The Level of Peer Pressure in Adolescents in Relation to Demographic Variables in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal

In the present study the researchers have attempted to assess the levels of Peer Pressure among adolescence between the genders along with other factors like age group, order of birth, stream of education, family income group, and parent’s occupation. Among 123 students which include 67 boys and 56 girls who belong to the age group of 16 to 21 years residing in urban population. The questionnaire used to collect the data was ‘Peer Pressure Scale’ which was designed by Sandeep Singh & Sunil Saini (2010). The major findings of the study were Age and by levels of peer pressure revealed that pattern of peer pressure was same for all the age group of adolescents. Birth order and by levels of peer pressure was found to be high among Fourth Born compare to first born, second born and third born adolescents. Family income and by levels of peer pressure revealed that pattern of peer pressure was same for all the family income group of adolescents. Mother’s education and by levels of peer pressure revealed that pattern of peer pressure was same for the entire mother’s education group of adolescents. Mother’s occupation and levels of peer pressure among adolescents revealed that working women adolescent’s children had higher levels of peer pressure compared to their home maker adolescents children. Levels of peer pressure among gender revealed that males had higher levels of peer pressure compared to females. Finally, the implications of the study were found to be adolescents can be educated on the pros and cons of Peer Pressure and how it impacts their choices and decisions and eventually, their life. Also, adolescents can be taught coping skills which will ensure a better and healthy life style for them.

Application of an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in the GIS interface for suitable fire site selection: A case study from Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal

Early smoking is considered an indicator for risky behaviour in adolescents. Although social indicators predicting adolescent smoking are known, biological indicators have not been defined. This study aimed to establish whether salivary testosterone could be used as a "predictive biomarker" for smoking-associated peer pressure. Saliva samples were collected from Bruneian adolescents (aged 13-17 years) by the passive drool method. Salivary testosterone concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Salivary testosterone concentration and smoking-associated peer pressure indicators were compared between adolescent males and females and statistical significance was determined by an independent samples t-test. A significant positive relationship between smoking-associated peer pressure and salivary testosterone levels in adolescents was found. However, this relationship was not significant when males and females were considered separately. Our data suggest that students who have tried cigarette smoking and have friends who are cigarette smokers have higher salivary testosterone levels.

This research aims to explore the importance of accessibility and disability-inclusive urban planning. For this, it analyzes the problems of disabled people, especially physically disabled people, living in Kathmandu Metropolitan City. The review of the literature shows that people with disabilities face a widespread lack of accessibility to build environments, from roads and housing to public buildings and spaces and basic urban services such as sanitation and water, health, education, transportation, and emergency response and resilience programs. Particularly, one of the main problems in Kathmandu Metropolitan City is the inaccessibility of urban public spaces such as sidewalks, bus stops, pedestrian crossings, etc. for people with all kinds of abilities. Persons with disability (PWDs), often struggle with the complexities of the built environment in urban areas that hinder their equal participation in daily activities. So, there is a need for accessibility and disability-inclusive urban planning in Kathmandu metropolitan city.

This article analyzes rural–urban migration and subsequent caste/ethnic diversification in Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) using ward-level (the smallest spatial unit) data from Nepal’s National Population and Housing Census 2011 ( CBS, 2012 ). KMC has 975,453 residents with migrants constituting 57 percent of the population. Almost all caste/ethnic groups (122 out of 125 in total) are present in KMC, with Newar, Brahmins and Chhetris as the largest groups. Eighty-six percent of the migrants are rural-urban migrants. Thirty-five percent of all rural–urban migrants in the country are in KMC. In this study, I examine ethnic diversity using the ethnic diversification index (EDI). The index of 83.7 percent reflects the significant role of migration in urbanization. The diversified landscape also demonstrates distance function, educational differentials and regional segregation of migrants.

This paper delves into the recent eviction of street vendors by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) aimed at ensuring pedestrian mobility rights. The eviction has raised concerns about the livelihoods of street vendors, prompting an exploration of various stakeholder viewpoints. Drawing on Key Informant Interviews and interviews, this research sheds light on the complex interplay of perspectives. Street vendors express satisfaction with the KMC’s effort to clear the roads, yet show apprehension about their compromised livelihoods due to a lack of alternatives. Pedestrians support KMC’s endeavor, acknowledging an enhanced right to unobstructed movement, while expressing empathy for the vendors’ economic struggles. The Nepal Street Vendor Trade Union (NEST) criticizes KMC’s approach and advocates for alternatives that safeguards the vendor’s right to livelihood. KMC justifies its eviction measures as essential for pedestrians’ right to mobility through efficient road management. The study underscores the need for collaborative and communicative efforts among stakeholders to effectively manage the street vendors.

