Background The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding the COVID-19 among frontline healthcare workers (F-HCWs) working at different hospitals in Nepal and to identify the factors significantly associated with KAP. Methods We used a web-based survey, and a convenience sampling method was adopted to collect data from 603 F-HCWs working at different hospitals in Nepal during the first week of June 2020. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to assess the KAP perceived by the F-HCWs. It was divided into 4-parts consisting of 30-items, demographic characteristics (10-items), knowledge (10-items), attitude (5-items), and practice (5-items). It consisted of both multiple-choice questions and Likert scale items questionnaire. Results Among the participants, 76% reported adequate knowledge, 54.7% reported positive attitude, and 78.9% reported appropriate practice. Statistically significant differences regarding the perceived level of knowledge among F-HCWs were observed among independent variables, including age, gender, level of education, marital status, profession, work experience, source of information, infection prevention and control (IPC) training, and online course(p < 0.05). Similarly, statistically significant differences regarding the attitude among F-HCWs were observed among independent variables, including age, gender, level of education, profession, and online course(p < 0.05). Moreover, only 2-independent variables, including the profession and online course, showed statistically significant differences with practice(p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant association between knowledge, attitude and practice at the level of p = 0.01. The factors significantly associated with adequate knowledge were male gender, nurse and doctor, websites and IPC training. Similarly, factors significantly associated with positive attitude were online course related to COVID-19 only. Moreover, factors significantly associated with appropriate practice were master’s degree or above and online course related to COVID-19. Conclusions F-HCWs reported adequate overall knowledge with a positive attitude and adopted the appropriate practice. The experienced F-HCWs with higher education and who received IPC training and online course regarding COVID-19 had better KAP. So, the stakeholders must arrange the educational programs and training for F-HCWs for better preparedness tackling with COVID-19.

Background: The primary aim of this national survey was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice(KAP) regarding the COVID-19 among frontline healthcare workers(F-HCWs) working at different hospitals in Nepal, and the secondary aim was to find the factors associated with KAP. Methods: We used a web-based survey to collect data from 603 F-HCWs working at different hospitals in Nepal during the first week of June 2020. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to assess the KAP perceived by the F-HCWs. It was divided into 4-parts consisting of 30-items, demographic characteristics (10-items), knowledge (10-items), attitude (5-items), and practice (5-items). It consisted of both multiple-choice questions and Likert scale items questionnaire. Results: Among the participants, 76% reported adequate knowledge, 54.7% reported positive attitude, and 78.9% reported appropriate practice. Statistically significant differences regarding the perceived level of knowledge among F-HCWs were observed among independent variables, including age, gender, level of education, marital status, profession, work experience, source of information, infection prevention and control (IPC) training, and online course(p<0.05). Similarly, statistically significant differences regarding the attitude among F-HCWs were observed among independent variables, including age, gender, level of education, profession, and online course(p<0.05). Moreover, only 2-independent variables, including the profession and online course, showed statistically significant differences with practice(p<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant association between knowledge, attitude and practice at the level of p=0.01. The factors significantly associated with adequate knowledge were male gender (aOR: 3.66; 95%CI: 1.97-6.82), nurse and doctor (aOR: 2.10; 95%CI: 1.18-3.72), websites (aOR: 1.83; 95%CI: 1.83 (1.13-2.97) and IPC training (aOR: 1.53; 95%CI: 1.02-2.31). Similarly, factors significantly associated with positive attitude were online course related to COVID-19 (aOR: 1.49; 95%CI: 1.02-2.17) only. Moreover, factors significantly associated with appropriate practice were master’s degree or above (aOR: 0.56; 95%CI: 0.31-1.00) and online course related to COVID-19 (aOR: 2.43; 95%CI: 1.44-4.09) Conclusions: F-HCWs reported adequate overall knowledge with a positive attitude and adopted the appropriate practice.The experienced F-HCWs with higher education and who received IPC training and online course regarding COVID-19 had better KAP. So, the stakeholders must arrange the educational programs and training for F-HCWs for better preparedness tackling with COVID-19.

