Nepalese initiatives in poverty research: moving from uni-to-multidimensional concepts and measurements

The aged long conventional unidimensional definition and measurement of poverty ‘lack of money’ in most countries is being replaced by the multidimensional approach and methodology. The launching of MPI report in 2018 implied Nepal also officially to adopt this in national poverty measurement policy strategy. This paper is aimed at to sensitize methodological aspects of MPI among academic and policy implications in Nepalese context. Debate on multidimensional poverty research in addressing rampant poverty dates back the advent of basic-needs and the physical quality of life index approaches of 1970s but both failed to establish a valid and reliable deprivation score to divide population as poor and non-poor like in income line approach. Human development index gave basis to rank countries into four groups as very high, high, medium and low level of human development. However it could not offer a precise deprivation score to divide population into-two as in absolute deprivation and non-deprivation as well as population in borderline of deprivation as alternatives of income poverty. It is the Alkire and Foster’s (2007 and 2010) MPI methodology/approach of OPHI and successively adopted in human development reports of UNDP, aggressively being adopted as alternatives of conventional income line methods of poverty measurement and targeting policies. Three dimensional and ten indicators equally weighted MPI based on the same conceptual groundings of ‘capability, wellbeing and functions’ of Sen are taken as reliable alternative to the conventional income approach of poverty measurement. With the official release of national MPI study report in January 2018, Nepal adopted MPI in its policy option in targeting population living in multiple web of poverty and their targeting. The study found poverty and deprivation studied from MPI perspective is vital to attain multiple goals of 2030 SDGs.

Cross-border migration process of Nepalese people to India

There is unique historical, socio-economic and political relationship between Nepal and India. Nepal and India has open boarder and there is long history of people’s migration from one country to another by crossing the border. There is no need of any formal document documents (passport, visa) for people of both country in cross border migration process Therefore, this study is confined to analyze the factors associated with cross border migration process of Nepalese people to India. In total, 809 households were randomly selected from studied VDC Daijee of Kanchanpur district. Structured questionnaires were designed to collect the information. In study Daijee VDC of Kanchanpur, out of 809 households, 426 households were cross border migrants households (current and returned). Ancestor’s participation, information provided by friends, self-decision of migrants themselves and moving alone by crossing border were reported as main contributors in cross border migration process.

Global and National Trends of HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is one of the worst pandemics, the world has ever known and the entire world has been combating with it. Objective of the study is to analyze the global and national trend of HIV/AIDS regarding the indices PLHIV, New infections and AIDS-related death and coverage of ART. This is a quantitative research completely based on the secondary data. The data is analyzed by simple statistical representations. Regression analysis is used to analyze the trends and to make some predictions. The number of PLHIV is increased by 19.9 percent from 1997 to 2015 and by 69.6 percent from 2000 to 2015 in Nepal. In this same duration, the new HIV infection is reduced by 63.8 percent and 82.6 percent, AIDS related death by 52.2 percent and 411.1 percent respectively in the global and Nepal. The initial coverage of ART in both regions was negligible and by the end of 2015 it reached to 46.4 percent and 30.6 percent in the global and Nepal respectively. Nepal along with the global achieves some positive results in the combating of this health problem. By analyzing the trends, it is not worth to say that we are not far from the achievement of SDGs.

Youth empowerment and contraceptive use in Nepal

Contraceptive choices have an enormous impact on health, schooling and employment prospects. Access to full range of contraceptive method is vital for ensuring the health of youth. This study examined the association between youth empowerment in the domestic sphere and contraceptive use among currently married female youth in Nepal using the data of Nepal Demographic Health Survey, 2011. A sample of 2,553 currently married women of reproductive age 15-24 were chosen for this study. Bivariate analysis with cross tabulation and chi-square test were used to examine the association between each independent and dependent variables. Logistic regression model was employed for examining the effect of each independent variable as well as control variable on dependent variable. Result showed that the effect of youth empowerment remains statistically significant and has influence on their use of contraceptives, even after adding the control variables into the model. Youth who are empowered they use contraceptive about 2 times higher than those who are not empowered. Influence of some selected socio-economic and demographic variables on contraceptive are also examined. The study shows that the presence of son at home on contraceptive use is strongly associated (OR=4.58). Thus youth empowerment is necessary to increase contraceptive use.

Inconsistent use of condom: risky sexual behaviour among the street based sex workers in Kathmandu Valley

The nature of profession of sex trade is multi partnered which leads the sex partners to unprotected sex. This study aims to explore the knowledge and experiences of STIs, practice and use of condom, reasons of not using it regularly and addiction situations among the street based female sex workers (SFSWs) in Kathmandu Valley. This study is a non-experimental research based on cross-sectional design. Mixed method was used to collect information with 110 SFSWs selected by using snow ball sampling techniques and presented descriptively after arranging in different themes. Among the SFSWs, 64.5 percent experienced STIs and 69 percent of them were unable to use condoms regularly. Most of the sex workers agree to unprotected sex when they are offered extra money and forced for sex by clients without condom, and another reason was lack of skill on SFSWs in using it properly. Knowingly or unknowingly SFSWs, clients and their life-partners are being victimized from practicing of risky sexual behaviour. The study suggests that touchy and broad awareness programs and compulsory rule to use male condom from clients’ side within safer indoor work space could be effective in helping to assure satisfying and safe sex.

