Banke District Research Articles

Fish Marketing System in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, Banke Lumbini Province, Nepal

The fish market is an active and complex industry that involves the purchasing and marketing of fish and related products. It is a crucial part of the comprehensive food system, providing a valuable source of protein and other essential nutrients to humans. The present study was carried out in the Nepalgunj sub-metropolitan city in Banke district, well known for fish varieties and traditional recipes. A total of 72 respondents including shopkeepers and workers from 25 shops were interviewed based on a semi-structured questionnaire, which included marketing structure, literacy of fish traders, knowledge of fish preservation and sanitation, resource preference, transportation system, demand & trade, and constraints of fish marketing. The study reported 14 fish species and one Penaeus species belonging to arthropods, also considered locally as a fish variety and imported to the Nepalgunj fish market as ‘Jhinggemachha’. The fish marketing system in Nepalgunj was reported poor and unsystematic in the lack of proper market infrastructure and facilities. The local government should develop a proper plan to monitor and improve the market hygiene and quality of products in the current fish marketing system.

Genetic Variability for Growth and Yield Traits in Rice

Genetic variability is necessary for any crop breeding program to develop superior varieties. The objective was to estimate the genetic variability for growth and yield traits. The experiment was carried out at Baijanath-4, Banke district, Province no. 5 Nepal during June to November, 2019. Eleven rice genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Days to flowering, days to maturity, panicle length, plant height, number of panicle per hill, number of tiller perhill, grain yield and thousand grain weights were found significant. Moreover, number of panicle perhill having high heritability (79%) have maximum genotypic coefficient of variation (29.03). Further, thousand grain weight, grain yield, plant height need to be considered as effective traits for breeding material selection. PB 1509 was declared superior genotype among aromatic genotype and also found as effective genotype with short height, more thousand grain weight, higher yield potential than compare to check HH1. Thus, the exploitation of PB1509 in further yield trial will contribute to National Rice Breeding Programs of Nepal.

Assessment of Late Sown Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes under High Temperature Stress Conditions

In recent years, climate change has led to an increase in extreme weather conditions, including high-temperature stress. High temperature stress is the term for an increase in temperature (> 30°C) following anthesis during grain development. Wheat is particularly vulnerable to high temperature stress, and its productivity is severely affected. With the objective of identifying wheat genotypes tolerant to heat stress in terms of grain yield, a total of fifty wheat genotypes were evaluated under heat stress conditions at Directorate of Agricultural Research, Lumbini Province, Khajura, Banke in 2021/22. There was highly significant difference (<0.001) among genotypes for yield. The association between the grain yield (GY) and the biomass yield (BM), thousand grain weight (TGW), and spike number per meter square (SPMS), was highly significant and positive. The highest harvest index value of 0.59 and the highest grain yield were achieved from 20HTWYT#36 (4133 kg/ha), followed by Bandganga (3992 kg/ha), 20HTWYT#23 (3978 kg/ha), 20HTWYT#11 (3943 kg/ha), and 20HTWYT#05 (3758 kg/ha) exhibiting higher tolerance to high temperature stress and indicating the potential for this genotypes to be used as domain specific varieties suitable for heat stress conditions of Banke district and forbreeding climate resilient varieties in the future.

Dhakeri-Bange Syndrome in Goats: A Clinical-laboratory Investigation

An outbreak of syndrome of unknown etiology associated with the feeding of moldy dry forage and green fodder among goats in Dhakeri village of Banke District on October-November 2008. Goats suddenly became ill with symptoms of knuckling of the fetlocks of the pelvic limbs, with no apparent ataxia or flexor weakness. Weight bearing was possible while the digits were extended, but with knuckling, weight was supported on the dorsal surface of the foot. The more severely affected goats were paraplegic and recumbent. Anorexia, apathy, diarrhea and ruminal stasis, flaccid posterior paralysis, hindlegs stretched forward both side of abdomin, paralysis of all four legs, head bented to sides, aimlessly head and rear shaking .On clinical examination based on history these goats were provisionally diagnosed as Dhakeri-Bange as being called locally and Endemic Mycotic polyneuropathy syndrome as seen first time in Nepal due to moldy forage/fodder poisoning in natural pasture were treated with Antidegnala liquor. On mycological and microbiological examination of tissue samples from post-mortem of dead goat and forage/fodder samples from pasture and goats feeding stalls on respective medium revealed the growth of fungal pathogens like Aspergillus and Penicillium spp with E. coli. These results provide circumstantial evidence that feeding of moldy forages and green fodder leaves infected by Penicillium and Aspergillus spp may cause outbreaks of a systemic Mycosis in these goats.

