Kathmandu Valley Research Articles

Knowledge, perception and belief about HIV/AIDS among health care provider of provincial level hospital outside Kathmandu valley of Bagmati province

Introduction: Stigmatized health care providers are the strongest hindrances in effectively responding to HIV. This study is conducted to evaluate Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/Acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) related knowledge, perception and belief of health care providers working at Dhading hospital, Dhading, Nepal. Method: This is a cross sectional study conducted from 1st to 15th December 2023 among the health professionals of Dhading hospital using a google form questionnaire which consisted of questions related to socio-demographic profile, knowledge regarding testing, transmission along with perception and belief related to HIV/AIDS. Result: Out of 135 respondents, 101 (74.8%) responded among which 59.4% were females and 98% had education of secondary level or above. Majority (>90%) of the participants demonstrated adequate knowledge on questions related to transmission of HIV/AIDS. However, only 75.8% respondents were aware of voluntary counseling and treatment (VCT) with 73.27% still believing HIV/AIDS is a taboo in Nepal. Conclusion: Knowledge, perception and belief of the health care provider is encouraging at Dhading Hospital. Studies like this help to identify gaps and in making appropriate intervention to eliminate stigma and discrimination prevalent among healthcare workers.

Effects of Intangible Cultural Heritage for Economic Development in Nepal

Nepal is the land of diverse culture and rituals that play vital role on tourism development. In Nepal, cultural tourism has vital role on tourism development like natural diversities. In cultural tourism, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) like festivals, rituals and customs, craftsmanship, music, dance of different castes and ethnic comminutes play important role for tourism promotion. The objectives of the study are to analyze how ICH play's role on economic development through tourism and why ICH is important for a nation enhance overall economic activities. The study followed qualitative research design and draw the conclusion on the basis of primary and secondary sources of the data collected. Primary data were collected from Kathmandu valley Basantapur area and secondary data were gathered from books, articles and various documents related to the study area. Findings and conclusion of the study has been based on description and analysis of the data. Countries like Nepal, ICH can support for economic enhance through various ways such as increasing demand of the goods, increasing the attraction of tourists in sites, increasing expenditure of the festival's organizers.

Analysing Bijaya Hitan’s some Selected Stories from an Eco-centric Approach

This paper makes the Ecocritical reading of three stories, namely, “Bagmati Blues”, “Saharle Panchhayeki Buhari” (My translation “A Daughter-in-Law Disregarded by a City”) and “Nawabarshale Janmayeka Brykshyaharu” (My translation “The Groves Bred by New Year”), written by an ecowriter, Bijaya Hitan. Drawing on the Ecocritical and Ecofeminist theories of Lawrence Buell, Vandana Shiva, Greta Gaard, and some relevant journals and books, it analyzes the portrayals of non-human world that is the Bagmati river and her declining physical environment. As soon as Bagmati river enters the Kathmandu valley near Sundarijal, the water starts to deteriorate. The river has been used as dumping site for domestic and industrial waste water and solid waste. Besides that, the river has been widely used for sand extraction and land encroachment through squatter settlements at the bank of the river. Hitan, in his three short stories questions the ethics, policies, and cultural values of people at Kathmandu for treating Bagmati as an instrument, only a means of human ends. This paper scrutinizes the power of words, subject, images and narrative of aforementioned stories to reinforce to understand the oppressive human-environment relations causing multiple forms of ecodegradation that afflict Bagmati river today. The significance of this study is to exhibit how Hitan’s ecowriting has proved to be an effective means of communicating the burgeoning environmental concerns of Bagmati and resolving this environmental harm through the adoption of possible alternatives practically and morally.

Representing the Marginalized Tamang Community in BinaTheeng’s Yaambunera [Near Kathmandu]: A Hallian Analysis

This paper attempts to analyse Bina Theeng’s “Yaambunera”, the title story of the anthology Yaambunera, exploring the lived experiences of ethnic Taman people of Taulung, an ignored and unheard village, which is an adjoined village of the Kathmandu valley. The paper discusses the lifestyles, socio-economic condition, struggles, hardships and sufferings of the illiterate Tamang community that analyses the literary value and purpose of representing this marginalized world of common Tamang people. Stuart Hall’s concept of representation has been applied as a theoretical tool to achieve the set objectives of the study. Hall argues that representations are not independent and innocent reflections of the real but they are cultural constructions which are selected and constituted by power. In this sense, representation is a cultural product rather than an autonomous process of constructing a meaning. From this theoretical stand, the story is analysed as a discursive representation of Tamang people’s marginalized world that produces and defines the overshadowed body of knowledge about ethnic Tamang community and their ways of life. This study, therefore, provides an insight to see and understand the ways of life and sufferings of poor Tamang people of Taulung, an overlooked village though the village is adjoined to the capital city Kathmandu, Nepal.

