Nutrition

Background: Human Immunode¿ ciency Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Immunode¿ ciency Syndrome (AIDS) claimed more than 22 million deaths in the past two decades. About 10,000-15,000 Nepalese are expected to die of AIDS related deaths every year in the absence of effective treatment and care. Major cause of mortality and morbidity in HIV infected people is opportunistic infection (OI). Type of pathogen(s) responsible for OI varies from region to region. Objective: This study attempts to ¿ nd out OI among HIV seropositive patients visiting MTH, Pokhara. Results: Tuberculosis (30%) was found to be most common OI followed by candidiasis (14%). Pulmonary tuberculosis (21.14%) was more common than extra pulmonary tuberculosis (8.92%). Oral candidiasis (8.92%) was more common than oesophageal candidiasis (5.35%). Conclusion: The study ¿ ndings indicate that immediate and strong action needs to be taken and guidelines and strategies to tackle the HIV AIDS problems are required and should be equally implemented to achieve a decline in the rate of prevalence of HIV.

Background In Nepal tuberculosis, outdoor and indoor air pollution, cigarette smoking, smoking during pregnancy, poor working and health conditions in industries are common. Perceptions about various aspects of lung health among non-medical personnel working in medical schools in Nepal have not been previously studied.

Background: Most workers of carpet factory and sawmills suffer from non-specific lung diseases and ventilatory disorders. There is so many such industries operative in Lalitpur district and so far not many studies have been reported on pulmonary function in these workers. Method: A brief clinical sheet regarding age, occupational particulars, smoking habits and presence or absence of major complaints was recorded for each worker. Spirometric parameters were recorded using an electronic (MEDSPIROR) spirometer. The groups consisted of control subjects not exposed to industrial dusts (n=50) for each group of workers (carpet factory, n=50 and saw mill, n=50). Result: This study indicated an overall reduction in pulmonary function parameters; in particular FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC % in carpet factory workers and FEV1 and FEV1/FVC % in saw mill workers. Comparison of pulmonary function parameters between carpet factories workers and sawmill workers revealed a significant reduction in FEV 1 and MVV in carpet workers. Conclusion: Exposure to cotton dust and wood dust leads to combined type of spirometric deficit revealing obstructive or restrictive lung diseases. Workers exposed to industrial dusts also suffer from various upper or lower respiratory symptoms.

Background: Puberty is a significant phase of human growth. It has important implications for the development of regulatory competence and of physical, emotional, social maturity. Adolescents should have knowledge regarding their physical growth and reproductive health, so that unnecessary reservations and stress could be avoided. Adolescent males have as many health issues as adolescent females, but they are less likely to be seen in a clinical setting due to both individual factors and the health care system itself. Also, very few studies are done to access knowledge and perception of adolescent males regarding reproductive health. Hence, this study was designed to access the knowledge and perception of young adolescent males regarding physical growth and reproductive health which will help to design effective interventions mostly in terms of sex and health education. Method: : A Self designed questionnaire was given to the participants after explaining the objective of the study ...

Financial institutions not only influence the profit/loss of its shareholders but also drive the economy of the whole nation. So it should be concerned about its social obligation and responsibilities. Social responsibility refers to the obligation of a firm, beyond the required by law of economics, to pursue long-term goals that are good for society. The idea that firms, corporations, and other organizations have social responsibilities leads to the development of the concept labelled as “Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)” and has evoked widespread interests and concerns both in business and among academicians. Banking sector is under massive pressure from its shareholders, investors, media, as well as its customers to carry out business in a socially responsible and ethical manner. This descriptive study attempts to analyse CSR reporting practices in banking sector of Nepal. For the purpose, ten commercial banks and 4 development banks were selected randomly and their website ...

Background and Objectives: The distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups vary from population to population. With an interest of finding out rare blood group in Nepalese population, we studied the blood group distribution was studied in five different medical colleges in Nepal. Material and Methods: Capillary Blood sample were taken to determine blood group of of 2208 twenty two hundred and eight Nepalese students from five different medical colleges, viz. Manipal College of medical sciences, Pokhara; Nepalgunj Medical College, Chisapani, Banke ; College of Medical sciences, Bharatpur, Chitwan; Kist Medical College, Lalitpur and Janaki Medical College, Janakpur were recorded. Slide test method was used to determine the blood group of the subjects. Results: In our study subjects, 28.17% were blood group A, 30.17% were blood group B, 34.87% were blood group O and 6.79% were blood group AB. Similarly, 95.38% were Rh +ve and 4.62% were Rh –ve. The blood group distribution patterns in male...

