Determinants of pelvic organ prolapse among the women of the western part of Nepal:a case-control study

AIM: This study was carried out in order to identify the determinants of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) among the women of the western part of Nepal.METHODS: This was a matched case-control study. Cases were defined as women diagnosed with third and fourth degree POP, and the control group consisted of women who were screened and confirmed of not having any degree of POP. Cases (n = 183) and controls (n = 183) were randomly selected and for each case, one control was selected, matched by age and place of residence. A semistructured interview was carried out to obtain the information for both groups. Bivariate analysis along with conditional logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify the association between selected variables with POP.RESULTS: The results showed the significant association between number of vaginal deliveries, tear of vagina in the last childbirth, sphincter damage in the last childbirth and duration of labor in the last childbirth with POP, after adjusting for educational status of the women, carrying heavy loads, type of usual work and incidence of diarrhea.CONCLUSION: The results suggest that prolonged labor along with vaginal delivery having sphincter and vaginal tear are the determinants of POP and program managers should strongly consider these factors to develop interventions targeting the prevention of POP.</p

Situational analysis to inform development of primary care and community-based mental health services for severe mental disorders in Nepal

Abstract Background Nepal is representative of Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) with limited availability of mental health services in rural areas, in which the majority of the population resides. Methods This formative qualitative study explores resources, challenges, and potential barriers to the development and implementation of evidence-based Comprehensive Community-based Mental Health Services (CCMHS) in accordance with the mental health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) for persons with severe mental health disorders and epilepsy. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs, n = 9) and Key-Informant Interviews (KIIs, n = 26) were conducted in a rural district in western Nepal. Qualitative data were coded using the Framework Analysis Method employing QSR NVIVO software. Results Health workers, general community members, and persons living with mental illness typically attributed mental illness to witchcraft, curses, and punishment for sinful acts. Persons with mental illness are often physically bound or locked in structures near their homes. Mental health services in medical settings are not available. Traditional healers are often the first treatment of choice. Primary care workers are limited both by lack of knowledge about mental illness and the inability to prescribe psychotropic medication. Health workers supported upgrading their existing knowledge and skills through mhGAP resources. Health workers lacked familiarity with basic computing and mobile technology, but they supported the introduction of mobile technology for delivering effective mental health services. Persons with mental illness and their family members supported the development of patient support groups for collective organization and advocacy. Stakeholders also supported development of focal community resource persons to aid in mental health service delivery and education. Conclusion Health workers, persons living with mental illness and their families, and other stakeholders identified current gaps and barriers related to mental health services. However, respondents were generally supportive in developing community-based care in rural Nepal