Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background Teamwork and collaboration among students are essential for successful problem-based learning (PBL) implementation; however, many medical colleges in Nepal face obstacles to implementing successful PBL sessions. This action research explored elements affecting teamwork during PBL sessions at Lumbini Medical College in Nepal and developed interventions that could readily be applied to enhance student collaboration. Methods The study employed qualitative methods, collecting data through online open-ended questionnaires from second-year and first-year medical students. Initial data from second-year students identified teamwork challenges, while feedback from first-year students evaluated interventions. Specific interventions were implemented with first-year students, including improved internet connectivity, systematic textbook availability in PBL rooms, structured presentation formats (PechaKucha), and clear role assignments, as second-year students had completed their preclinical phase. The effectiveness of these interventions was evaluated through first-year students’ feedback. Results Thematic analysis revealed three key challenges: communication barriers (including language and technical issues), discrepancies in participation, and differing levels of preparation. Positive feedback from first-year students confirmed that the implemented interventions were successful in improving team dynamics, facilitating more active participation, and enhancing resource utilization. Conclusions Successful implementation of PBL necessitates not only infrastructural support (internet and access to the resources needed to learn) but also pedagogical structure (e.g. clearly defined roles within groups, systematic structures of participation). These findings offer practical guidance for medical educators seeking to enhance PBL effectiveness, particularly in resource-limited settings. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Following the establishment of Nepal’s first medical college in 1972, forensic medicine was introduced in 1978. To date, 25 medical colleges in the country have included forensic medicine as a compulsory subject in the undergraduate medical curriculum. Although this subject has been introduced into the medical curriculum, the outcome is unsatisfactory, as reflected by the poor medico-legal reports prepared by newly graduated medical students. Forensic medicine education is therefore at a critical juncture with challenges while paving the way for opportunities to improve. In this analysis, we examined the current state of forensic medicine education for the undergraduate medical programme in the country. For this purpose, we used Schwab’s five commonplaces in the curriculum. We then evaluated the curriculum from the perspective of Schubert’s curricular image frameworks. We noted significant differences in the curriculum content, teaching methods, and practical training across the curriculum. An acute shortage of qualified teachers, limited resources, and inconsistent curriculum updates have further complicated the situation. The current curriculum does not address cultural sensitivity, which should not be overlooked during medico-legal practices. Following the curriculum evaluation, we find room for improvement and propose recommendations. First, the forensic medicine curriculum should be standardized and uniform to address national needs. There should be uniformity and improvement in practical hands-on training. The manpower should be trained to work in rural settings with limited resources so that the overall justice system of the country can improve. Recent technological advances should be incorporated into the curriculum and interdisciplinary collaboration encouraged. Allocating more scholarship/sponsorship seats for postgraduate programmes and recruiting skilled graduates to be evenly distributed regionally would be important steps toward strengthening the country’s medico-legal proceedings and justice system.

ABSTRACT Background and Aim Forensic odontology utilizes dental morphology to estimate population affinity in medico‐legal cases. This review examines the role of dental traits in human identification, emphasizing their limitations in conclusively estimating ancestry or ethnicity. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted across databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science using key terms ‐ race, ancestry, ethnicity, population affinity and forensic odontology. Literature studying race/ancestry (older studies) and population affinity (newer studies) was reviewed. Results All dental features are characterized by a certain degree of variation across human populations. On one hand, tooth characteristics may seem useful for identifying ancestry and ethnicity. Yet, combining dental traits with other evidence may improve ancestry estimation. Training observers with additional sources and practical skills improves accuracy and produces more reliable results. The observational method, while systematic, risks oversimplifying contextual factors. However, in forensic odontology, the broader social context of this approach must be considered, as it evaluates whether race is a biological notion. Conclusions Traditional terms like race and ancestry should be replaced by population affinity. Future recommendations include developing improved methods to enhance result accuracy.

Background and Aims Healthcare students are expected to lead healthy lives yet they may engage in health risk behaviors (HRBs) like physical inactivity, poor diet, and substance use. These behaviors can have negative consequences for both the individual's health and well‐being, as well as their ability to perform their future roles as healthcare providers. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of HRBs and associated factors among medical and nursing students at Lumbini Medical College, Nepal. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 412 undergraduate healthcare students using a self‐administered questionnaire. HRBs across various domains were assessed. Validated scales screened for anxiety and depression. Regression analyses determined associations between mental health and HRBs. Results Low physical activity was prevalent, with only 10.7% exercising ≥5 times/week. Inadequate fruit/vegetable intake (1–2 servings/day) was reported by 79.9% students. Short sleep duration (5–6 h) on weeknights (51.2%) was common. More than three quarter (76.5%) of students met the screening cutoff score for HRBs. The study highlighted that students with addiction, depression and anxiety are more likely to exhibit HRBs (p < 0.01). Conclusion Multiple HRBs were highly prevalent among the students. A considerable proportion demonstrated a clustering of risky lifestyle factors, which were linked to poor mental health. Interventions should address academic burden, promote positive health behaviors, and target mental well‐being in this vulnerable group.