Recent guidelines classified blood pressure above 130/80 mm Hg as hypertension. However, outcome data were lacking. To determine the association between blood pressure in adolescence and the risk for early kidney damage in young adulthood. In this nationwide cohort study, we included 629 168 adolescents aged 16 to 20 who underwent medical examinations before mandatory military service in Israel. We excluded 30 466 adolescents with kidney pathology, hypertension, or missing blood pressure or anthropometric data at study entry. Blood pressure measurements at study entry were categorized according to the Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents: group A (<120/<80 mm Hg; Reference group), group B (120/<80-129/<80 mm Hg), group C (130/80-139/89 mm Hg), and group D (≥140/90 mm Hg). Early kidney damage in young adulthood was defined as albuminuria of ≥30 mg/g with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 60 mL/(min·1.73 m2) or over. Of 598 702 adolescents (54% men), 2004 (0.3%) developed early kidney damage during a mean follow-up of 15.1 (7.2) years. The adjusted hazard ratios for early kidney damage in blood pressure group C were 1.17 (1.03-1.32) and 1.51 (1.22-1.86) among adolescents with lean (body mass index <85th percentile) and high body mass index (body mass index ≥85th percentile), respectively. Corresponding hazard ratios for kidney disease in group D were 1.49 (1.15-1.93) and 1.79 (1.35-2.38) among adolescents with lean and high body mass index, respectively. Blood pressure of ≥130/80 mm Hg was associated with early kidney damage in young adulthood, especially in adolescents with overweight and obesity.

The main objective of this study was to analyze the users’ perception towards the use of electronic payment systems in Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Thespecific objectives were to examine the perception of users related to factors like availabilities, performance benefits, and security and trust association with the use of electronic payment systems. This research is designed descriptively. The sample size in this study was drawn from people residing in Kathmandu metropolitan city 16, Nayabazar, Kathmandu area in which most of the branches of banks were located and convenient for the researcher. Six bank branches with 40 users each were selected altogether 240 and the valid sample size was 220 legitimate responders (91.67% ). Convenience and quota sampling are two non-probability sampling techniques that are used to choose samples from the community. Users in the Kathmandu metropolitan area believed that the e-payment system's availability was adequate overall. Users found the locations of the ATMs to be handy. While users in the Kathmandu metropolitan area were dissatisfied with the availability and functionality of e-payment systems, they were pleased with the many advantages these systems offered. Further, service providers should focus on the responsive e-payment system in order to raise positive users’ perceptions. In the future, the researcher can gather information from supermarkets, shopping centers,and other locations in Nepal, as well as study the use of e-payment systems and their danger in relation to larger or lower volume transactions.

Even though fewer people die as a result of fire than other natural disasters, such as earthquake, flood, landslide, etc., the average loss of property due to fire is high. Kathmandu Metropolitan City is becoming more vulnerable to fire due to haphazard urbanization and increase in population. To control problems due to fire, systematic studies are necessary, including fire potential mapping and risk assessment. This study applies an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal for generation of fire potential zonation map. The fire potential zonation map is prepared on the basis of available data of land use, fuel stations, and population density. This map shows that 58.04% of the study area falls under low fire potential zone, 32.92% falls under moderate fire potential zone and 9.04% falls under high fire potential zone. The map is also validated through major past fire incidents. The results show that the predicted fire potential zones are found to be in good agreement with past fire incidents, and, hence, the map can be used for future land-use planning.

