Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure of COVID-19 available at present, but its success depends on the global accessibility of vaccines and the willingness of people to be vaccinated. As the vaccination rollouts are increasing worldwide, it is important to assess public perception and willingness towards vaccination, so that the aim of mass vaccination will be successful. This study aimed to understand public perception towards COVID-19 vaccines and their willingness to get vaccinated in Nepal. This cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 1196 residents of Nepal in August 2021; most of the participants of this online survey were young adults (18–47 years) with university-level education. A total of 64.5% (771/1196) of the participants perceived COVID-19 vaccines to be safe and risk-free, while 68.6% (820/1196) agreed that vaccination would be efficient in the fight against this pandemic. Most of the participants (841/1196, 70.3%) disagreed that people are getting COVID-19 vaccines easily in Nepal, while they agree with the prioritization of older adults and healthcare workers for vaccination. A total of 61.1% (731/1196) of the participants had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Among the unvaccinated, 93.3% (434/465) were willing to get vaccinated when their turn came. The higher confidence of younger adults in vaccines and the vaccination process is encouraging, as that can help educate others who are hesitant or are not positive towards the idea of receiving vaccines. Dissemination of correct and current information, acquisition of enough doses of vaccines, and equitable distribution of vaccines will be required to achieve successful completion of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Nepal.

Introduction Increasing digital delivery of smoking cessation interventions has resulted in the need to employ novel strategies for remote biochemical verification. This scoping review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate best practices for remote biochemical verification of smoking status. Methods The scientific literature was searched for studies that reported remotely obtained (not in-person) biochemical confirmation of smoking status (i.e., combustible tobacco). A meta-analysis of proportions was conducted to investigate key outcomes, which included rates of returned biological samples and the ratio of biochemically verified to self-reported abstinence rates. Results A total of 82 studies were included. The most common samples were expired air (46%) and saliva (40% of studies), the most common biomarkers were carbon monoxide (48%) and cotinine (44%), and the most common verification methods were video confirmation (37%) and mail-in samples for lab analysis (26%). Mean sample return rates determined by random-effects meta-analysis were 70% for smoking cessation intervention studies without contingency management (CM), 77% for CM studies, and 65% for other studies (e.g., feasibility and secondary analyses). Among smoking cessation intervention studies without CM, self-reported abstinence rates were 21%, biochemically verified abstinence rates were 10%, and 47% of individuals who self-reported abstinence were also biochemically confirmed as abstinent. Conclusions This scoping review suggests that improvements in sample return rates in remote biochemical verification studies of smoking status are needed. Recommendations for reporting standards are provided that may enhance confidence in the validity of reported abstinence rates in remote studies. Implications This scoping review and meta-analysis included studies using remote biochemical verification to determine smoking status. Challenges exist regarding implementation and ensuring high sample return rates. Higher self-reported compared to biochemically verified abstinence rates suggest the possibility that participants in remote studies may be misreporting abstinence or not returning samples for other reasons (e.g., participant burden, inconvenience). Remote biochemical confirmation of self-reported smoking abstinence should be included in smoking cessation studies whenever feasible. However, findings should be considered in the context of challenges to sample return rates. Better reporting guidelines for future studies in this area are needed.

Background and Objectives: Tuberculosis remains one of the major public health problems in Nepal. This study was carried out to assess the Health related Quality of life and Anxiety- Depression level of Tuberculosis patients in Kathmandu.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Urban Direct Observation Treatment Short Course center using 150 study populations. Questionnaires containing socio-demographic characteristics, Self Reporting Questionnaire, Short Forms Health Survey, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. SPSS 20, SF-36 Scoring Software were used for data management.Results: Majority of respondents (57.3%) were male, age group of 21-25 years. Majority of respondents suffered from Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis, gland TB was in higher prevalence (31.3%). Most of the respondents found to poor HRQoL score where only 1.4% female and 1.7% male’s had above average HRQoL. There was no correlation between anxiety, depression, Mental Component Summary and Physical Component Summary score in pulmonary Tuberculosis patients unlike Extra pulmonary Tuberculosis patients, where there was strong correlation between anxiety and depression (r=0.721, p=0.000). There was negative correlation between PCS and MCS (r= -0.232, p= 0.037). There was no association between gender and PCS score on both types of TB patients. At majority of domain of HRQoL male had higher score than female.Conclusion: Co-morbidities of anxiety and depression in tuberculosis patients impact on health-related quality of life.Janaki Medical College Journal of Medical Sciences (2016) Vol. 4 (1): 13-18

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Background: Establishment of accurate diagnosis of participants is vital before starting the development of diagnostic scale. The aim of this study was to develop psychometrically sound Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnostic scale for children. Methods: Informed consent was taken. Initial diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder was made by using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5. Socio-demographic data were obtained. Behavior observation, parental information and teacher’s report were also analyzed. Then, Kiddie-Schedule for Affective disorders and Schizophrenia, Child and Adolescent Symptoms Inventory, Stroop Color and word test were done to obtain confirmatory data. Verbatim collection was done to develop the culture specific items. Likewise, standardization was doneResults: Accurate diagnosis was established with the help of various tools and techniques. Comorbid conditions were excluded. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed where reliability of each item was ? 0.90; whereas, sensitivity and specificity were 97.0% and 96.6%, respectively with cut off score of 38.5. All items are highly co-related with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder items of Child and Adolescent Symptoms Inventory-5.Conclusions: Results clearly indicated that diagnostic accuracy values of this scale is high.Keywords: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; assessment; diagnostic accuracy; specificity-sensitivity