A Study to Evaluate the Role of Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 4 (SFRP4) as a Potential Novel Biomarker of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

ABSTRACT Background: A new inflammation mediator called secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4), was recently found, the secretion of which is regulated by interleukin-1β. SFRP4 as a potential biomarker of early β-cell dysfunction can help to identify high-risk individuals who are going to develop diabetes in the future. It is highly expressed in β-cells of islets and its levels increase several years before diabetes diagnosis. Objectives: This study was conducted with an objective to estimate and correlate SFRP4 in pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and non-diabetes persons, and evaluate the predictive risk assessment of SFRP4 as a novel biomarker. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, a total of 300 human participants were included among which 100 were prediabetic, 100 were diabetic, and 100 were age- and gender-matched control individuals from a community, all of whom were selected through a predesigned screening questionnaire and inclusion and exclusion criteria from January 2020 to January 2022 in Banke district, Nepal. Serum SFRP4 and IL-1β levels were determined by ELISA. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting insulin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), two-hour post-load plasma glucose (2hPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), Homeostasis model assessment of β cell function (HOMA-β%), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) between the three groups, with a progressive increase from the normal glucose tolerance (NGT) to impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) groups and with the highest value in the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) groups (P < 0.05). However, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and IL-1β showed a significant difference between the NGT and T2DM groups (P < 0.001) and the NGT and IGT groups (P < 0.001). The median serum SFRP4 concentrations showed a significant difference among three groups (all P < 0.05) and were positively correlated with FPG, HbA1c, hs-CRP, and IL-1 β (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study presumes importance as we report increased SFRP4 levels in Asian Nepalis even at the stage of IGT. These findings propose that the increased serum SFRP4 may be a good biomarker of decline in β-cell function and insulin resistance.

Interactional Techniques Used in Class Opening and Closing in EFL Classes

The present article attempts to investigate the interactional techniques employed by the basic level teachers to begin and end English language classes. For this purpose, 15 English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers who have been teaching English at basic level in Banke district were purposively selected as the participants of the study. The data was collected employing an observational technique. Each of the observed classes was audio recorded and then transcribed. The transcribed data was analyzed based on thematic technique of qualitative data analysis. The findings showed that teachers engaged in several interactional micro actions that were included in the class starting and ending moves. A variety of interactional techniques including greeting students, calling names, checking the assigned homework and phatic communion were found to be used by the teachers to begin the classes. Similarly, interactional techniques such as assigning homework and describing the upcoming lessons were found to be the most common sub-moves used to close the lesson.

Role of Social Media in Health Promotion and Behaviour Change

Social networking is an Internet-based technology that helps its users to promote and modification of health-related behaviour. College students can use social media for many reasons, such as accessing health information, as a source of health education, and finding and sharing health information. The study aimed to find out the existing social media use situation and to analyze the facilitating and impeding factors of social media use among college students for health promotion and behavior change. This study was based on a cross-sectional research design. A total of 409 Bachelor level college students were included in the study from three colleges of the Banke district colleges by using a multistage sampling method. The data were collected by using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed them using SPSS version 20. This study found that 29.4 percent of respondents used Facebook for health communication, and 26.7 percent of respondents used Facebook for watching health -related videos, texts and images . Similarly, the majority of the respondents (79.5%) pointed out that knowledge and skills as one of the motivating / influencing factors of social media use. Based on the present study results, college students use social media to understand and share health information.

Techniques Used by College Level English Teachers to Assess Interactive Speaking: A Phenomenological Study

Interactive speaking is a crucial component of speaking skill. It is essential for effective and successful communication. Assessment of students’ interactive speaking helps teachers to enhance students’ overall speaking proficiency in a second or foreign language. Several techniques can be used to evaluate interactive speaking and the application of techniques may vary according to the forms of speaking. The present article focuses on exploring the techniques used by college level English language teachers to assess the interactive speaking of the students who study major English at the bachelor's level. The study was conducted using qualitative approach and descriptive phenomenology design. The sample population included 13 English language teachers who taught English at affiliated colleges in the Banke district. I used convenience sampling to select the colleges and simple random sampling to select the sample population. The only technique used for collecting data was structured interview. Each of the interviews was recorded using an audio recorder and transcribed verbatim. The data was analyzed using thematic approach to qualitative data analysis. The study revealed that oral question and answer, formal and informal debates, interviews, role plays, and discussion are the most commonly used techniques to assess interactive speaking skill at the college level. The study concluded that the techniques used in assessing interactive speaking may slightly vary depending on the level of the students but the teachers can use these techniques to the students of all levels.

