BackgroundThe burden of substance misuse in developing countries is large and increasing, with negative consequences for physical and psychological health. Substance use disorders and psychological distress commonly co-exist, however few studies have examined this relationship in developing countries, including Nepal. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of psychological distress symptoms and associated factors among patients with substance use disorders attending drug rehabilitation centers in Nepal.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study including 180 patients attending drug rehabilitation centers in the Kathmandu Valley region of Nepal. We used the 6-item Kessler scale (K6) to measure symptoms of psychological distress, and data on socio-demographics, behavioral and psychosocial factors. Multivariable analyses were used to identify factors associated with distress.ResultsThe prevalence of high psychological distress symptoms among patients with substance use disorder was 51.1 %. The mean score found on the K6 was 12.22 (SD = 5.87). Outcomes of multivariable analyses demonstrated various factors associated with symptoms of psychological distress, including age (β = −0.122, 95 % CI = −0.218; −0.026), education (β =2.694, 95 % CI = 0.274; 5.115), severity of drug abuse (Drug Abuse Screening Test-10-DAST10)(β = 0.262, 95 % CI = 0.022;0.502), and family functioning (Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection and Resolve-APGAR) (β = −0.525, 95 % CI = −0.787; −0.264).ConclusionsHigh psychological distress symptoms are common in patients with substance use disorder in Nepal. Demographics (age, education), behavioral (drug abuse severity), and psychosocial factors (family functionality) were associated with psychological distress symptoms. If confirmed by future longitudinal studies such characteristics may assist in identifying groups at risk for co-morbid psychological distress symptoms among patients with substance use disorders. Future treatment approaches for substance use disorders should address co-existing mental illness in Nepal.

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Introduction: Effective nursing care by well-trained hands and affectionate heart constitute the backbone of medical intervention in HIV/AIDS. The apprehension often articulated by health professionals while dealing with people living with HIV/AIDS hampers in health care. The purpose of the present study was to assess the extent of knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS amongst nursing students.Methodology: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 113 selected proficiency certificate level nursing students of Parsa district of Nepal. Pre-tested anonymous questionnaire was administered to collect the responses necessary to infer the extent of knowledge on HIV/AIDS and nature of attitude towards PLWHA. The extent of knowledge was measured through an overall knowledge index constructed based on the responses to 10 objective questions. To ascertain the respondent’s overall attitude, responses to various opinions were scored and summed upto form an attitude index.Results: Almost half of the nursing students had good knowledge while almost a quintile numbers had incomplete knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Majority of them had negative attitude towards the care of PLWHA.Conclusions: In aggregate, nearly half of the respondents had good knowledge about the various aspects of HIV/AIDS; however, majority of them had negative attitude towards the care of PLWHA. The overall knowledge and attitude of senior class was better than their junior counterparts. The training programmes for nurses should aim at confidence and skill building to deal with HIV issues.SAARC J TUBER LUNG DIS HIV/AIDS, 2015; 12(1), Page: 8-13

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Hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and 50% aqueous methanol extracts of S. ovalifoliawere screened for the presence of different classes of phytochemicals as well as their antibacterial activity. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolic, flavonoid and carbohydrate in methanol and 50% aqueous methanol extracts of S. ovalifolia. The antibacterial susceptibility was studied against E. coli and S. aureus. Among all the tested extracts, ethyl acetate extract showed good antibacterial activity against both bacteria. In the methanol and 50%, aqueous methanol extracts of S. ovalifolia, total phenolic, total flavonoid and total carbohydrate content were estimated, and free radical scavenging activity was determined. Total phenolic content was measured spectrophotometrically by using Folin- Ciocalteu reagent, total flavonoid content by using aluminium chloride and total carbohydrate content by using the anthrone method. Gallic acid was used as the standard for the calibration of phenolics, catechin for flavonoids and glucose for carbohydrates. The highest amount of phenolic and flavonoid were found in methanol extract (192.152±0.009 mg GAE/g extract and 78.188±2.719 mg CE/g extract), respectively. The highest amount of sugar was found in 50% methanol extract (190.585±2.445 mg GE/g extract). Methanol extract also showed good antioxidant activity (IC50 value 49.989 μg/ ml) than 50% aqueous methanol extract (IC50 72.021 μg/ml). The GC-MS analysis of hexane extract of S. ovalifolia allowed the identification of 16 Phyto-constituents based on retention time and the fragmentation pattern in the mass spectrum.

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