Publications

@article{Shrestha2023cb,
title = {Household preparedness for emergencies during COVID-19 pandemic among the general population of Nepal},
author = {Salina Shrestha and Rabin Malla and Sadhana Shrestha and Pallavi Singh and Jeevan B. Sherchand},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003475},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-09-12},
journal = {PLOS Global Public Health},
volume = {4},
number = {9},
pages = {1-16},
abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy affecting numerous people’s livelihoods. Despite preventive behaviors and advancements of vaccination, the risk of infection still exists due to the emergence of new variants of concern and the changing behavior of the SARS CoV-2 virus. Therefore, preparedness measures are crucial for any emergency. In such situations, it is important to understand preparedness behavior at the household level, as it aids in reducing the risk of transmission and the severity of the disease before accessing any external support. Our study aimed to evaluate household preparedness level for emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship with socio-demographic characteristics among the general population of Nepal. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey. Descriptive statistics, a Chi-square test, and logistic regression model were used for analysis. The study demonstrated that 59.2% had a good preparedness level. Good preparedness was observed among the respondents living in urban areas, those who were married, had white-collar occupations, high-education with graduate and above and high-income levels with monthly income >NPR 20,000, and were young-aged. The study findings underscore the need to develop tailored programs on preparedness prioritizing vulnerable population. It further highlights the importance of proper and consistent information flow, resources distribution, capacitating human resources and better health surveillance.},
keywords = {and Police, Critical care and emergency medicine Graduates, Medical risk factors, Mental health and psychiatry, Nepal, OVID 19, Pandemics},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Shrestha2023c,
title = {Household preparedness for emergencies during COVID-19 pandemic among the general population of Nepal},
author = {Salina Shrestha and Rabin Malla and Sadhana Shrestha and Pallavi Singh and Jeevan B. Sherchand},
url = {https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0003475},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003475},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-09-12},
journal = {PLOS Global Public Health},
volume = {4},
number = {9},
pages = {1-16},
abstract = {PLOS Global Public Health},
keywords = {and Police, Critical care and emergency medicine Graduates, Medical risk factors, Mental health and psychiatry, Nepal, OVID 19, Pandemics},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Ghimire2023,
title = {Groundwater Quality and Community Health Risk in Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Nepal – A Geospatial Analysis},
author = {Manisha Ghimire and Tejendra Regmi and Sadhana Pradhanang Kayastha and Chandrashekhar Bhuiyan},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10106049.2023.2168069},
doi = {10.1080/10106049.2023.2168069},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-16},
journal = {Geocarto International},
abstract = {Groundwater is the main source of drinking water in the Kathmandu Valley (Nepal). To assess the groundwater quality of Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC) of this valley, samples were collected in winter and post-monsoon seasons from 35 shallow dug wells and 16 parameters: pH, TDS, EC, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Total hardness, Clˉ, HCO3ˉ, NO3ˉ, NH4+, Fe, PO43-, SO42-, and Total Coliform were analysed. Hydrochemical analysis and GIS-based mapping has revealed spatial and seasonal variations in water quality. Concentration of most of the parameters was higher in the winter samples compared to the post-monsoon. Comparison with the WHO and NDWQS guidelines has revealed anomalous water chemistry. Zones hosting groundwater, suitable and unsuitable for drinking and irrigation were demarcated. However, the presence of pathogens in all the groundwater samples put the entire population of LMC under high health risk. This study bears importance in groundwater exploration, management, and prevention of water-borne diseases.},
keywords = {Groundwater quality, Health risk, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Nepal, Total Coliform},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Shrestha2021,
title = {Situation of menstrual management facilities in schools of peri-urban areas of Nepal: WASH, privacy, and healthcare},
author = {Sadhana Shrestha and Salina Shrestha and Yuri Ito and Yuka Kobayashi and Kei Nishida and Kazama Futaba and Rabin Malla},
url = {https://iwaponline.com/washdev/article/doi/10.2166/washdev.2021.100/85229/Situation-of-menstrual-management-facilities-in},
doi = {doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2021.100},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-08-20},
journal = {Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development},
abstract = {Menstrual management (MM) facilities in schools are neglected in low- and middle-income countries. We examined the existing MM facilities, identified the deficient, and collected students' ideas in peri-urban schools of Nepal. The schools had basic MM facilities including water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructures, gender-segregated toilet facilities with taps, dustbins and running water, provision of emergency sanitary pads, etc. Out of 71 students who reported soiling of dresses with menstrual blood as a common problem, 27% went home and did not return in such situation instead of washing off at school. Forty-six per cent of students used washable absorbents, but washing and drying facilities were lacking, and students adapted by using disposable pads at school and washable at home. Out of 126 students, 106 took days off during menstruation in the past three months with an average of 2.6 days by one student. Sixty-one per cent gave the reason as pain and 39% tiredness for taking days off. Healthcare facilities were lacking in schools, hence, lack of these facilities in schools might be contributing to absenteeism. The traditionally advocated list of MM facilities for schools, largely involving WASH facilities, should be updated, including newly identified factors which were also suggested by students.},
keywords = {healthcare need, menstrual pain and discomfort, Nepal, school absenteeism, sick room, space for washing and drying},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Ray2021,
title = {An Assessment of Spatial Distribution of Water Demand in the Extended East Rapti (EER) Watershed, Nepal},
author = {Anupama Ray and Vishnu Prasad Pandey},
isbn = {2091-0851},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-03-22},
journal = {WASH Journal},
volume = {18},
pages = {43-53},
abstract = {Water is an essential element in nourishing the quality of life as it is connected to food, energy, and environmental security. Understanding water availability, water demand and water quality are prerequisite for achieving outcomes related to water-sanitation-hygiene (WASH) and then ensure water security. This study assessed various types of water demands in the Extended East Rapti (EER) watershed located in Central Nepal based on both secondary and primary data. The key water demands considered in the EER watershed are domestic, irrigation, industry, institutional, non-domestic, fire-fighting and losses. The total domestic- related water demand for the present (2019) is estimated to be 49.16 Million Cubic Meters (MCM). Considering the trend of population growth of 3.09% and 2.04% for Chitwan and Makwanpur, respectively, total annual domestic-related water demand in the year 2050 is projected to be 113.45 MCM. This implies that future domestic-related water demand is projected to increase by about 131% in 2050. The current annual irrigation demand for EER is estimated to be 2,760 MCM and planned irrigation demand is 4,162 MCM. Future irrigation water demand is projected to increase by 51%. The estimated average water consumption in the Hetauda Industrial State (HIS) and Chitwan is about 0.52 MCM and 1.3 MCM, respectively. The estimated water demand for planned Shaktikhor and Mayurdhap Industrial States would be 15.46 MCM and 0.32 MCM, respectively. These estimates of
present and future water demands may help in devising and implementing strategies for water demand and supply management, and therefore have implications in achieving water security and sustainable development goals (SDGs).},
keywords = {East Rapti watershed, Nepal, water demand, water security},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Pant2020,
title = {Actors in customary and modern trade of Caterpillar Fungus in Nepalese high mountains: who holds the power?},
author = {Basant Pant and Rajesh Kumar Rai and Sushma Bhattarai and Nilhari Neupane and Rajan Kotru and Dipesh Pyakurel},
doi = {10.3934/GF.2020020},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-11-19},
journal = {Green Finance},
volume = {2},
number = {4},
pages = {373-391},
abstract = {This paper assesses the supply chain of Yartsagunbu (Caterpillar Fungus) in Darchula district of Nepal to identify who holds the power and how they gain power for management and marketing. We recorded two types of supply chain: (ⅰ) open supply chain, driven by open market, where the product is transported to Kathmandu before export to international market, and (ⅱ) close chain practiced by indigenous Shauka community following customary trade route to Tibet. The open chain is longer with higher number of actors compared to the close chain. This study observed that actors have intensive horizontal competition in the open chain to collect and purchase maximum quantity. Therefore, profit is disproportionately distributed to the actors in higher level of the supply chain. The profit is based on the price the actor receives, which is determined by their bargaining power. An actor's bargaining power is determined by the capital holding capacity, market information, risk appetite, networking and social ties. The study suggests that Government's interventions such as providing security to traders, access to finance, organizing auction and providing market information can help to increase the bargaining power of lower level actors. The study also suggests to minimize the disturbance in the collection site through limiting the collection permit and revising the revenue based on the market price.},
keywords = {bargaining power, collectors, Nepal, Shauka, traders, Trans-Himalayan trade},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{KHATIWADA2019100239,
title = {Characterization of hydro-meteorological drought in Nepal Himalaya: A case of Karnali River Basin},
author = {Kabi Raj Khatiwada and Vishnu Prasad Pandey},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212094718302044},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2019.100239},
issn = {2212-0947},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Weather and Climate Extremes},
volume = {26},
pages = {100239},
abstract = {Himalayan river basin is marked by a complex topography with limited observational data. In the context of increasing extreme events, this study aims to characterize drought events in the Karnali River Basin (KRB). Firstly, historical data for 34-years (1981–2014) from ten different stations were analyzed to compute following drought indices: Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI), Self-Calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (sc-PDSI), Standardized Streamflow Index (SFI), and Palmer Hydrological Drought Severity Index (PHDI). Among them, SPI is able to capture the drought duration and intensity fairly well with the others. Secondly, SPI was used to analyse the drought of the entire basin. The SPI analysis showed occurrence of major drought events in the recent years: 1984–85, 1987–88, 1992–93, 1994–95, 2004–09, and 2012. The winter drought of 1999, 2006, 2008–09 were widespread and the monsoon drought is increasing its frequency. No particular pattern of drought was observed from the historical data; however, yield sensitivity index revealed that precipitation pattern and anomaly is influencing crop yield in the area. Being the first study revealing prevalence of the drought in KRB, it can provide a basis for prioritizing interventions focused on drought management in the region.},
keywords = {Climate change, Drought indices, Karnali river basin, Meteorological drought, Nepal, Precipitation anomaly, Yield sensitivity index},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}