Nepal Journal of Epidemiology最新文献

{"title":"Breast Cancer and Dietary Fat Intake: A correlational study.","authors":"Preetha J Shetty,&nbsp;Jayadevan Sreedharan","doi":"10.3126/nje.v9i4.26961","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v9i4.26961","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breast cancer (BC) is reported to be the most common malignancies affecting women worldwide. There is a sharp increase in the BC incidence rate over the past three decades as previously low risk countries are moving towards high -calorie western diets. Few epidemiologic studies along with animal experiments have ascertained the role of dietary fat in developing BC. This study aimed to determine the correlation between per capita dietary fat consumption and incidence of BC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Three major data bases were used to conduct this correlational study. The data regarding consumption of fat and breast cancer incidence from 88 countries across five continents were extracted. The correlation coefficients between the incidence of BC and the fat consumption from the year 1990 to 2007 were calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A statistically significant (P<0.001) correlation between the average fat consumption and the crude BC incidence rate was observed and was more than 0.6, clearly indicating that there is a moderate to strong correlation with fat consumption and incidence of breast cancer (P<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our observation indicated that increased total fat consumption increases the risk of developing BC. Consumption of dietary fat increases obesity thereby, increasing the risk of BC development. Dietary fat gets stored in the body since they undergo minimum oxidation as compared to carbohydrates and protein thereby, contributing to obesity a known risk factors for BC. Current study strengthens the evidence to support the hypothesis that non-genetic factors contribute to the occurrence of this disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":43600,"journal":{"name":"Nepal Journal of Epidemiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3126/nje.v9i4.26961","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37568443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Serum calcium level among pregnant women and its association with pre-eclampsia and delivery outcomes: A cross-sectional study from North India.","authors":"Shashi Kant,&nbsp;Partha Haldar,&nbsp;Anant Gupta,&nbsp;Ayush Lohiya","doi":"10.3126/nje.v9i4.23150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v9i4.23150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Calcium requirement increases during pregnancy, thereby increasing the chances of developing hypocalcaemia. Hypocalcaemia may be associated with pregnancy-related complications. Therefore, we planned this study to estimate the prevalence of hypocalcaemia among pregnant women attending secondary care hospital, and to study the association between hypocalcaemia and pregnancy outcomes.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This study was conducted in a secondary level hospital at Ballabgarh, district Faridabad, Haryana, India. Consecutive pregnant women with gestation period more than 28 weeks were enrolled. Dietary calcium intake was ascertained using 24-hour dietary recall method. Serum calcium estimation was done by Biolis 24i auto analyser. Outcome of pregnancy (preterm delivery, low birth weight (LBW) babies, and neonatal mortality) was assessed telephonically 3 months after the enrolment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 696 pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Mean (SD) dietary calcium intake and serum calcium level was 796.4 (360.4) mg/day and 9.56 (0.94) mg/dl respectively. Prevalence (95% CI) of hypocalcaemia was 23.9% (20.8 - 27.2%). Serum total calcium level was not associated with dietary calcium intake (p-value = 0.36). Mean serum calcium level was significantly lower in mothers who had LBW babies. Pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery, and neonatal mortality were not associated with serum calcium level.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Serum calcium level may not be related to dietary calcium level. Hence, the current recommendation of calcium supplementation during antenatal period appears to be inconclusive among our study population.</p>","PeriodicalId":43600,"journal":{"name":"Nepal Journal of Epidemiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3126/nje.v9i4.23150","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37568441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vaping and e-cigarettes: A public health warning or a health promotion tool?","authors":"Edwin van Teijlingen,&nbsp;Preeti Mahato,&nbsp;Padam Simkhada,&nbsp;Cameron van Teijlingen,&nbsp;Mohammad Asim,&nbsp;Brijesh Sathian","doi":"10.3126/nje.v9i4.26960","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v9i4.26960","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":43600,"journal":{"name":"Nepal Journal of Epidemiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3126/nje.v9i4.26960","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37568440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinico-epidemiological profile of <i>Acinetobacter</i> and <i>Pseudomonas</i> infections, and their antibiotic-resistant pattern in a tertiary care center, Western Nepal.","authors":"Shankar Baral,&nbsp;Anjila Pokharel,&nbsp;Supram Hosuru Subramanya,&nbsp;Niranjan Nayak","doi":"10.3126/nje.v9i4.26962","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v9i4.26962","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Infections caused by <i>Acinetobacter</i> species and <i>Pseudomonas</i> species, especially multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains pose a serious management challenge with a public health threat.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A hospital-based retrospective study of patients who were infected with <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp or <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> was carried out at Manipal Teaching Hospital from 2014 to 2016.