Our study has demonstrated a very high point prevalence (62.2%) of skin disease in rural Nepal. This study represents the first formal survey of skin disease in Nepal and demonstrates a large burden of disease, in particular treatable infections.

Background Nutrition is believed to be very essential for socio economic development of the country and is an essential component of sustainable development goals. Malnutrition is a major public health problem in Nepal and is more common among under-five year children. Malnutrition among children is complex problem globally, affecting the physical, mental and social development. Objective To estimate the prevalence and explore the associated factors of malnutrition in study population. Method It was a community based cross-sectional study conducted among rural population of Nepal. Wards were selected by simple random sampling technique and household in each ward were selected by systemic random sampling. The mothers of 302 participants aged 12 to 59 months were interviewed for requisite information using pretested questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were taken using standard technique for each participant. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 was used for data analysis. Result The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 36.8%, 37.5%, and 14.6% respectively. We found statistical significant association between underweight and children in lower age group, larger family size, lower level of mother’s education and illness in past one month. Factors that are significantly associated with stunting are children in lower age group, lower level of mother’s education and illness in past one month and wasting is significantly associated with children in lower age group. Conclusion This study showed the prevalence of malnutrition is high in study population. Factors associated with malnutrition were child’s age, family size, mother’s education and illness in past one month.

Introduction: Elderly population is more likely to suffer from malnutrition due to aging-associated factors that influence nutritional status like loss of appetite, swallowing difficulties, digestive problems, and chronic illness. There is insufficient information related to the nutritional status of the elderly in Nepal. Hence, this study aims to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly people living in the rural area of the Kavrepalanchok district. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 elderly people aged ≥60 years in a rural area of Kavre district from August to October 2019. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC-KUSMS: 68/19). Convenient sampling was done. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences version 23. Results: The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition was 37 (11.6%) and 159 (49.7%), respectively. Of 320 elderly persons, 193 (60.3%) males and 127 (39.7%) females, with a mean age of 68.23±7.38 years, participated in this study. The mean BMI was 22.54±3.25 kg/m2 (Mean±SD). The prevalence of malnutrition was higher among females 19 (15%) compared to males 18 (9.3%). Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition is high in the study population. Interventions to improve the nutritional status of the elderly should focus primarily on older people, females, and those who have co-morbidities.

Background Hypertension is a major global public health problem because of its high prevalence as it significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and blindness. Epidemiological shift in prevalence of non-communicable diseases have been observed in Nepal and it is also evident that hypertension and related complications are major contributors to death and disability in Nepal. Objective To estimate the prevalence and explore the associated factors of hypertension in study population. Method A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural population of Nepal with multistage sampling design. A total of 422 participants aged 18 to 65 years of age participated in the study. The information was obtained using pretested questionnaire which included demographic information of individuals and other risk factors like alcohol and tobacco use, physical activity. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure was recorded and hypertension was defined as per JNC VII criteria. Result The overall prevalence of hypertension was 27.7% (male: 32.7%, female: 19.8%). Mean systolic and diastolic BP were 123.79 ± 12.46 mmHg and 81.56 ± 8.32 mmHg, respectively. Age (eldest age group, AOR=4.92: CI: 1.24-19.46), participants with lower level of education (higher education, AOR=0.173: CI: 0.05-0.53), ethnicity (Janajatis, AOR=2.85: CI: 1.44-5.65) and smoking (current smokers, AOR=10.30: CI: 4.39-24.16) are found to be significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion This study showed the prevalence of hypertension is high in study population. Increasing age, low level of education, ethnicity and smoking were independent risk factors for hypertension.