Preference of Coping Strategies during Stressful Situations among General People

The sensation of being overburdened, anxious, or exhausted is a common description of stress. People of all ages, genders, and circumstances can be impacted by stress, which can result in problems with their physical and mental health. At times, a little stress can be good for you. Extreme stress, however, can have negative effects on the immunological, cardiovascular, neuro-endocrine, and central neurological systems. Extreme stress can also have a devastating emotional impact. Minor episodes of stress can be managed by using one's body's inherent defenses to adjust to shifting circumstances, but persistent, excessive stress that lasts for a lengthy period of time can be physically and psychologically crippling. Coping can be defined as those thoughts and actions which we deal with a threatening situation. Coping strategies can be of various types, among which most common types are: Problem focused coping strategy, Seeking Social support coping strategy, Passive acceptance coping strategy, Avoidance coping strategy, Religious Coping strategy and Emotion focused coping strategy. This study was based on survey method technique from few sites of Kathmandu valley. Data is in quantitative nature. The questionnaire of socio-demographic variables and coping strategy was distributed among 302 participants for quantitative data. People were selected conveniently during this study. Coping check list developed by Rao, Subbakrishna and Prabhu was used for this study. In this research it was found that, for preference of type of coping strategy by total number of respondents, problem focused coping strategy had the maximum score whereas religious coping strategy had its minimum score.

Assessment of antibiotic resistant profile of coliform and Staphylococcus spp. isolated from milk from Kathmandu valley

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among milk pathogens is increasing, which is a serious threat to consumers’ health. Therefore, this study aims to assess the current antibiotic profile of coliforms and Staphylococcus spp. in milk samples. For this, thirty milk samples were collected from various locations in Kathmandu district. Isolation and enumeration were done on selective media using streak-plate and pour-plate techniques, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) was done by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. A total of 48 bacteria were isolated, of which 31 were coliform and 17 Staphylococcus spp. Among the coliforms, Klebsiella spp. (n=17, 54.84%) was the most predominant in both raw (n=12, 70.6%) and pasteurized milk (n=5, 29.4%), followed by E. coli and Citrobacter spp. While for Staphylococcus spp., 15 (88.24%) were S. aureus and 2 (11.76%) were coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CONS). S. aureus was dominant in raw milk (n=13) rather than pasteurized milk (n=2). The AST of coliforms showed higher resistance towards ampicillin (96.75%), followed by cefoxitin, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, piperacillin, co-trimoxazole, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, and amikacin in descending order. In the case of S. aureus, higher resistance was observed for penicillin G (100.00%), followed by cefoxitin, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin. Further, 12 (70.53%) S. aureus were confirmed as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). And a total of 10 (32.25%) coliforms and 9 (52.95%) S. aureus were identified as multiple drug resistant (MDR) strains. Thus, it can be concluded that antibiotic resistance among milk isolates of the coliform and Staphylococcus spp. is highly prevalent, and these can be a potential source of incurable milk-borne infections. Thus, routine assessment of microbial quality as well as AMR surveillance should be done on milk isolates to ensure the safety of consumer’s health.

Perception and Adjustment Practices of People on Environment and Climate Change : A Case Study of Kathmandu Valley

The modern globalized capitalistic economic system blended with never ending hunger of accumulation of wealth has intensified the process of industrialization, urbanization, over use of natural resources, deforestation, anti-metabolic processes creating imbalance in the carbon cycle, bringing changes in the global climate and forming problems in the environment. Such consequences brought changes in the adaptation behavior of the people of Kathmandu Valley. This study aims to focus on the perception and adjustment practices of kathmandu valley people with regard to change in climate and environment. In this study, four elderly people of different areas of Kathmandu valley have been selected purposively for acquiring information about the perception on climate change and environment of Kathmandu valley and change in the practices of people for coping with the changing context. Information has been collected through several hours of informal interview with the sampled people within the period of one month. There is adverse impact of capitalistic economic system and associated socio-cultural practices on the environment of Kathmandu valley causing change in the climatic condition and enforcing local people to change in their practices and behavior for better adjustment.

