Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences

Foodborne pathogens contaminating meat products represent a significant public health concern, particularly in regions with suboptimal hygiene standards. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria further complicate treatment options and increase morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the distribution of foodborne bacterial pathogens, their antibiotic susceptibility patterns, and contamination levels in retail meat samples from Kathmandu, Nepal. A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted over six months (October 2023–March 2024) at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences. A total of 80 raw meat samples (40 chicken and 40 buffalo) were collected from retail shops in Kathmandu. Bacterial isolation and identification were performed using standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines. Phenotypic detection of β-lactamase (ESBL, MBL, AmpC) and MRSA was performed. Total viable count (TVC) was determined using the pour plate method. Out of 204 bacterial isolates, Escherichia coli (59, 28.92%) was the predominant isolate, followed by Klebsiella spp. (28, 13.74%), Proteus spp. (26, 12.75%), Citrobacter spp. (19, 9.31%), and Salmonella spp. (16, 7.84%). Among gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus was found in 16 (7.84%) isolates and coagulase-negative staphylococci in 7 (3.43%) isolates. The distribution of MDR isolates was 136 (66.7%). Among gram-negative bacteria (n=181), ESBL producers comprised 5 (2.76%), MBL producers 47 (25.96%), and AmpC producers 36 (19.88%) of isolates. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in 10 (62.5%) of the 16 S. aureus isolates. Mean total viable count was higher in chicken (5.66 log₁₀ CFU/g) compared to buffalo meat (5.64 log₁₀ CFU/g). This study demonstrates a high prevalence of MDR, MBL, and AmpC β-lactamase-producing bacteria in retail meat samples, though ESBL producers were relatively uncommon. These findings underscore the urgent need for stringent hygiene standards and sanitation practices in meat handling and retail environments to ensure consumer safety.

Background Performing artists are exposed to unique occupational stressors, including irregular employment, financial insecurity, competitive work environments, and unstable professional opportunities, which may adversely affect mental well-being. Despite growing recognition of mental health as a public health priority, evidence regarding the mental well-being of performing artists in low-resource settings such as Nepal remains limited. This study aimed to assess mental well-being and identify associated factors among performing artists in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 performing artists, including actors, theatre artists, dancers, and singers, in Kathmandu Metropolitan City between February and March 2025. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling. Data were collected through structured self-administered questionnaires covering socio-demographic, occupational, and behavioral characteristics. Mental well-being was assessed using the 14-item Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. Results The mean age of participants was 27.75 ± 6.00 years, and 70.8% were male. Overall, 83.3% of participants demonstrated mental well-being, while 16.7% had poor mental well-being. In bivariate analysis, weekly working hours (p = 0.030), physical exercise (p = 0.020), satisfaction with work availability (p = 0.002), and access to resources or support (p = 0.036) were significantly associated with mental well-being. However, in multivariable logistic regression, only satisfaction with work availability remained independently associated with mental well-being. Compared with dissatisfied participants, those reporting neutral satisfaction had higher odds of mental well-being (AOR = 2.488, 95% CI: 1.095–5.656), while satisfied participants demonstrated even higher odds (AOR = 3.848, 95% CI: 1.186–12.483). Conclusions Most performing artists demonstrated mental well-being; however, a substantial minority experienced poorer well-being. Satisfaction with work availability emerged as the key independent determinant of mental well-being, underscoring the importance of employment stability and professional opportunities in supporting psychological health among performing artists. Targeted occupational and mental health interventions are warranted to support this population in low-resource settings.

