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The problem of academic dishonesty in general and exam cheating in particular, has been ubiquitous in schools, colleges, and universities around the world. This paper reports on the findings from teachers' and students' experiences and perceptions of exam cheating at Nepali schools, colleges, and universities. In so doing, the paper highlights the challenges of maintaining academic integrity in Nepali education systems. Based on qualitative research design, the study data were collected by employing semi-structured interviews with the teachers and the students. Findings from the study indicated that over-emphasized value given to marks/grades and the nature of exam questions among others were the predominant factors. Our findings contribute to the practical understanding that academic institutions in Nepal have largely failed to communicate the value of academic honesty and integrity to the students of all levels of education despite the increasing prevalence of exam cheating. Therefore, exam cheating requires urgent attention from academic institutions, educators, and education leaders to educate students about the long-term educational and social values of academic honesty and integrity.

This study explored Nepali university teachers' and students' perceptions and experiences of emergency remote teaching (ERT) vis-à-vis its opportunities and challenges during the COVID-19 crisis. Study data were collected via email by employing online questionnaires to higher education teachers and students from 10 colleges under seven universities in Nepal. The respondents' responses to the closed questions were quantified and analyzed using a descriptive model, whereas responses to open-ended questions were critically examined by adopting thematic analysis method. Our findings indicate that while ERT, which brought many opportunities for self-motivated teachers and students, was useful during the prolonged health crisis, challenges experienced by the respondents suggested that higher education institutions were not fully successful in addressing key issues such as teacher training and support mechanism required for the effective implementation of ERT.

In the context of developed countries, a lot of research has been done to uncover and identify the problems school leaders face in their work but little is known about the school leadership of underdeveloped countries. In a quest to discover contextual problems in terms of role conflict and role ambiguity of school leaders, this qualitative study tries to capture the experiences of principals in Nepal through in-depth interviews of six community school principals. The findings reveal that the major sources of role conflict and ambiguity for principals from Nepal are problematic power-sharing, low job autonomy, dual role conflict, limited professional development training, and lack of leadership knowledge. The study has several policy-level implications such as importance of hiring principals with proven leadership skills and increasing the leadership skills of current principals to ensure that they can tackle these challenges.

This article reports an analysis of secondary students' experiences of using social media for learning English. It employed qualitative interpretative research design and taken online semi-structured interviews with the participants and their classes were observed to obtain qualitative information. The findings reveal that how social media helps secondary students for learning English formally inside the classroom and informally out of the classroom providing extra resources of English to improve listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. This study also examines the experiences of secondary teachers of English about using social media in the classroom. It reports on social media empowered the teachers of English by accessing various information on technique of teaching English and course contain. It further shows social media enabled secondary students and teachers to create collaborative learning environment to co-construct the knowledge. However, this study also reports on some of the teachers and students were unable to use social media regularly in their homes due to lack of electricity and internet access and proper devices. This study provides better understanding that use of social media can support learning English effectively in the future.

The purpose of this article is twofold, firstly, it aims to contribute to the literature of school leadership and practices from the unexplored, low-income country, Nepal and secondly, to deliberate how these practices are uniquely and situationally enacted within their context. A qualitative approach was used to carry out the study in three successful high performing community schools considering their levels of poverty and demographic. A semi-structured interview process was carried out with school headteachers, deputy headteachers, classroom teachers and students to understand the complexity of the context surrounding these schools. Information and links were explored to contextual challenges, the role of school leaders, policy and practice. The findings suggest that a range of leadership styles and strategies, along with a commitment to "the job" and dedication in identifying challenges are significant. Understanding the context of headteacher's school also appeared to be crucial, affecting reform in the schools within this study and their success as community schools. Focusing on how successful community schools in Nepal achieve high preforming students compared to most community schools in similar circumstances. This study highlighted that effective leadership models applied in schools with challenging contexts contributed to students' progress and attainment.

Concerns for security and academic performance have led to the increasing use of various surveillance technologies in educational institutions. This article reports an examination of the lived experiences and subjective insights of Nepali school administrators, teachers and students into the practice of closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance cameras. This highlights the challenges of maintaining a surveillance system to minimize risk factors and to create an educational environment in schools. This article based on a qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews with administrators, teachers and students at three urban schools to explore their perceived value of CCTV surveillance cameras in schools, and non-participant observation to strengthen the data gathered through interviews. Findings indicate that CCTV surveillance cameras in these schools were predominantly aimed at controlling students' and teachers' non-compliant behaviors to promote academic performance. While the study explored how these schools utilized surveillance technology to their advantages, findings contribute to the practical understandings that the technology is equally subject to misuse and can victimize children, given the lack of legal regulations in place.

The official announcement of COVID-19 as a global pandemic on 11 March 2020 by World Health Organization (WHO), the world economy has abruptly declined, billions of people are in lockdown, maintaining self-isolation. In this survey, 150 respondents were selected randomly and this survey intends to highlight the impact of lockdown in agriculture Students on their education along with their response towards pros and cons. This survey shows that maximum respondent, around 52% of them found lockdown beneficial in the sense that it has helped to neutralize the gravity of viral infection and 48% of them doesn't found it beneficial as their educational schedule has been halted. The practical education of a student is disturbed due to lockdown and now they are utilizing this period involving in online courses, training, and webinars. Many of them couldn't have access to the internet to catch the session, thus the government should initiate policy in education through a long term perspective so that no pandemic could interfere with the educational institution in digital world.

This paper focuses on teacher agency in creating a 'translanguaging space' in Nepal's multilingual public schools. Drawing on the ethnographic data from two public schools, we discuss how teachers can resist a monolingual ideology of an English as a medium of instruction policy to ensure students' participation in classroom activities. The findings of the study reveal that teachers create a translanguaging space to counter the official English-only monolingual ideology and draw on students' home languages to address their learning needs and their own pedagogic challenges. By using students' home languages in teaching both the content and English language subjects, the teachers in this study demonstrate a transformative agency to create a multilingual classroom space where students feel safe to use their existing language abilities and epistemologies in learning process. The findings of the study imply that policymakers need to build on teachers' multilingual agency and their critical ideological awareness to develop pedagogical approaches that recognize students' diverse linguistic identities and learning needs.

