Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 

About: Asian Journal of Medical Sciences is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Diabetes mellitus. It has an ISSN identifier of 2091-0576. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 1050 publications have been published receiving 2976 citations.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Nepalese Residents: A quick online cross-sectional survey

Abstract: Background: Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease It is caused by a novel virus belonging to a family known as corona virus This virus was first identified in the month of December 2019 in Wuhan, China Hubei province Since its first identification it has spread globally It was declared a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020 by WHO Despite all efforts the virus continues to spread and WHO declared it a pandemic on March 11, 2020 In Nepal the first case was tested positive on 23rd January and ever since numbers are increasing as days passed by Residents of the country are the most important stakeholders to control the spread of such viruses Nepal is a land locked country situated between India and China and is one of the vulnerable areas among SAARC nations In spite of being such a vulnerable nation there was a lack of previous studies detecting the degree of awareness among Nepalese residents towards COVID 19 Aims and Objectives: This study aims to assess the current level of awareness towards COVID 19 among Nepalese residents and to analyze their attitudes and practices towards COVID 19 which is very important for people’s active participation to control this pandemic In this study we investigated Nepalese residents KAP towards COVID-19 Material and Methods: This is cross sectional online study A self-developed online questionnaire was completed by the participants There were a total 29 questions among which 15 questions assessed knowledge, 6 questions assessed attitude and remaining 8 questions assessed practice Results: Among the respondents (n=760), 65 7 % were male, 50 3 % were healthcare workers, overall range of correct answers for knowledge questionnaire was 60 0-98 7% %, that for attitude was 77 9-96 4% and for practice was 78 2-95 0 % Participants with a medical degree had statistically significant better practice against COVID 19 compared with the general population Conclusion: Findings of this study show that knowledge among people of Nepal about COVID 19 is satisfactory Yet a significant number of participants are lacking confidence when compared to other countries Better practice against COVID requires a sense of responsibility, though the respondents with medical background had better sense of act against COVID prevention practice [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Asian Journal of Medical Sciences is the property of Manipal Colleges of Medical Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )

Malnutrition of Under-Five Children: Evidence from Bangladesh

Abstract: Objective: The objectives of this study are to describe the differentials and associated risk factors of malnutrition among under-five children in Bangladesh. Material & Methods: The data extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS)-2007. Basic anthropometric variables were used for finding prevalence of anthropometric indices (stunting, wasting and under weight) to assess child’s nutritional statuses. Chi- Square test and Logistic Regression technique were used to find out the significant factors associated with child’s nutritional status. Results: The study results showed the high prevalence of stunting and underweight, for instance 42% and 40% of under-five children were stunted and underweighted respectively. The analyses of the study also revealed that household economic status, mother’s education, father’s education, mother’s antenatal visit (s), mother’s age at birth and mother’s BMI are the most significant factor /determinant s of child’s malnutrition. Conclusion: The magnitude of the Child’s malnutrition still is of great concern in Bangladesh. Significant association between maternal related factors and child’s nutritional status has been found in this study. For improving the nutritional status of children or for getting healthy babies the intervention program(s) must connect not only children but also newly mothers and prospective mothers. Key Words: Anthropometric measurement; Malnutrition; Stunting; Underweight; Wasting DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v2i2.3662 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 2 (2011) 113-119

Antimicrobial Activity of Marine Actinomycete, Nocardiopsis sp. VITSVK 5 (FJ973467)