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 170 cases of infections with <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. and 313 cases with <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> were studied. The rate of nosocomial infections was higher than non-nosocomial infections. ICU was found as the major hub for both the organisms; (53.5% of cases due to <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. and 39.6% due to <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>). Most isolates were of respiratory tract origin (<i>Acinetobacter</i> 74.7% and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> 65.8%). Percentage resistance of <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. towards polymyxin B was found to be quite low (18.8%). Similarly, resistance rates of <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> against amikacin were also found to be low, i.e., 17.4%. A higher prevalence of multidrug resistance was seen among <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp than among <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (75.9% vs. 60.1%). The hospital stay was longer for patients infected with MDR isolate (p=0.001 for <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. and p=0.003 for <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>). The mortality rate was higher in infections due to <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp (15.9%) as compared to <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (8.3%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study reveals that infections caused by <i>Acinetobacter</i> species and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> are associated with prolonged hospital stay and high in-hospital mortality. These emphasize the need for prudent use of antibiotics and aggressive infection control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":43600,"journal":{"name":"Nepal Journal of Epidemiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3126/nje.v9i4.26962","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37568442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Current scenario of organ donation and transplantation in Kerala, India.","authors":"Ahammed Mekkodathil,&nbsp;Mohammad Asim,&nbsp;Brijesh Sathian,&nbsp;Elayedath Rajesh,&nbsp;Rajeev N Kumar,&nbsp;Padam Simkhada,&nbsp;Edwin van Teijlingen","doi":"10.3126/nje.v9i2.24679","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v9i2.24679","url":null,"abstract":"Organ donation rate in India is very low when compared to many developed countries which contribute to the deaths due to organ failures every year. Kerala, one of the southern states in India with best health statistics in the country, has a deceased organ donation programme and has an organ donation rate higher than national average. However, there is a significant decline in number of donations in recent years.","PeriodicalId":43600,"journal":{"name":"Nepal Journal of Epidemiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2019-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3126/nje.v9i2.24679","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37142382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge regarding breast self-examination among the women in Nepal: A meta-analysis.","authors":"Brijesh Sathian,&nbsp;Mohammad Asim,&nbsp;Ahammed Mekkodathil,&nbsp;Sruthi James,&nbsp;Angela Mancha,&nbsp;Arnab Ghosh","doi":"10.3126/nje.v9i2.24684","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v9i2.24684","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Screening interventions for the early diagnosis of breast cancer are associated with better clinical outcomes. Developing nations such as Nepal reportedly have lesser frequency of female university graduates (UGs) and therefore public awareness and education remains central in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. The current meta-analysis was aimed to assess the knowledge about breast self-examination (BSE) among women of Nepal.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We have conducted the literature search using electronic databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane library and Google scholar. The search terms utilized were \"breast self-examination\"; \"knowledge\", \"awareness\"; and \"attitude\" in various combinations AND \"Nepal\" in the title or abstract. Additional searches were conducted with the help of cross references quoted in the selected studies and review articles. Data were retrieved using excel sheets which were pilot tested. Data were independently abstracted by the four authors using a standardized data collection form. Findings from the various studies were pooled together for the sake of analysis, if appropriate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The search yielded 36 articles; 27 duplicates and review articles were excluded and a further 4 articles not relevant were excluded. Finally, 5 original studies met the inclusion criteria. Total pooled sample size for assessing knowledge was 1910. The overall pooled knowledge about breast self-examination was found to be 27% with a 95% CI [23-31].</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The pooled estimates demonstrated that the overall knowledge of breast self-examination was inadequate among women in Nepal. Therefore, prompt capacity building measures are warranted to enhance the public awareness towards BSE.