroiditis characterised by thyroid autoantibodies. Early detection and treatment of this condition help in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with it. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis among patients with thyroid disorders visiting a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients visiting the outpatient department of a tertiary care centre. Data from 14 April 2017 to 13 April 2019 was collected between 30 June 2022 to 15 September 2022 from medical records. Ethical approval was obtained from the Nepal Health Research Council. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was diagnosed based on clinical presentation and positive antibodies to thyroid antigens. Convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 813 patients with thyroid disorders, 393 (48.33%) (44.89-51.77, 95% Confidence Interval) had Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The manifestation of the spectrum of Hashimoto's thyroiditis were euthyroid in 215 (54.70%), subclinical hypothyroidism in 102 (25.95%), subclinical hyperthyroidism in 23 (5.85%), overt hyperthyroidism in 9 (2.30%) and overt hypothyroidism in 4 (1.02%). Conclusions: The prevalence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis among patients with thyroid disorders was higher than in other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies; Hashimoto's thyroiditis; thyroid disorders.

Challenges of Hospital Oxygen Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rural Nepal.

Oxygen support remains essential for treatment of acute and severe manifestations of COVID-19. In Nepal, like many other low-resource settings, medical oxygen availability was inadequate before the pandemic. The mid-2021 wave of COVID-19 transmission starkly exposed the supply-demand imbalance of medical oxygen across the country. Pre-pandemic, more complex cases were typically referred to hospitals with better resources; however, during the pandemic, these hospitals were overrun. Therefore, resource-poor health facilities have been attempting to provide greater levels of care. However, we are faced with numerous challenges to provide a proper oxygen supply in these health settings. At a logistical level, complex geographies, sparse infrastructure, and inadequate electricity supply pose challenges. On a provider level, a shortage of trained staff and equipment necessary to administer and monitor medical oxygen creates additional pressures. Recognizing the end of the pandemic is still a long way off in many parts of the world, it is imperative that scalable, sustainable approaches to provisioning oxygen to those in greatest need are considered at a policy level.

Snakebite in the Hills and Mountains of Nepal.

Snakebite is an important public health issue around the world. In Nepal, it affects a huge number of people mostly belonging to low-income households who are involved in agriculture. Although snakebite has a serious impact on the Terai population, a few studies suggest that snakebite also occurs frequently in hills and mountains. In the absence of sufficient studies related to snakebites in these geographical regions, it is tough to sketch a true picture and estimate the magnitude of snakebites in those areas. Because of this, the healthcare system is probably not prepared enough to handle the victims of snakebites. This demands a proper study of the burden of the issue in these regions and appropriate initiatives for addressing it. Keywords: antivenom; Nepal; snakebite.