International Research Journal of MMC (IRJMMC)

Haematological Changes in Dengue Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Studies in Nepal

Kabita Khatiwada, Jeevan Tiwari — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dengue is one of the most important viral infection in Nepal, transmitted to humans from the bite of infected mosquito. This disease is highly prevalent in the Terai region, mostly in urban cities of Nepal. This disease is insect born disease and is transmitted to human through the bite of female aedes mosquito. It is known that the infection of this virus causes lower in white blood cell (WBC) and this condition is known as leukopenia due to depletion of bone marrow. Therefore, it is necessary to study the haematological parameters, especially the WBC for the proper diagnosis, management and prognosis of this viral infection. The objective of this meta-analysis is to understand the impact of dengue virus on the haematology of patients from Nepal. A meta-analysis was performed where several articles related to the topic of interest were searched and reviewed. The analysis of the data showed that the average neutrophils was 62.13±5.55 %, lymphocytes was 24.19±3.29 %, eosinophils was 1.35±0.27 %, platelets count was 16326.10±11812.93 cells/μl and the total leukocytes counts was 4542.91±269.23 cells/μl. The data showed a significantly lower (p < 0.05) total leukocytes counts in dengue infected groups than in control group. In conclusion, the study showed a significant decrease in total leukocyte counts in dengue-infected patients, which can increase the risk of secondary infections. Further research, including surveys, can be valuable to understand the source of infection and contribute to minimizing its transmission.

Integrated Approaches for Making Settlements Resilient from Earthquake Vulnerability: A Case Study of Urban and Rural Setting in Jajarkot, Karnali Province, Nepal

Ramesh Prasad Singh, B. M. Praveen — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper explores the integration of indigenous and engineering approaches to reduce earthquake vulnerability in both urban and rural settings of Jajarkot District, Nepal—specifically focusing on Bheri Municipality (Khalanga Bazar) and Barekot Rural Municipality, the latter being the epicenter of the 6.4 magnitude earthquake on November 3, 2023. The earthquake caused significant damage in Jajarkot and Rukum districts, underscoring the urgency of risk reduction. The study highlights that ongoing changes, such as modernization and population growth, have increased the vulnerability of settlements. Four key issues contributing to this vulnerability include poor living environments, weak governance, increasing social segregation, and the erosion of traditional materials and knowledge. The research emphasizes that both urban and rural areas require tailored mitigation strategies that blend technical solutions with local knowledge. Engineering and non-engineering studies underline the complexity of addressing both existing and future built environments. In both settings, communities possess valuable skills, traditional construction knowledge, and mutual support systems that, if harnessed effectively, can enhance resilience. The study concludes that relying solely on either engineering or indigenous methods is insufficient in the face of rapid urbanization and limited local resources. A hybrid approach that leverages traditional building forms, local materials, and collective practices alongside modern engineering techniques is essential for effective and sustainable earthquake risk mitigation.

The Role of Educational Attainment in Shaping Perceptions of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies

Pitambar Aryal, Meenu Gangal , Tej Bahadur Karki — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Global community has been witnessing increases in atmospheric temperature along with climate variability and change. Human activities are primarily responsible causing temperature raise consequently having weather related extreme events. Nepal, being diverse topography and climatic zones, experiencing severe impact of climate change. Rapid melting of ice in Himalaya region, bio diversity loss, drought and heavy rainfall are becoming regular phenomena in the recent past. The climate variability and change causing climate induced disasters impacting livelihoods of rural population of Nepal. Mitigation and adaptation measures initiated at local level play a pivotal role in reducing impact of climate change. The mitigation and adaptation measures could be initiated after having thorough understanding of community people about their perception on this. For this, education of local community may maximize their understanding which play a critical role in shaping their knowledge, perception and understanding about climate change, its impact and mitigation and adaptation measures. In this background, a study was carried out among 428 households of ward no 5, 6 &7 of Sarawal Rural Municipality, Nawalparasi West, Nepal. Out of 428, 33.4% were illiterate, 26.2 literate (informational education), 26.9% primary (up to 8 class) and 13.6% were high school and above. The main purpose of this study was to better understand about perception of study population on climate change mitigation and adaptation measures which could be initiated at local level. The study was designed in 5-point Likert scale having eight different mitigation and adaptation measures. A null hypothesis was formulated for this study indicating that there is no direct association between level of education and community perception about climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. The findings of study denote that there is association between perception of climate change mitigation measures and level of education. While comparing the educational level and their response, p-value is <0.05, indicating that it is statistically significant meaning there is a significant association between education and their level of understanding thus null hypothesis is rejected.

Leveraging Information Technology to Localize Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education: A Comparative Study

Sushil Paudel — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The incorporation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into higher education has become an essential approach to preparing young people to confront complex global issues. This research investigates the pivotal role of Information Technology (IT) in facilitating the localization of SDGs within universities, with an emphasis on empowering youth through innovative educational practices. By examining the case of the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom—an institution noted for integrating Artificial Neural Networks into its environmental education programs—the study showcases how artificial intelligence-based learning methodologies can significantly enhance students’ understanding of sustainability concepts. To provide a broader perspective, the study also draws on successful initiatives from Denmark and Finland, where advanced digital teaching strategies, inclusive access to educational resources, and well-structured curricula aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education) have been implemented effectively. The results suggest that embedding IT within higher education not only improves student engagement and analytical skills but also cultivates a deeper awareness of environmental and social issues. Based on these findings, the study proposes a comprehensive framework for scaling IT-supported SDG education across college and universities in Nepal, aiming to create a more informed, responsible, and capable generation of global citizens.

