Ethnic Groups Of Nepal Research Articles

Exploring the Sociodemographic Factors and Consequences related to Alcohol Consumption among Older Indigenous Community of a District in Nepal: A Qualitative Study.

Alcoholism is a major global public health concern associated with numerous health conditions. Alcohol use has been a cultural part of several ethnic groups in Nepal. This study aimed to explore the qualitative dimension of alcohol use, its promoting factors, and consequences in Nepalese communities. Qualitative study was conducted among 20 older adults belonging to the Magar community of Mathagadhi Rural Municipality, Lumbini Province, Nepal after acquiring ethical approval from Institutional Review Committee of CiST College (Reference number: 179/078/079). The data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, and themes were identified based on participants' responses to explore promoting factors for alcohol consumption along with its consequences. Traditional beliefs, cultural practices, and socioeconomic factors were the major contributors to alcohol misuse. Increased alcohol consumption during old age was perceived to be associated with body pain, tension, painful life events, and loneliness. A conflicting perception was observed, where some of the participants expressed the need to promote alcohol use as a part of their culture while some shared the view that the use of alcohol as a cultural practice should be limited. This study highlights the need for culturally appropriate interventions to address alcohol misuse among indigenous communities. Interventions should focus on addressing traditional beliefs and cultural practices that normalize alcohol consumption and the social and economic problems associated with alcohol misuse.

Kumari Culture: A Ritualistic and Dialectic Performance

Cultural values and traditions including rites and rituals are the peculiar identities of ethnic groups in Nepal. Newars of Kathmandu valley is one of the indigenous ethnic groups of Nepal with enough prosperity in their unique cultural performances. Every performance in Newari culture, from a typical folklore to native language to the celebration of national Newari festivals, has their own distinguishing features. Among the several aesthetic performances of Newari community is 'Kumari Culture'. In Kathmandu valley, 'Kumari Culture' regards to one of the sacred and idiosyncratic ritual performance where a young girl of age gap between 2-5 belonging to Newar Buddhist community is chosen as the divinity of goddess. The selected 'Kumari', regarded as a living goddess, is then worshipped by entire Nepali citizen. Kumari culture is believed to be originated from ancient Malla reign in the kingdom. Nonetheless, much controversy has arisen regarding Kumari culture in the recent times. Some critics call this culture as a system of child labour whereas, some advocate for the abolishment for its connection to the Royal history. Yet, Kumari culture is a holy form of Newa: Cultural performance that has its own inherent significance. Hence, this paper attempt to examine multi-dimensions of Kumari culture by assessing ritual performances of this culture. Finally, this paper affirms for the recognition of spiritual and dialectical performance of Kumari culture. I would be developing my argument within the fundamental theoretical insights of Richard Schechner and Victor Turner, incorporating the parameters of qualitative analysis.

Efforts of Nepal's Least Developed Countries (LDC) Graduation and Its Challenges

The primary objectives of this study are to examine the initiatives undertaken by the government of Nepal for LDC graduation, identify challenges faced during process, and discuss the potential impact of graduation. This study is based on qualitative analysis of secondary data obtained from diverse domestic and international sources. Major sources include literature reviews, government policies, reports, and international declarations. Comprehensive desk review on the issue shows that Nepal has undertaken a strategic plan for LDC graduation, prioritizing investments in human capital, infrastructure, and healthcare, while addressing income disparities. Nepal has already achieved two requirements; HAI and EVI, and Nepal fell significantly short of the LDC graduation threshold of a per capita GNI. The plan includes achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and progressing from a lower-middle income to an upper-middle-income nation by 2030.Despite progress, Nepal faces challenges in achieving graduation, including political instability, governance issues, and environmental vulnerabilities. The country lags in good governance rankings, which could hinder its development efforts. Nepal's commitment to SDGs is seen as a potential driver for LDC graduation, focusing on sustainability, gender equality, clean energy, job creation, and economic development. Nepal aims to become a high-income country by 2043, emphasizing poverty reduction, trade balance improvement, and overall quality of life enhancement. Leaving the LDC category will bring opportunities but also challenges, including the loss of special market access that was provided to the least developed countries like Nepal. Other challenges may involve growing trade and market capacity and strengthening the global competitiveness of internal production. Internally, intersectional variations of inequalities and poverty among and between regions, castes and ethnic groups in Nepal may generate challenges meeting LDC graduations and its sustainability.

