Abstract
On April 25, 2015, Nepal was rocked by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that caused serious damages; loss of many lives and different infrastructures; World heritages sites. Bungamati VDC is one of the major earthquake affected area in the Kathmandu valley. This thesis was conducted in order to study the extend of vulnerability of epidemics in this VDC and the knowledge of the local community in this post earthquake status.
This descriptive cross-sectional analytical design was carried out with the total sample 55 households. For data collection, tools such as semi-structured questions and informant interview, observation were applied. During the questionnaire survey, the respondents were asked questions covering six broad aspects: Demographic, Economic, Post earthquake living environment, Health issues, Institutional Performances and Knowledge regarding epidemics.
In context of Bungamati VDC, different variables affecting the vulnerability and knowledge regarding epidemics were analyzed. Among which respondents above 15 years were selected, which shows majority of hindus and literate respondents with various occupations like Business, Housewives, woodcarving etc. Demographic interpretation shows many still residing in alternative housing after being affected by earthquake, most of which were living in nuclear families and their living practices for epidemic impact like drinking water sources, sanitary facilities , domestic settlements and waste management practices were analyzed concluding with least mal practices . Institutional performances were found unable for coverage of all the victimized area. In positive view of health issues, despite from the data from health post, some communicable disease can be allocated but no any prevalence of epidemics was identified. Similarly, in response to knowledge about the epidemics disease and its prevention, all respondents had responded enthusiastically and were analyzed with average of good knowledge.
As conclusion, majority of the respondents seems to have the good knowledge regarding epidemics But though due to still presence of unmanaged post earthquake situation, after nine months of major earthquake, almost one fourth of the population is still rating in the high vulnerable group for epidemics. There is still requirement to upgrade their knowledge and the focuses in epidemics and its prevention in this community for further development.
The questionnaire format and Interview with the informant were placed as appendix to this research work.
Key words: Epidemics, Vulnerability, Knowledge
