Practice In Nepal Research Articles

Screening for blood lead level in reproductive age group individuals in Kathmandu

Introduction: Elevated blood lead level is associated with serious, often irreversible, health consequences. At present, the safe level of blood lead cannot be ascertained since the emerging data indicate the toxic potential to human organ system at a low level that was previously considered safe. Screening for blood lead level is not in regular practice in Nepal. This study is designed to evaluate the prevalence of detectable blood lead level in reproductive age group of Nepalese population that represents the wide local population. Materials and methods: 170 reproductive age group individual (20 to 49 years) attending Samyak diagnostic Pvt Ltd and Alka IVF and fertility centre for regular health checkup were included in this study for blood lead level analysis. The participants were categorized as normal or sub-fertile. Blood lead level was estimated using anodic stripping voltametry. Results: In total study participants, 28.8% of male and 25.8 % of female had BLL ≥3.0 µg/dL. The minimum detectable blood lead level in both male and female was 3.3 µg/dL while the maximum blood lead level was higher in male (15.5 µg/dL) than in female (8.4 µg/dL). The median blood lead level of the sample population was 3.7(4.8 -6.9) µg/dL. There was no significant difference in blood lead level between gender (p=0.108). Conclusion: It is justifiable to screen for blood lead level in the reproductive age group individual in Nepal.

A review on use of agrochemical in agriculture and need of organic farming in Nepal

The growing use of chemical pesticides haphazardly and their harmful influence on ecosystem and human health highlight the necessity for safe and sustainable organic production in our time. The article reviews a general overview of organic farming; the impact of organic farming on soil health and climate mitigation in comparison with conventional farming practice in Nepal. The article identifies the problems and possibilities of organic farming to resuscitate the pesticide-dominated conventional practice in Nepal. Organic farming now has been embedded in the natural agriculture policy in Nepal. Organic farming benefits in terms of environmental protection along with better living health. Various governmental and non-governmental bodies, farmers, and individuals are working to promote organic farming in Nepal. With the increase in awareness of health and environmental concerns, the adoption of organic agriculture and the demand for organic agricultural products is increasing. It holds a great prospect in countries like ours where an integrated crop-livestock system is still prevalent in many parts of the country. As a result, an organic farming system in Nepal must be thoroughly investigated and supported through proper regulations and tactics. It is urged to supplant pesticide-based conventional farming with organic farming that leads towards agricultural sustainability for the upcoming generation.

Assessment of Relationship between Road Roughness and Pavement Surface Condition

Pavement evaluation is the most significant procedure to minimize the degradation of the pavement both functionally and structurally. Proper evaluation of pavement is hence required to prolong the life year of the pavement, which thus needs to be addressed in the policy level. By this, the development of genuine indices are to be formulated and used for the evaluation. In context of evaluating the pavement indices for measuring the pavement roughness, International Roughness Index (IRI) is used, whereas for calculating the surface distress, indices as such Surface Distress Index (SDI) and Pavement Condition Index (PCI) are used. Past evaluating schemes used by Department of Roads (DOR) were limited to IRI for evaluating the pavement roughness and SDI for measuring the surface distress, which has least variability in categorizing the pavement according to the deformation. Apart from these, PCI which has wide range of categories for evaluating pavement, is not seen in practice in Nepal due to its cumbersome field work and calculations. In this paper the relationship is developed relating PCI with IRI and SDI using regression analysis by using Microsoft excel. In the other words, the pavement roughness index is compared with the surface distress indices. In 2017, 23.6Km of feeder roads in various locations of Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts were taken for this study which comprised of 236 sample data, each segmented to 100m. For this, IRI was sourced as secondary data, obtained from Highway Maintenance and Information System (HMIS) unit, Kathmandu, whereas, PCI and SDI were calculated from the field data obtained from the survey carried out in those sections manually. Then after, among 236 samples, 189 samples were taken for the relationship development which was then validated using 47 remaining samples. Furthermore, in the year, 2019 additional 3 Km of data was taken for validating the obtained relationships. It was done to improve the numerical predictions of data with such variation and thus satisfactory relationships were developed among the indices discussed in this study. The regression relationships between the two indices, IRI-PCI and IRI-SDI were thus significantly obtained. It has been found that the R² value for these relationships developed were statistically significant with 5% level of significance. The R² value for all the relationships showed that these relationships could be used for predicting the indices which would help in evaluating the pavement.