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Poisoning is a major global public health problem, disproportionately burdensome in low‐resource healthcare settings. The objective of this study was to gain epidemiological insights into poisoning cases at Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital over a period of 5 years. Methods A retrospective cross‐sectional analysis was performed of hospital records and 402 poisoning cases admitted to Lumbini Medical College between January 2019 and May 2024 were analyzed descriptively using SPSS V.27.0. The study meticulously documented a wide range of data, such as patient demographics, types of poisons, contexts for poisoning, clinical presentation, and medical outcomes. Results Of 402 cases, females predominated (61.2%, n = 246), with a median age of 26.5 years (IQR: 18.2–39.2). Pesticides, particularly organophosphates, were the leading agent (57.7%, n = 232), with self‐harm as the primary reason (70.9%, n = 285), often linked to family conflict. Poisoning peaked in the evening, notably among females aged 25–44 years (42.3%, n = 170). Mortality was low (0.2%, n = 1), with 68.7% of patients receiving some form of psychiatric consultation. Conclusions Poisoning primarily involved young, married females using organophosphorus pesticides for self‐harm, often due to family conflict and mental health issues, with most receiving psychiatric consultation.

Background and Aims Despite the decriminalization of abortion in Nepal in 2002, unsafe abortion is still a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Nepal has witnessed a significant drop in abortion‐related severe complications and maternal deaths owing to the legalization of abortion laws, lowered financial costs, and wider accessibility of safe abortion services (SAS). However, various factors such as sociocultural beliefs, financial constraints, geographical difficulties, and stigma act as barriers to the liberal accessibility of SAS. This review aimed to determine key barriers obstructing women's access to lawful, safe abortion care and identify facilitators that have improved access to and quality of abortion services. Methods A systematic search strategy utilizing the databases PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase was used to include studies on the accessibility and safety of abortion services in Nepal. Data were extracted from included studies through close reading. Barriers and facilitators were then categorized into various themes and analyzed. Results Of 223 studies, 112 were duplicates, 73 did not meet the inclusion criteria, and 18 did not align with the research question; thus, 20 studies were included in the review. Various barriers to SAS in Nepal were categorized as economic, geographic, societal, legal/policy, socio‐cultural, health systems, and other factors. Facilitators improving access were categorized as economic/geographic/societal, legal/policy, socio‐cultural, and health systems factors. The patterns and trends of barriers and facilitators were analyzed, grouping them under legal/policy, socio‐cultural, geographic/accessibility, and health systems factors. Conclusion The review identifies financial constraints, unfavorable geography, lack of infrastructure, and social stigmatization as major barriers to SAS. Economics and geography, legalization, improved access, reduced cost and active involvement of auxiliary nurse‐midwives and community health volunteers are key facilitators. Key points The legalization of abortion in Nepal has not ensured universal access to safe services. Stigma, lack of awareness, and negative attitude of providers hamper access. Rural, low‐income women face additional obstacles such as distance, cost and lack of confidentiality.

Firearm related mortality is not frequently encountered in a country like Nepal where there us a stringent law prohibiting buying, selling, carrying or storing of firearms. It is required to have a valid license to have a firearm in possession. Wounds produced by firearm have a typical characteristic the knowledge of which helps to identify the type of firearm used, range of fire, position of the victim and whether the manner of death was homicidal, suicidal or accidental. The present case is a first autopsy-based study from Nepal which discusses the wounds produced by firearm with interpretation of such findings for medicolegal purposes. The present case highlights a social problem where the victim, a psychiatric patient, had no access to prescription medication due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) related lockdown.

Background Estimation of sex of the skeletal remains plays a vital part in the identification of an individual. This study is focused on the morphometric measurements of the foramen magnum region and examining the accuracy of sexual dimorphism in the Nepalese population. Methods Measurements were obtained from 3D computed tomography (CT) scan of 261 Nepalese adult cranial bases with known age and sex. Length and breadth of the foramen magnum, length and breadth of right and left occipital condyles and maximum and minimum intercondylar distance were measured on the base of the skull CT images. Results The mean values for all parameters were higher in males than females except for the maximum intercondylar distance. Sex prediction done with discriminant function analysis could classify the skull with an overall accuracy of 70.5%–71%. Conclusions It can be concluded from the results that the morphometric study of the foramen magnum is less reliable for sex estimation in the Nepalese population.

Background The quality of life (QoL) of a cancer patient is their perception of their physical, functional, psychological, and social well‐being. QoL is one of the most important factors to consider when treating someone with cancer and during follow‐up. The aim of this study was to understand the state of QoL among cancer patients in Bangladesh and to determine the factors that affect it. Methods This cross‐sectional study was conducted on 210 cancer patients who attended the oncology unit of Delta Medical College & Hospital, Dhaka during the period between 1 May 2022 and 31 August 2022. Data were collected using the Bengali version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) questionnaire. Results The study reported a high number of female cancer patients (67.6%), who were married, Muslims by religion, and non‐residents of Dhaka. Breast cancer was more common among women (31.43%), while lung and upper respiratory tract cancer was more prevalent among men (19.05%). The majority of the patients (86.19%) were diagnosed with cancer in the past year. The overall mean score for functional scales was higher for physical functioning (54.92) whereas it was lower for social functioning (38.89). The highest score on the symptom scale was for financial problems (63.02), while the lowest was for diarrhea (33.01). The overall QoL score of cancer patients in the study was 47.98 and it was lower for males (45.71) compared to females (49.10). Conclusions The overall QoL was poor among Bangladeshi cancer patients compared to those in developed countries. A low QoL score was observed for social and emotional functions. Financial difficulty was the main reason behind the lower QoL score on the symptom scale.

Thermal injuries in young children involving the buttocks, perineum, and lower limbs raise suspicion of child abuse. Determining the manner of death and ruling out homicide in a fatal case of scalding remains a challenge for forensic practitioners. In the present article, the medicolegal evaluation in a case of fatal scald injury involving a two-year-old child from rural Nepal is discussed. Young children sustaining serious injuries from scalds is a grave social concern. Such young lives need to be protected from scald injuries whether accidental or purposeful. Differences in injury patterns on the basis of their distribution and their characteristics are important to determine the manner of death in such cases.