Antibiotic Use in Broiler Poultry Farms in Kathmandu Valley of Nepal: Which Antibiotics and Why?
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Koirala A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8167706 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Similar Datasets
Project description:The poultry sector contributes four percent to the national GDP of Nepal. However, this sector is under threat with periodic outbreaks of Avian Influenza (AI) subtypes H5 and H9 since 2009. This has been both a public health threat and an economic issue. Since the past few years, outbreaks of AI subtype H9 have caused huge economic losses in major poultry producing areas of Nepal. However, the risk factors associated with these outbreaks have not been assessed. A retrospective case-control study was conducted from April 2018 to May 2019 to understand the risk factors associated with AI subtype H9 outbreaks in Kathmandu valley. Out of 100 farms selected, 50 were "case" farms, confirmed positive to H9 at Central Veterinary Laboratory, Kathmandu, and another 50 farms were "control" farms, matched for farm size and locality within a radius of three km from the case farm. Each farm was visited to collect information using a semi-structured questionnaire. Twelve potential risk factors were included in the questionnaire under the broad categories: birds and farm characteristics, and management and biosecurity status of the farms. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted and corresponding odds ratios were calculated. Risk factors, associated with AI subtype H9 outbreaks in Kathmandu valley, identified in the final multivariable model were: "farms that have flock size greater than median flock size of study farms (>1500)" (OR = 4.41, 95% CI: 1.53-12.71, p = 0.006), "farms that did not apply rules to wear boots for visitors inside the farms" (OR = 4.32, 95% CI: 1.52-12.29, p = 0.006) and "other commercial farms located within one km periphery" (OR = 10, 95% CI: 1.8-50, p = 0.007). This study showed that outbreaks of AI subtype H9 in Kathmandu valley were associated with a higher population of birds in the farm, poor management practices, and weak biosecurity measures in poultry farms. We suggest improving management practices and increase biosecurity in the farms to reduce incidences of AI subtype H9 outbreaks in Kathmandu valley.
| S-EPMC7117692 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Land development without thoughtful water supply planning can lead to unsustainability. In practice, management of our lands and waters is often unintegrated. We present new land-use, ecological stream health, water quality, and streamflow data from nine perennial watersheds in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, in the 2016 monsoon (i.e., August and September) and 2017 pre-monsoon (i.e., April and May) periods. Our goal was to improve understanding of the longitudinal linkages between land-use and water. At a total of 38 locations, the Rapid Stream Assessment (RSA) protocol was used to characterize stream ecology, basic water quality parameters were collected with a handheld WTW multi-parameter meter, and stream flow was measured with a SonTek FlowTracker Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter. A pixel-based supervised classification method was used to create a 30-m gridded land use coverage from a Landsat 8 image scene captured in the fall of 2015. Our results indicated that land-use had a statistically significant impact on water quality, with built land-uses (high and low) having the greatest influence. Upstream locations of six of the nine watersheds investigated had near natural status (i.e., river quality class (RQC) 1) and water could be used for all purposes (after standard treatments as required). However, downstream RSA measurements for all nine watersheds had RQC 5 (i.e., most highly impaired). Generally, water quality deteriorated from monsoon 2016 to pre-monsoon 2017. Our findings reinforce the importance of integrated land and water management and highlight the urgency of addressing waste management issues in the Kathmandu Valley.
| S-EPMC5913389 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundBreast cancer burden is increasing in low-income countries (LICs). Increasing incidence and delayed presentation of breast cancer are mainly responsible for this burden. Many women do not participate in breast cancer screening despite its effectiveness. Moreover, studies are limited on the barriers associated with low utilization of breast cancer screening in LICs. This study identified breast cancer screening behavior and factors associated with breast cancer screening intention among women in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 women living in five municipalities of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Data were collected from July to September 2018, using a structured questionnaire. Interviews were conducted among women selected through proportionate random household sampling. This study was conceptualized using the theory of planned behavior, fatalism, perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity. The outcome variables included: the intention to have mammography (MMG) biennially, the intention to have clinical breast examination (CBE) annually, and the intention to perform breast self-examination (BSE) monthly. Analysis was conducted separately for each outcome variable using partial proportional odds model.ResultsOut of 500 women, 3.4% had undergone MMG biennially, 7.2% CBE annually, and 14.4% BSE monthly. Women with a positive attitude, high subjective norms, and high perceived behavioral control were more likely to have the intention to undergo all three screening methods. Similarly, women were more likely to have intention to undergo CBE and MMG when they perceived themselves susceptible to breast cancer. Conversely, women were less likely to have intention to undergo CBE when they had high fatalistic beliefs towards breast cancer.ConclusionWomen in this study had poor screening behavior. The practice of breast self-examination was comparatively higher than clinical breast examination and mammography. Multidimensional culturally sensitive interventions are needed to enhance screening intentions. Efforts should be directed to improve attitude, family support, and fatalistic belief towards cancer. Furthermore, the proper availability of screening methods should be ensured while encouraging women to screen before the appearance of symptoms.