Adoption of seismic-resistant techniques in reconstructed housing in the aftermath of Nepal’s 2015 Gorkha earthquake

Earthquake affected households too often insufficiently apply seismic construction knowledge during reconstruction. This study aims to assess to what degree safety guidelines have found their way to practice in Nepal. Differences are explored between communities in the Gorkha and Okhaldhunga districts, which received differing levels of technical assistance following the 2015 earthquakes. Seismic resistance of houses was assessed 3 years after the earthquakes. Findings from 955 houses in 25 communities show high degrees of adoption of earthquake-resistant construction knowledge in all selected communities. Variation in safer construction across communities differs only slightly for different intensities of humanitarian technical assistance. This finding points toward the need to more closely examine the communication methods employed and motivations of households to build back safer.

Treatment outcomes of retinal vein occlusion in clinical practice in Nepal

BackgroundThis study evaluated the treatment outcomes of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in a routine clinical practice in Nepal.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of observational data of patients with RVO who attended the retina clinic of the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology from 1 November 2017 to 31 October 2018. The main outcome was the mean change in visual acuity (VA) at 12 months from the start of treatment. Other outcomes of interest were the mean change in central subfield thickness (CST) and the number of treatments over 12 months.ResultsA total of 99 eyes (of 99 patients) with RVO (60 - branch RVO [BRVO] and 39 - central RVO [CRVO] were available for the analysis. Eyes with CRVO had worse VA and CST at baseline. Eyes in both groups were similar for age, associated factors for RVO, duration of vision loss and the presence of ischemia at baseline. The mean (95% Confidence Interval [CI]) VA change at 12 months for BRVO was − 0.35 (− 0.46, − 0.23) logMAR (p < 0.001) from a mean (SD) of 0.75 (0.42) logMAR at baseline with 63% achieving VA < 0.3 logMAR while for CRVO it was − 0.35 (− 0.46, − 0.23) logMAR (p = 0.19) from 1.13 (0.61) logMAR at baseline and VA < 0.3 logMAR in 36%. The mean (95% CI) change in CST over 12 months was − 114 (− 189, − 40) μm (p = 0.003) from a mean (SD) of 423 (151) μm at baseline for BRVO and − 184(− 276, − 91) μm (p < 0.001) from 519 (213) μm for CRVO. Patients in both groups received a median of 2 bevacizumab injections over 12 months. Around 37% eyes were lost before 12 months’ observation. The mean VA and CST trajectory in these eyes at their last visit was similar to those that completed 12 months.ConclusionThe outcomes of RVO over the 12 months were inferior and the number of treatments fewer than those of the clinical trials and other reports from routine clinical practice. Future studies to identify the treatment barriers are warranted to improve the treatment outcomes in our patients.

Employee Motivation and Retention in Colleges of Hilly Districts of Province Four of Nepal

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the nature of human resource management in public and private colleges in the hilly districts of Province 04 of Nepal. In particular, it explores the extent to which HR practice is integrated into organizational strategy and devolved to line management. Design/methodology/approach – A structured interview was conducted with the senior/junior and lower degree clerks and staff of the college. A quantitative and qualitative exploratory research design was used to study human resources management. Findings – The degree of integration of HR practice appears to be increasing within this university/college sector, motivation sectors have great influence for the performance, productivity and retention of the staff. Research limitations/implications – The survey is inevitably based on a varied samples; however this represents 90 per cent of the relevant manpower of the college. Practical implications – It appears unlikely from a cultural perspective that the devolvement of responsibility and feeling of ownership will be achieved as a result of HR strategy. National cultural, political and social factors continue to be highly influential in shaping the Nepalese business environment. Originality/value – Few papers have explored HR practice in Nepal. Rigorous study in the HR issues in the education sector in Nepal would be helpful for the educational leaders.

