Biomedical subjects

Surya Raj Niraula

Publications and source records attributed to Surya Raj Niraula.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Critical analysis of performance of medical students.

BACKGROUND: Admission to B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), a health sciences university, depends upon a candidate's academic score in prior education and performance in entrance examination. This study analyzes the performance of the first three classes of MBBS (Bachelor's Degree in Medicine and Surgery) students at different levels, who graduated between 1999 and 2001. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the premedical performance at different levels has any role in medical performance, and to determine the extent to which the factors predict achievement in the medical program. METHODOLOGY: The scores of students at different levels in premedical and medical education, gender and the medium of schooling of 86 medical students were compiled and analyzed. RESULTS: Annual medical performance scores were found to be significantly correlated with each other, but the average MBBS score was not dependent on either high school or entrance examination scores. However, it correlated with intermediate level in science score. Thus, the selection procedure needs to be developed in such a way that the candidates selected by the entrance examination are most likely to perform well in medical school and beyond. IMPLICATIONS: There is a strong need to standardize the entrance selection procedure of MBBS at BPKIHS.

Benchmarking↗

PubMed2004

Tobacco use among women in Dharan, eastern Nepal.

The study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and patterns of tobacco use and also assess the factors affecting tobacco use among the female population of Dharan. A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 2,340 female participants aged 15 years and above was conducted in Dharan municipality in 2001. Cluster sampling with probability proportionate to size technique was used. Of the 2,340 subjects, 12.9% were cigarette smokers and 14.1% were smokeless tobacco users. The smoking habit had a significant relationship with the habit of tobacco chewing. About 50% of the smokers had been continuously smoking for more than 20 years. Smokers aged 50 years and above were more likely to smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day than those at the reproductive age (15-49 years). Health problems among females did not have any significant relationship with tobacco-chewing, but smokers were nearly twice as likely to suffer from any health problem than non-smokers. Gastrointestinal problems were the most common complaint among the tobacco users. An effective awareness programme is required to discourage the use of tobacco and encourage women to take regular health check-ups.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

The relationship of dental extrinsic stains with the concentration of trace elements in water sources in a district of Nepal.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship of dental extrinsic stains (DES) with levels of trace elements in drinking water sources. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study among the population of Madesha VDC. A sample of 551 residents aged between 4 years and above was examined. A questionnaire was prepared to assess the dietary habits, oral hygiene practices, age, period of residency (POR), followed by clinical examination regarding the presence or absence of DES. Water samples were collected and sent for analysis by AAS method for trace elements. RESULTS: The prevalence of DES was 39%. Twenty-eight water samples had Fe levels that exceeded permissible levels and all samples were negative for other trace elements. Stains were associated with POR and levels of Fe in water (P value < 0.001). There was a positive correlation by ward of Fe levels and stain distribution. CONCLUSION: The results revealed an association between DES with age, POR, and Fe levels in water. The positive correlation between stain distribution by ward and levels of Fe in water indicated the causative role of Fe in stains.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Admission eligibility criteria and academic success of the BSc Nursing at BPKIHS, Nepal.

Present study was under taken to evaluate the admission eligibility criteria and academic success of BSc Nursing at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in eastern Nepal. The average BSc Nursing scores were significantly associated with the performance in School Leaving Certificate (SLC), Entrance, BSc I, BSc II, BSc III and BSc IV but not with ISc score.

Certification↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Acute appendicitis: a quality assurance study.

The parameters that indicate the quality of patient care in acute appendicits (AA) were evaluated. One hundred sixty-four patients, who underwent emergency appendectomy (EA) at the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal were studied prospectively. The mean duration of the symptoms was 42.2 +/- 69.5 hours (range 2-720 hours, median 24 hours). The mean waiting period in the hospital was as 12.7 +/- 21.8 hours (range 1-188 hours, median 7 hours). Special investigations' such ultrasonography, computed tomography or laparoscopy, were not used for diagnosis. The perforation rate was 39%. The histopathology report of 79% of the patients was available. Diagnostic accuracy in histologically evaluated patients was 91.5%. One patient (0.6%) died. The mean hospital stay was 3.2 +/- 2.0 days (range 1-17 days). Patients who had to wait in hospital for < 24 hours before surgery had a longer duration of symptoms, underwent exploratory laparotomy through a mid-line incision more frequently, had a higher incidence of perforated/gangrenous appendix and longer hospital stay. The mean medical expenditure for patients treated in the general ward was Nepali Rupees (NR) 2485 +/- 504 (range NR 1372-4500). The majority of patients/guardians (88%-97%) were satisfied with the medical expenditure incurred, promptness of service, behaviour of the hospital staff and the facilities available in the hospital. The diagnostic accuracy and cost of treatment were favourable. The longer duration of symptoms, non-utilization of special investigations for diagnosis, high perforation rate and less than cent-per cent biopsy rate are the aspects that require attention to improve the quality of surgical care.

Acute Disease↗