Consumers' Noodle Consumption: Experiences and Practices in Nepal

Instant noodles' taste, usefulness, and satiation have become trendy among people of all ages. Quick noodles are not only delicious but also generally accessible everywhere. The research aimed to examine consumers' experiences and practices regarding noodle consumption. The study combined qualitative and quantitative research methods under an exploratory research approach. The study's data gathering procedure involved a preliminary interview and a second structured survey for primary data. The original interview aimed to learn how customer’s experiences and practices about noodle consumption. The first round interview conducted with several people of different district of Kathmandu valley to comprehend noodle consumption experiences and their practices. Based on the first rounds of interviews, a structural survey questionnaire was created and circulated to more customers of different brands of noodles again in various districts of Kathmandu Valley to collect quantitative related data. The research project used a purposeful sampling method to gather information on consumer behaviors and to eat patterns related to noodles. The study revealed that consumers usually focused on purchasing noodles in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts. The majority of consumers eat Quick noodles as their first choice. Noodle consumption satisfied customers. Consumers placed Waiwai third, RARA second, and Chaudhary Group Quick Noodle first. Therefore, Quick brand noodles were the most popular among consumers, followed by WaiWai, Rara, 2PM, Current Rumpum, and Preeti.

Learning Experiences of Frontline Nurses Combating COVID-19 in Public Hospitals.

Combating COVID-19 by frontline nurses is highly concerned to manage and maintain the health care delivery system through qualitative services to the infected people. If nurses do not agree to the frontline role to combat COVID-19, it might create massive crisis in health sectors. The purpose of this study was to explore the learning experiences of frontline nurses combating COVID-19 in the public hospitals of Kathmandu valley. Furthermore, this study has explored their stories of combating COVID-19. Philosophically, this study is guided by interpretive paradigm utilizing the qualitative design with narrative inquiry. Stories were collected using face to face interview with six frontline nurses (seniors and juniors) working at COVID special units in three different public hospitals of Kathmandu valley. I have interpreted shared stories of combating experiences and learning, using self-efficacy theory and resilience theory. This study revealed that the participants faced many challenges related to physical, mental, emotional and psychological and various managerial issues. However, they were able to cope due to their self-willingness, nursing education, altruistic nature and support system. Likewise, they acquired various skills: patient care, managerial and leadership, similarly understanding philosophy of life. Frontline nurses were able to combat COVID-19 successfully. Nowadays, they are happy, satisfied and proud with their roles that they had during the health emergency of COVID-19 pandemic and the commitment they fulfilled.

Brand Preference of Smartphone

The research aims at finding out the factors that majorly influence the buying decision of a customer when choosing a Smartphone. This research used quantitative method. In this study populations for this people residing inside Kathmandu valley who were using mobile phones. The sample size of 270 respondents who were job holders and using mobile phones were surveyed based on one of the non-probability sampling techniques, the convenience sampling method. This research used independent variables, advertisement, brand image, brand loyalties, price satisfaction and attributes. In addition, variables Price has positive and significant effect on brand preferences but remaining variables, advertisement, brand image, brand loyalties positive but not significant effect. Finally, Prices Factors one of dominant variables that makes people thinks to choose the smartphones in Kathmandu City.

Academic Procrastination’s Antecedents and their Predictability on College Students in Kathmandu Valley

The purpose of this study is to examine the predictability of self-efficacy, self-regulation on academic procrastination of undergraduate students in Kathmandu Valley. For this, first, the undergraduate students from management program in three different districts in Kathmandu valley were taken through convenience sampling. The sample were examined by using self-report scale viz. Academic Procrastination Scale, Self-Efficacy Scale, Self-Regulation Scale and Self-efficacy for self-regulation Scale, followed by correlation and hierarchical regression under cross-sectional research design and finally, hypotheses were tested. The study found negative bivariate correlation between academic procrastination, self-efficacy, self-regulation and self-efficacy for self-regulation. Among all the the predictors, self-regulation stood the strong predictor. This study tires to provide the general understanding of procrastination in the Nepalese context, with the view to support on determining the antecedents in developing the possible intervention program for overcoming procrastinatory behavior among undergraduate students.

