Preparation of floral calendar of bee flora available in Lamjung district, Nepal

Between March and May 2022, researchers conducted a broad survey in the Lamjung district to ascertain the presence and accessibility of bee-friendly flora to compile a floral calendar. In the PMAMP Bee Zone, 62 respondents were chosen for the interview through a simple random sampling approach, from a pool of 382 registered beekeepers. Primary data collection involved using personal interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant surveys. Secondary data were gathered from publications related to the topic from various institutions. The collected data were then analyzed using IBM SPSS V.26 and Microsoft Excel. Nearly all farmers in the study area kept Apis cerana bees, but due to insufficient irrigation, the crop fields provided limited forage for the bees during certain periods. The lowest number of frames covers by bees was four during the dearth period. Farmers in the Lamjung district did not practice migratory foraging. The majority of the respondents reported an increase in productivity compared to the previous year. However, only 37.1 percent of them cultivated bee flora. The colony carrying capacity of the forage area was not estimated. Additionally, an increase in deforestation was identified as the major problem affecting bee foraging. To address these issues, it was recommended to plant and cultivate perennial trees such as butter trees (Vitellaria paradox), bottle brush (Callistemon speciosus), litchi (Litchi chinensis), sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo), and sunflower (Helianthus annus) with assured irrigation. This approach could ensure year-round forage availability and reduce the need for artificial feeding. The research aimed to explore the current status of honey bee flora and investigate major flora that could be introduced in the study area

Prenatal and perinatal risk factors for disability in a rural Nepali birth cohort

Background: Improving newborn health remains a global health priority. Little however is known about the neurodevelopmental consequences for survivors of complications in pregnancy, labour and the neonatal period in in low-income countries outside of small selective and typically urban facility studies. We ask which antenatal, birth and neonatal factors are associated with disability in childhood in a large community birth cohort from rural Nepal. Methods: 6436 infants were recruited during a cluster randomised control trial (RCT) of participatory women's groups (ISRCTN31137309), of whom 6075 survived beyond 28 days. At mean age of 11∙5 years (range 9.5–13.1), 4219 children (27% lost to follow-up) were available for disability screening which was conducted by face-to-face interview using the Module on Child Functioning and Disability produced by the Washington Group/UNICEF. Hypothesised risk factors for disability underwent multivariable regression modelling. Findings: Overall prevalence of disability was 7.4%. Maternal underweight (OR 1.44 (95% CI 1.01–2.08)), maternal cohabitation under 16 years of age (OR 1.50 (1.13–2.00)), standardised infant weight at 1 month (OR 0.82 (0.71–0.95)) and reported infant diarrhoea and vomiting in the first month (OR 2.48 (1.58–3.89)) were significantly associated with disability adjusted for trial allocation. The majority of hypothesised risk factors, including prematurity, were not significant. Interpretation: Proxies for early marriage and low birth weight and a measure of maternal undernutrition were associated with increased odds of disability. The lack of association of most other recognised risk factors for adverse outcome and disability may be due to survival bias

Long-term impact of community-based participatory women's groups on child and maternal mortality and child disability: follow-up of a cluster randomised trial in rural Nepal

Background: Community-based women's groups practising participatory learning and action (PLA) can reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in low-income countries. However, it is not clear whether these reductions are associated with subsequent increased or decreased rates of childhood death and disability. We assessed the impact on child deaths and disability beyond the perinatal period among participants in the earliest trial in Nepal 2001-2003. Methods: Household interviews were conducted with mothers or household heads. At cluster and individual levels, we analysed disability using pairwise log relative risks and survival using multilevel logistic models. Findings: From 6075 children and 6117 mothers alive at 4 weeks post partum, 44 419 children (73%) were available for interview a mean 11.5 years later. Rates of child deaths beyond the perinatal period were 36.6 and 52.0 per 1000 children in the intervention and control arms respectively. Rates of disability were 62.7 and 85.5 per 1000 children in the intervention and control arms respectively. Individual-level analysis, including random effects for cluster pairing and adjusted for baseline maternal literacy, socioeconomic status and maternal age, showed lower, statistically non-significant, odds of child deaths (OR 0.70 (95% CI 0.43 to 1.18) and disability (0.64 (0.39 to 1.06)) in the intervention arm. Conclusion: Community-level exposure to women's groups practising PLA did not significantly impact childhood death or disability or death beyond the perinatal period. Follow-up of other trials with larger sample sizes is warranted in order to explore the possibility of potential long-term survival and disability benefits with greater precision

Liver fluke in a young Nepalese girl: A rare diagnostic puzzle

Key Clinical message Fascioliasis poses diagnostic challenges to clinicians for its broad spectrum of hepatobiliary symptoms and lower detection rates. Timely and precise identification avoids long‐standing hepatic complications. Abstract Fasciola hepatica, a trematode parasite, inhabits snails and sheep. Human hepatic fascioliasis is a neglected tropical disease with no specific tests. In this instance, the significance of clinical awareness, appropriate imaging, and serological investigations is demonstrated. A young Nepalese girl was diagnosed and managed successfully

Liver fluke in a young Nepalese girl: A rare diagnostic puzzle.

KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE: Fascioliasis poses diagnostic challenges to clinicians for its broad spectrum of hepatobiliary symptoms and lower detection rates. Timely and precise identification avoids long-standing hepatic complications. ABSTRACT: Fasciola hepatica, a trematode parasite, inhabits snails and sheep. Human hepatic fascioliasis is a neglected tropical disease with no specific tests. In this instance, the significance of clinical awareness, appropriate imaging, and serological investigations is demonstrated. A young Nepalese girl was diagnosed and managed successfully

Symptoms 6 months following SARS-CoV-2 infection in Nepali women.

In Nepal, over 1 million individuals have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. We sought to describe the frequency of nonrecovery from this infection at 6 months and associated symptoms. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 6142 women who had positive and negative PCR tests for this infection 6 months previously at 3 institutions in Kathmandu. In telephone interviews women provided information on 22 symptoms and their intensities, health status and history, and functional status. Of 3732 women who had tested PCR positive, 630 (16.9%) reported that they were unrecovered. These 630 unrecovered women were distinguished statistically from the 3102 recovered women by more frequent histories of allergies, rheumatoid disease, BCG immunization, Covid vaccination, strep throat and recent URIs, and both weight gain and weight losses of more than 5 kg in the 6 months following testing, and stressful events in the preceding year. Fatigue, pain, difficulty remembering, shortness of breath, heat and cold intolerance and unrefreshing sleep were reported in 41.9% to 10.5% of these 630 unrecovered women. Six months after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection 16.9% of Nepali women have long-COVID manifested as an immune, metabolic, and hormonal systems disruptive and dysfunction syndrome