BackgroundPoor nutrition causes ill health and functional dependence in the older population. Different aspects of older people's health and nutritional status are little known in the growing older population in Nepal. This study describes the nutritional status, socio-demographic factors, and health-related characteristics among community-dwelling older people in urban areas of Lalitpur district of Nepal.MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional population-based study among older people aged 60 years and older, in five Village Development Committees (VDCs) around the outskirts of Lalitpur Metropolitan City of Lalitpur district of Nepal. Multi-stage cluster sampling with probability proportional to size was used to select a sample of 360 old aged individuals. Nutritional status was assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool. The data on socio-demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, and health characteristics were presented in percentages, means, and standard deviations. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were performed to assess the associations of variables with malnutrition.ResultsUsing the MNA score, this study found 13% malnutrition and 45% at risk of malnutrition among participants. About 28% of the study population was overweight with a body mass index (BMI) > 25.0. About one-fourth (25.6%) were totally dependent financially on their children. Approximately 62.2% were diagnosed with chronic diseases. Hypertension was the most prevalent disease (26.5%), followed by Diabetes Mellitus. About 28.6% reported insomnia, and 18.6% of individuals reported having chronic pain. Agriculture as an occupation, increased age, hospitalization within a year and having insomnia were significantly associated with nutritional status in bivariate analysis.ConclusionsAbout half of the population had poor nutritional status. Old-aged individuals were suffering from chronic diseases, chronic pain, insomnia, and financial dependency. This study indicates an urgent need to take care of health of the older people with timely intervention at the community and national level.

BACKGROUND:The evolving population demographics, healthcare system, and epidemiological transition have highlighted the need for interdisciplinary teamwork to deliver cost-effective and quality care. Despite its importance, research shows it is not consistently practiced in healthcare settings. This study aims to determine nurses' perceptions of interdisciplinary teamwork in clinical settings. METHODS:A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in selected tertiary hospitals, Kathmandu. Sample size was calculated using Cochrane formula and convenient sampling was used to enroll 216 nurses. Data were collected using a self-administered modified version of the Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Organizational Climate Questionnaire (NP-PCOCQ). Frequnecy, percentage and mean were calculated as well as chi-square test was done for analysis. RESULTS:Among 216 nurses, 56.9% had negative perception of teamwork. The overall item mean score and standard deviation for NP-PCOCQ was 2.66 and 0.383, respectively. Perception regarding nurse-physician relations have the highest mean score and nurse-administrative relations have lowest. The majority of nurses in emergency and medical care had positive perception while those in surgical and critical care had negative perceptions of teamwork. The overall moderate perceptions of teamwork were reflected in the NP-PCOCQ score, highlighting the influence of clinical work environment on nurses' collaborative experiences. CONCLUSIONS:Majority of nurses have negative perception of teamwork with nurse-administrative relations scoring the lowest among subscales. Organizations should create a supportive work environment through strategic planning, effective communication, and regular collaboration to ensure teamwork.

Background and Aims:Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, a condition of fatty infiltration in the liver, is mostly observed in women. Women after menopause are more likely to develop insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and visceral fat storage, which are all recognized to be risk factors for MASLD. Chronic low-grade inflammation in hepatocytes, which is a hallmark of MASLD, may significantly affect bone metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between MASLD and bone markers in postmenopausal women. Methods:The study is a cross-sectional study, carried out in Manmohan Memorial Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu from March 2019 to August 2019. Altogether 105 cases of MASLD and non-MASLD postmenopausal women were included in this study as case and control respectively. Anthropometric measurements were recorded using a standard checklist. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were measured, and statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16. A p value < 0.05 was indicated as statistically significant. Results:The median age of postmenopausal women did not differ significantly between those with and without MASLD (Non-MASLD: 60.0 years, IQR 53.0-69.0; MASLD: 58.0 years, IQR 55.0-65.0; p = 0.66). Similarly, systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP) showed no significant differences between the groups. Women with MASLD, however, exhibited higher anthropometric measurements, including body mass index (BMI: 26.4 vs. 20.3 kg/m²) and waist circumference (WC: 96.5 cm vs. 88.9 cm). Biochemically, median serum calcium levels were significantly lower in women with MASLD (8.9 mg/dL, IQR 8.1-9.7), while median serum phosphorus (4.9 mg/dL, IQR 4.3-6.3) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (197.8 U/L, IQR 166.7-247.5) were significantly higher compared to the non-MASLD group (p < 0.001). Conclusion:This study showed significant changes in bone markers (serum calcium, phosphorus, and ALP) in postmenopausal women with MASLD than those without MASLD. Throughout our study, confounding factors such as BMI and waist circumference have significantly influenced the occurrence of bone disorders.