Introduction: Auto mechanics are workers who repair and overhaul cars and other automotive vehicles, or their systems and parts. The main objective of the study was to assess knowledge of occupational hazards and the use of safety measures among automobile repair artisans in Kathmandu Metropolitan City.&#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried among 400 auto mechanics working garages in Kathmandu Metropolitan City. The data collection was done from May 15th to Jun 13th, 2019.&#x0D; Results: Among the 400 respondents, only 31% had adequate knowledge about occupational hazards due to vehicle repairing. Age, educational status, working hours, years of employment and pre-service training were found to be associated with knowledge on hazards. Two-thirds (63.5%) of the surveyed workers knew the use of PPE and this knowledge was statistically significant with age, educational status, working hours and pre-service training. The study showed that only half (53.5%) of the respondents use one or more PPE during their work despite being exposed to lots of hazards in the working area.&#x0D; Conclusion: Knowledge on health hazards was inadequate. Also, there was a difference in knowledge on PPE and its use. So, there is a need to put the knowledge into practice.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mainly cardiovascular conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are the major causes of morbidities and mortalities worldwide, with lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bearing the highest burden. As the UN 25*25 targets near their final year and the Sustainable Development Goals approach their last trimester, NCD cases continue to rise, leaving a significant undiagnosed population submerged in the communities and households. In Nepal, a few initiatives have been made at the health-facility level over the past decade. However, they lack people-centric strategies and community-focused intervention with appropriate working guidelines. This article outlines the three-phase development of a community-level screening program in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, providing structured guidelines for health workers to screen and appropriately refer cases of hypertension, diabetes, and CKD, implemented during the large-scale community-based campaigns across 256 sites in Kathmandu Metropolitan in 2024.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) explicitly focus on responsible use of resources, production, and consumption, which comprises sensible waste management includes SDG 3, 7, 11, and 12. Yet, gaps between policies and current waste management practices are prevailing globally as well as nationally. This article discusses waste management (WM) in Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) with a focus on cleaner technology. Waste management has always been an issue in KMC with almost all wastes being dumped directly to a landfill site. The article aims to points out challenge with current waste management based on literature‐ and document reviews. Further, it introduces and analyses technologies to convert waste into energy and evaluates the applicability of the Asian Develop Bank recommendations for waste management in KMC and suggests strategies toward aligning KMC waste management with Nepal's SDG agenda. Findings indicate that Kathmandu has huge potential for implementing waste to energy technologies, and anaerobic digestion seems one of the most promising technologies. Yet, the city lacks a proper waste treatment infrastructure and would benefit from a systematic alignment of technology, policy, and environmental possibilities and challenges in both analysis, planning, and design.

Introduction: Informal Waste Workers (IWWs) face numerous occupational hazards, including exposure to toxic materials and a lack of safety measures, which can lead to various health issues. This study investigates the prevalence of job-related illnesses among IWWs in Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and identifies the most common types of illnesses experienced. Methods: A mixed-method cross-sectional study was performed. The primary data were collected via a survey of 100 IWWs using snowball sampling from November 2022 to January 2023, covering Itinerant Waste Buyers (IWBs), landfill workers, rag pickers, and scrap center workers. Interviews with key informants, including the head of the Solid Waste Management Association of Nepal (SWMAN), Samyukta Safai Jagaran (SASAJA), and waste collection service providers, were conducted. The data was analyzed using SPSS and ALTAS.ti software. Results: Health issues are prevalent, with 49% of respondents reporting illness in the past year, 69% of which were job-related. Common ailments include headaches, body aches, and fevers. Workers often avoid health checkups due to cost, relying on self-medication. Only 15% received medical benefits from employers, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage was inconsistent, with many reusing gloves found in waste. There was no significant correlation between gender, nationality, and type of waste worker with the likelihood of becoming unwell. Conclusion: IWWs in KMC face numerous job-related health issues which impact their ability to work. Safety concerns, such as lack of proper medical care and inadequate use of PPE, increase their vulnerability.

Urban drainage difficulties have sparked debates and conflicts because of population growth and land use. Expanding urban infrastructure has led to an increase in impermeable zones, which prevent water from seeping into the ground and percolating. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and climate change have put strain on water management in Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). Urban flooding is becoming more frequent, which has a negative impact on daily life and causes major damage. This study assesses the possibilities for controlling runoff volume through stormwater management in Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). To counteract floods brought on by urbanization, pervious concrete, a substance that allows water to seep through floors or seams, is essential. Dosing strategies must be used, concentrating on aggregate content and water/cement ratio (water/cement (w/c)), to obtain acceptable traces. The purpose of this study is to evaluate permeable concrete's effectiveness as a flood-prevention alternative. A review of books, journals, monographic works, and standards is included as part of a bibliographical research project. The strengths of the previous concrete ranged from 2.8 to 28 MPa, according to data gathered after 28 days, falling within the normal range of ACI 522R:06 (2006) and below the normal range of 10 MPa. The porous concrete successfully percolated precipitated water in just a short period, demonstrating its potential as a successful substitute for flood prevention.

Predicting flood events in Kathmandu Metropolitan City under climate change and urbanisation