Suchergebnisse

Introduction: Exertional heat related illness particularly heat stroke is very common life threatening condition that frequently occur in young military trainee due to high ambient temperature and humidity. Objective: The study was undertaken to identify its outcome in recruits admitted in intensive care units of military tertiary care hospital. Methods: An observational cross-sectional descriptive study was done among those recruits admitted in Intensive Care Unit of military tertiary care hospital with diagnosis of heat related illness from June 2016 to August 2017 A.D. Data based on hospital case records were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Primary outcome studied was mortality. Secondary outcomes studied were length of stay in ICU, hospital and on ventilator. Results: Out of 17 recruits, 12 were diagnosed as heat exhaustion and 5 were diagnosed as heat stroke. SOFA score for heat stroke and heat exhaustion patients ranged from 2-16 and 0- 2 with respective mortality rate 7-95% and 0-7%. APACHE II score for heat stroke and heat exhaustion patients ranged from 5-33 and 0-5 with respective mortality rate 5.80-73% and 0-5.80%. There was no mortality among 12 heat exhaustion patients. Out of 5 heat stroke patients, 3 died with 60% mortality rate. Heat stroke patients had maximum stay of 4 days in ICU, hospital for 5 days and ventilator for 4 days. Conclusion: Exertional heat related illness is common in young military trainee with heat exhaustion and heat stroke being common causes for ICU admission. Heat stroke has higher mortality rate due to multiple organ dysfunction.

Introduction: Hypertension is an important health issue among Military personnel because of their unique nature of duties and services. Unhealthy diet, low intake of fruits and vegetables, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and tobacco, overweight or obesity, family history of hypertension are the risk factors for hypertension. This study aims to identify the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among Military personnel of Nepal Army. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted among 416 serving army personnel posted at four selected military barracks; Dhading, Birgunj, Lamjung and Tanahun with the data collection period from January to June 2020. The civilian population working in Army units, retired army personnel and dependents were excluded from the study. Systematic random sampling was used for the selection of participants. Pre-tested questionnaires, weighing machine, stadiometer, measuring tape, stethoscope and BP set were used as a tool for data collection. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results: Participants had a mean age of 34.46 ± 5.25 years. Prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension was 13.4% and 37.3% respectively. Among the risk factors studied for hypertension; spouse's education, tobacco chewing, history of hypertension in father and being overweight, were found to be statistically significant with p value of 0.047, 0.000, 0.021, and 0.002 respectively. Conclusions: Prevalence of hypertension was less in military personnel compared to other occupational groups. Avoidance of tobacco consumption, awareness on risk factors of non-communicable disease and maintenance of body weight by regular physical exercise could help reduce prevalence of hypertension in military personnel.

Mobile Swab Collection Vehicle is a concept that has been innovated by a team of medical and non-medical personals based upon the dire need to perform throat or nasopharyngeal swab collections to do reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction 'RT-PCR' quickly, safely, and comfortably during this Corona Virus Diseases 2019, 'COVID-19' pandemic in a resource-poor country like Nepal. Inputs from the health care workers, beneficiaries, and engineers have been taken to construct this vehicle-mounted booth for swab collection. This vehicle is the 'first of its kind' in Nepal. Keywords: COVID-19; Nepal; swab collection vehicle

Background: Infectious disease outbreaks following natural disasters are reported in literature. Outbreaks were documented following natural disasters in many countries including Haiti. Such possibility following 2015 Nepal earthquake was a public health concern. Risk factors needed evaluation by post-disaster outbreak investigation. Hence, present study was undertaken to investigate potentials for such outbreak and to generate evidence for public health intervention.Methods: The study was conducted between April – May, 2015, with the cooperation of National Public Health Laboratory, Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Nepal Health Research Council and the Chinese team. Rapid Response Teams visited earthquake affected districts and collected samples for analysis. Syndromic surveillance approach was followed. Samples were collected from syndromic patients under supervision. Those sick prior to earthquake or receiving treatment were excluded. Blood, stool and throat swab samples, as indicated, were collected. Drinking water and food samples including captured live mosquitoes from inhabited areas were obtained for study with the help of EDCD. Laboratory analysis was performed at the NPHL.Results: Total samples were 360 (114 biological, 246 environmental). Salmonella spp. was detected in two and Varicella zoster in one blood sample. Influenza B virus was detected in one throat swab. Rota virus was detected in two, Shigella dysenteriae in one and Salmonella spp. in one stool sample. No pathogen detected in water or food samples. Mosquitoes tested negative for dengue virus.Conclusions: Post-earthquake outbreak investigated in disaster phase-2. Diarrheal, enteric fever pathogens and Influenza B virus were detected. Environmental samples tested negative for pathogens. Vigilance is necessary for other risk factors.