ObjectivesDespite various challenges, orthopaedic sports surgeons are still providing the arthroscopic service in low-income and middle-income countries like Nepal; however, it is hardly being reported. The main purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and complications of patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in the urban group and that of the rural group.MethodsWe evaluated a total of 194 patients, including 98 patients in the urban group and 96 patients in the rural group, undergoing arthroscopic ACLR between August 2015 and February 2018, and had completed a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Subjective evaluations were performed using the Tegner-Lysolm score and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee evaluation form. Laxity assessments were performed using the Lachman test and the Pivot-shift test. Functional evaluation included the range of motion, single-leg hop test and overall IKDC score. Radiological assessment was performed according to the IKDC guidelines. SPSS was used for data analysis.ResultsThere was statistically significant differences in the subjective assessments between 2 groups. No statistically significant differences existed between 2 groups in terms of laxity and functional assessments. However, the proportion of laxity, in terms of Lachman test and Pivot-shift test, was higher in the young and active individuals and the proportion of abnormal and severely abnormal in all parameters of functional outcomes was higher in the older female in the rural group. Graft failure occurred in 19 (17.6%) knees in the urban group and 17 (16.8%) knees in the rural group. Graft failure in the urban group was higher in young and active male patients, whereas failure in the rural group was more in female patients. Similarly, overall infection occurred in 13 (6.2%) knees, including 5 (2.3%) deep infections and 8 (3.8%) superficial infections.ConclusionWe advised similar rehabilitation protocol for all the patients; however, the outcomes were significantly lower in patients living in rural areas as they are found to have poor compliance with the rehabilitation protocol. The overall graft failure rate was 17.2%; however, the reoperation rate was higher in the urban group than the rural group. The rate of deep infection was higher in the rural group as compared with the urban group.Level of evidenceLevel III, retrospective comparative study.

Background: Selective Nerve Root Block using steroid is a proven technique for management of lumbar radiculopathy. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of selective nerve root block in lumbar radiculopathy.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted for duration of one year in patients diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy. Patients with leg pain, positive straight leg raising test and single level disc prolapse were included in the study. The procedure was performed under fluoroscopic guidance and Visual Analogue Pain rating scale and Oswestry Disability Index score was used for assessment pre-injection, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 1-year post injection.Results: Total 35 patient with mean age of 37.7± 9.31 years were included in the study. The pre-injection Visual Analogue Pain Score(Mean ± S.D:7.8±0.7) was significantly reduced at one week (4.2±1.47, p <0.00001), one month (2.74±1.06, p <0.00001), six months (2.31±0.75, p <0.00001) and one year (2.62±0.84, p <0.00001). Similarly, pre-injection Oswestry Disability Index score (Mean ± S.D: 32.09±5.95) was significantly reduced at one week (19.51±7.26, p <0.00001), one month (12.71±4.56, p <0.00001), six months (9.8±2.87, p <0.00001) and one year (10.09±2.97, p <0.00001) but not significantly improved when compared at 6 months and 1 year (p < 0.44).Conclusions: Selective Nerve Root Block in lumbar radiculopathy significantly reduces Visual Analogue Pain Score up to a year, however, the reduction in pain plateaus around six months.Disability index score only reduces for first 6 months but doesn’t significantly reduce from six months to one year.Keywords: Lumbar; radiculopathy; selective nerve root block; steroid.

Background COVID-19 is currently recognized as an emerging public health problem caused by SARS-CoV-2. Thousands of people around the world have been infected since it appeared the very first time in Wuhan. For any epidemics, FMPs are at high risk of infection, and also become the vector for the disease transmission. Inadequate knowledge has been proven to be the causative factor for disease infection & transmission. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude & practice among FMPs, including doctors, nurses, and other paramedics working in the frontline in the different Hospitals in Nepal. Methods Non-probability convenience sampling technique was used in this cross-sectional study to collect data from 603 FMPs. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to assess the KAP of the FMPs. It was divided into 4-parts consisting of 31-items, demographic characteristics (11-items), knowledge (10-items), attitude (5-items), and practice (5-items). It consisted of both multiple-choice questions and Likert scale items questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results A majority of the participants (76%) reported adequate knowledge. Most of the demographic characteristics, except the place of work, showed significant association with knowledge. About 54.7% of the FMPs demonstrated a positive attitude. Some of the demographic characteristics such as; age, gender, level of education, profession, and online course regarding COVID-19 showed significant association with attitude. A large population (78.9%) displayed appropriate practice, while only two demographic characteristics, profession and online course regarding COVID-19, showed significant association. Pearson correlation showed a significant association between KAP at the level of p < 0.01. Conclusions There was a significant association between KAP among FMPs. The FMPs having higher education showed better knowledge and attitude, but the practice was not affected by their education level. Very few FMPs were involved in IPC training and online courses regarding COVID-19, and they displayed better KAP scores. A higher level of knowledge might be accountable for a better attitude and practice. So, FMPs need to be encouraged and motivated to update knowledge regularly. The government and stakeholders should arrange educational programs and training. Also, FMPs need to be encouraged to use official websites to acquire knowledge.