Socio-Demography of Tamang Community in Nepal

Tamang is one of the largest ethnic groups in Nepal. They live scattered all around the country, and they live in the hilly region of the country. This paper highlights the caste, culture and demographic status of the Tamang people of Nepal. This study is based on secondary information which has obtained from the published literature. Tamangs have a rich culture, tradition and religion. They are followers of Bon and Buddhism. Farming is a major source of income. Most of them are dependent on agricultural work. Tamang is socially, economically and educationally back warded ethnic group of the country. The illiteracy rate is still higher than other castes. Also, they have a high rate of school dropouts because of their poor economic family background and poor academic progress. Half of the Tamang children have to work in addition to attending schools; they do not play a significant role to bring change in their social and economic status. They are rich in their language, culture, arts and skill. Tamang's various rites, rituals and skills of painting attract foreigners. Tamang community is socially, economically and educationally back warded. They should be addressed by the considered agency from exploitation and backwards community.

The Anthropology of Enthnationalism: The Politics of Difference

Along with the emergence of Maoist-insurgency in Nepal ethnic awareness pervaded through the society which advanced to the form of movement even it delivered a sharp stroke at the threshold of Constitutional assembly and till it is under tide passion. The project of nation state (re)structuring of federal Nepal is on the progress. This enterprise essentially demands for some common consensus in understanding the contested notions behind the politics of identity versus difference vis-a-vis ethnic nationalism or a liberal concept of civic state before venturing the most controversial debate in searching the federal-strands in order to form a consolidated nation state. Constitutional assembly and the major political parties found largely engaged with talking about people’s ethnicity, their culture and languages as the major constructive principles pivoting around at which the federal nations were conceived. While the constitution of Nepal was announced without identification of its federal provinces because of these undercurrent emotions.
 Ethnic classifications are rather arbitrary, they are changing over time - today's ethnicities are yesterday’s races, and they are different in different countries. While the dubiety on those dimensions to the extent of their nature of fluidity and situational applicability may supply sufficient ground for a clear-cut demarcation of a territorial boundary for any ethnic groups in Nepal. It is equally important to remind to this detail that how the globalized forces of hybridization is taking place. Hybridization is considered a powerful blurring process through which the elements of ethnicity, identity and purity with their boundary limitation becomes indistinct. Further, transnational and supranational context of inescapable globalized processes are of the great significant domains to this concern too.
 In this regard, rendering with some common conceptual references of intellectually satisfying literatures, this paper aims to have recourse in searching common unifying and embracing dimensions of an integral nationalism, a collective overarching Nepalese identity woven within a common national sovereignty through which all the differences and commonalities can be shared, practiced and recognized so that may create pressure to sublimate bare political yearnings and therefore, pleads for the people in public-spheres and the social scientists, intellectuals to broach and share their views.

The Practice of Maṇḍala Art during Tihāra by Newars

Tihāra is celebrated on Aswin krishna paksha trayōdaśī, caturdaśī, and Ashwin krishna aum̐ sī, Kartik śukla paksha pratipadā and dvitīyā by all the ethnic groups of Nepal. Even though Tihāra is known as Yamapañcaka, the Newars call it Swonti Nakha:. Although it is celebrated for five days, the three days – Lakṣmīpūjā, Mhapūjā, and kijāpūjā are celebrated as the main days by the Newar community. During these days, jalamaṇḍala, pōtāymaṇḍala, red powdermaṇḍala, tāymandala, pōtāymaṇḍala, new paddymaṇḍala, black soybeanmaṇḍala, gēdāmāsamaṇḍala, ākhēyamaṇḍala, and the dot oilmaṇḍala are placed at the center, and the eight-petal lotus is placed out of the maṇḍalas. The maṇḍalas and the different items used in Swonti nakha: represent five elements. Buddhists consider a maṇḍala as Saṅghamaṇḍala whereas the Hindus believe that a mandala symbolizes various deities. Although the maṇḍala is made for the purpose of worshiping, no uniformity is seen in its features. As the worshipping is done, a spouse of the patriarch sweeps mandalas by a groom from the top to the bottom which is left that night as it is, and immersed its remains in a holy river the next morning.