Knowledge Regarding HIV & AIDS among Opioid Substitution Client of Banke, Nepal

The issue of HIV and AIDS in substance and drug users is of significant concern, necessitating interventions to improve knowledge about the disease among individuals undergoing opioid substitution therapy. This study aimed to assess the existing knowledge of HIV and AIDS among opioid substitution therapy clients in the Banke District of Nepal. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 respondents selected using non-probability purposive sampling techniques from the Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program at Bheri Zonal Hospital in Nepal. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview schedule and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicated that 58.0% of respondents recognized HIV and AIDS as a communicable disease, and all respondents identified unsafe sexual contact and intravenous drug use as the primary modes of transmission. Additionally, 96.0% of respondents identified multiple sex partners as a high-risk group, and 100% and 98.0% of respondents recognized that avoiding sharing needles and using condoms during sex, respectively, could prevent transmission. The study also found that the primary source of information for respondents was peer groups. The findings indicate that respondents had a moderate level of knowledge about HIV and AIDS and its treatment. The study also revealed that there were misconceptions and insufficient knowledge regarding HIV and AIDS transmission, prevention, and treatment among intravenous drug users.

QUALITY OF LIFE OF OLDER PEOPLE RESIDING IN A RURAL COMMUNITY AT BANKE DISTRICT, NEPAL

Background: The quality of life of older people reflects their health status and well-being and is an important area of concern for those involved in the care of older people. The objective of the study was to assess the quality of life of older people residing in a rural community at Banke district, Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 older people aged 60 years and above in ward number-3 (Karmona, Radhaypur, and Indrapur) of Janaki rural municipality of Banke district. Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale- BREF. T-test and ANOVA test were used to compare the mean scores of different variables and domains of quality of life. The significance level was set at p <0.05. Results: The mean score and standard deviation of total quality of life were 72.97±6.91. The mean quality of life score was lowest in the psychological domain (63.39±7.11) compared to environment (71.56±7.40), social (77.68±10.49), and physical domains (79.24±12.39). A statistically significant difference was observed on total quality of life scores between age groups (p=.001), sex (p=0.047), marital status (p=.001), occupation (p=.004), educational status (p=.001), living status (p=.007), source of livelihood (p=0.001), and physical health problems (p=.001) of older people. Conclusions: In older people, the psychological domain of quality of life necessitates particular attention along with their environment, social, and physical health.

Socio-Economic Status of Kingariya

Analyzing the socioeconomic situation and current circumstances of the Kingariya community of Dalit Muslims in Puraini, Nepalgunj, was the goal of this study. They are a group of traditional dancers and cultural performers from the upper caste of Muslims. Muslims from the Dalit community work as wage laborers in agriculture and construction. Despite spending a lot of time in the Terai region of Nepal, they are poor and landless. The primary goal of this study is to examine the socioeconomic situation of the Kingariya community in Kingariyanpurwa, Puraini, in the Banke district. In this study, a descriptive and exploratory research design was used. The socioeconomic situation of the Kingariya people is generally described in chronological sequence in this study design. Both primary and secondary data are used in this investigation. Interviews were used to gather primary data from the field survey, while secondary data came from the Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan Office, private agencies, government offices, numerous research publications, and other pertinent literature and websites on the internet. The 26 Dalit Muslim households in this study area make up the study's target population. To determine the socioeconomic status of the dalit Muslim community, a purposeful sample technique was chosen. The small population of Dalit Muslims lives in Puraini, Nepalgunj. In the 56 total households for the household survey, there were 26 Kingariya households, or 50% of all households. The study's conclusion is that Muslims live in a socioeconomically deplorable situation. They are hardworking, straightforward, and illiterate, yet they are also poor. High cast has complete control over them in all aspect of life. The socioeconomic status of the Muslim population has had both positive and negative effects over time.

Teachers’ Experience about the Roles of Classroom Questioning Technique in English Language Teaching: A Narrative Inquiry

The present study aims to investigate secondary level English Language (EL) teachers' lived experiences regarding the role of Classroom Questioning (CQ) strategy in English Language Teaching (ELT). The participants of this narrative inquiry consisted of four EL teachers who have been teaching at four different secondary level community schools in Banke district. I employed convenience sampling to select the schools and purposive sampling to select the participants. The data was collected employing unstructured interview and each of the interviews were audio recorded using an audio recorder. The collected data were transcribed and the findings of the study were presented and analyzed employing the thematic technique of qualitative data analysis. The study's key findings showed that CQ is important for assisting new teachers in the initial stages of their teaching profession with creating interactive classrooms, evaluating students' level of proficiency, determining students’ language learning difficulties, directing the classroom, promoting critical thinking and fostering a democratic environment in the classroom. Based on the results, it is concluded that CQ is an undeniable aspect of classroom interaction and functions as a fundamental and effective for teaching EL.