Brick Mule

This observational anthrozoological ethnographic film documents the lives of Nepal's working mules. The film finds a closeness with the mules; their sale in India, their journey to Nepal and their work in the huge brick factories of the Kathmandu valley and portering goods into the high Himalayas. Stunning cinematography and a crafted soundscape paint a moving portrait of Nepal's brick mules and the people who make their living with them. Honest, but non-judgemental, the film gives a unique insight into hardship of life for people and equines alike. Yet underlying questions about humanity and our relationship with animals underpin the film. This film formed part of a community project using Paulo Freire’s ‘critical consciousness’ (Freire, 1978) theory, involving self-reflection and transformation, leading to changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that ultimately improved equine wellbeing. The theoretical underpinnings and project outcomes can be further explored through an open access paper published in Visual Studies journal.

Bi/Multilingualism and Language Shift in Chhantyal

This paper outlines various aspects of bi/multilingualism and language shift in Chhantyal, a minority language community in Nepal. The main objective is to find the domains of language use and the causes of language shift among the migrated Chhantyal in Kathmandu valley. This research is based on mixed methodology of socio-ethnographic survey data where the data were collected with the help of survey questionnaire, key informants interviews (KIIs) and informal discussions and narratives with Chhantyal people based on Gautam (2021).The findings indicate that there is continuous shifts towards Nepali, English and Hindi languages among the speakers influenced by market multilingualism, globalization, migration, travel and tourism.

Exploring Adolescent girls’ Food-Talk in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze how adolescent girls residing in Kathmandu valley, Nepal, talk about food within the context of their everyday experiences. We conducted 10 in-depth and four focus group interviews. Qualitative thematic analysis based on the constructivist paradigm was used to organize the interviews. The Utilitarian domain contained health statements using biomedical language and lay theories on health. Hedonic talk emphasized the taste of food, but notions about enjoyment were limited. Collective talk constructed an ideal family. In agency talk, the interviewees described their active role in achieving a slim body. Participants were not concerned about food insecurity but about eating too much.

Assessing the spatio-temporal impact of landuse landcover change on water yield dynamics of rapidly urbanizing Kathmandu valley watershed of Nepal

Study RegionThe Kathmandu valley watershed (KVW), capital region of Nepal, which is one of the rapidly urbanizing areas not only in Nepal but in South Asia. Study FocusHaphazard landuse practice coupled with the lack of stringent landuse policies has put stress on already scarce resources like water, land, agriculture, etc. of the Kathmandu valley watershed (KVW). Given the underlying problem of unscientific landuse practice as a result of the rapid urbanization and the consequent water stress, this study has attempted to predict future landuse and hence comprehensively assess the spatio-temporal dynamics of water yield components in KVW from the past to the future. New Hydrological Insights for the regionA forecast of future land use indicates that nearly half of KVW will be covered by built-up areas by 2040. Land use changes are expected to significantly affect water yield components, particularly at the sub-basin level. Subbasin responses to land use and land cover (LULC) changes are most prominent for surface runoff, followed by groundwater flow, lateral flow, with the least impact on evapotranspiration (ET). Anticipated outcomes include a substantial 70% reduction in groundwater flow and a potential 200% increase in surface runoff in certain subbasins. These findings emphasize the urgent need to regulate land use practices and develop effective strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of uncontrolled urban expansion.

Asan, The Traditional Market of Kathmandu Valley: Analyzing Market Trend and Consumer Buying Behavior of Such Market

Asan is a hub for business in the Kathmandu valley famed for its bazaar, festive calendar, and historic location. This research looks at how the market is changing and how people shop in Asan, which is a blend of old and new ways of doing things. Apart from that, it is also one the most popular trade route for India-Tibet that passes through Kathmandu. To get in-depth knowledge about this old but traditional marketplace for this research paper I have chosen various approaches such as interviews, past data analysis, and surveys. On that basis, i saw how the market is changing over time, influenced by global trends and new business methods. This research is all about studying how people in Asan shop. I look at all the different things like culture, history, and how much money people have that affect how they decide what to buy. Our findings show how tradition, community, and modern ways of doing things impact what people choose to purchase in this market. This research helps us learn more about why Asan is important as an old-style market. It also helps us understand how other traditional markets around the world might work in our modern, globalized world. What we've learned can be useful for people who run markets, government leaders, and business owners who want to keep and make these cultural places even better.

