Clinical Profile, Radiological Findings, and Risk Factors Associated with Pneumonia among Children Admitted in Dhulikhel Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is the commonest lung disease which is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in young children and is a common acute respiratory infection. The presentation varies among the cases. The study was done to know the risk factors, clinical profile, radiological findings, and short-term outcome of the admitted patients with pneumonia between six months to sixteen years at Dhulikhel Hospital. METHODS: A hospital based observational prospective cross-sectional study done in 65 cases over the period of 17 months in children admitted with pneumonia at Pediatrics department of Dhulikhel Hospital. Socio-demographic variables, clinical profile, radiological profile, diagnosis, and short-term outcome were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Out of 65 patients, 76.9% cases were children between six months to five years. The most common clinical presentation was fever (98.5%) followed by cough (86.2%). Crepitation (78.5%) and subcostal retraction (29.2%) were common clinical findings. Disseminated intravascular coagulation, thrombocytopenia, sepsis, and right heart failure were associated with mortality. The requirement of mechanical ventilation, oxygenation, and inotrope support was more likely to have fatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Fever and cough were the most common clinical presentation and right middle zone consolidation was the most common finding in children admitted with pneumonia.

May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Nepal.

May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative to screen high blood pressure (BP) in the community and increase awareness at the population level. High BP is the leading risk factor for mortality worldwide and in Nepal. This study presents the results of the 2019 MMM in Nepal. Opportunistic BP screening was conducted in 30 out of 77 districts across Nepal and aged ≥18 years at the community and public places. BP was measured three times in a seated position. A total of 74 205 individuals participated in the study, mean age 39.9 years, and 58% were male. BP measurements for the second and third readings were available for 69 292 (93.3%) individuals. The proportion of the population that were hypertensive was 27.5% (n = 20 429). Among those hypertensives, 46.3% were aware of their hypertensive status and of these, 37.5% were on antihypertensive medication. Only 54.3% of those on antihypertensive medication had their BP controlled. Of the community screened, those self reporting to have diabetes, current tobacco users, and current alcohol drinkers were 6.7%, 23.6%, and 31.9%, respectively; 20.6% of the participants were overweight, and 6.5% were obese. Since the first BP screening campaign, MMM 2017 in Nepal, the number of participants screened has largely increased over the years. MMM's success in Nepal is through a coordinated mobilization of trained health science students and volunteers in the communities. The Nepal MMM data demonstrates that large community-based BP screening campaigns are possible in low resource settings.