Quest for development: An examination of more than a half-century of national planning and foreign aid practice in Nepal

Abstract This paper examines the national planning process and the effectiveness of foreign aid for the development of Nepal from 1956 to 2019 using archived planning documents, international publications, and facts gleaned from conversations with planning officials. The existence of the National Planning Commission predates the establishment of the Ministry of Finance in Nepal. However, the lack of coordination between the two agencies has turned the former into a weak organization by preventing it from executing its budget. In each of the national plans, there is recognition of failures, underachievement, and low capacity in administering foreign aid-funded projects. The stated targets of the plans are rarely met while areas without strategic objectives sometimes surpass expectations. Plans have been neither visionary nor realistic and are not implemented effectively. While 90% of peasants were engaged in agriculture contributing 59% of the national economy, they did not receive significant attention for a long time. Foreign aid has increased greatly in Nepal since the 1950s and the country continues to be very dependent on it. But there have been questions about donors’ tardiness in releasing committed funds as well as the country's ability to execute aid-funded projects. There is a lack of capacity and accountability in both the government and the donors. Consequently, aid cannot fulfill its economic mission and meet the conditions tied to its continuance until the country can be administratively strong enough to conduct development projects alone. Recommendations are offered for changes and innovations within the structure of Nepal's government which would modify the role of the National Planning Commission, rationalize the planning process, harness the technical capability of the country, and move responsibility for plan implementation to the ministries most able to perform effectively.

Mediation Practices in Post-Conflict Situation in Nepal: The Way Forward

This paper aims to critically examine the increasing role of community mediation in the post-conflict situation in Nepal. The practice of community mediation at the professional level is in a preliminary stage in Nepal. Regardingthe peace settlement process and the state of community mediation in different countries, various efforts have been made in Nepal regarding community mediation. The country is gradually advancing towards community mediation practices in ensuring access to justice. Community mediation has been practiced for resolving disputes or conflict through the judicial committees (JCs) formed under the local government. The practices of conflicts or disputes resolution through community mediation have begun in Nepal at the individual or family level, school or community level, or at workplace. It is, therefore, vital to prevent the recurrence of conflicts or disputes through community mediation to ensure sustainable peace. Various efforts have been made to build the capacity of individuals and agencies to settle disputes and to ensure mutual trust and cooperation in Nepal. In the changing context, confronting COVID 19, building awareness, providing education and training to the mediators for community mediation is vital to execute JC practice in Nepal. Community mediation as an important aspect in ensuring sustainable peace in the spirit of the local government act is, therefore, very essential in Nepal.

Dental Practice during COVID-19 in Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Currently, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become pandemic and spread globally. In Nepal, the number of COVID-19 is increasing day-by-day. This research was done to find out the impact of COVID-19 on dentists, patients, and dental practice in Nepal. This study is a cross-sectional study conducted using an online survey from May 10 to17, 2020. A questionnaire was designed and uploaded in Freeonlinesurveys.com. Following ethical approval, the questionnaire was distributed among 500 dentists, and 406 dentists participated in the study. The survey link was dispersed to the Nepali dentists through social media and e-mail, and the results of the responses were received online. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 34 closed-ended questions containing three parts; demographic details, knowledge of dentists on COVID-19, and the impact of COVID-19 on dentists, patients, and dental treatments. It showed that majority of the participants were females 243 (60%) of the age group 25-29 years with the clinic as the workplace. Patients receive dental treatments only from 40 (10%) of the dentist. A high number of dentists: 284 (70%) were severely affected by the financial burden and were not receiving a salary during this lockdown. About 349(86%) of the dentist think they should do regular dental treatments, but only 101 (25%) think the dentist should do only dental emergency treatments for COVID-19 infected cases. Dentists, patients, and dental practice are severely affected by the COVID-19.The majority of the dentists have faced financial burdens. The dental treatments should be done with high standards of care and infection control following proper recommendations.

Recommendations based on International Guidelines for Safe Dental Practice During Covid-19

The shutdown of dental practices after the announcement of COVID-19 has been implemented worldwide. Aerosol generating procedures and face to face contact with the patients put dental professionals at highest risk of disease transmission. There is a looming risk of increasing severity of dental conditions and burden on treatment providers if required dental treatments are kept on hold for an indefinite time. There is a need for definite guidelines to safely resume dental practice in Nepal, based on international experiences during COVID-19 pandemic and international dental societies recommendations. We have compiled multiple recommendations and guidelines from reputed international organizations and collected evidence from dental professional’s work from China and Italy during COVID-19 crisis and attempted to put forward some recommendations and guidelines that can be followed for a safe dental practice in Nepal.

