Background:A Population-Based Cancer Registry (PBCR) was set up in Sikkim (a state in the North Eastern India) in 2003. We examined incidence rates by ethnic groups from 2003–2008.Methods:Age-adjusted incidence rates (AARs) per 100 000 person-years were calculated by direct method using the world standard population, and analysed by ethnic group (Bhutia, Rai and other).Result:There were a total of 1148 male and 1063 female cases of cancer between 2003 and 2008 on the Sikkim PBCR. The overall AARs were 89.4 and 99.4 per 100 000 person-years in males and females, respectively. Incidence rates were highest amongst the Bhutia group (AAR=172.4 and 147.4 per 100 000 person-years in males and females, respectively), and the largest difference in rates were observed for stomach cancers with AARs being 12.6 and 4.7 times higher in the Bhutia group compared with other ethnic groups in males and females, respectively.Conclusion:These observations call for further epidemiological investigations and the introduction of screening programmes.

Cancer Screening is a key approach to detect cancer at an early stage and help reduce cancer mortality globally. Inadequate Cancer Literacy may pose a barrier to patient engagement in getting screened for cancer. This study assessed Cancer Screening behavior and its association with Cancer Literacy and other factors among adults of Kaski district, Nepal. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 180 adults from March to August 2019, selected using a multi-stage random sampling method. Data on demographics, history of cancer, use of naturopathy, fatalism, family support, cancer literacy and cancer screening behaviour were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, with the aid of face-to-face interviews. Cancer Literacy was measured using a cancer health literacy tool (CHLT-6), and Cancer Screening behaviour was assessed on the basis of the self reported information about having gone through any type of cancer screening in the past. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was calculated to determine the strength of association using Multivariate Logistic Regression analysis. Only 43.4% of the respondents had Cancer Literacy scores more than the median and only 11.7% had ever gone through any Cancer Screening test in the past. In this study, Cancer Screening behaviour was significantly associated with Cancer Literacy [OR = 1.43, 95% CI (1.01–2.02)]. Similarly, significant association was found between Cancer Screening behaviour and other exposure variables such as age [OR = 1.06, 95% CI (1.02–1.11)] and gender [OR = 0.06, 95% CI (0.01–0.35)]. This study showed low cancer screening and cancer literacy scores amongst the respondents. This suggests that to tackle the ever increasing burden of cancer and hence, to increase cancer screening, we need to focus on improving knowledge and awareness about cancer, as well as, on targeting efforts towards people’s understanding of basic health and cancer terminologies.

Introduction: Perceived risk, preventive behavior and enabling environment play vital role to prevent COVID-19 transmission in health care settings. The study aimed to assess perceived risk, preventive behavior and enabling environment among healthcare workers of different cadre during COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. Methods: A cross sectional online survey was conducted among 427 health workers from April 25 to June 10, 2020. A structured questionnaire was prepared in Google form. Perceived risk was measured using 10 items scale, value ranging from 10 to 50. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed at 5% level of significance. Ethical approval was taken from Nepal Health Research Council. Results: Of total, 49.6% respondents were male; 38.4% were from government organizations and 48.0% were doctors. Mean perceived risk was 31.8, 32.8, 31.3 among doctors, nursing professionals and others respectively; and it did not have significant difference among them. However, significant differences were observed in different items of perceived risk across difference cadre of health workers. Most of the health workers reported practice of preventive behavior always or most of the time. Of total, 5.4% doctors and 6.9% other health workers reported they had sometimes access to soap and water. 11.7% doctors, 7.5% nursing professionals and 7.8% other health workers had sometimes access to hand sanitizer; 18.0% doctors, 10.4% nursing professionals and 12.1% other health workers had sometimes access to face mask. Conclusion: Perceived risk of COVID-19 was high, preventive behavior was satisfactory; but access to enabling environment was poor. Therefore, adequate attention should be given to ensure the availability of protective equipment at work place.

Introduction: Incisional hernia is a common problem after abdominal surgery. Patients present with pain, swelling and intestinal obstruction. It may be repaired by either anatomical suturing or mesh repair. Methods:It is a prospective observational study conducted in Western Regional Hospital and Fewa City Hospital, Pokhara from 2013 to 2016. A total of consecutive 100 patients admitted in these hospitals during the study period were included.Results: Incisional hernia is more common in females (M : F = 1 : 3.8), and in 30 -50 years age group (60%). Major risk factors were wound infection (30%), overweight (25%), and postoperative cough (10%). It is found to be more associated with gynecological (65%), than gastrointestinal operations, and more so with lower abdominal midline incision (65%). It is found to occur mostly within one year (60%) of primary surgery than later. Even 24% of the patients had first symptom within six months. Mesh repair (92%) was the preferred standard surgical treatment for incisional hernia. Conclusion:Overweight females of age range between 30 -50 years with history of gynecological operations by lower abdominal midline incision are more prone to develop incisional hernia. This incidence increases when there is wound infection. Mesh repair is the choice of operation for incisional hernia. John L, ClarkMD.

Background: Excessive screen time has been increasing among children and adolescents globally. The study aimed to find out the prevalence and associated factors of excessive screen time among young children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 5 to 9 years attending schools in Pokhara metropolitan. Face to face interview was conducted with one of the parents of 352 children. The study was carried out from March to October, 2020. Excessive screen time (ST) was defined as >2 hours screen viewing a day. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were applied at 5% level of significance. Results: Of total, 47.4% of children had ST>2 hours a day. Among socio-demographic factors, being a boy (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 1.65; 95% CI,1.05-2.57)), living in nuclear family (AOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.39-0.99) and age of the children (AOR, 1.28; 95% CI,1.03-1.58) were significantly associated with excessive ST. Having television at home, parental ST, offering screen devices to children had increased likelihood of reporting excessive ST. Odds of reporting of excessive ST was 8.97 times higher among those who had one television at home as compared to those who do not have. Excessive ST was more than three times among those children whose parents offered screen devices to make them eat as well as to have free time for the parents themselves. Conclusions: Few socio-demographic characteristics, parental ST and parental offering of screen devices were significantly associated with excessive ST. Interventions should target screen device accessibility and ST related behavior of parents.