Introduction: The outbreak of COVID-19 led to lockdown, which in turn led to the closure of schools and colleges. This situation created an opportunity to transform the conventional learning methods into an online or virtual method using various digital platforms. Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences started online classes as an alternative way to resume education during this pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to identify the prevalence of medical science students with a positive attitude towards online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic in a medical college of Kathmandu, Nepal. Methods: The study was conducted among 513 students using descriptive cross-sectional study design who were currently studying Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Proficiency Certificate Level Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Nursing Science under the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences. Data was collected from June-July 2020 through an online self-administered questionnaire using Google forms. The results were presented through frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Results: In this study, 112 (87.5%) Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 189 (83.6%) Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and 63 (82.9%) Bachelor of Science in Nursing students had a positive attitude towards online classes, while 51 (61.5%) of Proficiency Certificate Level Nursing students had a negative attitude towards it. Conclusions: Most bachelor-level students had a positive attitude towards online classes. With apositive attitude, students’ participation and adaptability in online classes will be high, resulting inbetter academic performance.

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally. It can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly. This study aimed to find out the awareness on cervical cancer and practice of Pap smear test among the married women of Changunarayan Municipality. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out in Changunarayan Municipality among 115 purposively selected married women aged between 30 to 60 years. The data was collected from 1stJuly 2021 to 21thJuly 2021. Data was collected by using semi structure interview schedule through face-to-face interview method. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics was used to describe the findings and measure the association between variables. Results: Among the total respondents, 52.2% had inadequate level of awareness and 47.8% had adequate level of awareness in cervical cancer. Regarding the practice, only 20.9% of respondents had done Pap smear test. There is no significant association between level of awareness of cervical cancer with practice of Pap smear test, age, educational status, occupation, age at marriage and age at first child birth of the respondents. Conclusions: It is concluded that women had adequate awareness in cervical cancer however; the practice of performing Pap smear test was low. The level of awareness of cervical cancer did not influence the practice of Pap smear test.

Introduction: Backpacks are a convenient means to carry essential educational materials for school children. Backpack design, carrying technique and its load is related to several health consequences i.e., altered gait, bad posture and musculoskeletal pain. Parental awareness and their supervision can help their children to carry appropriate school backpack with rationale weight. Therefore, this study aims to assess parental awareness about school backpacks; identify backpack weight carried by their children and identify children’s musculoskeletal complaints with their parents. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The study consisted of purposively selected 94 parents whose children were studying in grade VI to VIII at local school. Face to face interview of around 30 minutes duration was taken by using semi structured interview schedule. Backpack weight was identified by weighing children with and without bag in their school and subtracted to identify the actual backpack weight. Data was analysed by using SPSS version 20 and described by using descriptive statistics. Results: In this study, more than 90% parents were aware of the recommended weight of school backpack i.e., <15% of body weight. About 96% parents answered that backpack should be light; similar percentage told that it should have well-padded shoulder straps and 87% answered that it should be appropriate to child’s age and weight. Around 70% to 90% parents were aware of appropriate handling of school backpacks. While identifying parental awareness about musculoskeletal effects of backpacks, they told as shoulder pain (79%), fatigue (76%) and neck pain (56%). In this study, 72% children were carrying backpacks greater than the recommended weights. Their parents told that children often had complaints of shoulder pain (78%) and neck pain (69%) Conclusions: Most parents were aware of the standards and handling of school backpack but in reality, more than two third of their children were carrying heavy school backpacks.