Background: The national malaria control programmes in Cambodia, Nepal, and Bhutan aim to achieve malaria elimination by 2025–2030. While the vivax malaria burden remains challenging, the consistent decline in falciparum malaria in these countries over the last five years suggests that the goal is achievable. However, unexpected cases in previously falciparum malaria-free districts continue to occur. A virtual meeting was convened in May 2024, followed by smaller meetings, to discuss and share experiences among regional partners, focusing on falciparum malaria elimination. Main text: The discussion among regional partners from these three countries was prompted by an isolated outbreak of falciparum malaria in April 2022 in a previously malaria-free district in Pursat province, Cambodia. The National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control (CNM) worked with stakeholders to contain the outbreak, which was likely to have originated in forest goers. Community-based village malaria workers (VMWs) were augmented with the additional resources required to test and treat malaria among forest goers under the supervision of health centres and district hospitals. This response rapidly reduced malaria cases in the subsequent months. Regional partners from Nepal and Bhutan, who are also engaged in the final phase of malaria elimination, reported that isolated malaria outbreaks in their countries were not unusual and were mostly imported from a neighbouring country, India. Importation of cases was facilitated by unsupervised transborder travel including the movement of migrant workers. The imported cases were only established during the case investigation such as when responding to the isolated outbreaks. In contrast, in Cambodia, spread of malaria was known to be facilitated by mobile and migrant workers, and forest goers within the country. The specific differences between Nepal and Bhutan (South Asia), and Cambodia (Greater Mekong Subregion) offered insights into strategies for malaria elimination. A relevant component for countries embarking on malaria elimination included strengthening of local malaria surveillance and response in collaboration with the community health workers, and community members targeting the 'at risk' population. Conclusion: In countries approaching malaria elimination, resourcing community-based health workers could play a critical role in enhancing malaria surveillance, early case detection and treatment, including interventions targeting migrant populations such as forest goers and seasonal migrant workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the practices followed by the youngest open university of South Asia and the only open university of Nepal for access and equity through online teaching and learning. Key initiatives that the university has undertaken in this regard are explored to understand how practices and strategies are applied by this higher education institution to provide citizens with equity and access. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of higher education policies, especially in low-income countries such as Nepal.

Motivation among community college teachers is the driving force to direct and control the instructional activities in and out of classroom situations. Community colleges in developed countries have been immensely studied to uncover and identify the enacted practices and faced challenges. Little is known about the practices and challenges in motivating the teachers in community colleges in developing countries. Exploring what practices are enacting and what challenges are faced while motivating the teachers in community colleges from an unexplored context provides important and critical information for scholars. In this context, this study explored the motivational practices and the contextual challenges for teacher's motivation in community colleges in Nepal. Based on the information generated through in-depth interviews with teachers, campus chief, and college management committee chairpersons of community colleges located in one district of Nepal. The two-factor theory of Herzberg was used for the references for the evaluation and analysis of the data. The results revealed that community colleges in Nepal are attempting to motivate their teachers to adopt widely used good practices as in other organizations of similar nature. However, they are unable to implement those practices as per the expectations of their teachers due to insufficient resources and a lack of systematized procedures. Those colleges are seeking more support from their affiliating universities, University Grand Commission (UGC), and also from the state, province, and local governments.

Background: The global nursing shortage has particularly severe consequences in resource-constrained countries like Nepal, where a significant outflow of healthcare professionals exacerbates the crisis. While the impact on patient care, workforce dynamics, and organizational challenges within healthcare settings have been extensively researched, the profound implications of this crisis for nursing education remain underexplored. This qualitative study sheds light on the often-unseen consequences of the nursing shortage on undergraduate nursing students' clinical education. Methods: Data were collected from three focus group discussions involving eighteen final-year nursing students from two tertiary institutions. The first two discussions took place in June 2024, with the third one in July 2024. Thematic analysis was employed to identify and interpret the key themes. Results: Four overarching themes emerged: (1) Compromised Learning, highlighting the detrimental impact on skill acquisition and student preparedness; (2) Abandoned in the Field, revealing the emotional toll of isolation, with students describing themselves as "ghosts, silently observing from the sidelines"; (3) Forging Ahead, showcasing the unintended resilience and resourcefulness of students seeking alternative knowledge sources; and (4) Digital Mentors, spotlighting the innovative use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a supplementary learning tool in overburdened clinical settings. Conclusion: The nursing shortage in Nepal has created a challenging and often isolating clinical learning environment (CLE) for students. While their resilience and adaptability are commendable, these qualities are not substitutes for nurse staffing shortages and inadequate mentorship. This study underscores the urgent need for systemic change, including increased investment in the nursing workforce, cultivating a supportive learning environment, and integrating technology into nursing education. These findings have implications for Nepal and other resource-constrained settings grappling with the challenges of a nursing shortage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Life satisfaction, one promising health asset, is associated with reduced risk of several chronic diseases and mortality. Mental health conditions and quality of life (QoL) are important aspects of well-being in late life and are significantly associated with life satisfaction. Despite the complex interrelationships between mental health, QoL and life satisfaction, the current literature has evaluated the simple association between them and failed to consider the complex pathways among these variables, especially among the older population. Hence, this study explores the pathways between mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, and stress), QoL and life satisfaction among older adults in eastern Nepal. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in eastern Nepal via face-to-face interviews with 847 older adults selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. The 5-item Satisfaction with Life Scale and 13-item Older People's QoL scale assessed life satisfaction and QoL, respectively. The 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale measured mental health conditions. The relationship between QoL, depression, anxiety, and stress with life satisfaction was first evaluated using linear regression, subsequently by path analysis. Results: The mean (± SD) life satisfaction and QoL score were 19.7 (± 5.3) and 42.9 (± 7.1), respectively. More than one-fifth of the participants had moderate to severe depression (30%), anxiety (34%), and stress (20%). In adjusted regression analysis, QoL was positively associated (β: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.48) with life satisfaction, whereas depression, anxiety, and stress were inversely associated. In the path analysis, the relationship between depression and stress with life satisfaction was mediated by QoL. Depression was indirectly related to life satisfaction (mediated by QoL, β = -0.25), whereas stress was both directly (β = -0.11) and indirectly (mediated by QoL, β = -0.08) related to life satisfaction. Conclusions: Given the high mental health burden among the older Nepali population and its potential impact on life satisfaction and QoL, routine screening for mental health should be encouraged in clinical practice. Additionally, community-based interventions and mental health promotion programs should be launched at regional and local levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mail survey is a popular data collection tool in developed countries, but little is known about its use and efficacy in developing countries. Grounded on social exchange and diffusion of innovations theories, this study sought to ascertain whether the mail survey works in Nepal -- one of the developing countries, by looking at how long respondents take to respond to mail surveys, and what the determinants are of the response time. A mail survey was conducted in June-September 2012 among 863 village animal health workers. Analysis of the data derived from 500 usable surveys shows that if properly planned and executed, the mail survey will perfectly work in developing countries as well. However, response period greatly varied by respondent's home region, program sponsor, income groups, but not by gender, age, and education. The paper concludes by outlining suggestions to improve the mail survey.