Ethnomedicinal landscape: distribution of used medicinal plant species in Nepal

BackgroundThe risk of losing traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and their use and conservation is very high. Documenting knowledge on distribution and use of medicinal plants by different ethnic groups and at spatial scale on a single platform is important from a conservation planning and management perspective. The sustainable use, continuous practice, and safeguarding of traditional knowledge are essential. Communication of such knowledge among scientists and policy makers at local and global level is equally important, as the available information at present is limited and scattered in Nepal.MethodsIn this paper, we aimed to address these shortcomings by cataloguing medicinal plants used by indigenous ethnic groups in Nepal through a systematic review of over 275 pertinent publications published between 1975 and July 2021. The review was complemented by field visits made in 21 districts. We determined the ethnomedicinal plants hotspots across the country and depicted them in heatmaps.ResultsThe heatmaps show spatial hotspots and sites of poor ethnomedicinal plant use documentation, which is useful for evaluating the interaction of geographical and ethnobotanical variables. Mid-hills and mountainous areas of Nepal hold the highest number of medicinal plant species in use, which could be possibly associated with the presence of higher human population and diverse ethnic groups in these areas.ConclusionGiven the increasing concern about losing medicinal plants due to changing ecological, social, and climatic conditions, the results of this paper may be important for better understanding of how medicinal plants in use are distributed across the country and often linked to specific ethnic groups.

Illegal trade in pangolins in Nepal: Extent and network

There are two species of pangolins –Chinese (Manis pentadactyla) and Indian (M. crassicaudata) – in Nepal. Despite being one of the most illegally traded group of mammals in the world, there is scant information on pangolin trade in Nepal. We synthesized nation-wide information on pangolin seizures for 2015–2020 period to elucidate extent and network of illegal pangolin trade in Nepal. We recorded a total of 56 pangolin seizures in Nepal in 2015–2020 period. Pangolin scales were confiscated in all 56 seizures totaling to 154.12 kg along with confiscation of live and dead pangolins, and whole pangolin hide in some seizures. That amount of scales would have fetched up to $19,922 in local market and the price could reach up to $116,993 in an international black market. At least 209 pangolins could have been killed and illegally traded in Nepal between 2015 and 2020. Pangolin trade is widespread throughout Nepal with seizures recorded from almost a quarter of all 77 districts and almost third of 61 districts where pangolins are found. Most seizures occurred in country’s capital Kathmandu (n = 29). Additionally, we identified districts adjoining Kathmandu, and districts bordering Nepal-China and Nepal-India as major routes and points in pangolin trade network. A total of 95 people were involved in pangolin poaching that included local residents from 26 districts in Nepal. The pool of convicts was dominated by males and Nepali nationals between 20 and 30 years old. Most major ethnic groups in Nepal were involved in pangolin trade with the highest involvement of people from the Tamang ethnicity (36%). Presence of pangolins is reported from all 18 districts from where seizures were recorded and 26 districts from where convicts originated suggesting active involvement of locals in pangolin poaching and trafficking. We have generated baseline information on illegal pangolin trade in Nepal for 2015–2020. We expect that this information will be helpful to law enforcement agencies to curb existing pangolin trade in Nepal.

Bolton tooth size discrepancy among different malocclusion groups in two different ethnic groups of Nepalese population

Introduction: The tooth size ratios may vary among different ethnic groups and different malocclusion groups. The objective of this study is to see the tooth size discrepancies in two major ethnic groups of Nepal; Indo-Aryans and Tibeto-Burmans and different malocclusion groups and compare it with the Bolton’s study. Materials and Method: The anterior and overall ratios were compared between Indo-Aryans and Tibeto-Burmans according to different malocclusion groups with Bolton’s study with one sample t-test. The differences in ratios in ethnic groups and gender were seen with one sample t-test. The differences in mesio-distal tooth width amongst the two ethnic groups were seen. One sample ANOVA was used to see any correlation between the ethnic groups and the different malocclusion groups. Result: The anterior ratio and overall ratio in Indo- Aryans and Tibeto-Burmans in all the malocclusion groups were greater than the Bolton’s study but was not statistically significant. There was significant differences in anterior ratio between Indo-Aryans (77.63 + 2.74%) and Tibeto-Burmans (78.51 + 2.76%), p value= 0.024. There were no statistical significant differences in the anterior and overall ratio amongst males and females. The mesio-distal tooth size was greater in Tibeto-Burmans as compared to Indo-Aryans expect for maxillary right and left central incisors. Conclusion: The Tibeto-Burmans had higher anterior ratio as compared to Indo-Aryans. The Tibeto-Burmans had broader teeth as compared to Indo-Aryans except for maxillary central incisors.

