Purpose The study was conducted to explore the perception of healthcare workers and staff towards the risk of COVID-19 vaccination and to study vaccine hesitancy amongst them. Methods A total of 266 healthcare workers working in a medical college in Nepal were studied using a questionnaire consisting of three sections: demographics, experiences and perception of COVID-19, and COVID-19 vaccine safety. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26. The total perception score was calculated by noting respondent’s agreement with a set of eleven statements using a Likert-type scale. Non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis) were used for analysis (p<0.05). Results Altogether, 13.9% of respondents had been diagnosed COVID-19 positive prior to the survey. Many considered themselves to be at increased risk of contracting COVID-19. Only over one third (38.3%) were willing to be vaccinated. The most common reason for refusal/hesitancy was concern about vaccine safety. The median (interquartile range) total perception score was 36 (4) (maximum possible score=55). The score was significantly higher among those who had been diagnosed COVID positive, those who perceived the pandemic as being moderate or severe and among those willing to be vaccinated Conclusion Addressing doubts related to vaccine safety and providing more data on the safety of vaccine may be helpful in overcoming hesitancy.

Background: Dentistry is associated with a number of stressors resulting to depression, anxiety, substance misuse, absenteeism, diminished work efficiency, and burnout. The study was conducted with the objectives to know the prevalence and type of stressors; their consequences stress relievers among the clinical dental students. Methods:It is a descriptive cross-sectional quali tative study carried out using a self-administered questionnaire among the clinical dental students of a college of dental surgery of eastern Nepal. The questionnaire was adapted from the Dental Environmental Stress Questionnaire designed by Westerman et al., and was modified to include several cultural factors appropriate for Nepali students. Students were asked to assess the questionnaire items as "not stressful," "slightly stressful," "moderately stressful," and "severely stressful" on a four-point Lickert scale.Results: When responses were divided into either stressful or not stressful, the preva lence of stress was 100%. Among self-efficacy beliefs, insecurity regarding professional future, (90.0%) atmosphere created by clinical faculty (93.34%), difficulty to get suitable patients (93.34%), fear of sexually transmissible diseases/AIDS/ hepatitis B while working on patients (96.56%), need to find own patients (88.89%) and examinations and grading procedures (96.67%) were the common stressors in different years of study. The two most frequently mentioned consequences of stress during all years were fatigue/tiredness (77.79% to 96.56%) and mood alteration (69.45% to 83.33%). Listening to music was the leading stress reduction method during all academic years (82.76% to 86.67%). Conclusion:The students in all years of study had high prevalence of stress. The most frequently mentioned consequences of stress during all years were fatigue/tiredness and mood alteration. Listening to music was the leading stress reduction tech nique for students in all academic years. A contemporary dental school should address potential stress sources effectively, thus promoting the educational and professional well-being of dental undergraduates.

Background: Self-medication (SM) is the practice of consuming medication without the consultation of physician. The drugs most commonly self-medicated are paracetamol, analgesics, ranitidine, oral rehydration solution and antibiotics. The objective of the study was to assess the SM status and its causes in Pokhara valley of Nepal. Method: The study was conducted among the people residing in Pokhara metropolitan city. The study duration was of 4 months from April to July, 2018. The study population were patients attending health general and oral health screening programs at Baidam, Birauta, Hemja and Pame areas of Pokhara. Structured questionnaire was used to collect demographics of the patients and the details of the usage of self-medication. Result: Out of 201 patients, 38.2% patients were found to be self-medicating. The most common illness sought for SM was ache (headache, body ache) in 50% subjects followed by cough and cold in 31% and gastritis in 23%. Paracetamol was the drug consumed by 16 subjects followed by nimesulide by 11. Lack of knowledge about the disadvantages of SM led to self-medication in 65% of respondents. The personnel most commonly consulted for medication were pharmacists (60%). Conclusion: The trend of SM is high in Pokhara valley. The comedics were consulted most often for SM due to lack of knowledge of consultation to physicians. The public should be made aware about SM.

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The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), presents a dual threat to commercial pulse growers because it can inflict direct injury through feeding and indirect injury as a vector of two important viruses, Pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) and Bean leafroll virus (BLRV). A decision support system is needed to help producers manage both of these threats in pulses. To address these gaps in lentil, Lens culinaris (Medikus) (Fabales: Fabaceae), we conducted field experiments near Moscow, Idaho in 2011 and 2012 with three objectives: 1) determine economic injury levels (EILs) for pea aphid in lentil based on the direct effects of their feeding on yield, 2) develop economic guidelines for treating aphids carrying PEMV or BLRV based on the impact on yield of virus inoculation at different times after crop emergence, and 3) provide a framework for using both of these decision tools as part of a comprehensive approach to pea aphid management in lentil. EILs were determined based on data from replicated field cage trials over 2 yr. Windows of economic vulnerability to viruses were determined based on artificial inoculation with viruses at different days after crop emergence over 2 yr. Both direct and indirect injury support tools can be parameterized with potential yields, market prices, and the costs of insecticide applications to guide treatment decisions. Together, the two tools comprise a decision support system for managing pea aphid acting as both a direct pest and as a vector of the viruses in lentils in the Palouse region of northern Idaho and southeastern Washington State.