The study aims to assess the factors determining the access and utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among people with disabilities residing in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 422 people with disabilities in Kathmandu Valley. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Among a total of 422 participants, 32.7% had utilized SRH-related education, information, and counselling services. Contraceptive-related services were utilized by 47.6% of participants, pregnancy-related services by 27.7%, safe abortion-related services by 13.0%, and HIV testing and treatment services by 3.6%. Likewise, 16.8% of participants utilized STI screening, diagnosis, and management services. Males were 2.5 times more likely to utilize SRH services compared to females (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.4-4.2), whereas unmarried participants were less likely to utilize SRH services as compared to single/separated/divorced (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.0-0.5). Similarly, participants who were living with their families compared to those living alone (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.4-7.7), and participants who were unemployed compared to employed (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-3.5) had higher odds for utilization of SRH services. There are significant variations depending on the intersections of various characteristics affecting the utilization rate across different SRH services among people with disabilities. Contraceptive-related services were the most utilized service, whereas safe abortion, pregnancy related services, STI screening and management services and HIV testing and treatment services were less utilized services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nepal, identified as one of the world's most disaster-prone areas, has a history of frequent earthquakes. Despite its seismic activity and vulnerability to liquefaction, the Terai region lacks comprehensive studies on site characterization and liquefaction potential. This research focuses on evaluating the liquefaction potential of the Terai region's soil, crucial due to its high population density and the imperative to ensure the safety of engineering structures. In this study, in-situ parameters are utilized to assess the subsurface geology's liquefaction potential, encompassing soil characterization, soil liquefaction factor of safety (FS), and liquefaction potential index (LPI). Data from 284 boreholes, collected at 97 locations within the study area up to a depth of 20 m, offer insights into the Terai region's seismic vulnerability. Considering an earthquake scenario with a magnitude (Mw) of 7.8, liquefaction resistance was assessed at each location using peak ground acceleration (PGA) varying from 0.3 to 0.4 g as specified in NBC 105 (2020) for each district. The results indicate the LPI range of 0–57.85, with 34.02% of the Terai region classified as very high risk, 15.46% as high risk, 23.72% as low risk, and 26.80% as very low risk or liquefaction hazard. A hazard map is generated based on liquefaction potential, offering valuable insights for planning, management, and long-term development in the studied locations. This research addresses the crucial knowledge gap in understanding the seismic vulnerability of the Terai region, providing a basis for informed decision-making and risk mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perinatal mental health is a major public health issue that arises during pregnancy and/or after birth, with substantial implications for social, parental, and maternal functioning, as well as overall quality of life. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of perinatal depression and its associated risk factors among women who visited a maternity hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital in Kathmandu. A total of 300 women in their perinatal period were interviewed. The Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to measure perinatal depression. The Poisson regression model was used to determine risk factors associated with perinatal depression. The mean age of respondents was 25.5 (SD 4.5) years; average age during their first pregnancy was 23.5 (SD 3.7) years; and 53.7% of respondents were in the antenatal period. The prevalence of depressive symptoms (EPDS ≥ 10) was 40% (95% CI 31.4% to 45.8%). Unsupportive family members (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 2.23; 95% CI 1.75–2.86), postnatal period (aPR 2.64; 95% CI 1.97–3.53), complications faced during delivery (aPR 1.76; 95%CI 1.30–2.39), history of intimate partner violence (aPR 0.48; 95% CI 0.36–0.64), and first pregnancy at the age of ≤25 years (aPR 0.61; 95% CI 0.42–0.88) were identified as key risk factors of perinatal depression. Strong family support and the active involvement of partners in counselling can contribute to alleviating perinatal depression symptoms. Targeted interventions in health and well-being services should be implemented to address mental health burden during both pregnancy and postpartum periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online learning and teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic had mixed impacts on students' accessibility and performance. It benefited the concerned stakeholders, including management, teachers, and the students, to retain in the system, but it reinforced pre-existing discrimination among students from various disadvantaged groups. Studies reveal that the online learning system created an environment that facilitated students' motive and interest in learning who disengaged themselves from classrooms due to various socioeconomic reasons during the pandemic. The present study explored students' experience and perception of online learning in Nepal and analyzed the predictors of their interest in participating in the new learning environments. More specifically, it studied how the online modes of learning were associated with the interests of disadvantaged higher education students in their academic pursuits during the COVID-19 pandemic and how online learning impacted the pre-existing discrimination among them. The study generated concepts and variables drawing from the technology acceptance model (TAM) and a review of existing literature. A survey among 324 higher education students and a follow-up interview among nine selected respondents were conducted in Nepal between April and June 2021. The sample represented students from all social classes, genders, financial status, and geographies. Using a logistic regression model of the survey data and thematic analysis of interviews, this study found that compared to others, students from disadvantaged groups were significantly motivated by the online learning system. Their perception of online learning was positive despite the shortcomings of the system, such as the lack of internet infrastructure and the continuous flow of electricity. Students' motivation toward the online learning system was triggered by their perception, which helped them to retain and continue in the higher education system. Based on the findings, this study concludes that in a developing country like Nepal, where students face social, economic, and geographical challenges in accessing higher education, the online learning system could be an effective alternative to traditional face-to-face learning to minimize pre-existing discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of people worldwide suffer from hearing loss, a common sensory condition. However, new developments in cochlear implants have drastically transformed children's lives. However, there is still much to learn about the complex effects of cochlear implant interventions on children's lives and the unique difficulties experienced by Nepalese families. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate parents' perspectives regarding the quality of life of children with cochlear implants in Nepal. This study utilized the 'Children with Cochlear Implants: Parental Perspectives' (CCIPP) questionnaire, focusing on parents' viewpoints to assess the quality of life of Nepalese children with cochlear implants. A purposive sampling approach encompassed 22 families who completed the questionnaire. The study showed good parental ratings; the mean overall quality of life score was more than three (out of five), indicating significant gains following cochlear implantation. The greatest scores were for communication abilities, but issues with the implantation procedure and educational components persisted. A strong relationship existed between communication and several quality-of-life dimensions, highlighting communication's critical role in improving social interactions, well-being, and self-reliance. From the viewpoint of the parents of Nepalese children with cochlear implants, the current research represents a significant change in our knowledge of their quality of life. Even though there have been significant gains, targeted interventions are necessary to address post-implantation problems and educational challenges. The study recommends customized support networks and academic achievements to help Nepal's children with cochlear implant treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the existing model's viability, scalability, and influence on waste management in Nepal with a case study of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City (SMC). The study highlights the significance of organizational openness, open communication, and feedback methods to engage all stakeholders. The degradable waste is recycled into fertilizer and gas, making the waste-to-energy operation sustainable. The study finds no landfill in the SMC, although attempts are underway to fix this. The study found that garbage disposal may be effectively managed with proper regulation, training, and awareness initiatives, reducing waste-related issues. The findings emphasize the relevance of such methods in decreasing pollution. The study found that waste management initiatives focus on worker safety and health by adhering to workplace health standards through adequate safety measures and equipment provision. It emphasizes the benefits of waste-to-energy, which minimizes air and water pollution. This sector's workers are health and safety aware, and the awareness campaigns encourage waste source segregation. Finally, the study highlights the importance of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework in waste management, offering insights for national initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores intimacy and gendered practices in insurgent warfare, with special reference to the conflict in Nepal between 1996 and 2006. Drawing on fieldwork, we argue that women's experiences of and during the insurgency highlight how they engaged with bodily concerns and care, reproductive, and healing practices while serving revolutionary causes. By drawing attention to these particular issues, the article contends that most of the