Background Adherence to ART is the primary determinant of viral suppression and the risk of transmission, disease progression and death. Adherence of at least 95% is needed for optimal suppression. This study aimed at determining the adherence to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) and its associated factors among People Living with HIV and AIDS in ART Center of Chitwan, Nepal. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 231 clients aged 18 years to 49 years taking ART from Bharatpur Hospital of Chitwan and those who have been enrolled in ART for at least 6 months, were interviewed. Systematic Sampling technique was used. Semi-structured questionnaire was prepared by taking reference from the AIDS Clinical Trial group questionnaire (ACTG). Adherence was measured by patient self report. Data was entered Epi Data 3.1 and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software where the P value of < 0.05 was accepted as being statistically significant. The independent variables which were found significant at p -value 0.10 in bivariate analysis were fitted in multivariable logistic regression model. Multivariable logistic regression model was performed to know the net effect of the independent variables on Adherence to ART medication. Results The overall adherence in the last month was found to be 87.4%. Wrist watch and mobiles were seen as a facilitating factor for taking ART on time as clients taking ART used to set alarm to get informed of the medication time. Adherence was associated with female sex (AOR = 10.550 CI: 1.854–60.046), family consisting only parents and their children (AOR = 4.877, CI: 1.246–19.079), having no habit of taking alcohol (AOR = 5.842 CI: 1.294–26.383), HIV duration of more than 3 years (AOR = 10.055 CI: 2.383–42.430), picking up ART medications on their own (AOR = 7.861, CI: 1.670–36.998) and not having side effects of ART (AOR = 8.832, CI: 2.059–37.890). Conclusion Identifying and evaluating the problems faced by ARV drug users can foster the achievement of ART related goals and addressing ART related problems in a rational way. Effective and appropriate monitoring of non adherence behaviors can help patients increase adherence level fostering improvement in treatment outcome. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-7051-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Although under five and infant mortality has been reducing in Nepal, neonatal mortality remains largely unchanged. Newborn care practices in the family and in the community acts as contributing factors which could be improved by adopting simple interventions at community level. The objective of the study was to identify newborn care practices (cord care, breastfeeding, and bathing) and factors affecting it. The study is crosssectional descriptive and analytical conducted at Bachauli and Khairahani VDCs of Chitwan district from July to December 2012. A total 181 Tharu mothers were interviewed using semi structured interview schedule. Data processing and analysis was done using SPSS. The study revealed that 99.4% newborns had cord care (cutting, tying and applying nothing or using antiseptic). All newborns were breastfed and given colostrums as first feed but initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of delivery was only 52.5 %. Ninety seven per cent were bathed after 24 hours of delivery. Mothers who knew about newborn care were more likely to practice cord care (OR=0.10, 95% CI=0.02-0.41) in comparison to mothers who do not know about it. Compared to mothers with secondary and primary education, mothers having higher education were breastfeeding within one hour of delivery (OR= 2.06, 95% CI=1.12-3.81). Delaying in bathing was more practiced in institutional deliveries compared to home deliveries (OR= 12.11, 95% CI=1.65-88.64). Overall newborn care practices were acceptable as per the findings of this study. Awareness programs regarding initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of delivery should be strengthening.

Background: Life style related behavioral risk factors are mainly implicated for increase burden of cardiovascular diseases. Research related to these risk behaviors especially among adolescents is essential considering their role as future citizens of the country.

Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure of COVID-19 available at present, but its success depends on the global accessibility of vaccines and the willingness of people to be vaccinated. As the vaccination rollouts are increasing worldwide, it is important to assess public perception and willingness towards vaccination, so that the aim of mass vaccination will be successful. This study aimed to understand public perception towards COVID-19 vaccines and their willingness to get vaccinated in Nepal. This cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 1196 residents of Nepal in August 2021; most of the participants of this online survey were young adults (18–47 years) with university-level education. A total of 64.5% (771/1196) of the participants perceived COVID-19 vaccines to be safe and risk-free, while 68.6% (820/1196) agreed that vaccination would be efficient in the fight against this pandemic. Most of the participants (841/1196, 70.3%) disagreed that people are getting COVID-19 vaccines easily in Nepal, while they agree with the prioritization of older adults and healthcare workers for vaccination. A total of 61.1% (731/1196) of the participants had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Among the unvaccinated, 93.3% (434/465) were willing to get vaccinated when their turn came. The higher confidence of younger adults in vaccines and the vaccination process is encouraging, as that can help educate others who are hesitant or are not positive towards the idea of receiving vaccines. Dissemination of correct and current information, acquisition of enough doses of vaccines, and equitable distribution of vaccines will be required to achieve successful completion of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Nepal.

This community-based study is aimed at finding out the prevalence of depression, and its correlates among adolescents of rural Nepal. Data were collected among adolescents after multistage stratified proportionate random sampling by using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess the depression among adolescent. Chi-square test and logistic regression model were applied. The prevalence of depression was found to be 27%. Adolescents who were not satisfied with their academic performance were 2.4 times more likely to have the risk of depression ( AOR = 2.417 , CI: 1.097-5.326). Likewise, tobacco users were almost fourteen times ( AOR = 13.858 , CI: 2.090-91.90), who intended to harm themselves were two times ( AOR = 2.323 , CI: 1.078-5.005), sleep deprivation were fifteen folds ( AOR = 14.911 , CI: 7.376-30.145), often scolded by their parents was almost three times ( AOR = 2.931 , CI: 1.195-7.436), and having poor relationship with friends were 2.4 times more likely ( AOR = 2.371 , CI: 1.078-5.215) of having depression. Sleep deprivation has a long-term negative impact on health leading depression.