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Kobe Journal of Medical Sciences, 1997

TI: Village health and sanitary profile from eastern hilly region, Nepal [published erratum appears in Kobe J Med Sci 1997 Oct;43(5):213]

AU: Rai-SK; Hirai-K; Ohno-Y; Matsumura-T

AD: Department of Medical Zoology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan.

SO: Kobe-J-Med-Sci. 1997 Aug; 43(3-4): 121-33

ISSN: 0023-2513

PY: 1997

LA: ENGLISH

CP: JAPAN

AB: A report on the health and sanitary status from Boya Village Development Committee (VDC) is presented as studied by a team of Nepali and Japanese investigators in 1996 and 1997. The purpose of this study was to find out the health and sanitary status in a remote hilly village in eastern Nepal. Data were collected from questionnaire and from a temporary field clinic. The number of households having latrine increased significantly (P < 0.05) in one year period but without significant impact on the reduction of intestinal helminth infection (P > 0.05). Ascaris lumbricoides was the commonest intestinal parasite followed by hookworm and others. Public piped water was accessible to 32.6% households while remaining 48.4% and 19.0% were using Dhara (natural tap) and Kuwa (sallow well) water, respectively. No association between the type of water source and gastro-enteritis was observed. The overall hygienic condition was poor. More than half of the residents first consult Dhami-Jhankri and Bijuwa (traditional/faith/shamanic healer) and believe on Devi-Deuta (local deities/divine spirit) and Bhut-Pret and/or Bayu (devils) and Boksi (witch) instead of visiting Health Post. Approximately one quarter of residents were smoker while two-third had habit of drinking alcohol. Medical complaint rate significantly increased from 59.6% in the year 1996 to 71.2% in 1997 (P < 0.01) and was attributed to conjunctivitis epidemic during second visit. Majority of complaints were gastrointestinal. People belonging to Tibeto-Burman ethnic group were found to consume meat relatively more frequently than Indo-Aryan.


Published Bimonthly by Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan