Re-examining critiques of resilience policy: evidence from Barpak after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.

This paper examines three common critiques of 'resilience': (i) that it is a 'top-down' policy discourse that pays too little regard to local specificities; (ii) that resilience policy represents a neoliberal shift towards the responsibilisation of communities and a retreat of the state from its role in providing protection; and (iii) that the focus on resilience tends to divert attention from the underlying causes of vulnerability. Using data collected after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, the paper argues that these critiques have mixed salience in this context, but that (i) and (iii) in particular point to important problems in how the central government and its international partners have approached enhancing the resilience of communities. While there are benefits to considering resilience at the local level, it is important to recognise the inequalities within communities, how these might be reflected in differential degrees of vulnerability, and how they might be reinforced through resilience-building programmes.

Butterfly species diversity and their floral preferences in the Rupa Wetland of Nepal.

Floral attributes often influence the foraging choices of nectar-feeding butterflies, given the close association between plants and these butterfly pollinators. The diversity of butterflies is known to a large extent in Nepal, but little information is available on the feeding habits of butterflies. This study was conducted along the periphery of Rupa Wetland from January to December 2019 to assess butterfly species diversity and to identify the factors influencing their foraging choices. In total, we recorded 1535 individuals of 138 species representing all six families. For our examination of butterfly-nectar plant interactions, we recorded a total of 298 individuals belonging to 31 species of butterfly visiting a total of 28 nectar plant species. Overall, total butterfly visitation was found to be significantly influenced by plant category (herbaceous preferred over woody), floral color (yellow white and purple preferred over pink), and corolla type (tubular preferred over nontubular). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between the proboscis length of butterflies and the corolla tube length of flowers. Examining each butterfly family separately revealed that, for four of the families (Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, and Pieridae), none of the tested factors (flower color, plant category, and corolla type) were shown to significantly influence butterfly abundance at flowers. However, Hesperidae abundance was found to be significantly influenced by both flower color (with more butterflies observed at yellow flowers than purple) and flower type (with more butterflies observed at tubular flowers than nontubular flowers). Our results reveal that Rupa Lake is a suitable habitat for butterflies, providing valuable floral resources. Hence, further detailed studies encompassing all seasons, a greater variety of plants, and other influential factors in different ecological regions are fundamental for creating favorable environments to sustain important butterfly pollinators and help create balanced wetland ecosystems.

Participatory Video on Menstrual Hygiene: A Skills-Based Health Education Approach for Adolescents in Nepal.

School adolescents who are in the formative years of their lives are in stark need of appropriate and innovative skills-based health education and information. In this paper, we aim to explain how the participatory video (PV) approach was used in exploring the issues concerning adolescent reproductive health, particularly on menstrual hygiene among school adolescents in Chitwan district of Nepal. The students were engaged in the PV process for more than 6 months. They were given smart android phones with a 15-megapixel camera to shoot the video. The school adolescents regarded PV as an innovative and participatory medium for developing their critical thinking skills, collaborative skills, communication skills, and creative skills, which are required in the twenty-first century.

Perception and Practice among Community People and Health Service Providers on Care and Management of Burn Injuries in Nepal: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: According to WHO, burns are a serious public health problem and the second most common cause for injury in rural Nepal, accounting for 5% of disabilities. The overall objective of the study is to assess the prevailing perception and practice among community people and health service providers on care and management of burn injuries in Nepal. METHODS: This was a qualitative study conducted in 2016 representing all eco-development regions. A total of 40 key informants interviews with health personnel and 18 focus group discussions with the community people were conducted. RESULTS: There are very limited dedicated burn care facilities in Nepal. During discussion, the service providers and community people mentioned that a burn injury can affect any one irrespective of their age and socioeconomic status. The study showed that females are at higher risk for burn injury which is associated mostly with wood fire cooking.The burn cases in the hospitals were more during winter than insummer season. Among all the ethnic groups, Dalit and indigenous population were found more vulnerable towards burn injuries. Intentional burn injuries such as self-inflicted burns/suicidal attemptwere found to occur more in females.The community people had a good practice of taking the majority ofpatients having burn injury immediately to the hospital,if not, they at least provided them with a first aid treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of burn injured cases are getting first aid treatment at the incident places and taking hospital immediately. Main reasons, who reached late, are unaware about seeking services and financial constraint. Overall, the community people are partially aware about the burn injury.

Perception of Community and Hospital Personnel on Burn Treatment and Outcome in Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, eleven million people sustain burn injuries every year enough to require medical attention. WHO has estimated Disability associated limited years of 84,000 per year just due to deformities and 2100 people die every year due to burn injuries in Nepal. The overall objective of the study is to explore the effectiveness of burn injuries treatment and management approach of hospitals. METHODS: This qualitative study approached to 40 Health Personnel for Key Informants Interviews and 18 Focus Group Discussions with community people at the ten referral hospitals of eight district from May-June 2016. Qualitative data were analyzed using AtLas.ti software. RESULTS: Female burn victims are brought late to the hospital compared to male patients and false reporting about incident is usually done by her attendants. More than three-fourth (80%) of the hospitals and about one-third male and female from FGD reported that the community people seek home remedy first rather than medical treatment. Majority of the medical doctors and nursing chiefs reported that first degree cases accounts for 50% of the total burn cases with a success rate of 80%. Medical and Nursing staff reported that deformities like hypertrophic scar, keloids, joint stiffness and compartment syndrome are mostly observed during the treatment. Hypothermia and sepsis were the major causes of death in most of the burn patients. CONCLUSIONS: Usually, people who engaged in house and agriculture works, have visited public health posts/hospitals more frequently due to financial constraints and transportation issues where quality of burn care services are unavailable.

Use of information and communication technologies in the formal and informal health system responses to the 2015 Nepal earthquakes.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are increasingly recognized for their potential contributions to health service delivery in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). As well as playing a role in improving the provision of health services under everyday 'normal' circumstances, ICTs can also be important in preparing for, mitigating, responding to and recovering from disasters. This research explores the use of ICTs in a natural disaster situation in Nepal, a country affected by a series of strong earthquakes in 2015. In March and April 2016, in-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 24) and focus group discussions (n = 4) were conducted with key informants: those affected by the earthquake, and those forming part of the formal or informal health system responses. Data were collected and analysed across three levels, from the bottom 'upwards', namely: (1) village level; (2) district level and (3) central/national level. Perceptions of the role and value of ICTs varied greatly-as did patterns of use. While access and capability were found to be key barriers to use rurally, ICTs were nevertheless an important part of the informal response, helping people to gather information, express needs and cope emotionally. They also helped relief agencies in allowing for networking and coordination among actors. Use of ICTs in the formal health system response, however, was severely lacking in many areas, relying more on traditional methods of disaster management. This reflects a general deficiency in, and underuse of, ICTs in the pre-earthquake Nepali healthcare system. We conclude by calling for a redoubling of efforts to improve and increase the adoption, diffusion, integration and regular use of ICTs within the Nepali health system-an approach that will assist with day-to-day service delivery but also provide a crucial platform upon which to build during future crises.