Health Issues Among Nepalese Youth: A Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Global child health
• Public health in developing nations
• Pediatric health disparities

Background:

• Nepal faces challenges as a least-developed country, impacting child welfare.
• Nepalese children are disproportionately affected by resource scarcity, leading to poor health.
• School-aged children (over five years) are particularly vulnerable to health inequities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify prevalent health issues among school-aged children in Nepal.
• To examine health inequities faced by this demographic.
• To propose targeted interventions for improving child health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed and Global Health databases.
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select relevant studies.
• Thirty-five full-length articles were reviewed to synthesize findings.

Main Results:

• Inadequate resource distribution is linked to poorer health outcomes in Nepalese children compared to those in developed countries.
• Key identified health issues include diarrheal illness, stunted growth, dental caries, visual impairment, and poor mental health.
• Low health literacy was also noted as a significant concern.

Conclusions:

• Nepalese school-aged children experience a range of health problems stemming from resource inequities.
• Addressing these health issues and inequities is crucial for enhancing the quality of life for children in Nepal.
• Further research and targeted interventions are recommended to mitigate these challenges.