People-Centered Development in Nepal: An Innovative Approach

Occasional Papers in Sociology and Anthropology - Volume 6, 200

Anthropology, Society and Development in Nepal: A native perspective

Occasional Papers in Sociology and Anthropology - Volume 7, 200

Anthropological Perspectives on Grassroots Development in Nepal

Occasional Papers in Sociology and Anthropology - Volume 4, 198

Understanding effects of armed conflict on health outcomes: the case of Nepal

Objective There is abundance of literature on adverse effects of conflict on the health of the population. In contrast to this, sporadic data in Nepal claim improvements in most of the health indicators during the decade-long armed conflict (1996-2006). However, systematic information to support or reject this claim is scant. This study reviews Nepal's key health indicators before and after the violent conflict and explores the possible factors facilitating the progress. Methods A secondary analysis has been conducted of two demographic health surveys- Nepal Family Health Survey (NFHS) 1996 and Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2006; the latter was supplemented by a study carried out by the Nepal Health Research Council in 2006. Results The data show Nepal has made progress in 16 out of 19 health indicators which are part of the Millennium Development Goals whilst three indicators have remained static. Our analysis suggests a number of conflict and non-conflict factors which may have led to this success. Conclusion The lessons learnt from Nepal could be replicable elsewhere in conflict and post-conflict environments. A nationwide large-scale empirical study is needed to further assess the determinants of Nepal's success in the health sector at a time the country experienced a decade of armed conflict

Factors Affecting the Decision to Adopt and Continue Best Management Practices by Broiler Producers

We analyzed survey data collected from broiler producers in Louisiana to understand the factors affecting the longevity of best management practices adoption. Results indicated variables such as future expansion potential and the length of time the farm have been with the family decreases the chance of adopting best management practices. Our results support the idea that education and income would have positive results on the entry decision to adopt best management practices.adoption, best management practices, broiler production, entry, exit, Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries,

PRODUCTION TERMINATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO MITIGATE NUTRIENT POLLUTION

Nutrient runoff from agricultural land can be reduced through production termination to mitigate water pollution. The willingness to accept value to terminate the broiler production is evaluated using sample selection model. The result showed a positive relationship between the decision to participation and stated WTA value indicating the producers are willing to terminate the production but at high cost. The farmer’s perception about government role on water pollution, farm income, information and awareness about other pollution reduction alternatives play a major role on stated WTA amount as well as on participation decision.Environmental Economics and Policy,

Establishing the value of modern seed storage methods for wheat in diverse production ecologies in Nepal: Poster

In the developing-country context of Nepal, farmers often incur in seed losses of 15-30% due to improper storage. To evaluate the efficacy and costs of modern storage alternatives, experimental trials were set up among ten farmers each in two contrasting ecologies, i.e. Palpa (hills) and Rupandehi (terai plains) districts of Nepal in 2013. Several wheat seed storage options were contrasted including farmer practices (FP) such as reused fertilizer bags, polythene bags, household metal containers, and mud bins. Modern storage methods that were evaluated included plastic bags (with and without pesticide), metal bins, and hermetic ‘SuperGrainbag’ (SGB). Seed quality and losses were assessed after six months of storage (May-October) with parameters such as grain moisture content, insect damage, seed germination, and seedling vigor. The overall quality of seed with FPs was lower in the hills than in the terai plains. Among the treatments, SGBs were more effective in maintaining acceptable seed moisture levels, controlling insect damage (<1%), preserving germination (>90% lab, >65% field), and promoting seedling vigor. Metal bins and plastic bags without pesticide had higher insect damage (7- 15%) compared to FP and plastic bags with pesticide (2-5%). In terms of storage costs, SGBs were comparable with the farmers’ storage methods ($5-6 per 100 kg seed storage). Our findings demonstrate that SGBs are better at maintaining seed quality and more economical than not only FP but also the other modern storage methods evaluated in this study across different production ecological regions in Nepal.In the developing-country context of Nepal, farmers often incur in seed losses of 15-30$5-6 per 100 kg seed storage). Our findings demonstrate that SGBs are better at maintaining seed quality and more economical than not only FP but also the other modern storage methods evaluated in this study across different production ecological regions in Nepal

Factors associated with treatment outcomes in anti-snake venom (ASV) administered snakebite patients

Introduction: Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease causing many deaths and serious consequences in Asia and Africa. Anti-snake Venom (ASV) is effective to prevent or reverse the venomous effects of snakebites. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of venomous snakebites and factors associated with treatment outcomes in a district hospital of Western Terai in Nepal. Method: A single health facility-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with collection of information from the record section of Bhim Hospital, Rupandehi, Nepal. All snakebite cases treated during July 2013 to July 2018 were included. The data on prevalence of snakebite and treatment outcomes were analyzed. Fischer’s exact test and exact logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with treatment outcomes of venomous snakebites.  Result: The prevalence of venomous snakebites was 3.71% (163/4399). Among cases with complete information (N=120), two-third were cured, and one-fourth were referred. Median number of ASV vials used was 12. Age and ASV vials used showed significant positive moderate correlation (r=0.38, p-value<0.001). Year of treatment showed significant association with treatment outcomes. In multivariate analysis, though insignificant, higher adjusted odds of cure was present with one unit increase in ASV vial (AOR= 1.16) and when the bite was in extremities (upper extremities AOR = 11.46 and lower extremities AOR= 21.68).  Conclusion: Snakebite cases require urgent management with administration of ASV, and proper recording of the cases in order to provide tangible evidence for policy and guideline formulation

Hospitalist update : Will mobile phone use increase the incidence of healthcare associated infections?

Mobile technology has added another avenue of nosocomial infection and these devices are increasingly being used by hospitalists, patients, visitors and other health care workers. Hospitalists should lead the effort to combat this relatively new and increasing threat, primarily by enforcement of hand hygiene before and after patient contact. Whether regular cleansing of mobile communication devices would reduce the rate of nosocomial infection awaits further stud

BROILER PRODUCERS’ WILLINGNESS TO PAY TO MANAGE NUTRIENT POLLUTION

Economic incentives or disincentives play a major role on encouraging producers to implement environmentally benign production practices. We evaluated producers’ willingness to pay (WTP) value to represent the level of disincentives that motivate farmers to mitigate nutrient pollution. The result obtained by using ordered response model showed that farm size, farm income, and land available to spread litter are major variables that determine the producers’ WTP.Environmental Economics and Policy,