existing literature on conflict fails to account for the gendered nuances and micro-politics of care in violent contexts. It shows how healthcare provisions have been restricted to informal and private spaces due to attacks against healthcare and illustrates the long-term impacts of being unable to access public healthcare due to insecurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Burnout syndrome attributable to cumulative stressors is highly prevalent among teachers. Despite this, knowledge of burnout syndrome among schoolteachers in lower-middle-income countries are limited, therefore we aimed to investigate self-reported occupational burnout syndrome and associated factors among schoolteachers in Nepal. Methods: A survey was conducted among randomly selected 37 community schools in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2022, with a total sample of 218 schoolteachers (70% male). Occupational burnout was assessed using the Nepali version of the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-ES). MBI-ES consists of 22 items assessing occupational burnout, which were classified into emotional exhaustion (EE, 9 items, score range: 0–45), depersonalization (DP, 5 items, 0–23), and personal accomplishment (PA, 8 items; 3–48). The greater score in EE and DP and the lower score in PA indicate a higher level of burnout. Various socio-demographic, lifestyle, and work-related factors were examined as determinants of occupational burnout using ANOVA and multivariable linear regression models. Results: The mean scores of EE, DP, and PA were 14.99 (Standard Deviation, SD = 9.79), 4.18 (SD = 4.57), and 42.11 (SD = 6.82) respectively. Poor/moderate work ability contributed to poorer ratings of all three dimensions. Teaching special needs students contributed to EE and DP, whereas low physical activity and alcohol intake were associated with PA only. Younger age, being married, language of teaching, having a disability, sub-optimal physical fitness, poor sleep quality, and ever smoking contributed to EE only. Conclusion: Occupational burnout among schoolteachers was relatively high. Marital status, lifestyle behavioral, and work-related factors were associated especially with EE and workability was a strong determinant of all three dimensions. Clinical trial registration number: NCT05626543. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice, a staple food for over half the global population, is crucial for food security, economic stability, and cultural significance. Its production, however, is threatened by pests like the Yellow Stem Borer (YSB), which causes substantial yield losses, especially in rice-dominant regions like Nepal. This study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of biological, botanical, and chemical pesticides against YSB in spring rice crops of Ratuwamai, Morang, Nepal. For this, we apply biological methods/pathogens like Bacillus thuringiensis, to target YSB; botanical pesticides, derived from plants like Azadirachtin and Mugworth, act as repellents; while chemical pesticides such as Cypermethrin, Chlorpyriphos and Cartap Hydrochloride offer rapid control but come with environmental risks. Among those six pesticides used, the present findings revealed that chlorpyriphos 20% EC have minimum mean dead heart with 4.92% and cypermethrin 10% EC have minimum mean white ear head with 2.44% respectively after application of first and second dose of treatments respectively. Likewise, most plant yield attributes were superior where chlorpyriphos was used. Though bacillus and azadirachtin reduced the dead heart and white ear head symptoms, they couldn't give good yield than that of chemical pesticides. Thence, through our research we investigated the impacts of different biological, botanical and chemical pesticides in controlling YSB population densities, and influencing yield and yield attributing characters from the field experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First-order basin morphology is important for the functioning of the whole hydrologic system. This study examines the geomorphology of three areas in the tectonically active Siwalik Hills, Nepal, using morphometric variables. Twenty variables for 11,200 first-order basins were obtained from maps and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of three areas (the Machheli, Banganga and Binai river basins). Principal component analysis of each area condensed these into 6 major components, which accounted for 78–82% of the total variance in each data set. Rotated principal components were remarkably consistent between the three areas. The average slope, area, elevation range, valley angle, shape index, hypsometric integral, basin asymmetry factor and drainage density were identified as the eight most important morphometric variables defining these components. Ordinal grouping and k-means clustering led to recognition of eight basin types, distinguished predominantly by elevation range, average slope, area and valley angle. Shallow and steep basins are predominant in all three areas. The spatial distribution of first-order basin types exhibits a distinct pattern of geomorphic regions. The study demonstrated that a first-order basin is a suitable unit to demonstrate the morphological characteristics of a geologically complex area, and the study approach can be applied more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of academic dishonesty in general and exam cheating in particular, has been ubiquitous in schools, colleges, and universities around the world. This paper reports on the findings from teachers' and students' experiences and perceptions of exam cheating at Nepali schools, colleges, and universities. In so doing, the paper highlights the challenges of maintaining academic integrity in Nepali education systems. Based on qualitative research design, the study data were collected by employing semi-structured interviews with the teachers and the students. Findings from the study indicated that over-emphasized value given to marks/grades and the nature of exam questions among others were the predominant factors. Our findings contribute to the practical understanding that academic institutions in Nepal have largely failed to communicate the value of academic honesty and integrity to the students of all levels of education despite the increasing prevalence of exam cheating. Therefore, exam cheating requires urgent attention from academic institutions, educators, and education leaders to educate students about the long-term educational and social values of academic honesty and integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Children below the age of 15 years account for the majority of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related deaths in Nepal. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves health and prolongs lives of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Poor adherence to ART provides clue to a sub-therapeutic level of antiretroviral drug, which can facilitate multi-drug resistance of similar regimen, leading to treatment failure and death. The objective of this study was to determine the level of adherence to ART and its associated factors among HIV-infected children aged 0-14 years in Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences (PoAHS), Pokhara, Nepal. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 15th, 2020 and February 15th, 2021, and included 57 HIV-infected children. Caregivers of the children were questioned with a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire, which was later translated verbally to Nepali. Trained doctors took the interviews. Acquired data was entered using SPSS version 17 software for analysis. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Caregiver's forgetfulness was the main reason for missing ART doses (60%; 6/10). Other reasons were side effects of drug-related fear (30%; 3/10), followed by transportation problems (10%; 1/10). Older children (range, 11-14 years) adhered more to ART than younger ones (aged 0-5 and 6-10 years), with COR = 4.80 and 1.16, and 95% CI: 0.81-28.15% and 0.19-6.88%, respectively. Caregivers who knew their HIV status had their children more adherent to ART than those with unknown HIV status (COR = 27.94, 95% CI: 1.23-634.62%). A significant proportion of children in ART unit of PoAHS (17.54%; 10/57) missed ART doses within the previous week. Conclusions: The level of non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy in children was found to be 17.54%. Caregiver's forgetfulness, side effects of drug-related fear, and transportation problems were the most common causes of non-adherence. Encouraging caregivers to know their HIV status, providing medicines via nearby ART clinics with coordination of community-based support, and using clues as a reminder to provide the child with drugs at the same time of the day, increase ART adherence in pediatric HIV-positive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper examines the factors affecting farmers' participation in extension programs and adoption of improved seed varieties in the hills of rural Nepal. Methodology/approach: Cross-sectional farm-level data were collected during July and August 2014. A sample of 198 farm households was selected for interviewing by using a multistage, random sampling technique. We employed a logistic regression model, frequency counts, and percentages to analyze the data. Findings: Adoption decisions were mainly affected by extension-related variables--training, membership in a farmers' group, and off-farm employment. Extension participation was found to be influenced by socioeconomic variables--age, education, household size, and distance to the extension office. Our findings reveal that distance to the extension office and off-farm employment limited participation in extension activities and adoption, respectively, and education, household size, and group membership stimulated participation in extension programs. Practical implications: Recognition of the determinants of farmers' participation in extension services and innovation adoption ensures that targeted extension approaches are used to address these factors in various stages of planning, delivering, and evaluating extension programs. Theoretical implications: Innovation adoption follows a systematic decision-making process. Although personal characteristics are important, widespread use of new technology requires a conducive social and institutional context. Because contexts vary by country or region, extension services providers should create institutions favorable for innovation adoption within a social system. Originality/value: This research is original and highly valuable to identify the factors associated with extension participation and innovation adoption in the rural hilly region of Nepal. This also provides a new direction to operationalize farmer-oriented policies of agricultural extension and so can be helpful for agricultural policy-makers in devising programs of extension services.

