Health problems of nepalese labor migrants: A scoping review.

Labor migrants (LMs) often work in precarious work environments and are exposed to various health risks. There is a lack of information on the health of international Nepalese LMs (NLMs). This scoping study was conducted to assess the health problems of international NLMs based on the six-stage scoping review process of Arksey and O'Malley. A literature review and stakeholders consultation related to NLMs' health information were conducted. A total of 455 studies were identified of which 38 studies were potentially relevant based on title and/or abstract screening, and a total of 16 studies were finally included and assessed. The literature showed that the health problems incurred by NLMs are mainly mental health problems; accidents, injuries, and infectious diseases. The Foreign Employment Board is the main public stakeholder which records deaths and disabilities of NLMs. The record showed that there were a total of 3,752,811 labor permits approval, a total of 7467 deaths, and a total of 1512 disabilities among NLMs during the 11 years from 2008-2018. There is a need to have a better investigation of causes of death and disability among NLMs to assign scientific causes of death. Predeparture orientation on mental health coping strategies, labor rights, health-care accessibility options in destination countries, traffic safety, and infectious diseases should be instituted.

Aetiologies of central nervous system infections in adults in Kathmandu, Nepal: a prospective hospital-based study.

We conducted a prospective hospital based study from February 2009-April 2011 to identify the possible pathogens of central nervous system (CNS) infections in adults admitted to a tertiary referral hospital (Patan Hospital) in Kathmandu, Nepal. The pathogens of CNS infections were confirmed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using molecular diagnostics, culture (bacteria) and serology. 87 patients were recruited for the study and the etiological diagnosis was established in 38% (n = 33). The bacterial pathogens identified were Neisseria meningitidis (n = 6); Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 5) and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 2) in 13/87(14%). Enteroviruses were found in 12/87 (13%); Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) in 2/87(2%). IgM against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) was detected in the CSF of 11/73 (15%) tested samples. This is the first prospective molecular and serology based CSF analysis in adults with CNS infections in Kathmandu, Nepal. JEV and enteroviruses were the most commonly detected pathogens in this setting.