Workforce Diversity and Its Impact on Organizational Success

This study examines how employee performance in Nepalese commercial banks serves as a proxy for organizational success to determine the benefits of workforce diversity. The study employed a descriptive and causal comparative research methodology to examine the employees of Bank of Kathmandu Ltd., established in Banke and Bardiya District, in order to determine the relationship between dependent factors, such as employee performance, and independent variables (i.e. age diversity, gender diversity, ethnic diversity, and level of education). The study is based on first-hand information. The descriptive design aids in determining the employees' basic backgrounds, and the casual comparative research design aids in determining the impact and connections between each independent variable and dependent variable. The research reveals that all independent variables—including age, gender, ethnicity, and educational attainment—have a statistically significant positive connection with the dependent variable (i.e. organization effectiveness). There are increased chances of establishing organizational success there as each group's diversity grows, and vice versa. Similar to how all independent variables have an effect on dependent variables, such as organization effectiveness, are age diversity, gender diversity, ethnic diversity, and degree of education. As a result, the effectiveness of the organization is influenced by each of the independent variables.

Labour migration: a socio-cultural factor for social transformation in Banke district, Nepal

This study deals with labour migration as a sociocultural factor to transform society and improve human livelihoods. It explores how social transformation is reshaping social systems, social identities, social patterns and practices. Labour migration has been a top choice and household strategy for improving living standards and social status. This study responds to how labour migration is affecting local ethnic communities, in particular, Tharu communities, and how the process of social transformation is restructuring social practices, social identities, social values and norms. This study primarily uses qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of the social transformation restructuring social, cultural and political aspects in the Tharu community. It approaches social transformation to examine the later social structures and human mobilities. The findings clearly show the processes of social transformation reforming the residents’ living standards through the receipts of remittances and technological goods and services. Social identities are also reformed with a realisation of social integration. The socioeconomic status of the migrants’ families has significantly improved. In addition, the existing social practices namely Kamaiyas (Bonded Labourers) and Sukumbasi (Slums) are removed from the Tharu communities. This study can contribute to the government and non-government-led development programs and projects as well as implement new policies and strategies to address migration-related issues in contemporary societies of Nepal and indeed in other regions of the world.

Distribution, Species Composition and Use of Buchanania latifolia in Banke District, Nepal

Distribution, Species Composition and Use of Buchanania latifolia in Banke District, Nepal

Traditional Uses of Medicinal Plants of Tharu Ethnic-community of Banke District, Mid-Western Nepal

The present study had been conducted in the Tharu community of Rapti-Sonari and Duduwa Rural Municipalities of Banke district, which is rich in tradition, culture and ethnobotanical knowledge. The main aim of this study was to document the native medicinal plants and their uses in the treatment of human ailments/problems among the Tharu community of Banke, District. This study was carried out in March, 2021. The ethnomedicinal data were collected using structured and semi-structured questionnaire interview with 20 key informants, older peoples, local healers, and Guruwas. Altogether 28 traditionally used medicinal plants species were recorded belonging to 27 genera and 21 families, among them Fabaceae was the most dominant family. The most frequently used plants parts were leaves and juice which is the most widely preferred mode of remedy. Older peoples, Guruwa and the traditional healers have high knowledge on the medicinal plants and their uses as compared to younger. Different parts of the same plant species were used for the treatment of more than one ailment using a different mode of remedies; it means single plant species was used in the treatment of multiple ailments. Further study should also be carried out on the documented plant species from study area to utilize them in drug development.

Knowledge and practices of modern contraceptives among religious minority (Muslim) women: A cross-sectional study from Southern Nepal.