Over the last few decades, remote sensing has emerged as a dependable and cost-effective method for collecting precise data on forest biophysical parameters, aiding in sustainable forest management and global initiatives to combat climate change. This research aimed to develop a model for estimating the above-ground biomass (AGB) of Teak (Tectona grandis L. F.) by combining field measurements with Sentinel-2 earth observation data. The study took place in 36-year-old teak plantation areas within the Sagarnath Forest Development Project in Nepal's Sarlahi district. Field measurements were conducted using a destructive systematic sampling method, employing 10 × 10 m2 sample plots, and the volume of logs was determined using Newton's formula. A total of 30 sample plots were used for calibration, while 10 were utilized for validation purposes. The findings revealed that the average AGB per plot was 814 kg (equivalent to 81.4 t ha−1), with a minimum value of 716 kg (71.6 t ha−1) and a maximum value of 1,060 kg (106 t ha−1). The study utilized five independent variables, namely, the Red band, Green band, Blue band, near-infrared (NIR), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values from Sentinel-2 imagery data, to develop estimation models. Among the 12 models examined, model M10 proved to be the best fit for accurate AGB estimation (adjusted R2 = 0.9809, RMSE = 0.01269, AIC = −170, and p-value = < 8.39e−21). The equation of the best-fitted model was ln (AGB) = A + B × Red + C × Green + D × Blue2 + E × ln (NIR) + F × ln (NDVI), providing an accurate estimate of AGB. Model validation involved a t-test comparing the observed and calculated AGB values for ten sample plots, demonstrating no significant difference (p-value = 0.3662 > 0.05). This model has the potential to facilitate AGB biomass calculations and carbon stock estimates for teak plantations of similar age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A subsurface investigation was conducted to assess the suitability of a site for potential tunnel construction, focusing on the determination of shear wave velocities (Vs) in subsurface materials. This study employed three distinct methods to analyze Vs in weathered soft rock: drilling mechanism, multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW), and microtremor array measurement (MAM). Through the utilization of MASW and MAM, empirical relationships were established, enabling the determination of Vs based solely on soil type and depth, offering a practical alternative to the limitations of SPT N-Value, particularly when exceeding 50 blows. The comparison of Vs values obtained from these methods revealed a close alignment between empirical techniques and MASW/MAM, which proved to be cost-effective and an efficient alternative to drilling for comprehensive underground structure assessments. The reliability of MASW was further underscored through its comparison with existing empirical methods. Moreover, the empirical approach demonstrated its efficacy in predicting velocities in weathered soft rock within the Central Himalayan region of Nepal, thus enhancing the feasibility study of underground structures. Lastly, this study proposed a Vs-Depth correlation specifically tailored for highly weathered meta-sandstone bedrock resulting in clay and sandy soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women in Nepal are primary users of water within and outside of their houses. Studies show that despite being a major stakeholder, women's voices are often absent in water management decisions. One of the effective ways of creating genderinclusive and empowering water management systems is through government policies and strategies. The objective of this paper is to examine whether Nepal's water‐related policies are gender inclusive and empowering. We review Nepal's major water‐related policies—the constitution and various acts and regulations—to assess whether these documents reflect women's interests and representation in various institutions that provide rights and controls over water in communities. Based on the review, we find that recent water policies of Nepal increasingly recognize the role of women as major stakeholders. This recognition is reflected in Nepal's policies such as the requirement to have at least 33% women represented in water user associations and the inclusion of women in executive positions at the community level. However, because of the lack of other strong implementation and monitoring arrangements such as allocation of budget and capacity‐building provisions, these policies are limited in their capacity to empower women to play decision‐making roles in water management. For women to have meaningful participation in water management, it is important that Nepal initiates provisions such as a strong implementation plan, adequate budget allocation for women's capacity building, and frequent monitoring. 尼泊尔妇女是家庭内外用水的主要使用者。研究表明, 尽管妇女是主要的利益攸关方, 但在水管理决策中却常常缺少妇女的声音。创建性别包容和赋权的水管理系统的有效方法之一是通过政府政策和战略。本文旨在研究尼泊尔与水有关的政策是否具有性别包容性和赋权性。我们述评了尼泊尔与水有关的主要政策——宪法以及各种法案和法规——以评估这些文件是否反映了妇女在"提供社区水权和控制权的不同机构"中的利益和代表性。根据述评, 我们发现, 尼泊尔近期的水政策越来越认可妇女作为主要利益攸关方的作用。这种认可反映在尼泊尔的政策中, 例如要求用水者协会至少有33%的妇女代表, 以及让妇女担任社区一级的行政职务。然而, 由于缺乏其他强有力的实施和监督安排, 例如预算分配和能力建设规定, 这些政策在"对妇女赋权, 使其在水管理方面发挥决策作用"的能力有限。为了使妇女有意义地参与水管理, 尼泊尔需要启动"强有力的实施计划、为妇女能力建设分配充足的预算、以及经常监测"等规定。. Las mujeres en Nepal son las principales usuarias de agua dentro y fuera de sus hogares. Los estudios muestran que, a pesar de ser una parte interesada importante, las voces de las mujeres a menudo están ausentes en las decisiones sobre gestión del agua. Una de las formas efectivas de crear sistemas de gestión del agua empoderadores e inclusivos en términos de género es a través de políticas y estrategias gubernamentales. El objetivo de este artículo es examinar si las políticas relacionadas con el agua de Nepal son inclusivas en materia de género y empoderadoras. Revisamos las principales políticas relacionadas con el agua de Nepal (la Constitución y diversas leyes y regulaciones) para evaluar si estos documentos reflejan los intereses y la representación de las mujeres en diversas instituciones que otorgan derechos y controles sobre el agua en las comunidades. Según la revisión, encontramos que las políticas hídricas recientes de Nepal reconocen cada vez más el papel de las mujeres como partes interesadas principales. Este reconocimiento se refleja en políticas de Nepal como el requisito de tener al menos un 33% de mujeres representadas en las asociaciones de usuarios de agua y la inclusión de mujeres en puestos ejecutivos a nivel comunitario. Sin embargo, debido a la falta de otros acuerdos sólidos de implementación y monitoreo, como la asignación de presupuesto y disposiciones para el desarrollo de capacidades, estas políticas tienen una capacidad limitada para empoderar a las mujeres para que desempeñen roles de toma de decisiones en la gestión del agua. Para que las mujeres tengan una participación significativa en la gestión del agua, es importante que Nepal inicie disposiciones tales como un plan de implementación sólido, una asignación presupuestaria adecuada para el desarrollo de capacidades de las mujeres y un seguimiento frecuente. Highlights: The article reviews the water‐related policies of Nepal and assesses whether these policies are gender inclusive and empowering to women.We review various policy documents such as Nepal's Constitution, Water Resource Act, Water Resource Regulation, Irrigation Regulation, and Water Resource Strategies of the last three decades.Compared to older policies, recent policies are gender inclusive. Policies such as Irrigation Policy 2013 and National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy 2014 mandate 33% inclusion of women members in their user groups at the community level.To surmount structural barriers that prohibit women's meaningful participation in water management, Nepal should take additional measures such as building strong implementation plans and allocating adequate budget for women's capacity building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports how the rhetorical devices and logical argument utilized in the speech of Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, delivered in Lumbini, addressing the 2566th birth ceremony of Lord Buddha, assisted him to establish his purpose by persuading the audience. I adopted the concept of rhetoric developed by Aristotle and the notion of argument advanced by Toulmin as a theoretical perspective to analyze his speech. The findings reported that Modi used rhetorical devices and layers of argument to establish religious and cultural relationships between Nepal and India; however, he focused on religions, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism, and excluded the religious and cultural sentiments of people belonging to other religious and cultural backgrounds living in both countries. The finding further revealed that Modi's seemingly religious rhetoric was directed towards the political mission of promoting relations between Nepal and India by expanding cultural nationalism and establishing the supremacy of Hinduism and Buddhism. This study has greater significance because it adds new insights into the existing literature on rhetoric and communication and provides a clear direction for further analyzing the rhetorical strategy in Modi's speeches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opportunity for future green hydrogen development in Nepal comes with end- use infrastructural challenges. The heavy reliance of industries on fossil fuels (63.4%) despite the abundance of hydroelectricity poses an additional challenge to the green transition of Nepal. The presented work aims to study the possibility of storing and utilizing spilled hydroelectricity due to runoff rivers as a compatible alternative to imported petroleum fuels. This is achieved by converting green hydrogen from water electrolysis and carbon dioxide from carbon capture of hard-to-abate industries into synthetic methane for heating applications via the Sabatier process. An economy-of-scale study was conducted to identify the optimal scale for the reference case (Industries in Makwanpur District Nepal) for establishing the Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) production industry. The techno- economic assessment was carried out for pilot scale and reference scale production unit individually. Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses were performed to study the project profitability and the sensitivity of the parameters influencing the feasibility of the production plant. The reference scale for the production of Synthetic Natural Gas was determined to be 40 Tons Per Day (TPD), with a total capital investment of around 72.15 Million USD. Electricity was identified as the most sensitive parameter affecting the levelized cost of production (LCOP). The 40 TPD plant was found to be price competitive to LPG when electricity price is subsidized below 3.55 NPR/unit (2.7 c/unit) from 12 NPR/unit (9.2 c/unit). In the case of the 2 TPD plant, for it to be profitable, the price of electricity must be subsidized to well below 2 NPR/kWh. The study concludes that the possibility of SNG production in Nepal is profitable and price-competitive at large scales and at the same time limited by the low round efficiency due to conversion losses. Additionally, it was observed that highly favorable conditions driven by government policies would be required for the pilot-scale SNG project to be feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nepal has experienced several earthquakes. However, there are only a few time history records of these events. In the last 100 years, the country has witnessed two major earthquakes in 1934 and 2015: the 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake and the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. This study aims to simulate the 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake in Kathmandu using a deterministic approach. The maximum peak ground acceleration (PGA), response spectrum, Fourier spectrum, predominant period, and mean time period of the simulated earthquake were provided. The validity of the simulation approach was verified by comparing the ground motion parameters of the simulated 2015 Gorkha earthquake with those of the recorded time history. The maximum PGA of the simulated 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake in Kathmandu was 0.273 g, which is comparable to the value obtained from the intensity–PGA relationship. The significant duration of earthquakes in Nepal was also compared to that of the other subduction zone earthquakes. It was found that the earthquakes in Nepal lasted longer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental health is a growing concern worldwide. It is not well understood whether international labour migrants from Nepal who return to Nepal are at higher risk of developing mental health problems. The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of and examine the associated factors for depressive symptoms among returnee migrants and non-migrant working male adults in Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of a probability-based sample of 725 participants was conducted in February 2020. The sample was comprised of two groups based on migration status: returning migrants and non-migrants. The 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-21) questionnaire was used to assess depressive symptoms. Logistic regression was applied to investigate factors associated with symptoms of depression. Results: The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 10.1%. However, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was lower (7%) among returnee migrants compared to non-migrants (13.7%). Men in the lower income group had a higher chance of having depressive (AOR = 5.88, 95% CI: 2.17–15.96) than those in the higher income group. Similarly, Buddhists and Christians were more likely to be depressed (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.03–4.68) than Hindus. Participants with more than two children had a higher chance of having of depressive symptoms (AOR = 4.80, 95% CI: 1.15–20.05) compared with those without children. Unmarried men were more likely to be depressed (AOR = 4.07, 95%, CI:1.11–14.92) than those who were married. Conclusion: The working Nepali adult male population in Nepal, including returning migrants, is at risk of depressive symptoms, but this association was lower in those in the higher income group, returnee migrants, those who were married, Hindus and those with no children. Our results highlight the need to monitor and develop national policies to ensure the mental health of the Nepali male adult population, including returnee migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multimorbidity is a group of conditions, it has significant impact on the population as a whole, resulting in lower quality of life, higher mortality, frequent use of medical services, and consequently higher healthcare costs. The objective of this study is to document the prevalence of common multimorbidity and its associated risk factors among population of Mechinagar Municipality. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted where selected multimorbidity were assessed in selected areas of Mechinagar municipality of Jhapa District. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 590 adult participants from three pre-defined pocket areas. Pre-designed semi-structured multimorbidity assessment questionnaire for primary care (MAQ-PC)was used to assess prevalence of multimorbidity. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to identify the strongest determinants of multimorbidity. Results: The prevalence of multimorbidity was 22.4%.Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus and COPD was seen in 39.2%, 7.8.% and 4.4% of the participants respectively. Participants with advancing age i. e. 40-49yrs were 12.62 times (AOR) more likely to have multimorbidity compared to their counterparts who were 20-29yrs old(p=<0.01,CI3.01-15.28) after adjusting for occupation, physical activity and family history of kidney disease. Working individuals, Physical inactivity and positive family history of kidney disease were the strongest determinates of multimorbidity. Conclusions: The study revealed that participants with increasing age, working individuals, physical inactivity and family history of kidney disease were more vulnerable of having multimorbidity. The findings of our study indicate need of intervention strategies and community-based health promotion programs in reducing burden of chronic disease among adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing or predicting seismic damage in buildings is an essential and challenging component of seismic risk studies. Machine learning methods offer new perspectives for damage characterization, taking advantage of available data on the characteristics of built environments. In this study, we aim (1) to characterize seismic damage using a classification model trained and tested on damage survey data from earthquakes in Nepal, Haiti, Serbia and Italy and (2) to test how well a model trained on a given region (host) can predict damage in another region (target). The strategy adopted considers only simple data characterizing the building (number of stories and building age), seismic ground motion (macroseismic intensity) and a traffic-light-based damage classification model (green, yellow, red categories). The study confirms that the extreme gradient boosting classification model (XGBC) with oversampling predicts damage with 60% accuracy. However, the quality of the survey is a key issue for model performance. Furthermore, the host-to-target test suggests that the model's applicability may be limited to regions with similar contextual environments (e.g., socio-economic conditions). Our results show that a model from one region can only be applied to another region under certain conditions. We expect our model to serve as a starting point for further analysis in host-to-target region adjustment and confirm the need for additional post-earthquake surveys in other regions with different tectonic, urban fabric and socio-economic contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the context of developed countries, a lot of research has been done to uncover and identify the problems school leaders face in their work but little is known about the school leadership of underdeveloped countries. In a quest to discover contextual problems in terms of role conflict and role ambiguity of school leaders, this qualitative study tries to capture the experiences of principals in Nepal through in-depth interviews of six community school principals. The findings reveal that the major sources of role conflict and ambiguity for principals from Nepal are problematic power-sharing, low job autonomy, dual role conflict, limited professional development training, and lack of leadership knowledge. The study has several policy-level implications such as importance of hiring principals