In the last few decades, lots of youth have migrated to foreign lands from Nepal for their study. An estimated 20,000 students leave the country annually to pursue their further education abroad and a huge sum of more than NRs 2000 million outflows for this purpose. United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), Australia are the preferred destinations of Nepalese students. In recent days, Australia has been found as the top destination for them. Currently, Nepal stands in the 6th position in terms of number of foreign students studying in Australia. So, in this study we attempted to find the cost of living and studying in Australia by Nepalese students, source of funding and the role of Nepali banks in providing support to these students. As research participants, students residing in Australia for their higher study were selected through random sampling. A set of questionnaire was prepared by reviewing relevant literature survey. Fifty participants (randomly selected) were c...

Background and objectives: Magnesium is established as a neuro-protective agent and now also known as a vasodilator. It has been known for treating vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, its action mechanism in cerebral vascular relaxation is not clear. Potassium channels play a pivotal role in the relaxation of smooth muscle cells. To investigate their role in magnesium-induced relaxation of basilar smooth muscle cells, we examined the effect of magnesium on potassium channels using the patch clamp technique on cells from rabbit basilar artery. Material and Methods: Fresh smooth muscle cells were isolated from the basilar artery by enzyme treatment. Whole cell current recording was done using patch-clamp technique. Appropriate bath solution was used to have potassium current. The effect of Magnesium was observed and to identify the potassium (K+) channel involved in the magnesium-induced currents, different potassium channel blockers were used. Results: Magnesium inc...

This article discuss about scientific basis of benefits of practicing slow pranayama, especially alternate nostril breathing pranayama. It explains the basis of benefit of alternate nostril breathing exercises and its probable relation with nasal cycle, cerebral dominance and autonomic nervous system. The airflow through one nostril is greater than next at any point of time which later switches to another. This is called nasal cycle. The nasal cycle lasts from 30 minutes to 2-3 hours. The nasal cycle occurs naturally. This nasal cycle is related with the cerebral dominance. When one nostril is dominant, the contra lateral hemisphere is active. The right nostril breathing leads to increased sympathetic activity while left nostril breathing decreases sympathetic activity and increases parasympathetic tone. So it has been speculated that these three phenomenon viz. nasal cycle, cerebral dominance and autonomic activities are correlated. This review also suggests that practicing alterna...

Background and objectives: HIV/AIDS is a burning crisis worldwide. Cure of HIV is not yet possible so prevention is of prime importance in control of HIV. Education plays an important role in bringing awareness. This study is planned to find the existing knowledge and significance of educational intervention. Material and Methods: This study was an experimental design in which same group of subjects (students to class 9 and 10) of selected schools in Imadol, served as control and experimental group. Participants’ perception and knowledge about various aspects of HIV/AIDS were studied by noting their agreement with a set of 65 statements (questionnaire) using a modified Likert-type scale. The data was entered in SPSS. A p value less than 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. Result: In this study, educational intervention has proved statistically significant in public school (p value 0.02). Among different sub groups total median score for knowledge about HIV/AIDS and idea ab...

Background and Objectives: Nepal is confronted with increasing incidence of HIV among adolescents. There is need to ensure, these people have correct knowledge for HIV prevention. Hence, this study was carried out to assess the perception and knowledge of adolescents regarding HIV/AIDS and to identify the areas of misconception that might serve as an important target of educational intervention. Methodology: A self designed questionnaire regarding knowledge and perception about HIV/AIDS was distributed to the students of secondary school who attended the heath assessment program organized by Kist Medical College. Submitted questionnaires were analyzed and tabulated to find out the existing knowledge and attitude of the participants. Results: Knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS was satisfactory. Seventy-nine percentage of female and 64% male agreed to care for HIV/AIDS patients. However there were still misconceptions about transmission. Sixty-two percentages thought that contraceptive pill...