Uptake of family planning (FP) services could prevent many unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe abortions and avert maternal deaths. However, women, especially from ethnic and religious minorities, have a low practice of contraceptives in Nepal. This study examined the knowledge and practices of modern contraceptive methods among Muslim women in Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 Muslim women in the Khajura Rural Municipality of Banke district. Data were collected using face to face structured interviews. Two outcome variables included i) knowledge of and ii) practices of contraceptives. Knowledge and practice scores were estimated using the list of questions. Using median as a cut-off point, scores were categorised into two categories for each outcome variable (e.g., good knowledge and poor knowledge). Independent variables were several sociodemographic factors. The study employed logistic regression analysis, and odds ratios (OR) were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) at a significance level of p<0.05 (two-tailed). Almost two-thirds (69.2%) of respondents had good knowledge of modern contraceptive methods, but only 47.3% practised these methods. Women of nuclear family (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.38,0.95), and who work in agricultural sector (aOR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.64) were less likely to have good knowledge on modern contraceptives. Women with primary (aOR = 2.59; 95% CI: 1.43, 4.72), secondary and above education (aOR = 4.41; 95% CI:2.02,9.63), women with good knowledge of modern contraceptives (aOR = 2.73; 95% CI: 1.66, 4.51), who ever visited a health facility for FP counselling (aOR = 4.40; 95% CI: 2.58, 7.50) had higher odds of modern contraceptives practices. Muslim women had low use of modern contraceptive methods despite having satisfactory knowledge about them. There is a need for more equitable and focused high-quality FP practices. Targeted interventions are needed to increase the knowledge and practices of contraceptives in the Muslim community. The study highlights the need to target FP interventions among socially disadvantaged women, those living in a nuclear family, and those with poor knowledge of modern contraceptives.

Magnitude and associated factors of postnatal care service utilization among postpartum mothers in Banke district, Nepal

Background: Postnatal care is a care provided to postpartum mothers after the delivery of child for at least 42 days. Postnatal care services play an important role in improving maternal and newborn health and prevent long- term complications. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the utilization of postnatal care services among postpartum mothers in Janaki rural municipality of Banke district. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 postpartum mothers who had children less than 12 months. Proportionate stratified random sampling method was used to reach the sample. Interview schedule as structured questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS v.16. Descriptive statistics was computed to describe socio-demographic profile of participants and factors related to postnatal care utilization. Univariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify the most independent factors related postnatal care utilization. Result: A total of 203 postpartum mothers who had child less than 12 months were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of the low postnatal service utilization was 82%. The mean age with standard deviation of the respondents was 24.55+ 3.95. There was no statistical association between postnatal care utilization and sociodemographic variables. No health service received after delivery (p&lt;0.001) was found statistically significant with low utilization of postnatal care services. Conclusion: The study concluded that low utilization of the postnatal care services was high. Providing awareness on importance of postnatal care services during antenatal care visit and increasing the availability and accessibility of health care to postnatal women is crucial. Strengthening the health services and empowering the mother’s groups to increase postnatal care services is a key intervention to increase services.

Mathematics Achievement of Ethnic Group Students: A Quantitative Study in Banke District

The study investigated the mathematics achievement of ethnic group students. The main objectives of this study were to seek mathematics Achievement of Tharu and Muslim ethnic groups on cognitive level: Knowledge, Skill, Comprehension and Application of grade nine students of Banke district. Achievement test was taken to get the required information. It was taken among 240 students on both ethnic group students. Two tailed t-test at 0.05 level of significance was used to analyze the collected data. The finding of this study shows that the Tharu ethnic group students were found to be significantly better in mathematics than the Muslim students on the Knowledge, Skill, and Comprehension. But there is no significant difference in the Application level in both groups of students.

Health Related Quality of Life of Adult Client Living with Sickle Cell Disease in a Hospital at Banke District, Nepal

Background: Sickle-cell disease is characterized by a modification in the shape of the red blood cell from a smooth shape into a crescent shape. The misshapen cells lack plasticity and can block small blood vessels, impairing blood flow. The purpose of the study was to find out the quality of life of client living with sickle cell disease.&#x0D; Method: A descriptive cross sectional quantitative study design was used. Non probability convenient sampling technique was used for the selection of respondents after conforming hemoglobin electrophoresis report attending out-patient department of Bheri Hospital.&#x0D; Results: A total 143 participants were studied who were at age range of 19 to 40 years with mean age of 30.26±8.42. Almost 81.8% perceived their health was only fair in comparison to past year. In comparison to other people 60.1% participants believe they get sick little easier. The overall quality of life was good in 56% participants. The health related quality of life scores for eight domains are as follows-physical functioning (77.25±18.22), social functioning (58.39±16.77), role limitation due to emotional problem (57.23±33.99), pain (56.43±22.84), role limitation due to physical problem (49.56±29.76), emotional wellbeing (49.59±14.5), Vitality (36.62±16.85) and general health (36.78±19.99).&#x0D; Conclusion: Quality of life of adults with sickle cell disease is better in the domain of physical function in comparison to other domains. The aspect of energy scale indicates poor quality of life. Female and uneducated clients should be focused for improvement in all domains.