with proven leadership skills and increasing the leadership skills of current principals to ensure that they can tackle these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globally, the majority of strokes affect people residing in lower-and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), but translating evidence-based knowledge into clinical practice in regions with limited healthcare resources remains challenging. As an LMIC in South Asia, stroke care has remained a healthcare problem previously unaddressed at a national scale in Nepal. The Nepal Stroke Project (NSP) aims to improve acute stroke care in the tertiary healthcare sector of Nepal. We hereby describe the methods applied and analyze the barriers and facilitators of the NSP after 18 months. Methods: The NSP follows a four-tier strategy: (1) quality improvement by training healthcare professionals in tertiary care centers; (2) implementation of in-hospital stroke surveillance and quality monitoring system; (3) raising public awareness of strokes; and (4) collaborating with political stakeholders to facilitate public funding for stroke care. We performed a qualitative, iterative analysis of observational data to analyze the output indicators and identify best practices. Results: Both offline and online initiatives were undertaken to address quality improvement and public awareness. More than 1,000 healthcare professionals across nine tertiary care hospitals attended 26 stroke-related workshops conducted by Nepalese and international stroke experts. Monthly webinars were organized, and chat groups were made for better networking and cross-institutional case sharing. Social media-based public awareness campaigns reached more than 3 million individuals. Moreover, live events and other mass media campaigns were instituted. For quality monitoring, the Registry of Stroke Care Quality (RES-Q) was introduced. Collaboration with stakeholders (both national and international) has been initiated. Discussion: We identified six actions thatmay support the development of tertiary care centers into essential stroke centers in a resource-limited setting. We believe that our experiences will contribute to the body of knowledge on translating evidence into practice in LMICs, although the impact of our resultsmust be verified with process indicators of stroke care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient satisfaction is a vital metric for assessing healthcare quality and delivering patient-centered care. It can predict service utilization patterns by determining healthcare users' contentment with their providers. Consequently, evaluating patient satisfaction and its underlying factors is crucial to maintaining the quality of healthcare services. The present study aimed to assess patient satisfaction and its determinants in a tertiary care public hospital in Nepal. In this research, a cross-sectional design was employed to examine patient satisfaction within the Outpatient Department of Mental Hospital Lagankhel, Nepal. The study adopted a systematic random sampling approach for respondent selection, and stringent measures were implemented to uphold the validity and reliability of the collected data. To assess patient satisfaction comprehensively, the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-III (PSQ-III), developed by the RAND Corporation, was employed in conjunction with relevant sociodemographic variables. Utilizing mean scores and percentages, we calculated satisfaction levels across various dimensions. Additionally, a multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the relationships between patient satisfaction dimensions and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: This study encompassed perspective of 206 participants, with 57.3% representing patient relatives and 51% being male, median age of 32 years (standard deviation: 12.53). Notably, patients reported higher levels of satisfaction, particularly within the interpersonal relationship dimension, while the technical quality domain received comparatively lower satisfaction ratings. Multinomial logistic regression analysis underscored the significance of sociodemographic factors in shaping patient satisfaction, with age (p = 0.008), type of residence (p = 0.001), occupation (p = 0.0019), income status (p = 0.014), time to reach the healthcare facility (p = 0.013), and insurance enrollment status (p = 0.017) all demonstrating significant associations. These findings illuminate the intricate qualities of patient satisfaction within our healthcare context, offering actionable insights for enhancement and guiding the trajectory of future research endeavors. Conclusions: Overall patient expressed satisfaction with service provided by tertiary care hospital, however continuous improvement remains essential. Conducting large-scale, nationwide studies across hospital tiers is vital. This data-driven approach empowers policymakers to allocate resources effectively, inform decision-making, and enact policies that exceed patient expectations, fostering a healthcare system of unparalleled excellence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fuel cell-based combined heat and power (CHP) system holds significant potential to be a viable alternative to conventional diesel generators for providing backup power during disruptions. The system generates power with only water as a byproduct, thus promoting environmental sustainability through reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This study provides a comprehensive techno-economic assessment for replacement of 488 kW diesel generator that powers a hospital in Nepal during power disruption. The counter power capacity of fuel cell is 500 kW. The scope of hydrogen generation has been considered both on-site and off-site. The economic analysis performed for the on-site hydrogen production resulted in a net present value of USD 42,717 with a corresponding internal rate of return of 8.40 % and a payback period of around 10 years, making it an economically viable option. The uncertainty and sensitivity analysis revealed the electricity tariff rate as the most significant cost factor. For off-site hydrogen production, the proposed system is economically feasible if the hydrogen can be purchased below 3.5 USD/kg. [Display omitted] • Limited past studies exploring potential application of green hydrogen in Nepal. • Feasibility study of application of green hydrogen as a power backup source. • Analysis of two H 2 production cases using various techno economic analysis tools. • Establishes fuel cell CHP system as an economically viable alternative in Nepal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study describes the prevalence, associated factors and child mental health outcomes related to symptoms of maternal depression and anxiety within 5 years after childbirth in a rural district in Nepal. This association is not well‐understood in rural, community‐based settings in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC). Methods: A sample of 347 women with children under 5 years was recruited in September 2019 for a cross‐sectional study in the rural Saptari district in Nepal. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the association between maternal depressive or anxiety symptoms and children's experience and impact of emotional and behavioural difficulties. Results: In total, 144 women (41.5%) had moderate or severe depression symptoms and 118 (34%) had anxiety symptoms. Mothers with a lower income were more likely to have anxiety symptoms than the highest income group (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.0). An association existed between maternal depressive symptoms and the impact of emotional or behavioural difficulties in children (OR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.02–5.84). In contrast, there was no association between maternal anxiety and child outcomes. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the prevalence of probable maternal anxiety and depression symptoms was relatively high in this rural, low‐resourced and community‐based setting in Nepal. Maternal depressive symptoms were associated with the degree of impact on children's mental health post‐infancy, emphasising the importance of improving maternal mental health in the early years of a child's life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates how variations in sediment supply, grain size distribution and climate change affect channel morphology and flood inundation in the Nakkhu River, Kathmandu, Nepal. Climate change‐induced extreme rainfall is expected to increase flood intensity and frequency, causing severe flooding in the Kathmandu basin. The upper reaches of the Nakkhu River are susceptible to landslides and have been impacted by large‐scale sand mining. We simulate potential erosion and deposition scenarios along a 14 km reach of the Nakkhu River using the landscape evolution model CAESAR‐Lisflood with a 10 m digital elevation model, field‐derived sediment grain size data, daily discharge records and flood forecast models. In a series of numerical experiments, we compare riverbed profiles, cross‐sections, flood extent and flow depths for three scenarios (1.2‐, 85‐ and 1000‐year return period floods). For each scenario, the model is first run without sediment transport and then with sediment transport for three grain size distributions (GSDs) (observed average, finer and coarser). In all cases, the inclusion of sediment led to predicted floods of a larger extent than estimated without