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME: A COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO ETHNIC GROUPS PRESENTING TO TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN NEPAL

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea is a common problem with many health-related con­sequences. Factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, obesity, upper airway anatomy are risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea. This study was aimed to compare the pattern of obstructive sleep apnea between two ethnic groups of Nepal in a tertiary care center. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the patients with obstructive sleep apnea at Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Seventy patients between the age of 18 to 65 years diagnosed as obstructive sleep apnea were included in the study by using convenience sampling method. The patients were divided into Aryan and Mongol group. Data was presented in the form of mean, standard deviation, median and interquartile range. Chi-square, student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. Results: Out of 70 patients, 35 patients were Aryan group and 35 in the Mongol group. Male pa­tients were predominantly present in both the groups. Patients were more in the age group of 41- 60 years. Enlarged tonsils were present in 15 (42.9%) of Aryans and 14 (40.0%) of Mongols. Among that, grade 2 tonsil, 8 (22.9%) was present in majority of both Aryans and Mongols. There was statistically significant association observed between Aryan group and Modified Mallampati score. Conclusions: Obstructive sleep apnea has variation among the ethnicity. However, in this study only significant difference between Modified Mallampati Score and ethnicity as observed.

Relationship of Kusunda to other Caste and Ethnic groups of Nepal

The endangered ethnic community Kusunda primarily resides in the western and mid-western part in Tanahu, Gorkha, Arghakhachi, Kapilwastu, Pyuthan, Rolpa, Dang, and Surkhet districts of Nepal. It is smallest ethnic groups, according to the census of 2011, which has the total number of population 23. But from the field study, they have 151 population and 40 households. Then language, cultural traditions, traditional knowledge and technologies are on the verge of extinction. Now they have been formulating new cultural codes, dress, festivals and trying to adapt to new environment by establishing the relationship to other caste/ethnic groups of Nepal. This article mainly concerns Kusunda people and their relationships to other caste and ethnic groups of Nepal.

Perceived Social Support and its Influence on Motivation to Change Drinking Behavior: An Observation from Kathmandu, Nepal

ABSTRACT In the context of traditional use of alcohol among various ethnic groups in Nepal, there appears to be a need to better understand if perceived social support provided by family and friends aids in the recovery process. The objective of the study was to examine the association between perceived social support and the motivation to change drinking behavior among 225 consenting male patients who screened positive for alcohol use disorder (AUD) in eight alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers in Kathmandu, Nepal. The results of the study concluded that more than 50% were ambivalent toward the process of change and indicated that social support is likely to benefit those in the recovery process by improving their motivation to change.

Identification of CCR5 Δ32 Allele in Different Ethnic Groups of Nepal

The chemokine receptor CCR5 exhibits an important role for the CD-4 mediated entry of HIV-1. Previous studies revealed that Δ32 mutation on the CCR5 gene results in truncated protein and hence confers protection against HIV-1 infection and AIDS progression, as observed in Caucasian population. However, the status of Δ32 mutation on CCR5 is still unknown in many Nepali ethnic groups though detection of heterozygous CCR5 Δ32 mutation allele has been reported from Chidimar and Thakali ethnic groups. We studied the presence of the Δ32 mutation in 300 blood samples from 11 ethnic groups of Nepal by analyzing PCR product of CCR5 gene region flanking the Δ32 mutation region. The primer set (forward -5’ CTC CCA GGA ATC ATC TTT ACC 3’ and reverse - 5’ TCA TTT CGA CAC CGA AGC AG 3’) flanks the site of the Δ32 deletion region of CCR5 gene. This results in a PCR fragment of 200 base pairs for the CCR5 wild allele and 168 base pairs for a Δ32 deletion mutation allele. All samples were found to exhibit wild type CCR5 gene; but no Δ32 mutation observed. Absence of Δ32 mutation in CCR5 gene indicates that Nepali population is not genetically resistant to HIV infection, if other genes are not considered.