Pranayama (breathing exercise), one of the yogic techniques can produce different physiological responses in healthy individuals. The responses of Alternate Nostril Breathing (ANB) the Nadisudhi Pranayama on some cardio-respiratory functions were investigated in healthy young adults. The subjects performed ANB exercise (15 minutes everyday in the morning) for four weeks. Cardio-respiratory parameters were recorded before and after 4-weeks training period. A significant increment in Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR L/min) and Pulse pressure (PP) was noted. Although Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was decreased insignificantly, the decrease in pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were significant. Results indicate that regular practice of ANB (Nadisudhi) increases parasympathetic activity.

Background: Derangements of mineral metabolism occur during early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Mineral metabolism has emerged as important predictors of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. This study aims to evaluate the values of calcium and phosphorous in reference to practice guidelines issued by National Kidney Foundation Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) in patients undergoing hemodialysis in KIST Medical College Teaching Hospital.Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective study which included 101 patients who underwent hemodialysis in KIST Medical College Teaching Hospital over a period of three months (October 2010 to December 2010). The laboratory parameters of serum calcium, and phosphorus were evaluated and were compared with that of recommended values by K/DOQI guidelines.Results: The mean values for serum calcium, phosphorus, and calcium-phosphorus product were 8.79 ± 1.48 mg/dL, 5.30 ± 1.32 mg/dL and 46.62 ± 1.96 mg2/dL2 respectively....

Meditation as a separate identity or as a part of yoga is gaining popularity these days. Today's world is full of stress, meditation will help you to cope of with stress and give you peace of mind. So, it's a tranquillizer. It will distress you from worldly worries and brain work. What exactly is meditation then? Many have queries, other have confusion about it. I also had. So I gave a thought to this topic for some times, (for several days and still thinking on it !! !!!) & have tried to present my thoughts here. (It is just a thought and may not be true fact.) Specific form of concentration which is applied only for knowing the universal truth (many call it God) is Meditation. It is better to discuss about the concept of God first, before going into further detail of Meditation. The supernatural power supernatural power supernatural power supernatural power which is balancing the whole world, whole creation or whole universe is GOD. Let me clarify this statement. Just cons...

Background and Objectives: Medical sciences have developed tremendously but yet it has to understand the brain, mind, consciousness and cognition process. In this article, authors have made an attempt to present a process of cognition with a model of mind explained in yoga sutra of Patanjali. Material and Methods: Understanding the mind with the modern scientific tools is often difficult. Here an attempt has been made to understand mind with the help of various literature in yoga especially in yoga sutra of patanjali, a valid text of yoga. Hermeneutical approach, a method used in qualitative method of inquiry is used for this study. Reading, re-reading the texts and finding the meaning out of the text is the process used. Results: A model of mind has been proposed as finding of the study. This model of mind has a ‘chitta’ (Mind stuff) as a cognitive apparatus and important component for cognition. ‘Chitta’ interacts with the external manifested world (Prakriti). ‘Chitta’ has Mana, B...

Background and Objectives: Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) is particularly common medical disorder and is leading cause of morbidity worldwide. The complication of DM is due to micro or macro vascular damage. The presence of an extensive microvascular circulation and abundant connective tissue in the lungs raises the possibility that lung tissue may be a target organ in diabetic patients and thus pulmonary function test can be affected by DM. This study was designed to compare pulmonary function test between Type II diabetic and non-diabetic individuals; and, with the duration of DM.

Background and Objectives: Nutrition has been an integral part of medical management in CKD patient in which total food and protein intake plays vital role in survival rate of patient. This study was done to investigate the nutritional status, food intake and physical activity level of hemodialysis patient for the period of three month in National Kidney center in Kathmandu. Materials and Methods: Quantitative descriptive method was applied for the collection of data from 80 patients undergoing hemodialysis in National kidney center, Kathmandu. The data so obtained was further analyzed by using SPSS 16 version software and Microsoft excel sheet. Discussion: The BMI result of sample population underdoing hemodialysis showed that 12% of them were underweight, 9% were overweight, 57% were in normal range and 1% were obese. Similarly 42.5% of sample population were involved in some kind of physical activity where as 57.5% of the patient were not involved in any sort of physical activity. On the other hand, 52.5% of MHD patient did not follow the instruction provided in food chart and only 47.5% patient consume food according to diet chart. Conclusion: The patient should be provided nutritional counseling before starting dialysis so that nutritional challenges could be reduced. As poor nutritional intake, Socio economic barrier, low physical activity level etc. are major problem of dialysis patient.