Background: Reduction of tobacco use in the general population is preceded by a reduction in tobacco use among health professionals. There are very few data on tobacco use among health professionals in Nepal and no data on their role in cessation. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 377 health professionals (men 59%) in two of the 75 districts of Nepal to understand their tobacco use, factors associated with tobacco use and their role in tobacco cessation. Information on tobacco use, alcohol use, friends' use of tobacco, knowledge on harmful effects of tobacco use and health professionals' self-reported tobacco intervention was collected using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the important predictor variables of tobacco use. Results: Overall prevalence of current tobacco use was 20.4% (95% CI 16.5-24.9); men 32.4%, women 3.2%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that men (OR 6.87; alcohol users (OR 3.91;) and those whose friends used tobacco (OR 3.40; were more likely to be current tobacco users compared to their counterparts. Current users were less likely to always ask (p < 0.001) and advise (p < 0.001) on tobacco use compared to nonusers. Conclusion: More than 20% of health professionals in our study currently used tobacco. Efforts should be made to control tobacco use among health professionals focusing on men and alcohol users. Strategies to resist peer pressure and making health institutions tobacco free are likely to reduce tobacco use among health professionals.

In Nepal, the management of community forests is based on the participation and decision making of forest users. The premise of its success is the involvement of the real users in forest conservation and management. The Nepal Forest Laws identify women as key forest users and underline the importance of their participation in community forest management. However, given the sociocultural setting and the prevailing patriarchy, fostering women's active participation remains a challenge. Women are traditionally limited to the private sphere and men tend to look after the responsibilities in the public sphere. However, the increasing trend of male outmigration observed in the Mid-hills may offer a window of opportunity for women to become more involved in the public sphere and thus, be able to have a decisive influence in forest management. This paper investigates the factors that have increased the participation and decision-making level of women in two community forest user groups. Data were collected through focus group discussions, informal discussions and interviews with key informants. The results suggest that key factors that encourage women to take an active role in the management of community forests are: degraded forests hampering the women to fulfil their duties (supply of firewood, grass, etc.), previous experiences with women's groups to increase their self-confidence, an unsatisfactory flow of information and men's full support. Given the high prevalence of male outmigration in the Mid-hills of Nepal, these results are relevant to formulate policies and strategies that foster women's empowerment.

Introduction Nepal had significant improvement to reduce the maternal mortality ratio. Still, the maternal deaths are common in rural areas. The proper utilization of maternal health care services is important to reduce maternal death in Nepal.Objective This study was conducted to know current maternal health care service utilization at Kihun Village Development Committee (VDC) of Tanahu District.Methodology A community based cross- sectional study was conducted from st th 1 Nov 2014 to 30 Dec 2014 among 570 household of Kihun VDC. The pretested semi-strutured questionnaire was used to collect the required information. The obtained data was enter into Microsoft excel analyzed.Results The majority (65%) of the family was nuclear. Majority (90.90%) had Hindu as a common religion. The major occupation was agriculture (68.95%). Age of marriage before 18 years was 44.70% and pregnancy below 18 years was 25.5%. The knowledge of ante natal care (ANC) check up was reported from 96.3% but only 93.20 % went for ANC check up. Almost 41% had 4 times ANC visit as suggested by world health organization (WHO). Majority (69.40% ) had home delivery and 56.8% of them, family members were involved to conduct such delivery. Though 31.20% were aware about post natal care (PNC) visit but only 22% had visited for PNC.Conclusion The ANC and PNC care practices were not up to the mark. For improvement of maternal health, we need to improve maternal health care service utilization.Birat Journal of Health Sciences 2016 1(1): 56-60

Background Nepal has made significant improvement in meeting the maternal and child health care services also progress newborn, infant and under mortality over the past two decades. The stark disparities on utilization of health services due to women with lower education, low wealth quintile household, disadvantage cast/ethnic groups and women in remote areas. The utilization of available maternal health care services from public and private service is remarkable to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in Nepal. Methods The community base descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in 509 households through door to door home visit in Deupurkot VDC covering all first to nine wards. The information was obtained using pretested questionnaire of Pokhara University by Bachelor level students of Public Health. The data was entered into Microsoft excel and analyzed. The data was collected from 19th November to 18th December 2014. Results The nuclear family size was (74.3%). Majority (80%) of the household have their pakka house, (95.7%) household used sanitary latrine and (86.7%) household heads were literate. The major occupation was agriculture (52.55%). The age of marriage before 18 yrs was (25.30%). Majority of women (81%) women used Injection Depo-Provera and less used device was Norplant/Implant user was (3.7%) World Health Organization (WHO) recommended almost (41%) had antenatal care (ANC) visit. Majority (96.70%) had gone for ANC visit and (67%) of them give birth their children at health institution. More than half (51.60%) women had knowledge of postnatal care (PNC) but (32.60%) used this service either in Health post, primary health care center (PHCC) or Hospital. Conclusion The antenatal care (ANC) visit were high in conclusion is high even up to WHO recommendation mark. There is a gap between knowledge of postnatal care (PNC) and its utilization, we need to improve this NPC visit gap utilizing available health services.

Background: Almost seven percent of disease burden is due to genetic disorders and birth defects and they are associated to genetic as well as environmental factors. Prevention of such problems by making aware and increasing knowledge level with the help of health education during adolescence is cost-effective among others. In this context, current study proposed whether mini-lecture and/or poster is/are effective in changing adolescents’ knowledge regarding genetic disorders and birth defects.Methods: Mini-lectures followed by posters on genetic disorders and birth defects were used for intervention group, whereas for control, only mini-lectures based on health promotion were delivered by trained personnel in nine through 12 grade students of conveniently selected two public schools of Kaski district using quasi-experimental design. Knowledge was assessed using a pretested inventory at baseline, after two weeks of mini-lectures and two more weeks after poster for intervention group, whereas, only at baseline and two weeks after mini-lectures for control. Statistical analysis was carried out to compare the intervention group of 133 students with that of control group of 154. Results: Mean knowledge increments among control and intervention groups were 0.20 and 0.68 points respectively after mini-lecture. An addition of 0.84 points gained after the poster, yielding overall increment of 1.52 in intervention group. Inferential analysis showed that effect of control was not effective (p=0.60), whereas mini-lecture (p=0.032), poster (p=0.008) and both mini-lecture and poster (p<0.001) were effective.Conclusions: The mini-lecture and/or poster for grade nine through 12 are effective methods and media for bringing about changes in knowledge of adolescents regarding genetic disorders and birth defects. Keywords: Genetic disorder and birth defect; health education; intervention; knowledge; nepal.