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to isolate and to indentify the actinomycetes having antagonistic activity. An actinomycetes strain isolated from marine sediment samples collected at the Puducherry coast of India, showed antibacterial activity against selected microbial pathogens. The nutritional requirements and cultural conditions for maximal growth and yield of secondary metabolites have been optimized under shakeflask conditions. The growth and yield of secondary metabolites was maximal with the use of ISP 1 medium supplemented with sea water, pH 7.4, and incubation temperature of 28℃, salt tolerance of 2% and incubation time of 4-7 days. Based on morphological, biochemical, physiological and phylogenetic characterization, the strain was identified as Nocardiopsis sp. VITSVK5 (FJ973467). The petroleum ether extract (1000μg/ml) obtained from the isolate showed significant antibacterial activity against Gram negative bacteria- Escherichia coli (20 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18 mm) and Klebsiella pneumonia (15 mm) and Gram positive bacteria- Enterococcus faecalis (20 mm), Bacillus cereus (13 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (6 mm) when compared with streptomycin (25μg/disc). The ethyl acetate extract (1000μg/ml) showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus (23 mm), Aspergillus flavus (15 mm) and Aspergillus niger (12 mm) when compared with amphotericin-B (25μg/disc). The chloroform extract (1000μg/ml) was very effective against yeasts, Candida cruzi (18 mm), Candida tropicans (15 mm) and Candida albicans (14 mm) when compared to streptomycin (25μg/disc). In conclusion the isolated strain has broad spectrum of antagonistic activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and Aspergillus sp.

Dietary Diversity is Associated with Nutrient Intakes and Nutritional Status of Children in Ghana

Abstract: Objective: The study was conducted with the objective of assessing the possible associations between dietary diversity, nutrient intakes and young child nutritional status in Ghana Material & Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving one hundred mothers with young children between the ages of 6 and 18 months was conducted using a combination of methods Structured interview using questionnaire, dietary assessment and anthropometry were used to collect the data Dietary diversity was assessed by using food group count The WHO (1998) recommended daily nutrient needs from complementary foods for infants receiving average breast milk intakes were used to assess the energy and nutrient content of the diets consumed by the children The WHO (1983) reference was used to assess child nutritional status The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16 in Windows Results: About 16% of the study children were underweight whiles 8% were both stunted and wasted The mean dietary diversity score was 46 Significant differences were observed between dietary diversity groupings and energy/nutrient intakes of the children Generally, as dietary diversity improved, energy and nutrients intakes also in-creased Again, dietary diversity was significantly associated with weight-for-age, length-for-age and weight-for-length As dietary diversity increased, child nutritional status also improved Children who had low dietary diversity exhibited low scores in terms of weight for age, length for age and weight for length Conclusion: High dietary diversity improves energy and nutrients intakes, and hence dietary adequacy, as well as child growth and nutrition Key Words: Dietary Diversity; Nutrient Intakes; Child Nutritional Status DOI: http://dxdoiorg/103126/ajmsv2i24179 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 2 (2011) 105-109

Hepatic encephalopathy in chronic liver disease; predisposing factors in a developing country

Abstract: Objective: To find out the risk factors for developing Hepatic Encephalopathy in patients suffering from Chronic liver disease. Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that is caused by liver damage. In its pathology, alterations in normal brain function are associated with an increase in blood ammonia, benzodiazepine like substances, products of neurotoxic fatty acids, and other gut derived toxins, which gain access to the brain as a result of liver dysfunction. Study Design : Hospital based descriptive, cross sectional study. Setting: Medical Unit 1, Ward- 5, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Duration: July 2013 to December 2013 Patients and Methods: About 150 patients admitted in medical unit 1 with a diagnosis of chronic liver disease in a state of hepatic encephalopathy were included in this study. Patients suffering from viral or bacterial encephalitis, stroke, brain tumor, Wernicke’s encephalopathy were excluded from the study. Results and Observations: There were 96 (64%) female and 54 (36%) were male patients. Mean age of the patients was 52.45 (±12.271) years. 80 (53.33%) patients were having constipation. Infection was found in 55 (36.66%) cases. Upper GI Bleed was present in 51 (34%) patients. 44 (29.33%) patients had moderate to severe electrolyte imbalance as the cause. Constipation alone was the cause in 11.33% of cases. More than one factor was found to be responsible in around 56% of patients while in 6.6% of cases none of these precipitating factors was isolated. Conclusion: Constipation is the commonest cause of hepatic encephalopathy followed by infection, upper GI bleed and electrolyte imbalance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i2.11099 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(2) 2015 36-43