Background: Family planning services in the post-partum period, termed post-partum family planning (PPFP) is critical to cover the unmet need for contraception, especially when institutional delivery rates have increased. However, the intention to choose PPFP methods such as post-partum intrauterine devices (PPIUD) remains low in countries such as Nepal. Community health workers such as Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) could play an important role in improving the service coverage of PPFP in Nepal. However, their knowledge of PPFP and community-based services related to PPFP remain unclear. This study aims to assess the effect on communitybased PPFP services by improving FCHV's knowledge through orientation on PPFP. Methods: We conducted this mixed-methods study in Morang District in Nepal. The intervention involved orientation of FCHVs on PPFP methods. We collected quantitative data from three sources; via a survey of FCHVs that assessed their knowledge before and after the intervention, from their monthly reporting forms on counseling coverage of women at different stages of pregnancy from the communities, and by interviewing mothers in their immediate post-partum period in two selected hospitals. We also conducted six focus group discussions with the FCHVs to understand their perception of PPFP and the intervention. We performed descriptive and multivariable analyses for quantitative results and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Results: In total, 230 FCHVs participated in the intervention and their knowledge of PPFP improved significantly after it. The intervention was the only factor significantly associated with their improved knowledge (adjusted odds ratio = 24, P < 0.001) in the multivariable analysis. FCHVs were able to counsel 83.3% of 1872 mothers at different stages of pregnancy in the communities. In the two hospitals, the proportion of mothers in their immediate postpartum period whom reported they were counseled by FCHVs during their pregnancy increased. It improved from 7% before the intervention to 18.1% (P < 0.001) after the intervention. The qualitative findings suggested that the intervention improved their knowledge in providing PPFP counseling. Conclusion: The orientation improved the FCHV's knowledge of PPFP and their community-based counseling. Follow-up studies are needed to assess the longer term effect of the FCHV's role in improving community-based PPFP services.

Background The use of post-partum family planning (PPFP) methods such as post-partum intrauterine device (PPIUD) in general remains low despite its benefits for the women. The reasons or factors affecting the uptake and continuation of such PPFP methods in developing countries such as Nepal remains unclear. This qualitative research aims to explore the factors affecting PPIUD uptake and continuation related behaviors among post-partum mothers within 6 weeks of childbirth in Nepal. Methods This qualitative study was conducted through 43 in-depth interviews among post-partum mothers who delivered in 3 selected hospitals in Nepal. Data were analyzed through content analysis using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as the theoretical framework. Results The themes and categories were structured around the three major components of the TPB on attitude, subjective norms, and behavioral control. Majority of the women in this study, irrespective of their behavioral outcome expressed a positive attitude towards PPIUD use. However, the women who expressed an unfavorable attitude towards PPIUD influenced their behavior to not choose or discontinue PPIUD. Subjective norms such as the family, peer, and societal influences against PPIUD negatively affected the women’s intention and behavior related to PPIUD. Whereas, the positive influence of the health providers positively affected their behavior. Regarding the behavior control, women who had their own control over decisions tended to use PPIUD. However, external factors such as their husband’s preference or medical conditions also played a prominent role in preventing many to use PPIUD despite their positive intentions. Conclusion As suggested in TPB, this study shows that multiple factors that are interlinked affected the behaviors related to uptake and continuation of PPIUD. The attitude helped in s`haping intention but did not always lead to the behavioral outcome of PPIUD uptake and continuation. Subjective norms had a strong influence on both intention and behavior. Behavior control belief also had an important role in the outcome with respect to PPIUD uptake and continuation. Thus, a more layered, multidimensional and interlinked intervention is necessary to bring positive behavior changes related to PPIUD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-019-2310-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Aural swabs were collected from 250 patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) (tubotympanic disease). Duration of ear discharge was more than 6 months for culture and sensitivity test. The disease was unilateral in 178 (71.2%) and bilateral in 72 (28.8%) patients. From a total of 322 aural swab cultures, 324 organisms were isolated with predominance of Pseudomonas aerugimosa (36.4%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (30.2%). All the isolated Gram-negative organisms showed in vitro sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, ofloxacin, and gentamycin whereas cloxacillin, ofloxacin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and tetracycline were more effective against Gram-positive isolates. Most isolates were resistant to amoxycillin. It is concluded that ciprofloxacin is preferred to aminoglycosides as an important tool in the treatment of CSOM because of its lower cost, lack of ototoxicity and availability as topical oral preparations.

Background: Annually, 18 million babies are born to mothers 18 years or less. Two thirds of these births take place in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Due to social and biological factors, adolescent mothers have a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes. We conducted this study to assess the incidence, risk factors, maternal and neonatal health consequences among adolescent mothers. Methods: We conducted an observational study in 12 hospitals of Nepal for a period of 12 months. Patient medical record and semi-structured interviews were used to collect demographic information of mothers, intrapartum care and outcomes. The risks of adverse birth outcomes among adolescent compared to adult mothers were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: During the study period, among the total 60,742 deliveries, 7.8% were adolescent mothers. Two third of the adolescent mothers were from disadvantaged ethnic groups, compared to half of adult mothers (66.1% vs 47.8%, p-value< 0.001). One third of the adolescent mothers did not have formal education, while one in nine adult mothers did not have formal education (32.6% vs 14.2%, p-value< 0.001). Compared to adult mothers, adolescent mothers had higher odds of experiencing prolonged labour (aOR-1.56, 95% CI, 1.17-2.10, p-0.003), preterm birth (aOR-1.40, 95% CI, 1.26-1.55, p < 0.001) and of having a baby being small for gestational age (aOR-1.38, 95% CI 1.25-1.52, p < 0.001). The odds of major malformation increased by more than twofold in adolescent mothers compared to adult mothers (aOR-2.66, 95% CI 1.12-6.33, p-0.027). Conclusion: Women from disadvantaged ethnic group have higher risk of being pregnant during adolescent age. Adolescent mothers were more likely to have prolonged labour, a preterm birth, small for gestational age baby and major congenital malformation. Special attention to this high-risk group during pregnancy, labour and delivery is critical.

Reduction in the risk of abdominal dehiscence with application of interrupted method of laparotomy closure and comparison with risk of burst with continuous method of closure. Three hundred forty eight patients undergoing laparotomy (114-elective gynecology, 114-emergency gynecology, 120-emergency surgery) were randomized into three arms to undergo closure with continuous, interrupted-X, and Modified Smead-Jones suturing techniques. Burst abdomen occurring up to 4 weeks of operation. Twenty-nine (8.33 %) of 348 patients developed burst in the post-operative period. 19 (15.70 %) of 121 patients in continuous arm developed burst. Five of 110 (4.55 %) patients in Interrupted-X arm and 5 of 117 (4.27 %) patients in Modified Smead-Jones arm developed burst. Interrupted suturing was associated with significant reduction in risk of burst when compared with continuous closure. Important predictors of burst were Intraperitoneal sepsis, cough, uremia, and surgical site infection.

The present work deals with dynamical system analysis of Interacting f(T) cosmology. Einstein field equations are second order non-linear differential equations. So it is very difficult to solve them analytically. We can draw the vector field and analyze the stability of the universe in different phase by dynamical system analysis. By suitable transformation of variables the Einstein field equations are converted to an autonomous system. The critical points are determined and the stability of the equilibrium points are examined by center manifold theory. Possible bifurcation scenarios have also been explained.

Unsafe obstetric practices were identified, especially the injudicious use of oxytocic drugs and fundal pressure in prolonged second stage. Several achievable improvements in obstetric care are recommended, particularly aimed at reducing the delay in women reaching emergency obstetric care when labour is prolonged.

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