Background: Psychiatric cases are widespread in rural communities of Nepal and there is scarcity of data. The present work was undertaken to study the psychiatric cases and its association with different socio-demographic variables. Methods: A house to house survey was done with simple random method (n=261) in Kusmi Village Development Committee of Baglung District. A semi-structures proforma was used to record the socio-demographic variables and General Health Questinnaire-12 (GHQ-12) was administered to assess the psychiatric cases. Results: The overall prevalence of psychiatric cases was found to be 37.5 percent. The psychiatric cases were found more in age above 30 years, in males and in other caste (Dalit/Nepali). The maximum number of cases was also elicited in unskilled workers, married group and people who were using alcohol. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is high prevalence of psychiatric cases in rural community in Nepal. This also calls the need to strengthen the mental health services in the rural community and to address the risk factors associated with psychiatric cases. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 02 | Number 01 | Jan-Jun 2013 | Page 52-56 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i1.7654

Background: Alcohol use disorders in elderly people are common and associated with considerable morbidity. The objective is to estimate the prevalence of alcohol dependence syndrome among elderly patients attending psychiatric outpatient department of a private hospital in Western region of Nepal. Methods: A total of 80 elderly patients aged 65 years and above who attended the psychiatry outpatient department of Fewa City Hospital and Research Centre, Pokhara, Nepal were included in the study. A semistructured Performa was used to record the sociodemographic variables and the diagnosis was made according to ICD-10 Diagnostic Criteria for Research. Results: Five percent of the samples were diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome. The male to female ratio was 3:1. Conclusion: Results show high rates of alcohol dependence among the elderly population attending the outpatient department of a private hospital in Western Region of Nepal. Keywords: Alcohol dependence syndrome; older adults; psychiatric OPD DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v1i1.5796   Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences. 2012; 1(1): 39-41

Background: Significant numbers of people suffer from color vision defect but most of the time remains an unnoticed problem. The present work was undertaken to study the profile of color vision defects in Western region of Nepal. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, hospital based study conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Western Nepal from January 2012 to December2012. Total of 971 patients were selected by simple random method. In each patient assessment of visual acuity and the examination of anterior segment and posterior segment was done. Color vision was tested by Ishihara Pseudo isochromatic chart. Results: Out of total 971 patients, 501 were males (51.59%) and 470were females (48.40%). Out of this total, 91 (9.37%) had color vision defects. Among the color vision defects patients,68were males (74.72%)and 23 were females (25.27%). Congenital color vision defect was seen in 10.97% of males and 2.97% of females whereas acquired color vision defect was observed in 2.57% of males and 1.91% of females respectively. Color vision defects were observed more in Chhetri (14.38%), followed by Brahmin (10.16%) and Magar caste (9.89%). Conclusion: The prevalence of color vision defect in Nepal is significant. All people should be screened for color vision defect and advised about it so that they can take special care in daily practice as well as in future life Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 03 | Number 01 | January-June 2014 | Page 1-4 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v3i1.10340

Introduction: Pregnancy increases the risk of various psychiatric illness including depression. Such illness can result in prematurity, low birth weight and mother-child bonding. Depression is more common in women who have had negative experiences in previous pregnancies, have prior history of psychiatric disorder or are experiencing stressful life events. Unfortunately, psychiatric disorders among pregnant women are still undiagnosed and untreated, especially in developing country like Nepal. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence and correlates of depression in pregnancy. Material and Method: A cross-sectional, hospital based, descriptive study was conducted among 135 pregnant women attending Manipal Teaching Hospital’s antenatal clinic. Sociodemographic data and relevant clinical variables were collected using a predesigned proforma after obtaining informed written consent. The subjects were interviewed with Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). For the assessment of correlates, regression analysis was carried out. All statistical analyses were done using SPSS v 20.0. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The prevalence of depression was 13.3 % according to BDI with additional 19% fulfilling criteria of mild mood disturbance. Factors such as history of sub fertility, pregnancy-induced illness and presence of domestic violence were found to be statistically significant predictors of depression during pregnancy. Conclusion: Depression can occur frequently among pregnant women. Certain factors can be identified, which further increase the risk of such mental illnesses. Thus, pregnant women who are at high risk such as with pregnancy induced illness, have history of sub fertility, exposed to domestic violence etc., must be identified and diagnosed so that they can be treated timely.

Background: Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) is an important parameter for the detection and monitoring of glaucoma. Central corneal thickness (CCT) can influence the IOP estimated with Goldmann tonometry. A thick cornea overestimates the IOP and thin underestimates it. So, decreased CCT may lead to underdiagnosis and undertreatment of glaucoma and increased CCT may lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of glaucoma. The aim of the study is to identify the factors affecting the CCT in Nepalese population.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study which enrolled 152 subjects from period of January 2009 to May 2010. All subjects underwent ophthalmological examinations. CCT was measured with ultrasonic pachymeter and intraocular pressure was measured with Goldmann applanation tonometer. Results:The mean±SD CCT of right and left eye was 538±32 and 540±30µm respectively. CCT decreased with increasing age. Age and intra ocular pressure was significantly correlated with CCT. There was no significant correlation of gender and ethnicity with CCT.Conclusion: CCT decreased with increasing age. CCT was significantly correlated with age and intra ocular pressure but not with gender and ethnicity.