Demographic and socio-economic factors affecting birth preparation and complication readiness (BPCR) practices in Nepal

BPCR practices by women in Nepal are still low. Still a relatively high percentage of women do not make BPCR to its fullest extent. Researches in developing countries show that various demographic, social and economic factors influence the BPCR practices by pregnant women. This paper examines the likelihood of BPCR practices based on women’s demographic, social and economic status in Nepal. NDHS 2011 data set has been utilized by applying bivariate logistics regression analysis technique to examine the effects of these variables on BPCR practices in Nepal. The analysis result shows high variations and gaps in BPCR practice based on demographic, social and economic status of women. Against this finding the study recommends implementation of appropriate policy and program measures by the government and other agencies to address the existing variations and gaps in BPCR practices among subgroups of women in Nepal. Further research studies focusing on the existing barriers on BPCR practice need to be conducted in Nepal especially among the women who are disadvantaged and marginalized.

Age structural impact of adolescent and youth on fertility transition in Nepal

Nepal is in unique period of demographic situation. The age structure of population is gradually shifting upwards producing a historical large proportion of young population. Given the early age at marriage and childbearing, this population may continue to dominate fertility transition process. Interaction between improvement in the characteristics of this population and recently started declining fertility is expected to push fertility transition at a faster rate until mid of this century before entering to the lowest level marginal decline or stagnation. The young 1population itself are in social, economic, cultural and demographic transition which is sandwiched with generation gap. Demographic analysis should factor their needs and interests to project the future fertility discourse.

Condom use by Nepalese youth at last sex with most recent partner other than wife or non-live-in partner

This study attempts to examine the effects of some selected socio-economic variables like level of education, occupation, current working status, wealth index, place of residence and frequency of exposure to mass media like newspapers/magazines, radio and television; demographic variables like age group, age at first sex, marital status, migration status and travelling away from home in the past 12 months; and cultural variables like religion and caste/ethnicity, and spatial distribution by ecological zones, development regions and provinces on condom use by Nepalese youth males at last sex with most recent partner other than wife or non-live-in partner using multivariate logistic regression analysis. It has used 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey data files with weighted cases. Data are analyzed using percentage and frequency tables and statistical tests are carried out using binomial logistic regression analysis of dependent variable controlling for the independent variables presented in the table of this study. The significant findings of the study are that youth males with primary level of education are less likely to use condom at last sex with most recent partner other than wife or non-live- in partner than those who have higher than secondary level of education. Not working youth males are more likely to use condom than those engaged agricultural occupation. Likewise, ever married youth males are less likely to use condom than their never married counterparts. Newar youth males are less likely to use condom than youth males of Hill Chhetri. Youth males living in Terai are less likely to use condom than youth males living in Hill. Similarly, youth males living in Far-western region are more likely to use condom compared to their counterparts of Central regions.

Demographic Window of Opportunity in Nepal

The demographic dividend (or window of opportunity) is the period during which a country's population experiences age structures that are highly favourable for development. Greater proportion of population becomes young and working age group. This cuts spending on dependents and spurring economic growth. Demographic dividend has importance in the national development if it is understood well and planned well for the national development. Nepal has already entered in demographic window of opportunity and this dividend phase ends around 2045. Government is lacking to utilize this dividend in the absence of stable government and proper policy requirements.

Dynamics of contraceptive use among young women in Nepal

This paper examines the dynamics of contraceptive use of currently married young women (age 15-24) in Nepal by analyzing the trends and differentials in contraceptive use, the changes in method mix and the determinants of contraceptive use by selected socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The reasons of non-use of contraception are also assessed. Data from the three rounds of nationally representative Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2001, 2006 and 2011 are used. Currently married women aged 15-24 are selected and included in analysis. Study sample constitute 2573, 2398 and 2552 eligible women in NDHS 2001, 2006 and 2011 respectively. Use of contraception among young couples is gradually increasing in almost all subgroups of population in Nepal, with narrowing differentials by education and economic condition of household. Tendency of starting contraceptives before having a child is also emerging. There is declining share of sterilization among youth indicating either a probable shifting in age at sterilization or more favour towards temporary methods. Injection has the highest share in all the three surveys. The share of long acting temporary methods (IUD and Implants) is quite small and almost same in all the three surveys. Couples still feel safe to start using contraceptives after having at least one son however, the differences are declining. Reasons for non-use like fear of side effects and opposition to use are sharply declining over time but that due to husband’s absence is emerging as almost a sufficient reason for non-use of contraception among young married women in Nepal. The family planning program should focus on meeting the family planning needs of young couples of all strata of population with special thrust on those women whose husbands are currently in foreign country so that they would be able to avoid unintended pregnancy on their husband’s come back.