Background Pesticide poisoning is very common in Nepal. Hospital based studies from various parts of Nepal have shown that poisoning with organophosphorus compounds is the most common type of poisoning. Current study is undertaken to see the pattern of organophosphorus poisoning and to identify the common risk factors among the cases. If the risk factors are modifiable, attempts in addressing the risk factors and decreasing the likelihood of poisoning will certainly be fruitful in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with organophosphorus poisoning. Objectives To assess the risk factors of organophosphorus poisoning which is major public health problem in Nepal. Methods A community based retrospective study of 75 cases of organophosphate poisoning who were brought to the emergency department of Dhulikhel hospital over the period of 3 years. Basic information was collected from hospital records and home visits were made to study the risk factors. Data were collected through interviews of the study population and their family members using a pre-designed questionnaire. Results In this study 75 cases and their families were interviewed of which there were 59% males and 42% females (M/F ratio of 1:1.4). The majority (40%) of the poisoning cases were in the age group 25-34 years. Lower literacy level showed positive association with the incidence of poisoning. Occupation wise vast majority (80%) of the cases were engaged in agricultural work. Suicidal attempts by ingesting organophosphate compounds were high in farmers and females. Conclusion In this study, majority of the poisoning were attempts of intentional self harm. Agriculture workers and females are high risk groups and may be associated with the fact that they have easy access to the poison. Interventions directed towards health education, counseling, and enforcement of laws restricting the availability and use of harmful pesticides may help in reducing such events in future. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i2.6284Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(2):31-4
Background Nutrition is believed to be very essential for socio economic development of the country and is an essential component of sustainable development goals. Malnutrition is a major public health problem in Nepal and is more common among under-five year children. Malnutrition among children is complex problem globally, affecting the physical, mental and social development.
Objective To estimate the prevalence and explore the associated factors of malnutrition in study population.
Method It was a community based cross-sectional study conducted among rural population of Nepal. Wards were selected by simple random sampling technique and household in each ward were selected by systemic random sampling. The mothers of 302 participants aged 12 to 59 months were interviewed for requisite information using pretested questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were taken using standard technique for each participant. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 was used for data analysis.
Result The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 36.8%, 37.5%, and 14.6% respectively. We found statistical significant association between underweight and children in lower age group, larger family size, lower level of mother’s education and illness in past one month. Factors that are significantly associated with stunting are children in lower age group, lower level of mother’s education and illness in past one month and wasting is significantly associated with children in lower age group.
Conclusion This study showed the prevalence of malnutrition is high in study population. Factors associated with malnutrition were child’s age, family size, mother’s education and illness in past one month.
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