Background The National Family Planning program of Nepal has introduced the condom as an important family planning method. Despite the continuous effort from the public and private sectors at various levels, its use among youth remains low. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the factors associated with condom use during the last sexual intercourse among male college youth. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study and analyzed the responses of 361 male college youth (aged 19 to 24 years who reported being sexually active preceding six months of the survey), among the 903 participants who reported being involved in vaginal and anal sexual intercourse. The chi-square test was primarily used to find the associated factors and then, stepwise logistic regression was performed by selecting the covariates after the multicollinearity test followed by adjustment of confounders. Results We found that more than one-fourth (27.4%) of the sexually active male youth had used the condoms during their last sexual intercourse. Postgraduate male youth were four times more likely to use the condoms during the last sexual intercourse than undergraduate male youth (AOR = 4.09, 95% CI; 2.08–8.06). Similarly, married youth were less likely to use the condoms during the last sexual intercourse with 95% lower odds than their counterparts (AOR = 0.05, 95% CI; 0.01–0.38). Male youth with adequate knowledge about the condoms were 8 times more likely to use them compared to those with inadequate knowledge (AOR = 8.42, 95% CI; 4.34–16.33). Likewise, male youth with favorable attitude towards the condoms were 2.5 times more likely to use them compared to their counterparts (AOR = 2.58, 95% CI; 1.23–5.42). Similarly, male youth having two or more sex partners were 4.5 times more likely to use the condoms than the youth having only a sex partner (AOR = 4.57, 95% CI; 2.38–8.76). Conclusion The study concluded that slightly more than one-fourth (27.4%) of male college youth in Kaski district used the condoms during their last sexual intercourse. Level of education, marital status, knowledge about condoms, attitude toward condoms, and number of sex partners are the determinants of condom use among male college youth so recommended for early behavioral interventions, especially in knowledge and attitude. Further studies focusing on including the rural youth and larger geography may help to reach a firmer conclusion.

ObjectiveHealth Technology Assessment (HTA) is a comprehensive and important tool for assessment and decision-making in public health and healthcare practice. It is recommended by the WHO and has been applied in practice in many countries, mostly the developed ones. HTA might be an important tool to achieve universal health coverage (UHC), especially beneficial to low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). Even though the Package for Essential Non-communicable Diseases (PEN) has already been initiated, there is a clear policy gap in the HTA of any health device, service, or procedure, including the assessment of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in Nepal. Hence, we carried out the review to document the HTA supported evidence of hypertension and diabetes screening, as CVRFs in Nepal.Materials and methodsWe searched in PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar, along with some gray literature published in the last 6 years (2016–2021) in a systematic way with a controlled vocabulary using a well-designed and pilot tested search strategy, screened them, and a total of 53 articles and reports that matched the screening criteria were included for the review. We then, extracted the data in a pre-designed MS-Excel format, first in one, and then, from it, in two, with more specific data.ResultsOf 53 included studies, we reported the prevalence and/or proportion of hypertension and diabetes with various denominators. Furthermore, HTA-related findings such as cost, validity, alternative tool or technology, awareness, and intervention effectiveness have been documented and discussed further, however, not summarized due to their sparingness.ConclusionOverall, the prevalence of DM (4.4–18.8%) and HTN (17.2–70.0%) was reported in most studies, with a few, covering other aspects of HTA of DM/HTN. A national policy for establishing an HTA agency and some immediately implementable actions are highly recommended.

Introduction: Young people are the important group for addressing sexual and reproductive health of Nepal as the proportion of youth is nearly a fifth of the total population. The issue of youth’s sexual behavior and its consequences is a concern for every generation and it is likely to continue to be a challenge in the future. The study aimed to assess the sexual behavior and its associated factors among male college youths of Pokhara, Nepal. Methods: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted among the 801 male youths of 16 colleges of Pokhara metropolitan. Probability proportional to size sampling was used as sampling strategy. A structured, pretested and sealed self-administered questionnaire was distributed among the 967 participants. The association between sexual behavior and the explanatory variables were assessed using chi square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The study revealed that the substantial proportion (45.1%) of the male college youths had indulged in sexual intercourse. Nearly two third (60.4%) of the sexually active respondents had two or more than two partners. Similarly,more than half (51.61%) of those who were involved in sexual intercourse with commercial sex worker had not used condom at an every act of sexual intercourse. Age of the respondents (AOR=3.20, 95% CI; 1.06-9.66), permanent residence (AOR=2.38,95% CI;1.55-3.68), living arrangement (AOR=1.71 ,95% CI; 1.13-2.58) and dependent for income (AOR= 0.39,95% CI; 0.24-0.63) were significantly associated with having sexual intercourse. Conclusions: The younger male college youths living with friends, relatives or alone in temporary residences were sexually more active than their counterparts.

Introduction: Job satisfaction has been identified as key factor of health worker retention and turnover in Low and middle income countries. In Nepal, only 55% of the health workers were satisfied with their current jobs. There is limited amount of literature in the areas related to factors affecting job satisfaction. This study aimed to assess the level of   job satisfaction and its associated factors among PHC level health workers in Kaski district. Methodology: Health facility based cross sectional, quantitative study was conducted collecting quantitative data from all PHC level health facilities (3 Primary Health Care Center and 45 Health Posts) health workers of Kaski district, Nepal through face to face interview. The perceived 12 item job satisfaction scale was developed and used to identify job satisfaction. The association between the independent and outcome variable was analyzed by using chi square test. Results: The results showed two-third (66%) of PHC level health workers were satisfied with their current jobs in overall job satisfaction at Kaski district. The study showed that Health Assistant were more satisfied than Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery and Auxiliary Health Workers. Sex (OR=1.80, 95%CI=1.0-3.26), level of working post (OR= 2.62,95%CI=.1.44-4.77) salary (OR= 3.96,95%CI=2.07-7.57) ,pension (OR=3.96, 95%CI=2.07-7.57)  training (OR=5.01, 95%CI=2.66-9.39) , opportunity for promotion (OR=2.80, 95%CI=1.54-5.09) , reward provision (OR=3.63,95% CI=1.94-6.77) and role in decision making OR=5.08,95% CI=2.34-11.04) were found to be significantly associated with overall job satisfaction. Conclusion: Two- third of the PHC level health workers of Kaski district were found to be satisfied with their job. Responsible bodies need to make provisions to improve the job satisfaction level of health professional so as to improve the healthcare services of PHCCS and HPs. Key words: Job satisfaction, Health workers, Primary health care level

World Health Organization declared Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) that was originated from Wuhan, China as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The world is facing unprecedented test due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The scenario of Nepal reflects that in present condition where country is fighting with COVID- 19, safe pregnancy is not guaranteed and fear of challenges to ensure the lives of mother and children is seen among pregnant women. In particular, this has been especially major problem for pregnant women, who fear not only for themselves but often even more so for their unborn infants. Three Nepali mothers still die daily at childbirth and at least 24 women had died of birth-related complications during first two months of lockdown in Nepal. The situation is worse in remote areas where hospitals are few and far between and communities are coupled with a lack of awareness about reproductive healthcare. Thus, Nepal government should seriously address these issues because it is said that the pregnant women are the vulnerable groups during emergencies, disaster and disease outbreak. Also living in a healthy environment is ascribed as a right of people in the constitution of Nepal 2015.