sediment. The sediment grain size distribution was found to have a significant influence on predicted river morphology and flood inundation, especially for lower magnitude, higher probability flood events. The results emphasise the importance of including sediment transport in hydrological models when predicting flood inundation in sediment‐rich rivers such as those in and around the Himalaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To measure the independent consequences of community‐level armed conflict beatings on alcohol use disorders (AUD) among males in Nepal during and after the 2000–2006 conflict. Design: A population‐representative panel study from Nepal, with precise measures of community‐level violent events and subsequent individual‐level AUD in males. Females were not included because of low AUD prevalence. Setting: Chitwan, Nepal. Participants: Four thousand eight hundred seventy‐six males from 151 neighborhoods, systematically selected and representative of Western Chitwan. All residents aged 15–59 were eligible (response rate 93%). Measurements Measures of beatings in the community during the conflict (2000–2006), including the date and distance away, were gathered through neighborhood reports, geo‐location and official resources, then linked to respondents' life histories of AUD (collected in 2016–2018) using the Nepal‐specific Composite International Diagnostic Interview with life history calendar. Beatings nearby predict the subsequent onset of AUD during and after the armed conflict. Data were analyzed in 2021–2022. Findings Cohort‐specific, discrete‐time models revealed that within the youngest cohort (born 1992–2001), those living in neighborhoods where armed conflict beatings occurred were more likely to develop AUD compared with those in other neighborhoods (odds ratio = 1.66; 95% confidence interval = 1.02–2.71). In this cohort, a multilevel matching analysis designed to simulate a randomized trial showed the post‐conflict incidence of AUD for those living in neighborhoods with any armed conflict beatings was 9.5% compared with 5.3% in the matched sample with no beatings. Conclusions: Among male children living in Chitwan, Nepal during the 2000–2006 armed conflict, living in a neighborhood where armed conflict beatings occurred is associated with increased odds of developing subsequent alcohol use disorder. This association was independent of personal exposure to beatings and other mental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil fertility maps are crucial for sustainable soil and land use management system for predicting soil health status. However, many regions of Nepal lack updated or reliable soil fertility maps. This study aimed to develop the soil fertility map of agricultural areas in Resunga Municipality, Gulmi district of Nepal using the geographical information system (GIS) technique. A total of 57 composite geo-referenced soil samples from the depth (0–20 cm) were taken from the agricultural land of an area of 52 km2. Soil samples were analyzed for their texture, pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, available potassium, available boron, and available zinc. These parameters were modelled to develop a soil quality index (SQI). Using the kriging tool, obtained parameters were interpolated and digital maps were produced along with soil quality and nutrient indices. The result showed that the study area lies within the fair (0.4 to 0.6) and good (0.6 to 0.8) range of SQI representing 96% and 3% respectively. Soil organic matter and nitrogen showed moderate variability exhibiting a low status in 95% and 86% of the total study area. Phosphorous and potassium showed medium status in 88% and 75% of the study area, respectively. Zinc was low and boron status was medium in most of the area. To maintain soil fertility is by improving the rate of exogenous application of fertilizers and manures. The application of micronutrients like boron and zinc is highly recommended in the study area along with organic manures. The soil fertility map can be used as a baseline for soil and land use management in Resunga Municipality. We recommend further studies to validate the map and assess the factors affecting soil fertility in this region. Soil fertility maps provide researchers, farmers, students, and land use planners with easier decision-making tools for sustainable crop production systems and land use management systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In remote communities, diagnosis of G6PD deficiency is challenging. We assessed the impact of modified test procedures and delayed testing for the point-of-care diagnostic STANDARD G6PD (SDBiosensor, RoK), and evaluated recommended cut-offs. We tested capillary blood from fingerpricks (Standard Method) and a microtainer (BD, USA; Method 1), venous blood from a vacutainer (BD, USA; Method 2), varied sample application methods (Methods 3), and used micropipettes rather than the test's single-use pipette (Method 4). Repeatability was assessed by comparing median differences between paired measurements. All methods were tested 20 times under laboratory conditions on three volunteers. The Standard Method and the method with best repeatability were tested in Indonesia and Nepal. In Indonesia 60 participants were tested in duplicate by both methods, in Nepal 120 participants were tested in duplicate by either method. The adjusted male median (AMM) of the Biosensor Standard Method readings was defined as 100% activity. In Indonesia, the difference between paired readings of the Standard and modified methods was compared to assess the impact of delayed testing. In the pilot study repeatability didn't differ significantly (p = 0.381); Method 3 showed lowest variability. One Nepalese participant had <30% activity, one Indonesian and 10 Nepalese participants had intermediate activity (≥30% to <70% activity). Repeatability didn't differ significantly in Indonesia (Standard: 0.2U/gHb [IQR: 0.1–0.4]; Method 3: 0.3U/gHb [IQR: 0.1–0.5]; p = 0.425) or Nepal (Standard: 0.4U/gHb [IQR: 0.2–0.6]; Method 3: 0.3U/gHb [IQR: 0.1–0.6]; p = 0.330). Median G6PD measurements by Method 3 were 0.4U/gHb (IQR: -0.2 to 0.7, p = 0.005) higher after a 5-hour delay compared to the Standard Method. The definition of 100% activity by the Standard Method matched the manufacturer-recommended cut-off for 70% activity. We couldn't improve repeatability. Delays of up to 5 hours didn't result in a clinically relevant difference in measured G6PD activity. The manufacturer's recommended cut-off for intermediate deficiency is conservative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A plethora of discussion informs decolonising social work. However, how social work can be decolonised from women's perspective is still unexplored. Using the context of Nepal as a case study, this article theoretically explores 'the what', 'the why' and 'the how' of decolonising social work from women's standpoint. It is hoped this analysis will initiate and contribute to the critical debate on women, social work and decolonisation in Nepal and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroforestry in Nepal is a multifaceted and sustainable approach that harmonizes agricultural, environmental, and socioeconomic goals. This study conducted a comprehensive review of agroforestry systems in Nepal, emphasizing their impact on food security, rural livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. By bridging research gaps and highlighting environmental advantages, it provides valuable insights for evidence‐based policymaking, making it a significant resource for Nepal and beyond. The study employed a comprehensive desktop review methodology using a PRISMA Flow Diagram for data collection and utilized academic databases to include literature related to agroforestry practices, their impacts, and associated socioeconomic and environmental aspects. Agroforestry systems in Nepal offer a comprehensive approach to sustainable agriculture, economic empowerment, and environmental conservation while enhancing resilience to climate change. While these systems provide multiple benefits, including enhanced soil quality and increased carbon sequestration, they also face challenges related to technical knowledge and market access. To fully harness the potential of agroforestry and address food (SDG 2), and energy security, and land degradation, bridging the gap between researchers and farmers, promoting information dissemination, and establishing support mechanisms are essential. Aligning with government strategies and international initiatives can pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for Nepal's rural communities and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nepal has been a diverse society since ancient times, with ethnic communities maintaining identity based on specific locations. In ancient and medieval periods, central rulers appointed feudal leaders in different parts of the country due to transportation challenges. These provincial rulers governed, and collected revenue, forming a historical basis for the current provincial state. Post-Unification, ruling power was centralized to the king, and the concept of decentralization developed with the People's Movement 2006. This study was conducted to investigate the historical origins and context of federalism in Nepal. The study found that the present federal system in the constitution reflects ancient and medieval provincial governance, adapting to contemporary needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]