DOI: 10.3126/nepjoph.v2i2.3726 Nep J Oph 2010;2(2) 164-165

Samdrup Jongkhar district has reported an increasing trend in infant mortality rates over the recent years. This study aimed to identify its determinants. A population based case-control study was conducted in May 2018. Case group comprised of 79 infants who died between 1st January 2015-30th April 2018 while 158 living children born during the same period and residing closest to the home where infant mortality occurred were recruited as controls. Premature new-borns and those with low birth weight were 5.9 times and 4.1 times more likely to die respectively. New-borns whose mother received better ante-natal and post-natal care were more likely to survive. Over 50% of the deaths occurred at home and around two-thirds of deaths occurred during the post-natal period. Implementing a multi-stakeholder collaborative approach including local leaders, village health workers and religious leaders would be useful in reassuring parents to seek early medical care during childhood illness.

Background: The case burden of cervical cancer has been increasing globally especially in developing countries without proper health system. Cervical cancer can be eliminated with timely vaccination and screening program as it usually takes years for pre-malignant lesions to develop into malignant lesion. Bhutan has committed to eliminate cervical cancer. Thus, it is important to understand the factors associated with abnormal Pap test findings. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted using the Pap smear data for the year 2018. It was extracted from the records maintained in the cytology unit of Samtse General Hospital. Result: The abnormal slide rate in this study was 2.5%. The majority of women seeking Pap smear services were women in reproductive age group and housewife by occupation. There were significant differences between age groups and marital status among normal in the Pap test results. Conclusion: The slide abnormality of Pap smear in Samtse District is low. The abnormality is more common among married and older women. Therefore, additional screening efforts needs to be put into this group to detect pre-malignant lesions.

A cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted to analyze the relation of fetomaternal outcome withthe time interval between onset of fit to delivery and onset of fit to start of anticonvulsant, in eclampsiapatients, from April 2001 to October 2002 in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, B. P. KoiralaInstitue of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan.Of the 56 total cases, 22 (39.2%) patients reached the health facility within 3 hours of the onset of fits, and5 (8.9%) after 12 hours. Twenty-five patients (44.6%) were first managed in different health care centerswhile 31 (55.4%) came directly to BPKIHS, Dharan. Maternal complications occurred more frequently inthose with fit to delivery time interval and fit to start of anticonvulsant time interval of more than 12 hours.Diazepam was the main anticonvulsant used in other health service facilities while in BPKIHS, 32 (57.1%)patients were given magnesium sulphate and 24 (42.9%) phenytoin. There were 2 maternal deaths, whichoccurred in patients in whom the time interval between the onset of fit to delivery and the start ofanticonvulsant was more than 24 hours. Seven patients presented with intrauterine fetal deaths and therewere 2 neonatal deaths.Eclampsia is associated with poor fetomaternal outcome. The fetomaternal complications are increasedwhen the fit to delivery time interval and fit to start of anticonvulsant time interval is prolonged. Rationaluse of appropriate anticonvulsants along with safe delivery should be promoted for eclampsia patients.Key Words: Eclampsia, fetomaternal outcome.

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