Integrated School Teachers’ Experiences on Implementing Inclusive Education Policy of Nepal

This study entitled “Integrated School Teachers’ Experiences on Implementing Inclusive Education Policy of Nepal” was carried out to investigate the experiences of integrated school teachers in implementing inclusive education policy of Nepal. The study had been carried out by selecting ten integrated schools of Kathmandu valley by convenience sampling method. Ten special education teachers and ten physical education teachers from each schools were selected by purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interview schedule was prepared and administered to the participants through telephonic interview. The interview questions were reviewed by a physical education and special education experts to maintain its reliability. The study found that teachers have been experiencing low self-awareness about educating students with disabilities. They also experienced serious lacking in their knowledge and skill in them and also their perceptions towards inclusion was immature. They want their school administration to be more responsible and active in developing inclusive culture inside the school and also urged to provide them the opportunities of their professional development through training and exposures.

Role of Roopamandana in Making of Nepalese Images

Kathmandu valley has plenty of sculptural art. Images since an early period have been made following vidhana or pratima lakshan. ‘An image prepared without following vidhana is unfit for worship, says sastras and Puranas’ (Khanal, B.S.2075.p.15). Vidhana is a guideline for making images. There are several texts and Puranas describing vidhana. Roopmandana was written by Sutradhar Mandana during the 12th century describing pratima lakshana of several dieties. Images of Nepal from 3rd century BC till the end of 17th/18th century CE have their specific identification with gradual inclining changes in their features from early period un wards to Licchavi, early medieval and medieval period. However, the theme has always been same. In this context, how far the pratima lakshana described in Roopamandana has influenced Nepalese images? In what ways and how are they implemented in Nepalese images? The answer to these questions have been tried to be traced on the basis of through detail review of Roopamandana. Likewise, survey of images through purposive sampling, collection of epigraphic records and photographs are used in this study as a primary source. Findings of the facts are analyzed in a descriptive manner. Through various references, it has been revealed in this research that Roopamanda was the best-selected text of vidhana for making Nepalese images and a religious code for continuation or disposal of images in case of breaking. It has been found to be completely implemented in most of the images related to Vaishnava during medieval period, few of them have been found to be made through partial implementation and the rest by merging the vidhanas mentioned in several texts.

Institutional perception of e-recruitment adoption in Nepal: Evidence from structural equation modeling

Awareness of the significance of adapting e-recruitment and applying various management strategies has increased in private corporate organizations. This study aims to investigate the institutional perception of e-recruitment adoption in Kathmandu valley, Nepal by employing the notion of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Self-Disclosure Theory (SDT). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and AMOS softwares are used to analyze data gathered from 286 Nepalese private organizations in Kathmandu valley between February 13 and March 10, 2022. The results indicate that private organizations in the Kathmandu valley are wary of completely embracing e-recruitment due to trust and privacy issues. This paper can be seen as an important message to Nepalese Human Resources sector, policymakers, the government and customers. Moreover, it has important theoretical implications explained from the standpoint of TAM and SDT theories. Practically, this is one of the latest attempts to assess and report on the breadth of e-recruitment adoption in Nepal’s private sector.

Assessment of Knowledge on impacts of cell phone use among Secondary level students in a selected School of Kathmandu valley, Nepal

Background & Objective: All age groups use cell phones as a common form of communication, although adolescents use them especially frequently. Students' daily lives with mobile devices are getting more and more dependent on them, which has led to reliance. Its usage has climbed 67% globally and 44.89% in Nepal. The scale of potential health concerns among mobile phone users has increased due to the rising use of these devices. The objective was to assess how cell phone use affects secondary school students among secondary level school students in a selected school of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.
 Material and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 100 samples by using Probability Stratified Random Sampling Technique. The pre tested self-administered questionnaire with structured and semi structured questions was used to collect information through online survey by Fluroscent School App from Grade 9 and Grade 10 respondents. The collected data was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 16 version using descriptive and inferential statistics.
 Results: Majority of the respondents (38%) were of age 15 years. The respondents of Grade 9 and Grade 10 were equal. The overall mean knowledge score was 26.870 ± 4.978 regarding the use of mobile. The minimum score obtained is 15 and the maximum score obtained is 37 out of 40 possible correct answers .It showed that 60% of the respondents had average level of knowledge, 32% had adequate level of knowledge and 8% had poor level of knowledge. There was no significant association between knowledge regarding mobile phone use with other selected socio-demographic variables. 
 Conclusion: The study concluded that there was average level of knowledge regarding impact of cell phone use. Thus, school based cell phone health awareness and education programs are necessity to improve the overall health of students.