Background

Background: Medical students’ psychological response to societal lockdown during the covid-19 pandemic has not been studied much. Our aim was to assess levels of anxiety and depression among medical students during the initial stages of the pandemic in Nepal and relate their distress to psychosocial and other relevant situational variables.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with an online questionnaire was conducted among medical students at different colleges in Nepal. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) detected manifestations of anxiety and depression. The covariates were explored by logistic regression analyses.Results: A total 416 medical students [mean age: 22.2 (2.1); males 57.7%, females 42.3%] participated. HADS-anxiety scores [mean: 7.1(4.3)] were significantly and positively correlated with HADS-depression [mean: 5.9 (4.1)] (r=0.695; p<0.001). Point prevalence of total HADS caseness (HADS-T) was 26.7%. Specific HADS-defined caseness were: anxiety (HADS-A) 11.8%, depression (HADS-D) 5.5%, and comorbid anxiety and depression (HADS-cAD) 9.4%. All four types of caseness were significantly more prevalent among students with a history of mental problems (AOR=4.7, 3.2, 2.6, and 3.2 respectively). HADS-T was higher among those with a concurrent physical illness (AOR=2.4). HADS-T, HADS-A and HADS-D scores were higher among the age group >22 years (AOR= 2.2, 2.5 and 4.4 respectively). HADS-cAD was almost three-times higher among those with a possible COVID-19 exposure (AOR=2.8).Conclusion: A significant number of medical students in Nepal suffered from high levels of anxiety and depression during the covid-19 shut-down. The students in the higher (>22 years) age group, those with past mental disorders, a possible covid-19 exposure, and a concurrent physical illness showed elevated levels of anxiety and/or depression.

Introduction: Periodontal disease and caries are the most common causes of tooth loss worldwide. Studies have demonstrated strong association between periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Medical doctors, who are the primary healthcare providers, seldom advise women to seek dental care during pregnancy. This study was undertaken to explore the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of medical doctors towards oral health and to identify the barriers of prenatal periodontal healthcare in their practices and its possible implications on pregnancy outcomes.Methods: Total 377 doctors filled the questionnaire. The data collected through personal contacts, social networking, emails, online forms and networking at conferences were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20 software program and presented in tables, charts and diagrams.Results: Out of 263 (69.8%) male and 114 (30.2%) female doctors enrolled in the study, only 52 (13.8%) had received education or training on oral care during pregnancy. Among them 299 (79.3%) agreed that there is possible link between health of teeth-gums and pregnancy. Approximately 105 (27.9%) encountered patients with oral/periodontal problem every week but only 108 (28.6%) “always” advised their patient for regular dental check-ups. Similarly, 358 (95%) agreed that there is need for universal guidelines however, 133 (35.3%) thought there was insufficient time to advice patients on oral health during check-ups.Conclusions: An adequate referral system to oral healthcare providers and biannual check-ups is recommended for both general patient as well as pregnant women for preventing adverse situations related to oral and specifically periodontal diseases.

Background Family caregivers of psychiatric disorders likely to face burden. There is a paucity of data regarding the caregiver burden in psychiatric disorders in context of Nepal. Objective To study the caregiver burden in families with psychiatric illness and to find association between socio-demographic variables and caregiver burden in families with psychiatric illness. Method This is an analytical cross-sectional study. The participants (n=96) were caregiver of patients visiting outpatient department of two government of Nepal primary health care centers namely, Panchkhal Primary Health Care Center (PHC) Kavre District and Barhabise Health Care Center Sindhupalchowk district. The sample size has been determined by using statistical formula. Family burden assessment schedule (FBIS) was used for the study. Result The majority of the caregivers were females 56.3%. Most of the caregivers were aged below 45 years 54.2%. The large number of participants were single or separated 74%. The mean score of family burden assessment schedule was 27 ± 9.8 (range 0 to 48) with positive rate of 59.4%.Among the objective burden domains disruption of family leisure 61.5% was the most frequently reported burden. The subjective burden was reported in 95%. There were significant differential demographic associations with different domains of caregivers’ burden. Conclusion Caregivers of Psychiatric patients experience different kind of burden of care. Our findings highlight the support to the family members to reduce their burden.