| S-EPMC7822561 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Informal waste workers are a vulnerable population group who are often socio-economically marginalized and disadvantaged, with more likelihood of experiencing ill health than the general population. To explore the determinants of mental ill health in this group, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1278 informal waste-workers in Nepal in 2017, using a demographic health assessment questionnaire and a modified Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). We looked at the potential associations between various exposure factors and mental health outcomes and found that 27.4% of waste-workers had depressive symptoms, more likely to be reported by female (OR 2.290), older person (OR 7.757), divorced/separated (5.859), and those with ill health (OR 2.030), or disability (OR 3.562). Waste-workers with access to social protection (OR 0.538) and financial savings (OR 0.280) were less likely to have depressive symptoms. There are key risk factors that may enable identification of particularly vulnerable persons within this group and also protective factors that may help improve their mental health resilience.
| S-EPMC9580097 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundTick-borne protozoan parasites (TBPPs) cause significant problems for domestic animals' health in Nepal. TBPPs are routinely diagnosed by labor-intensive blood smear microscopy. In Nepal, there are some reports of Babesia and Theileria in cattle, although species identification is rarely performed. Therefore, we performed conventional nested PCR (nPCR) followed by sequence analysis to identify TBPP species infecting cattle in Nepal.MethodsOne hundred and six blood samples were collected from cattle in the Kathmandu Valley. Thin blood smears were prepared for microscopic examination. Parasite DNA was extracted from the blood, and nPCR and sequencing were performed to identify the TBPPs present.ResultsAmong the 106 samples, 45 (42.5%) were positive for piroplasm (Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) via microscope observation and 56 (52.8%) samples were positive via nPCR. The obtained PCR products were used for direct sequencing, and we identified the species as B. bigemina, B. bovis, T. annulate and T. orientalis. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the B. bovis, B. bigemina and T. orientalis sequences from this study belonged to each species clade. On the other hand, T. annulate was divided into two clades in the analysis, and our T. annulate sequences were also divided in these two clades. The piroplasm-positive cattle showed lower hemoglobin and red blood cells than healthy cattle.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to apply molecular detection and species determination of TBPPs in cattle in Nepal. The results of this study may be used as a starting point for the development of successful TBPP surveillance and prevention programs in Nepal.
| S-EPMC10458267 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The Kathmandu valley experiences an average wintertime PM1 concentration of ∼100 μg m-3 and daily peaks over 200 μg m-3. We present ambient nonrefractory PM1 chemical composition, and concentration measured by a mini aerosol mass spectrometer (mAMS) sequentially at Dhulikhel (on the valley exterior), then urban Ratnapark, and finally suburban Lalitpur in winter 2018. At all sites, organic aerosol (OA) was the largest contributor to combined PM1 (C-PM1) (49%) and black carbon (BC) was the second largest contributor (21%). The average background C-PM1 at Dhulikhel was 48 μg m-3; the urban enhancement was 120% (58 μg m-3). BC had an average of 6.1 μg m-3 at Dhulikhel, an urban enhancement of 17.4 μg m-3. Sulfate (SO4) was 3.6 μg m-3 at Dhulikhel, then 7.5 μg m-3 at Ratnapark, and 12.0 μg m-3 at Lalitpur in the brick kiln region. Chloride (Chl) increased by 330 and 250% from Dhulikhel to Ratnapark and Lalitpur on average. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) identified seven OA sources, four primary OA sources, hydrocarbon-like (HOA), biomass burning (BBOA), trash burning (TBOA), a sulfate-containing local OA source (sLOA), and three secondary oxygenated organic aerosols (OOA). OOA was the largest fraction of OA, over 50% outside the valley and 36% within. HOA (traffic) was the most prominent primary source, contributing 21% of all OA and 44% of BC. Brick kilns were the second largest contributor to C-PM1, 12% of OA, 33% of BC, and a primary emitter of aerosol sulfate. These results, though successive, indicate the importance of multisite measurements to understand ambient particulate matter concentration heterogeneity across urban regions.
| S-EPMC9869769 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionBurnout is a significant concern among healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, as it can lead to adverse effects on their well-being, job satisfaction, and patient care delivery. However, no previous study was conducted among pharmacy professionals in Nepal to assess their burnout cases. This study aimed to evaluate burnout presence and explore its associated factors among pharmacy professionals in Nepal.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among pharmacy professionals of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The validated Burnout Assessment Tool measured burnout across multiple domains. Data on demographic and work-related characteristics were also collected. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the data and identify significant associations among the variables.ResultsMost participants were in the age group of 21-30 (64.7%), had a graduate degree (47.3%), and worked in hospital pharmacy settings (49.1%). Exhaustion was the most common (39.7%) burnout experienced, while mental distance and emotional and cognitive impairment were reported in one-fourth of the participants. Alternatively, only one in five participants showed secondary symptoms of burnout. Gender, working hours, exercise frequency, and substance abuse were significantly associated with burnout domains.ConclusionThis study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and factors associated with burnout among pharmacy professionals in Nepal. The findings highlight the significance of addressing burnout in this crucial healthcare sector, with gender, exercise frequency, and substance use emerging as notable contributors. These results underscore the need for targeted interventions and support systems to promote the well-being of pharmacy professionals and ensure the continued delivery of high-quality healthcare services in Nepal.