Navigating Human Resource Turbulence in Mergers and acquisitions: Insights from Nepal’s Banking Sectors

Prashant Upadhyaya — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are increasingly adopted by banks worldwide to achieve financial consolidation, enhance competitiveness, and attain economies of scale. Despite robust financial rationale, many M&As ultimately fail due to the neglect of human resource (HR) aspects that surface during post-merger integration. This study investigates HR turbulence in Nepalese bank mergers through a mixed-methods design that combines rich qualitative insights and in-depth quantitative analyses. Semi-structured interviews (n = 43) with Branch Managers, Executives, Zoom participants, and Frontline/HR employees were subjected to thematic analysis using NVivo 12, yielding primary themes such as job insecurity, communication breakdowns, cultural incompatibility, leadership instability, and post-merger skill gaps. Concurrently, a structured survey (n = 150) administered to bank employees captured quantitative measures on key dimensions (job security, communication clarity, training adequacy, cultural compatibility, and leadership clarity) using a 5-point Likert scale. Statistical analyses in Excel—comprising descriptive statistics, graphical visualizations, and multiple regression analysis—validated three core hypotheses. Specifically, higher job insecurity was significantly associated with reduced employee morale (β = –0.65, p < .01), whereas enhanced communication clarity (β = +0.32, p < .05) and structured training programs (β = +0.43, p < .05) positively influenced morale. Overall, the regression model explained 62% of the variance in employee morale (R² = 0.62). The findings underscore the need for a proactive, people-centric integration strategy to mitigate HR turbulence in bank mergers. Recommendations for policymakers and industry practitioners are provided.

Evaluating the Behavioural Impact of Machine Learning-Driven Cybersecurity Awareness Programs in Telecommunication Networks

Basanta Lingthep — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks on telecommunication networks require sophisticated techniques for raising the awareness of users and encouraging secure online conduct. This study explores the behavioural effects of machine learning-based cybersecurity awareness programs deployed on telecommunication and computer systems. The main objective is to assess the impact of these data-informed programs on participants' awareness of cyber threats and encourage the uptake of secure behaviours, such as the use of strong passwords, detection of phishing attacks, and secure management of personal information. A mixed-methods design was used, combining pre- and post-program surveys, statistical analysis using SPSS (paired t-tests, chi-square), and transformer-based analysis with Explainable AI (XAI). The research included 500 participants across five telecommunication networks, chosen using stratified random sampling to provide representative findings in technical and non-technical areas. Statistically significant increases in cybersecurity knowledge (t = 8.76, p < 0.001) and behaviour were found, with significant increases in high-awareness scores (from 25% to 60%) and in important actions like turning on multi-factor authentication and not clicking on phishing links. BERT-XAI analysis indicated a 63% increase in open-ended mentions of proactive security practices, providing interpretable, individualized behavioural insights. The results show the promise of machine learning-based awareness programs to deliver adaptive and quantifiable effects on user behaviour. The findings affirm the embedding of smart education models within telecommunication infrastructures and offer real-world advice for scalable, data-driven cyber education strategy design that continues to prove effective and valid in the face of changing digital threats.

Caste and Poverty Intertwined: The Livelihood Challenges Faced by Dalits in Makawanpur, Nepal

Drona Budhathoki — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The term Dalit refers to historically marginalized communities in Nepal who exist outside the traditional caste hierarchy. Derived from the Sanskrit word meaning "oppressed," it denotes groups formerly categorized as "untouchable" within the Hindu caste system. In Manahari, Makawanpur, rural Dalit populations continue to experience caste-based discrimination, limited economic opportunities, and restricted access to education. Despite the implementation of government policies aimed at inclusion, social exclusion remains pervasive, underscoring the need for more effective and targeted initiatives to enhance their livelihoods. This study aims to examine the livelihood challenges faced by the Dalit community in Ward No. 5, Basantpur, of Manahari Rural Municipality. Employing a descriptive research design, data were collected from 35 Dalit households through interviews and participant observation. Primary data were gathered using a census approach and supplemented with secondary data drawn from existing literature, including books and academic journals. Findings reveal entrenched economic, social, and political inequalities. Although Nepal has transitioned toward capitalism, Dalits continue to encounter limited economic opportunities, low political representation, and persistent poverty. Contributing factors include lack of land ownership, inadequate access to education, and exclusion from skilled employment. Addressing these systemic challenges necessitates reforms in land distribution, educational access, and political empowerment to ensure equitable opportunities for marginalized groups. The significance of this study lies in its focus on the socio-economic hardships faced by Dalits in rural Manahari. It brings attention to critical issues such as restricted access to education, healthcare, and employment challenges that are largely the result of systemic caste-based discrimination. The research aims to inform policy development that advances social justice, equality, and inclusion, with a particular emphasis on mitigating caste-based inequalities and poverty.

Analyzing the Impact of Smartphone Use and Mobile Distraction in Higher Education

Shreeraj Khatiwada — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores the impact of smartphone use and mobile distraction on the academic performance of college students. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 286 students through surveys and open-ended responses. Quantitative analysis revealed that a majority of students use smartphones for 4–6 hours daily, with social media, entertainment, and messaging as primary activities. Chi-squared tests showed significant associations between academic performance and factors such as usage duration, frequency of checking phones while studying, anxiety over disconnection, perceived addiction, procrastination, and impact on sleep and mental health. Sentiment analysis indicated that while many students acknowledge the academic benefits of smartphones, a substantial portion reported negative effects like distraction and stress. Thematic analysis of student suggestions highlighted the importance of self-regulation, time management, and institutional support. The findings underscore the need for targeted digital wellness initiatives to mitigate mobile distraction and enhance academic success.