Adoption of improved wheat varieties at Kanchanpur, Nepal

Usage of improved varieties raises the crop yield. To assess the adoption status of improved wheat varieties in the Kanchanpur district, this study investigated the varietal coverage of wheat along with factors affecting the adoption of improved varieties. A pre-tested interview schedule was administered to interview 90 randomly selected wheat-producing households in Bhimdutta, Bedkot and Dodhara Chandni (Mahakali) municipality. A binary logistic regression was used for triangulating the effect of different variables on the adoption of improved wheat varieties. Besides, descriptive statistics and indexing were also applied. The findings revealed that 80.97% of the area was under improved varieties, two-thirds of which were released varieties. In addition, of the released varieties, Vijay had the highest area coverage (27.97%), followed by Aditya (19.47%), Gautam (18.76%), NL971 (16.42%), BL4341 (13.65%) and others (3.73%), respectively. Further, the adoption of improved wheat varieties was found to be significantly driven by input subsidy (5% level) and access to extension services (10% level). Nevertheless, the adoption was impeded by problems namely; timely unavailability of improved variety seeds followed by lack of knowledge about improved varieties, unavailability of improved variety seeds in local markets, high cost of seeds and poor quality of seeds respectively, as identified and ranked by indexing. In light of these findings, input subsidies to the smallholding farmers, regular advisory and extension services along with participatory training programs relevant to the adoption of improved practices and timely availability of improved seeds are suggested to increase the adoption of improved wheat varieties among the farmers

Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of respiratory pathogens obtained at tertiary care hospital from western Nepal

The prevalence and drug resistance of the respiratory pathogens is increasing gradually in Nepal. However, their detail study is rare in the western region of Nepal. Hence, this study was carried out to know the incidence and antibiotic susceptibility profile of the respiratory pathogens obtained at a tertiary care center located at Pokhara. 139 pathogens were isolated from 460 clinical samples included. Significant pathogens were Gram-negative bacteria 94 (67.62%), followed by 28 (20.15%) Candida, and Gram-positive isolates 17 (12.23%). The growth rate was significantly higher for sputum samples in comparison to throat swabs. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter were significant Gram-negative isolates while Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes were Gram-positive pathogens. Sensitivity rate was higher for colistin and imipenem among Gram-negative isolates while lower sensitivity was for cefepime. Vancomycin was effective against all tested Gram-positive isolates while erythromycin and ciprofloxacin were less effective

Early Childhood Oral Health and Nutrition in Urban and Rural Nepal

Globalization and urbanization in Nepal have driven a nutritional transition from an agricultural-based diet to an ultra-processed, sugary diet. This study assessed the nutrition and oral health of 836 children age 6 months to 6 years and their families in rural and urban Nepal. Mothers were interviewed about maternal–child oral health and nutrition, and children received dental exams and height and weight measurements. Analyses utilized SPSS statistical software. Most families lived within a 5-minute walk to a store selling ultra-processed snacks and sugary drinks. While most mothers knew sweets caused tooth decay, half of the children were given sweets daily, and 58.2% of children had dental caries. Caries began in the first 2 years and increased in prevalence and severity to age 6, when 74.3% had caries and 20% experienced mouth pain. Despite greater health knowledge and resources among urban mothers, urban children’s increased access to junk food and frequency of consumption was associated with higher prevalence and severity of caries compared to rural children. Severe caries was associated with malnutrition, especially in rural children. Preventive strategies are needed in early childhood to incorporate nutrition and oral health education and dental care into maternal–child health services, and develop policies to prohibit the sale of junk food around school

Early Childhood Oral Health and Nutrition in Urban and Rural Nepal

Globalization and urbanization in Nepal have driven a nutritional transition from an agricultural-based diet to an ultra-processed, sugary diet. This study assessed the nutrition and oral health of 836 children age 6 months to 6 years and their families in rural and urban Nepal. Mothers were interviewed about maternal–child oral health and nutrition, and children received dental exams and height and weight measurements. Analyses utilized SPSS statistical software. Most families lived within a 5-minute walk to a store selling ultra-processed snacks and sugary drinks. While most mothers knew sweets caused tooth decay, half of the children were given sweets daily, and 58.2% of children had dental caries. Caries began in the first 2 years and increased in prevalence and severity to age 6, when 74.3% had caries and 20% experienced mouth pain. Despite greater health knowledge and resources among urban mothers, urban children’s increased access to junk food and frequency of consumption was associated with higher prevalence and severity of caries compared to rural children. Severe caries was associated with malnutrition, especially in rural children. Preventive strategies are needed in early childhood to incorporate nutrition and oral health education and dental care into maternal–child health services, and develop policies to prohibit the sale of junk food around school