| S-EPMC10704934 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The abuse and misuse of antibiotics is one of the main drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Globally, AMR in food-producing animals is a significant public health concern. This study, therefore, assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antibiotic usage (AMU) and AMR among poultry farmers in Nepal. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 605 poultry farmers from six districts of Nepal from May to June 2022 to assess the status of knowledge, attitude, as well as practices toward prudent antibiotic usage (AMU) and AMR. The majority of the participants in our study were from the Chitwan district (31.6%; n = 191/605), aged 30-44 (54.2%; n = 328/605), males (70.4%; n = 426/605), and farmers with a higher secondary (28.76%; n = 174/605) level of education. The tetracyclines (28%, n = 228/828), aminoglycosides (23%, n = 188/828), and fluoroquinolones (15%, n = 126/828) were the most used antibiotics classes among poultry farmers. Although 87.8% (n = 531/605) of poultry farmers used antibiotics, 49.8% (n = 301/605) of them were aware of AMR, and 55.7% (n = 337/605) knew that the misuse of antimicrobials could affect human and environmental health. There were significant differences in the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward prudent AMU and AMR among farmers who reared different birds. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice score of the respondents were 7.81 ± 3.26, 5.8 ± 2.32, and 7.59 ± 3.38 when measured on a scale of 12, 10, and 15, respectively. Based on a cut-off of 75% of the maximum score, 49.4% (n = 299/605), 62.8% (n = 380/605), and 12.73% (n = 77/605) of the respondents had good knowledge, attitude, and practices toward prudent AMU and AMR, respectively. The multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that the positive predictors of good knowledge and attitude were male gender, higher level of education, district, and the types of birds (layers). Similarly, those of the male gender (OR: 3.36; 95% CI: 1.38-8.20; p = 0.008) and those that rear layers (OR: 4.63; 95% CI: 1.75-12.25; p = 0.003) were more likely to practice prudent usage of antimicrobials. The findings of this study show poor practice toward prudent antibiotic usage despite good knowledge of AMR. This study provides essential baseline data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of poultry farmers in Nepal and offers valuable insights that could help in the design of interventions and policies aimed at addressing illicit AMU and AMR in poultry in Nepal.
| S-EPMC10525118 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Nepal's poultry industry has experienced remarkable growth in the last decade, but farm biosafety and biosecurity measures are often overlooked by farmers. As a result, farms often suffer from sporadic and regular outbreaks of many diseases, impacting production and creating public health challenges. Poor management practices, including overuse of antibiotics for prophylaxis and therapeutics, can enhance the spread of poultry diseases by propagating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that is threatening poultry and human health. We assessed biosafety, biosecurity risks and AMR stewardship in sixteen poultry farms located in four districts: Ramechhap, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchowk, and Kavre. Risk assessment and AMR stewardship evaluation questionnaires were administered to formulate biosafety and biosecurity compliance matrix (BBCM). Risk assessment checklist assessed facility operations, personnel and standard operating procedures, water supply, cleaning and maintenance, rodent/pest control and record keeping. Oral and cloacal samples from the poultry were collected, pooled, and screened for eight poultry pathogens using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. Based on BBCM, we identified the highest BBCM score of 67% obtained by Sindhupalchowk farm 4 and the lowest of 12% by Kavre farm 3. Most of the farms (61.6%) followed general poultry farming practices, only half had clean and well-maintained farms. Lowest scores were obtained for personnel safety standard (42.4%) and rodent control (3.1%). At least one of the screened pathogens were detected in all farms. Mycoplasma gallisepticum was the most common pathogen detected in all but three farms, followed by Mycoplasma synoviae. More than half of the farmers considered AMR a threat, over 26% of them used antibiotics as a preventive measure and 81% did not consider withdrawal period for antibiotics prior to processing of their meat products. Additionally, antibiotics classified as "Watch" and "Restrict" by the WHO were frequently used by the farmers to treat bacterial infections in their farms.
| S-EPMC10906820 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The abundance and diversity of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) bacteria were assessed in 152 groundwater samples in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Anammox bacterial 16S rRNA genes were detected in 54% (37/68) of samples collected in the dry season at 1.6×105-8.8×106 copies L-1, and in 60% (50/84) of samples collected in the wet season at 4.3×104-1.2×107 copies L-1. The 16S rRNA genes of "Candidatus Brocadia", "Candidatus Anammoxoglobus", and five new deduced anammox bacterial phylotypes were detected in the shallow groundwater samples. Diverse anammox bacteria were broadly distributed in the shallow groundwater aquifer of the Kathmandu Valley.
| S-EPMC7966944 | biostudies-literature