Background: An expensive care discourages people from using health services. The health insurance policy scheme of the government of Nepal aims to provide quality health care services without a financial burden to its citizens. We aimed to assess its awareness among local people of Dharan and also find its acceptance and association with various demographic variables. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 249 households in 5 wards of Dharan sub-metropolitan city. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, a face-to-face interview was taken either from the financial decision maker/ financial supporter of the family. The socio-demographic characteristics, awareness and perception towards the health insurance policy scheme and its acceptance were assessed. The chi-square test was used to find the association of their awareness with different demographic variables. Results: The majority (70.7%) of the families were aware of the health insurance policy scheme. The most frequent source of knowledge was their friends/ family members (43.7%) followed by insurance service providers (32.4%). Only 36.6% of the families were enrolled in the health insurance policy scheme while 34.1% were not enrolled despite their knowledge about the scheme. Elderly (> 60 years), dependent, those without formal education, or those living below the poverty line were less aware regarding the health insurance policy (p < 0.05). Conclusion: About 29% of families had no idea about health insurance policy scheme and 34.1% were not enrolled in it despite being aware of the scheme. Friends/ family members and insurance service providers were common sources of information.

Background: Tobacco and alcohol are the most prevalent substances in Nepal and their use is becoming a serious health problem. We aimed to find out the prevalence of substance use among youths and assess the association with selected demographic variables. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 813 youths residing in Gadhi Rural Municipality, ward number 1. The youths were selected through total enumerative sampling and eligible candidates were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires on substance use. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Nearly 54% of the youths belonged to the age group 16-25 years and 51.2% were females. Tarai Janajati ethnic group represented 64.2%, and 99.8% were Hindu by religion. The prevalence of substance use was 26.4%. The majority of the youths (62.2%) had started the consumption of substances between the age of 13-20 years. Many (36.2%) had been using the substances for 6-10 years. Almost two-thirds (62.2%) had a family history of substance use. Curiosity was the main reason (29.7%) for the youths to consume the substance. Nearly 37% of the youths were found to be alcohol dependent. Age, sex, ethnicity, and income were significantly associated with substance use (p < 0.05). Conclusion: About one in every four youths was involved in substance use. In addition, it was more prevalent in male youths and the majority had started using substances at the age of 13 to 20 years.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the training needs of public health nurses (PHN) and compare the job performed by them with job descriptions.Materials and MethodsA descriptive study was conducted by utilizing triangulation research method. It was conducted in Eastern and Central regions of Nepal with 13 PHNs (of 13 districts among 75 districts of Nepal) and their supervisors were included as the samples. Data was collected by using standardized tools.ResultsThe mean age of the PHNs was 43.69 ± 9.4 years. Near half (46%) had 10 to 20 years job experienced. Most of the respondents (85%) had done PCL Nursing. All most all (92%) subjects had undergone some in-service education. Most of them (57%) used to visit health posts. The majority of PHNs (85%) assisted in planning and implementation of program for a health post. The Majority (85%) were involved in educational activities. Most (85%) were used to supervise the staffs working at health post. The majority of PHNs (77%) were not involved in research activities. Most of them (85%) prioritized the needs of training on recent concepts to bridge the gap between traditional and recent concepts of public health.ConclusionPHNs have broad areas of nursing expertise and opportunities for work if needed in a sufficient manpower at the district level. Most of them completed PCL nursing a number of years previously and therefore need training on recent advances and need to recruit more PHNs to improve public health services in Nepal.

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