A Study of Salty Processed Food Consumption Pattern among Different Ethnic Group in Patient with Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer is the fourth most frequently occurring malignancy, after lung, breast and colorectal cancer, and the second most common cause of death from cancer worldwide. The global incidence of gastric cancer shows wide geographic variation with a 15-20 fold difference between high and low incidence region. Therefore the prevention of gastric cancer represents one of the most important aspects of any cancer control strategy around the world. From the hospital based data in Nepal gastric cancer is the third most common cancer in males and the sixth common cancer in females. An observational hospital based descriptive study was carried out in the Oncology Unit of (NMCTH) from 2013-2018 on relationship between salty processed food consumption and increased possibility of development of gastric cancer in different ethnic groups of Nepal. Fifty-four diagnosed gastric cancer patients were enrolled and their dietary habits were extensively looked into. Of these 55.6% (30) were males and 44.4% (24) were females. The patient’s age ranged between 25-75 years and the peak incidence was in age group 41-60 years. The habit of consumption of smoked meat was higher (77.8%) than the consumption of packed food and fermented food. Tibeto-mongoloid ethnicity was found to have more prevalence (64.8%) to gastric cancer. The common site of presentation of gastric cancer was at the antrum (44.4%) and tubular adenocarcinoma was the most common type. It was the Tibeto-mongoloids whose food habit pattern comprised of major consumption of salty processed food and having more preference for salty processed food in daily life had increased high risk of gastric cancer than the other ethnic groups. This concludes that food consumption pattern play a critical role in the incidence of gastric cancer and dietary modification to reduce salt and salted food is a practical strategy with which gastric cancer risk can be prevented in these high risk ethnic group of Nepal.

Human skin bacterial flora differ with altitudes in different ethnic groups of Nepal

Background: Largest organ of human body, the skin, is colonized by millions of microorganisms, most of which are not only harmless but also beneficial to the host. Human skin microbes depend upon geographical variations, ethnicity and various host factors. Despite several studies on human skin microbiota in various parts of the globe, it has not been studied in Nepalese population.
 Aims and Objective: To identify skin bacterial normal flora in different ethnic groups residing in different altitude of Nepal.
 Materials and Methods: We cultured skin swabs of 166 randomly selected volunteers belonging to 10 major ethnic groups from 3 distinct geographical altitudes of Nepal, viz. Bharatpur (415 m from sea level), Kathmandu (1,400 m from sea level) and Lukla (2,860 m from sea level). The isolated organisms were characterized and tested for their susceptibility against different antibiotics.
 Results: Altogether 231 bacterial isolates were characterized from 166 skin samples. Among them, 140 isolates (60.60 %) were Gram positive and 91 isolates (39.40 %) were Gram negative bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus (35.49%) was the most dominant skin bacterial flora followed by Escherichia coli (22.51%) and Streptococcus spp. (17.75%). Medium altitude Kathmandu exhibited the highest growth (120 isolates) followed by low land Bharatpur (66 isolates) and high land Lukla (51 isolates) which is statistically significant (p value =0.0124). Theantibiotic susceptibility testing against 14 antibiotics exhibited the Gram positive isolates were the most sensitive to Imipenem (94.93 %) whereas the least sensitive to Cephalexin (31.36 %) and the Gram negative isolates were the most sensitive to Amikacin (100%) whereas the least sensitive to Amoxycillin (28.57 %).
 Conclusion: Our data indicates that the skin bacterial normal flora; which is directly exposed to external environment; has significant relationship with altitudes where individuals live. The result desires further study for the adaptability of normal flora found in different altitudes. Some bacterial commensals were found resistant even against new generations of antibiotics as well, and hence can cause life-threatening infections if they happen to cross the skin physical barrier.

Diversity in human major histocompatibility genes among ethnic groups of Nepal

Diversity in human major histocompatibility genes among ethnic groups of Nepal

People’s perception on parasitic plants : helping humans, harming plants?

Parasitic plants have a rich ethnobotanical heritage in Nepal. They are harvested for use in medicine, traded as material and invoked during a variety of rituals by practitioners from the low plains to the high Himalayas. However in spite of their local importance, these plant species have received little attention from ethno-biologists due to their unique, often misunderstood, biology. This study seeks to expand the current ethnobotanical knowledge by not only documenting Nepal’s parasitic flora but by also providing insight into how these plants are used and perceived in Nepal’s biologically and culturally diverse environment. Ethnobotanical data for this research was collected using the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) methods among 52 respondents from different ethnic groups of Nepal (4 districts). A total of 20 plants species from five parasitic families were recorded and identified as ethnobotanical uses. They are 13 species of Mistletoe, 3 species of Dodder with 1 variety, 2 species in Balanophoraceae and 1 species in Orobanchaceae. The perceived knowledge of indigenous people led to the hypothesis Doctrine of Signature. With this information, Nepal’s burgeoning state can begin targeting and managing these plant species through agricultural, community forestry and conservation policy.

