BackgroundTo promote rational prescribing and appropriate use of drugs, it is important to evaluate the prescription pattern using the World Health Organization (WHO) drug use indicators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prescription patterns and rational prescribing at the private community pharmacies of Biratnagar, Eastern Nepal, using some of the WHO core drug use indicators. Material and MethodsFive private community pharmacies were selected using systemic random sampling. Nine hundred patient encounters from these pharmacies were assessed prospectively for four months from September 2015-December 2015. Data was collected from each patient encounter and were recorded directly into a prescription indicator form. Results Average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 2.14 (n=1930). Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name and from essential drug list was 45.18% (n=872) and 76.11% (n=1469) respectively. Percentage of encounters in which antibiotic and injection was prescribed were 40.44% (n=364) and 3.44% (n=31) respectively. Conclusion Prescribing practices in Eastern Nepal are not up to the standards recommended by WHO. Drug use evaluation can help to ensure whether the antibiotics are appropriately prescribed or not. Poly-pharmacy, excessive use of antibiotics was quite common and concept of generic prescribing and National Essential Medicine List (NEML) was not appreciable. Standard guidelines should be recommended and strictly followed by the prescribers and National Formulary and NEML should be made available in every health institution. Physicians should be emphasized to prescribe medicines from NEML.

Objective: The main objective of the study was to identify various geriatric  otolaryngological problems in mid western part of Nepal.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive hospital based study was done from 1st January 2014 to 1st September 2014 among the all patients 60 years or above visiting the outpatient department of ENT/Emergency department of Nepalgunj Medical College. Data collection was done via interviewing with semi structured Performa with questionnaire. Data was entered in SPSS 17th version and exercised the analysis.Results: Among the total 866 geriatric population, female were 450 while 416 were male. Age ranged from 60 to 96 with average age of 70.3 years. Maximum numbers of elderly were of 60-70 years. Farming was the most common occupation in past. Sixty one percent (289) were smokers or tobacco chewer and 23% (106) consumed alcohol regularly. Majority of elderly had Hypertension as main co morbid condition. Decreased hearing was major complaint (82.6%) which was present for on an average 10.5years. Second leading ear problem was tinnitus (47.7%). Regarding nasal problems, bleeding nose was commonest (21.5%) followed by equal proportion of decreased smelling and nasal blockage (16%, 16.2%). Snoring was the frequent throat problem (58.4%) with average duration of approximately 6 years, followed by day time somnolence (16.6%).Conclusion: Among the ENT problems, hearing problem was the most common problem of these elderly. Nasal bleeding was common nasal problem presented among approximately one fourth of elderly. Among the throat problem snoring was the most prevailing with more than fifty percent occurrence. Occasional aesthetical complaint is very common. Head and neck malignancy was least common in these aged populationsNepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery, Vol. 5, No. 2, 2014, Page: 23-25

Introduction: Rapid spread of COVID-19 has become a major concern worldwide. Strong adherence to preventive measures can help to break the chain of the spread of coronavirus. We conducted this study to find out the extent of information general people of Eastern Nepal have regarding COVID-19 and their attitude and practice towards preventing its spread. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional online study was done among the people of Eastern Nepal on knowledge, attitude, and practice related to COVID-19 from May 1st to May 15th after obtaining ethical clearance from the ethical review board (ERB) (ref no. 319/2020 P). A 20 item survey instrument was adapted using WHO course materials on an emerging COVID-19. A convenience sample method was used. Data were collected and entered in Statistical Packages for Social Services version 11.5. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Among 1069 respondents, the correct answer on the COVID-19 related knowledge questionnaire was 958 (89.61%), 487 (93.11%) were health professionals, and 471 (86.26%) non-health professionals. Preventive measures were strictly followed by 1044 (97.66%) participants. A wrong perception about the disease was present in 390 (36.48%). Health ministry website 356 (33.30%) followed by news media 309 (29%) was the major source of information among the people. Conclusions: Knowledge regarding COVID-19 among people the selected population of eastern is satisfactory which was similar to other studies done. However, people still have misperceptions regarding the disease and do not strictly follow the preventive measures.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin used in clean contaminated ear surgery during the early post operative period.Materials and Methods: It is a longitudinal, prospective study conducted at Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, TUTH from 1st April 2011 to 30th December 2011.  Patient who underwent clean contaminated ear surgery were followed up on 1st, 3rd and 7th post – operative day (POD) and wounds were inspected for any signs of wound infection.Results: 103 patients who under went various clean contaminated ear surgeries were included in this study. Maximum patients were aged 14-29 years. Ciprofloxacin was prescribed to 80 (77.7%) patients and amoxicillin to 23 (20.3%) patients. Overall wound infection was present on 6.2% (5/80) patients receiving ciprofloxacin and on 4.34% (1/23) patients receiving amoxicillin. The  most common procedure performed was MRM (53%). Wound infection was present in 9% (4/44) of patients undergoing MRM under coverage of ciprofloxacin and on 9% (1/11) patients under coverage of amoxicillin.Conclusion: Though the rate of wound infection was more in patient using ciprofloxacin than amoxicillin but it was not statically significant.Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery, Vol. 5, No. 2, 2014, page: 8-10