Introduction: Mental health is as important as physical health to respond to COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic has increased social isolation and fear regarding health and well-being as well as a dilemma which can lead to mental health problems among general people and health workers.Thus the main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress among nurses working in a hospital of Nepal during the period of Corona lockdown. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 152 nurses working at Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Centre of Kaski district of Nepal. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic items and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) scale from 11 April to 18 April, 2020. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 applying descriptive statistics and inferential statistical method. Results: Respondent's mean age and SD was 24.09 + 3.19 years. The sample mean score of DASS-42 was 29.46 (SD 25.37). Depression, anxiety and stress were prevalent among 39.5%, 50% and 25.7% of the respondents respectively. There was significant association of depression with education level (χ2 =6.597; p=0.01) and working unit (χ2 =8.187; p=0.004). Anxiety was significantly associated with working unit (χ2 =6.973; p=0.008) and children status (χ2 =4.199; p=0.040). Stress was significantly associated with age (χ2 =4.906; p=0.027), working unit (χ2 =4.984; p=0.026) and children status (χ2 =5.653; p=0.017). Conclusion: Based on findings, it can be concluded that some degree of depression, anxiety and stress were prevalent among nurses during COVID-19 pandemic. Further assessment should be made to confirm the respective diagnoses. Stress and anxiety relieving sessions and psychological support programs may help for the nurses with higher than cut-offs.

Introduction: Endotracheal suctioning (ETS) is an essential procedure that involves removal of accumulated lung secretions from tracheobronchial tree through an artificial airway. It is crucial that this procedure is performed with professional competence based on updated scientific evidence and guidelines that guarantee efficiency and safety of the patient to prevent the common infection like ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Objectives: To identify the level of knowledge regarding ETS among nurses and to measure the association between knowledge level and selected demographic variables. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for this study which was conducted in Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Centre of Kaski, Nepal. The study population were all the nurses working in in-patient department of the hospital. Sample size was calculated through standard formula and probability simple random sampling technique was used to select 92 nurses. Semi- structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Collected data was entered, coded and edited into Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16. Data was analyzed by employing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Result: Only 4.3% of the total respondents had good knowledge on ETS whereas 52.2% had fair knowledge and 43.5% had poor knowledge. There was significant association between respondent’s level of knowledge on ETS and ethnicity (p=0.049) and professional qualification (p=0.028). Conclusion: Nearly half of the nurses had poor knowledge on ETS. Therefore, it is necessary to upgrade nurse’s knowledge on ETS through inservice education programs.