Perceived Usefulness of a Microfinance Intervention on Health Awareness and Practices in Nepal.

Economic constraints may lead to poor health among people from the developing world. Microfinance has proven to be useful in improving health outcomes elsewhere, but it still remains a neglected issue in Nepal. This study aims to assess perceived usefulness of the microfinance on health awareness and practices among different ethnic groups of Nepal. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four districts of western Nepal. A total of 500 microfinance clients representing different ethnic groups (upper caste, aadibasi and janajati, and dalit) were selected by using systemic random sampling. Health awareness and practices among different ethnic groups were compared by logistic regression after adjustment for age, level of education, sex of household heads, occupation, and place of residence. Since participants were asked about their health awareness and practices, before and after microfinance intervention, during a single interview, there was a strong possibility of recall bias with respect to their preintervention awareness and other measures. Microfinance intervention positively influenced self-reported health awareness and practices among different ethnic groups in Nepal, which was highest among the upper caste group (77-92%, rate ratios around 1.7-2.6), followed by the aadibasi/janajati (60-76%, rate ratios around 1.4-1.8) and dalit group (33-52%, reference group). Self-reported awareness about environment and sanitation, family planning methods, and available health services at local level improved from 11.2 to 69.2, 9.2 to 65.0, and 3.8 to 59.8%, respectively, among the clients after microfinance intervention (p < 0.001). Similarly, the practices of eating nutritious food/balanced diet, drinking safe water, using toilet, immunizing the children, and regularly visiting the healthcare facility were improved from 4.2 to 63.8, 12.6 to 66.8, 15.2 to 70.4, 15.8 to 73.8, and 3.6 to 61.4%, respectively (p < 0.001). Despite lack of control group and potential recall bias, this study reports positive effect of microfinance on self-reported health awareness and practices among different ethnic groups of Nepal. This finding supports further implementation and evaluation of equity-based microfinance to improve health and economic conditions of Nepalese people.

Helicobacter pylori Infection and Gastric Mucosal Atrophy in Two Ethnic Groups in Nepal.

Serum anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies and pepsinogens (PGs) have been used as gastric cancer screening and gastric mucosal status markers. Nepal is a low risk country for gastric cancer. However, the mountainous populace in the northern region culturally linked to Tibet as well as Bhutan, a neighboring country, have a high risk of GC. We collected gastric biopsy specimens and sera from 146 dyspeptic patients living in Kathmandu, Nepal. We also examined the sera of 80 volunteers living in the mountainous regions of the Himalayas. The optimal cut-off was calculated for serum biomarkers against the histology. Kathmandu patients (43.8%) were serologically positive for H. pylori infection, which was significantly lower than that for the mountainous (61.3%, P = 0.01). The same results also found in the prevalence of PG-positivity, PG I levels and PG I/II ratios (P = 0.001, P <0.0001 and P = 0.03, respectively). Moreover, the PG I/II ratios were significantly, and inversely correlated with the OLGA score (r = -0.33, P <0.009). The low incidence of gastric cancer in Nepal can be attributed to low gastric mucosal atrophy. However, the mountainous subjects have high-risk gastric mucosal status, which could be considered a high-risk population in Nepal.

Ethno-genetics of AIM1 gene relating to Human Skin Pigmentation among Six Indigenous Nationalities in Nepal

This paper attempts to find out allele frequencies of AIM1 gene among six ethnic groups in Nepal by detecting a total number of 456 blood and nail samples through an allele specific PCR amplification. The research findings revealed that the AIM1 codon L374F polymorphism distinctively showed conspicuous ethnic distribution of the two alleles; namely allele “F” was found mostly high (11.4%) in the Caucasoid Chidimar and rarely low (1.1%) in the Dravidian Munda whereas Mongoloid Chepang, Gurung, Raute and Thakali entirely lacked the “F” allele and showed the monomorphic type for the “L” allele. The codon L374F could be the best genetic marker for distinguishing Caucasian populations from Mongoloid ones and would explain the ethno-genomics of human skin coloration among many ethnic groups in the world.Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2015, 20(2): 90-93