Maternal Health Services Utilisation in Panchkhal Municipality, Kavrepalanchok, Nepal.

Background Maternal Health is a priority program of Nepal. The low utilization of maternal health services is one of the major contributing factors for high maternal morbidity and mortality in developing countries like Nepal. Objective To explore various maternal health services utilized by women and identify various factors affecting the utilization of maternal health services in Panchkhal Municipality. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 355 reproductive-age women who have given birth in the last 2 years in Panchkhal Municipality. The data collection period was from May to July 2020. A convenient sampling method was used to select the study population. The data analysis was done by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 20.0). Variables were defined by the frequency in numbers and percentages. Result The findings from the study showed that the coverage of the antenatal care (ANC) visit was 77% and among them, 25.6% visited at least 4 antenatal care visits as recommended by the government of Nepal. Out of 355 respondents, 52.4% were delivered in the health institution, and only 20% visited postnatal care after the delivery. Among various factors, lack of treatment facilities and health facilities at a far distance were the most common factors for the underutilization of maternal health services. Conclusion The coverage of maternal health services is still low despite free maternal health services with an incentive scheme. A further detailed investigation is required to find the real scenario of the Panchkhal municipality to under-utilization of maternal health services.

Chest CT Scan Findings in Symptomatic Patients Infected with COVID-19 in Norvic International Hospital, Nepal.

Background Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the recent global health emergency making it crucial for rapid diagnosis and intervention. Computed tomography (CT) is important for screening, diagnosis and evaluating severity and disease progress. Objective To assess the CT changes in COVID patients and study its relationship with various factors. Method A retrospective study was conducted at Norvic International hospital from August 2020 to November 2020 among RT-PCR positive symptomatic COVID cases who had positive CT changes. CT imaging data were analyzed by radiology expertise. Statistical analysis was carried out with the help of SPSS 16. Result Out of 120 patients, 75% were males and mean age was 54.70±15.56 years. The mean CT severity score was 18.35±6.87. Pure ground glass opacities was seen in 74(61.7%), reticulations 89(74.2%) and crazy-paving pattern 28(23.3%). CT scans with bilateral 118(98.3%) and peripheral involvement 109(90.8%) in all five lobes. CT- severity score was positively correlated with oxygen and mechanical ventilation requirement (P-value < 0.05 and 0.011 respectively). Conclusion CT findings including pure ground glass opacities, reticulations, bilateral and peripheral involvement involving all five lobes were more frequent. Our data suggest that CT-severity score significantly correlates with oxygen and mechanical ventilation requirements.