Factors affecting nutritional knowledge, attitude, practices and dietary intake among national players in Kathmandu, Nepal: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Good nutrition knowledge and nutrient intake have been regarded as significant determinants in enhancing athletes' performance and overall health status. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices of nutrition and dietary intake among athletes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2022 among national athletes from two sports clubs in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Anthropometric measurements and dietary intake were recorded. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was used to estimate the crude odds ratios (cOR), and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 270 players were included in this study (mean age, 25 years; 49.6% male, 50.4% female). Almost half of the athletes had good nutrition knowledge [54.1% (146/270)], attitude [56.7% (153/270)], and practices [50% (135/270)] scores. The mean energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake were 35.0 kcal/kg/day, 5.6, 0.9, and 0.9 g/kg/day, respectively. Likewise, mean calcium and iron intake were 370, and 12.5 mg, respectively. In the multivariate model, families with monthly household income less than 50,000 Nepalese rupees ($400) (adjusted Odds Ratio/aOR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.12 to 5.96), and those who did not receive diet plan (aOR = 3.14; 95% CI: 1.25 to 7.84) were more likely to have poor nutrition knowledge. Players who did not check food labelling (aOR = 1.44; 95% CI: 0.78 to 2.63) were more likely to have negative attitude towards nutrition. Players who did not ever attend nutrition class (aOR = 3.54; 95% CI: 1.46 to 8.54) and those who did not consume different food during off and on the season of sports (aOR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.39 to 4.01) were more likely to have poor nutrition practice. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the athletes' nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and practices score were satisfactory. Nutrient intake among athletes was suboptimal. Nutrition intervention programs are critical to improve nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice related to dietary intake among national athletes in Nepal.

Orthopaedic Fractures among Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Centre.

Introduction: Orthopedic fractures caused by chronic metabolic bone disease, overuse, or road traffic accidents are among the most significant burdens on society. Furthermore, a growing number of people undergoing arthroplasty and an increase in life expectancy seem to contribute to an increase in orthopaedic fractures. However, research on orthopaedic fracture prevalence or types has been scarce in low- and middle-income countries, including Nepal. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of orthopaedic fractures among patients attending a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study among patients attending a tertiary care centre was conducted between 19 May and 18 November 2023 during which date from 1 January to 30 December 2021 were collected from the hospital records. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee. A convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 7609 people, 2518 (33.09%) (12.97-10.55, 95% Confidence Interval) had orthopaedic fractures. A total of 1925 (76.45%) were males. There were 339 (95.49%) fractures associated with two-wheelers and 307 (86.48%) with four-wheelers. There were 1387 (55.08%) soft tissue injuries, 198 (7.86%) skull injuries, and 116 (4.61%) facial injuries. Additionally, there were 73 (2.90%) fractures of the femur, 71 (2.82%) fractures of the phalanx, and 70 (2.78%) fractures of the clavicle. Conclusions: The prevalence of orthopaedic fractures was found to be higher than in other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: bone fracture; orthopedics; prevalence; tertiary care centre.

Vitamin D Deficiency among Patients Visiting Outpatient Departments in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health issue affecting billions of people. Its deficiency results in abnormal homeostasis of calcium and phosphorous levels in an individual and results in reduced bone mineral density, which further makes them more prone to develop osteogenic disorders, such as fractures. The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among patients visiting the outpatient departments in a tertiary care centre. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done among 582 patients visiting outpatient departments in a tertiary care centre between January 1, 2019 and July 31, 2020. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 076/077/17) of a tertiary care centre. A convenience sampling method was used. Patients' demographic detail and serum vitamin D level were determined. Data were collected retrospectively from hospital records and analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 17.0. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency, the proportion for binary data, and mean with standard deviation for continuous data. Results: Among 582 patients enrolled in this study, 328 (56.35%) (52.32-60.38 at 95% Confidence Interval) patients were vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 238 (72.56%) females and 257 (78.35%) aged 16 to 59 years. Finally, there were 102 (31.09%) cases of vitamin D deficiency over the winter season. Conclusions: The prevalence of serum vitamin D deficiency in the current study was lower when compared to similar studies done in similar settings and similar to the prevalence from international literature. Keywords: deficient; prevalence; vitamin D.

Co-infection of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli among COVID-19 Patients Admitted to a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Simultaneous infection of antibiotic-resistant uropathogens in patients with COVID-19 has necessitated the revision of the prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics on the grounds of evidence-based studies and antimicrobial stewardship principles. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli co-infection among hospital-admitted COVID-19 patients of a tertiary care centre. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in urinary tract infection suspected COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital, from 25th June to 24th December 2021 after ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee with registration number 207707860. Convenience sampling was used. Serum procalcitonin levels were also measured. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 17.0. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data, and mean and standard deviation for continuous data. Results: Among the 49 hospital-admitted COVID-19 patients, 3 (6.12%) (0.59-12.83 at 95% Confidence Interval) were co-infected with uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Absolute non-susceptibility of Escherichia coli to antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, cotrimoxazole, nalidixic acid, gentamicin, and ampicillin was observed. All isolates were multidrug-resistant. All co-infected patients were female and had a median age of 35 years. Mean±SD value for procalcitonin in patients with co-infection (6.13±7.88 ng/ml) was six times higher than for the patients without co-infection (0.95±1.11 ng/ml). Conclusions: Escherichia coli co-infection in hospitalised COVID-19 patients was less frequent as compared to published literature. The serum procalcitonin value in patients with co-infection was substantially higher than that of patients without co-infection. Keywords: antimicrobial drug resistance; co-infection; COVID-19; Escherichia coli; procalcitonin.

Stress Fractures among Paramilitary Trainee Visiting a Paramilitary Hospital of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Young paramilitary recruits, who undergo strenuous exercise during basic training, are often presented with stress fractures, which could be due to an inadequate vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) intake. This study aimed to find the prevalence of stress fracture among young paramilitary trainees visiting the orthopedic outpatient department of a paramilitary hospital. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done among paramilitary trainees in a paramilitary Hospital of Nepal between April 2019 to April 2021. The study was approved by the Ethical Review Board (Reference number: 1003) of the Nepal Health Research Council. Convenience sampling was used. Anthropometric variables, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, and bone mineral density of spine and hip were determined. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 17.0. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency, proportion for binary data and mean, standard deviation for continuous data. RESULTS: Among 417 young paramilitary trainees, 24 (5.76%) (3.52-7.99 at 95% Confidence Interval) were found to have a stress fracture. The stress fracture patients had a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of 21.47ng/mL±6.98. Similarly, the bone mineral density value of the spine and hip among the patients was -1.34g/cm2±1.37 and 0.36g/cm2±1.24, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of stress fracture among young paramilitary trainee was high compared to previous studies. Additionally, average Vitamin D and the bone mineral density value of the spine and the total hip among stressed fractured patients were also low.

Mobile Swab Collection Vehicle; a Blend of Necessity, Innovation, and Technology in a Resource-poor Country.

Mobile Swab Collection Vehicle is a concept that has been innovated by a team of medical and non-medical personals based upon the dire need to perform throat or nasopharyngeal swab collections to do reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction  'RT-PCR' quickly, safely, and comfortably during this Corona Virus Diseases 2019, 'COVID-19' pandemic in a resource-poor country like Nepal. Inputs from the health care workers, beneficiaries, and engineers have been taken to construct this vehicle-mounted booth for swab collection. This vehicle is the 'first of its kind' in Nepal. Keywords: COVID-19; Nepal; swab collection vehicle.