Internet addiction is defined as an impulse control disorder, which is very similar to pathological gambling. It is typically characterized by psychomotor agitation, anxiety, craving depression, hostility, substance experience, preoccupation, loss of control, impairment of function, reduced decision-making ability, and constant online surfing despite negative effects on social and psychological welfare. An institutional based cross-sectional study with a sample comprising of 422 college students (15 -19 age group) across Kathmandu District was conducted from November 9 th -23 rd , 2014. Students were assessed with a structured questionnaire and Internet Addiction Test (IAT) scale, which was anonymously selfadministered. The collected data was analyzed with the help of SPSS version 20 and interpreted. This survey depicts internet penetration rate was 97.3%. The possible addicts/internet addict students were found to spent average of 34 hours per week, compared to the 11 hours of average users. Male students were more possible addicts/internet addicts than female students. This survey found statistically significant difference between average users and possible addicts/internet addicts based on their Family Characteristics which consisted of variables such as economic status (p = 0.001), within family relationship (p = 0.009), ownership of computer/laptop at home (p < 0.001) and loneliness level at home (p < 0.001). Based on the interpersonal relationship at college, there was no significant difference between average users and possible/ internet addicts except for the relationship with classmates (p = 0.024). Overall, the prevalence of internet addiction among higher secondary level students according to this survey was found to be 2.57. As a result of IAT scale, the prevalence of internet addiction among higher secondary level students of Kathmandu District according to this survey was found to be 2.57.

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Introduction Children from low-resource settings are more likely to encounter those factors that adversely influence their ability to acquire developmental potential. This study was conducted to assess the developmental status and its associated factors among children under five years of slum areas of Butwal Sub Metropolitan City, Rupandehi, Nepal. Methods and findings We conducted a community-based cross-sectional descriptive study using Developmental Milestone Chart (DMC) among 165 children under five years. Ethical approval was obtained from Ethical Review Board of Nepal Health Research Council. R software was used for data analysis. The association between developmental status and associated factors were examined with Chi-square and followed by logistic regression. Notably, more than half of the children (56.4%) had delayed development across two or more domains of gross motor, fine motor, language/ speech, and social development. Age, sex, socio-economic status, availability of learning materials, the occurrence of infectious diseases, and height-for-age of children were found to be significantly associated with the developmental status of children under study (p<0.05). Conclusions More than half of the children taken under the study had delayed development on different four domains. Findings from the study suggest that there should be similar studies conducted among children living in slum-like conditions. Additionally, programs should be designed as such which aims to mitigate the effect of socio-economic status on child development and has learning and nutritional aspects embedded central to its deliverance.

Background: Since the wave of COVID-19, human life has highly been affected due to government endorsement of containment measures to control the disease. Education system has been held back and students are one of those who are greatly affected. Thus, this study attempts to find out the mental health status of Nepalese students during novel coronavirus Disease (nCOVID-19) pandemic. Methodology: A web-based cross sectional descriptive study was conducted from 9 May to 29 May 2020 among students of Nepal aged 18 years and above. A structured questionnaire was adopted from DASS-21. The obtained data were entered in Epidata v.3.1. and were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive frequency, percent and mean were calculated, and chi-square test was performed for bivariate analysis. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 21.4±2.7 years. This study found optimal mental health status among Nepalese students. Perceived family relationship however, showed statistical significance in all three mental health parameters (p<0.001); depression, anxiety and stress. Depression was found to be comparatively more in females (p<0.05), and those who held Bachelor’s and above degrees have shown presence of anxiety (p<0.05) and stress (p<0.05) relatively than those holding below degrees. Conclusion: Optimal mental health status among Nepalese students was found during the nationwide lockdown. Perceived family relationship however, showed statistical significance in all three mental health parameters. This is a wake-up call for education system to focus on socio-emotional skills – empathy and solidarity in easing this pandemic crisis confronted by young learners and their families.

Introduction: Surgical simulator is a computer based technology used to educate and train medical students and practitioners without the need for a patient, cadaver or an animal model. Touch surgeryTM(TS) is a free of cost smartphone based application used for teaching surgical procedures. The participants in this study were specifically assessed on the increase of their knowledge in the key steps of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after practicing on the smartphone simulator, TS.Methods: A non-randomized controlled trial (uncontrolled longitudinal study) was carried out among 20 final year medical students. Their knowledge on surgical procedure was assessed through a questionnaire prepared regarding the steps of laparoscopic cholecystectomy before and after exposure to TS. Study Variable was the scores to a questionnaire before and after exposure to the surgical simulation.Results: Mean pre-practice score was 25.85 ± 11.05 and mean post practice score was 80 ± 10.62 (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study suggests that the use of TS can increase the knowledge of the students about laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This can definitely be used for teaching students, other surgical procedures.