Impact of Merger and Acquisition Practice on Job Stress: Evidence from Nepal

M&amp;A has become one of the key aspects of corporate change and transition. It has also become a source of uncertainly and stress for everyone. Nepal Rastra Bank has extensively introduced the policy of M&amp;A in the banking and financial sector of Nepal. The main aim of this study is to examine the impact of M&amp;A practices on job stress of employees and to suggest some policies to manage such job stress. This uses both descriptive and analytical approaches to research. A set of a self-administered questionnaire used to explore the impact of M&amp;A practice on the job stress of employees. A total of 500 questionnaires (125 in each merged bank) were distributed to all level managers, branch managers, and other staff of various departments of the commercial banks involved in big M&amp;A practice in Nepal. Only 351 (70.20%) of total distributed questionnaires were returned as a source of data. A five-point Likert scale is used for measuring responses. This study uses analytical statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, regression analysis, and ANOVA test for analyzing data. The results indicate that individual-related problems, policies &amp; procedure-related problems, job-related problems, and organization-related problems are the key stressors in M&amp;A practice. The results also reveal that all these problems have a significantly positive impact on employee job stress after M&amp;A practice. This study also suggests several policies for managing and reducing the job stress of employees after M&amp;A practices. Keywords: Acquisition, Employees, Job, Merger, Stress DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-24-01 Publication date: August 31 st 2020

Quackery in Dental Practice in Nepal.

Quackery and fraud in dental practice, seen in many countries, is also rampant in Nepal, and they are unethical practices. There is a growing need for strict enforcement of government policy measures to eliminate quackery and fraudulent dental practice in Nepal. The government should mobilize all dental workforce (dental specialists, dentists, and dental auxiliaries) and aware of their responsibilities and limitations. This article presents a brief review showing some cases of malpractice in dentistry in Nepal.

Flowering alyssum (Lobularia maritima) promote arthropod diversity and biological control of Myzus persicae

Radish, Raphanus sativus is an important vegetable crop worldwide. It is the second most important vegetable after cabbage and cauliflower in winter (January to March) in Nepal. This crop is damaged by various herbivores such as the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, the soybean hairy caterpillar, Spilarctia casigneta and the flea beetle, Monolepta signata. Prophylactic pesticide use is a part of the common pest management practice in Nepal. The candidate floral plant, alyssum, Lobularia maritima, was deployed in a radish field to improve pest biological control. Beneficial arthropods trapped such as Syrphidae, Coccinellidae, Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Formicidae, Lycosidae, Apidae and Ichneumonidae were significantly more abundant in flowering alyssum plots than the control (non-flowering) plots. Flowering alyssum in radish fields significantly increases the population of observed syrphids (larva and adult). Similarly observed ladybirds was slightly higher in flowering plot compared with control plot however that was not significant. These beneficial predators potentially increase the biological control of M. persicae. These results provide evidence of the alyssum’s ability to increase the abundance of predators and support the suppression of M. persicae in radishes. This study is useful in developing an integrated pest management protocol by integrating flowering strips in radish fields. Habitat manipulation in radish fields by maintaining flower strips can improve pest biological control and support the provision of multiple ecosystem services that restore diminished ecosystem functions in agriculture.