</p>","PeriodicalId":43600,"journal":{"name":"Nepal Journal of Epidemiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2019-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3126/nje.v9i2.24684","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37142383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Practical Approach to Mixed Methods Research for Clinicians.","authors":"Nishida Chandrasekharan","doi":"10.3126/nje.v9i1.24002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v9i1.24002","url":null,"abstract":"As a clinician, finding the time as well as the opportunity to pursue and follow research actively is usually quite challenging. Moreover, with the passage of time, a focus on developing research falls by the wayside in our emphasis on patient care and the related demands on time and energy.","PeriodicalId":43600,"journal":{"name":"Nepal Journal of Epidemiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2019-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3126/nje.v9i1.24002","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37079096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among the Flood Affected Population in Indian Subcontinent.","authors":"Mohammad Asim,&nbsp;Ahammed Mekkodathil,&nbsp;Brijesh Sathian,&nbsp;Rajesh Elayedath,&nbsp;Rajeev Kumar N,&nbsp;Padam Simkhada,&nbsp;Edwin van Teijlingen","doi":"10.3126/nje.v9i1.24003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v9i1.24003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Globally, frequent flooding causes higher magnitude of disaster among the developing and developed nations. Particularly, the Indian subcontinent is considered as highly vulnerable area for natural disaster and is affected most because of limited resources and coping strategies for post-disaster rehabilitation. Apart from the great impact on human health, floods have considerable impact on mental health. The most frequently diagnosed psychological illness in flood affected population is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In India, the incidence of PTSD in major natural disasters varies considerably depending upon the magnitude of event, with the highest rates reported of around 70%. Studies conducted during initial few months post-disaster, showed a higher occurrence of psychiatric manifestations. On the other hand, some reports suggested contrary results under similar circumstances. Notably, extreme age (children and elderly), female gender, socioeconomic status, pre-existing mental health issues and financial crisis post-disaster are the potential predisposing factors influencing the vulnerability of PTSD. In Indian context, the variability in the magnitude of psychiatric illness is mainly attributed to the ethnic diversity (vulnerable population), severity and type of flood event and social support. Still there is more to explore regarding the long-term sequelae of catastrophic floods on physical and mental trauma on disaster-affected populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":43600,"journal":{"name":"Nepal Journal of Epidemiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2019-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3126/nje.v9i1.24003","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37079097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Outbreak of Leptospirosis in Kerala.","authors":"Sruthi James,&nbsp;Brijesh Sathian,&nbsp;Edwin van Teijlingen,&nbsp;Mohammad Asim","doi":"10.3126/nje.v8i4.23876","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v8i4.23876","url":null,"abstract":"In South Asia, the monsoon brings life to vegetation, but at the same time has potential to cause public health problems. Notably, the climate change due to global warming is affecting the extent of monsoon rainfall in the region causing flooding which increases the risks of major disease outbreaks.  Flooding and standing water after heavy rainfall increases the risk of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, plague, chikungunya, typhoid, cholera and Leptospirosis.  \u0000Worldwide, Leptospirosis is one of the most common and emerging zoonoses, except on the North and South Poles. Rat fever or leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by the spiral-shaped bacteria (spirochete) of the genus Leptospira. This infection is mainly seen in wild and even domesticated species of rodents. It is mainly transmitted to humans by exposure of the mucous membranes (oral, nasal & eye) and skin abrasions or cuts to the urine or tissues of infected rodents or soil contaminated by their urine. Rats are the primary reservoir of leptospirosis, although farm animals and livestock, such as horses, pigs, dogs or cattle, and even wild animals can also be a reservoir for the bacteria. However, human-to-human transmission seems to occur occasionally. It is also an occupational hazard with potential risk of exposure among outdoors workers such as farmers, cleaners, veterinarians, agricultural workers. Moreover, there exists an increased chance of a recreational hazard to those who swims and wades in contaminated waters .","PeriodicalId":43600,"journal":{"name":"Nepal Journal of Epidemiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2018-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3126/nje.v8i4.23876","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37025707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cancer Cases Referral system in Nepal.","authors":"Krishna Kanta Poudel,&nbsp;Deborah Sims,&nbsp;Dianne Morris,&nbsp;Prakash Raj Neupane,&nbsp;Anjani Kumar Jha,&nbsp;Nirmal Lamichhane,&nbsp;Ganga Sapkota,&nbsp;Dipendra Kumar Mallik,&nbsp;Zhibi Huang,&nbsp;Janaki Kharel Poudel,&nbsp;Elisabete Weiderpass","doi":"10.3126/nje.v8i4.23877","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v8i4.23877","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The burden of cancer is estimated to be increasing in Nepal, whilst the country lacks national established guidelines or protocols for referral of cancer cases. Cancer patients are presenting many different health facilities throughout the country. In rural areas almost all cancer patients have their first diagnosis when visiting a health assistant or nurse at their nearest primary health care delivery service. If cancer is suspected, health care assistants or nurses will refer the patient to a medical doctor at the primary health centre, or refer the patient directly to the cancer treatment centre or oncology department of the closest hospital. Patients from urban areas will usually be seen for the first time by a medical doctor initially and then referred to either the cancer treatment centre or oncology department of the hospital. Both in rural and urban areas the referral for treatment is determined by both the patients' capacity to pay for treatment own healthcare, as well as their geographical location (i.e. availability and accessibility of cancer treatment services.</p>","PeriodicalId":43600,"journal":{"name":"Nepal Journal of Epidemiology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2018-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3126/nje.v8i4.23877","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37025708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}