Out of Pocket Expenditure for Sick Newborn Care in Referral Hospitals of Nepal

BackgroundAlmost all preventable neonatal deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries and affect the poorest who have the least access to high quality health services. Cost of health care is one of the factors preventing access to quality health services and universal health coverage. In Nepal, the majority of expenses related to newborn care are borne by the caregiver, regardless of socioeconomic status. We conducted a study to assess the out of pocket expenditure (OOPE) for sick newborn care in hospitals in Nepal.MethodsThis cross-sectional study of hospital care for newborns was conducted in 11 hospitals in Nepal and explored OOPE incurred by caregivers for sick newborn care. Data were collected from the caregivers of the sick newborn on the topics of cost of travel, accommodation, treatment (drugs, diagnosis) and documented on a sick newborn case record form.ResultsData were collected from 814 caregivers. Cost of caregivers’ stay accounted for more than 40% of the OOPE for sick newborn care, followed by cost of travel, and the baby’s stay and treatment. The overall OOPE ranged from 13.6 to 226.1 US dollars (USD). The median OOPE was highest for preterm complications ($33.2 USD; CI 14.0–226.1), followed by hyperbilirubinemia ($31.9 USD; CI 14.0–60.7), respiratory distress syndrome ($26.9 USD; 15.3–121.5), neonatal sepsis ($ 25.8 USD; CI 13.6–139.8) and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy ($23.4 USD; CI 13.6–97.7).Discussion for practiceIn Nepal, OOPE for sick newborn care in hospitals varied by neonatal morbidity and duration of stay. The largest proportion of OOPE were for accommodation and travel. Affordable and accessible health care will substantially reduce the OOPE for sick newborn care in hospitals.

Clinical Pharmacy Practice in Nepal; Current Scenario and the Way Forward

Clinical Pharmacy Practice in Nepal; Current Scenario and the Way Forward

Money Laundering Laws and Practice in Nepal

No abstract available.

Scientific Forest Management Practice in Nepal: Critical Reflections from Stakeholders’ Perspectives

Design and application of context-specific forest management practices with the participation of key stakeholders plays a significant role in sustainable forest management outcomes. However, key forestry stakeholders often hold different, and sometimes conflicting, expectations in relation to forest management policies and management objectives. Applying the triple-perspective typology of stakeholder theory, this paper assessed the evolution of “Scientific Forest Management” (SciFM), a signature programme of the Nepalese Government, as well as its policy processes and explored compatibility, complexity, cost and relative advantages of the adoption of SciFM. The government believes that without this programme, Nepal is losing 91 Million US Dollar (USD) per year. This study revealed that participation of key stakeholders remained contested from the beginning of its implementation, primarily due to differences they held in understanding and interpretation of SciFM. Although stakeholders’ views converged on the potential role of SciFM to increase forest product supply and the domination of timber-centric management, their perspectives differed in nomenclature and implementation modality of SciFM. Primarily, the community forest users and their networks did not own the concept from the beginning, as they were suspicious of recentralization and bureaucratic dominance in forest governance through SciFM. Since historically ingrained skepticism in both government officials and community forest users’ networks towards each other has negatively influenced the trust-building environment, the management of stakeholders’ relations through frequent and meaningful deliberations, and the simplification of bureaucratic procedures in implementation and capacity development of key actors could be instrumental in achieving SciFM objectives.

Shaping imagined communities through music: Lessons from the School Song practice in Nepal

This study attends to the global need to rethink how music education could provide opportunities for shaping imagined communities in times of intensifying societal complexity and diversity by exploring the practice of singing ‘school-specific songs’ in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The methodology combines educational ethnography with Appreciative Inquiry, whereby individual interviews with school administrators, musician-teachers, a school founder and a composer were analysed and reflexively interpreted. Countering previous critical research on school-specific songs, this study shows that although the school-specific song practice originates outside Nepal, the songs are tailor-made to canonise each school’s unique vision and mission, and for teaching values and character, and were thus considered to be local. Through considering the new ideas and practices that emerge through a reflexive interpretation of the school-specific song practice, we discuss five perspectives that arose from the Appreciative Inquiry process: the universal right to aspire; developing reflexivity; the pedagogical paradox of rituals; a continuum from individual to collective goals; and a constantly changing ‘we’ in diversifying, complex societies. The study suggests that rituals in schooling, of which school-specific songs are a part, should be applied reflexively and subject to ongoing critical reflection and constant revision.

Middle cerebral artery stroke following massive hornet sting: a case report

Hornet stings are frequently encountered in practice in Nepal. Majority of patients sustain minor illness. However, complications like anaphylactic shock and the rare acute kidney injury, multiple organ dysfunction and acute myocardial infarction have been reported. Ischemic stroke following hornet stings has been reported infrequently in scientific publications. We report a case of fatal right Middle Cerebral artery territory ischemic stroke and acute kidney injury in a 40-year farmer.

Implementation Status of Value Management in Project Management Practice in Nepal

Implementation Status of Value Management in Project Management Practice in Nepal