Sharada Prasad Wasti

Dr Sharada Prasad Wasti PGDip, MHCM, MSc and PhD

Senior Lecturer in Public Health

Dr. Wasti is a Senior Lecturer in Public Health, at the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom (Nov 2022 - currently). Sharada is a global health and healthcare management researcher, who holds Post Graduate Diploma & Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management and Master’s Degree in Population Studies (Demography) from Nepal. He has completed MSc in International Health and Management from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and PhD in Public Health from the University of Sheffield, England.

Sharada has experience with teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in public health, nursing and health management and had supervised over 60 PG students in Public Health, Health Management, Nursing and Crisis Management students. Besides teaching, Sharada has worked and managed more than a dozens of health research projects and continues providing technical support to several public and private health research and program implementation organisations in Nepal.
At the University of Greenwich, Sharada teaches, and thesis supervises both undergraduate and postgraduate in Public Health and Healthcare Management courses.

Post held previously:

  • 2020-2022 - Senior Research Fellow (MRC funded - Federalisation on Nepal's Health System Research Project), School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, UK
  • 2019-2020 - Senior Research Fellow (GCRF-funded Migration Health Research Project), University of Sussex, UK (Based in Kathmandu, Nepal)
  • 2015-2020 – Senior Lecturer in Healthcare Management (Part-time), National Open College (Affiliated to Pokhara University), Lalitpur, Nepal
  • 2015-2018 - Research, M&E Advisor (USAID funded Fertility Awareness for the Community Transformation Intervention Project), Georgetown University, Washington, DC (Based in Save the Children Nepal, Kathmandu)
  • 2013-2015 - Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor (The World Bank funded Targeted Intervention HIV Program), FHI 360 (INGO), Nepal
  • 2010-2013 - Teaching Assistant (PhD Tenure), School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, UK
  • 2005-2006 - Lecturer in Healthcare Management, National Open College (Affiliated to Pokhara University), Lalitpur, Nepal

Public health

Responsibilities within the university
  • Module leader for undergraduate (Health Promotion and Introduction to Epidemiology) and postgraduate (Health System in a Global Situation)
  • Dissertation supervisor to undergraduate (n=3) and postgraduate (n=9) students
  • Personal tutor - MSc in Global Public Health Students

Recognition

Honorary Positions:

  • Visiting Fellow (November 2022 to October 2025), University of Huddersfield, UK
  • Visiting Faculty (October 2020 to date) Healthcare Management, National Open College (affiliated with Pokhara University), Nepal

Professional body/Membership:

  • Fellow, Royal Society for Public Health (FRSPH)
  • Academic Editor, Journal of PLOS ONE
  • Member, Health Research Network for Migrant Workers in Asia
  • Member, Migration Health and Development Research Initiative (MHADRI) Network
  • Member, Britain Nepal Academic Council (BNAC)

Research / Scholarly interests

Sharada is interested in research that is specific to the global health and healthcare management arena:

  • Health system strengthening in LMICs
  • Healthcare/hospital management in LMICs
  • Health issues among migrant’s/left behind families (ethnic minority)
  • Sexual reproductive health - fertility awareness, family planning, HIV/AIDS
  • Adherence to medication - antiretroviral/TB

Methodology: Mixed-methods research, participatory methodology (co-production/co-design/co-creation), systematic review & metanalysis.

Recent publications

Article:

  • Wasti, SP., Simkhada, P., van Teijlingen, ER., Sathian, B., & Banerjee, I. (2022). The growing importance of mixed-methods research in health. Nepal Journal of Epidemiology, 12(1), 1175. doi:10.3126/nje.v12i1.43633
  • Simkhada, P., Tamang, P., Timilsina, L., Simkhada, B., Bissell, P., van Teijlingen, E., . . . Wasti, SP (2022). Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Nepali people in the UK: A qualitative study. Vaccines, 10(5), 780. doi:10.3390/vaccines10050780
  • Sulochan, G., Khanal, A., Bhattarai, S., Panthee, S., Khanal, A., Gaire, A., . . . Wasti, S. P. (2022). Burden of tuberculosis and hepatitis co-infection among people living with HIV in Nepal: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sexual Health, 19(5), 406-416. doi:10.1071/SH21216
  • Regmi, PR., Dhakal Adhikari, S., Aryal, N., Wasti, SP., & van Teijlingen, E. (2022). Fear, stigma and othering: The impact of COVID-19 rumours on returnee migrants and Muslim populations of Nepal. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 8986. doi:10.3390/ijerph19158986
  • Ghimire, P. K., Sigdel, B., Dhakal, P., Sharma Baidhya, S. K., Pandey, K., & Wasti, SP (2022). Prevalence and factors associated with mental health outcomes among healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. Journal of Health and Allied Sciences, 11(2), 7-13. doi:10.37107/jhas.269
  • Sapkota, S., Panday, S., Wasti, SP., Lee, A., Balen, J., van Teijlingen, E., . . . Karki, J. (2022). Health system strengthening: the role of public health in Federal Nepal. Journal of the Nepal Public Health Association, 7(1), 36-42.
  • Shanker, S., Wasti, SP., Ireland, J., Regmi, P., Simkhada, P., & van Teijlingen, E. (2021). The interdisciplinary team not the interdisciplinarist: Reflections on interdisciplinary research. Europasian Journal of Medical Sciences, 3(2), 104-108. doi:10.46405/ejms.v3i2.317
  • Bhirtyal, Y. M., & Wasti, SP (2021). Effects of male international migration on mental health of wives left behind in Nepal. Journal of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, 7(1), 60-72. doi:10.3126/jmmihs.v7i1.43151
  • Paudyal, P., Kulasabanathan, K., Cassell, J. A., Memon, A., Simkhada, P., & Wasti, SP (2020). Health and well-being issues of Nepalese migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Malaysia: a systematic review. BMJ Open, 10(10), e038439. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038439
  • Shattuck, D., Wasti, SP., Limbu, N., Chipanta, N. S., & Riley, C. (2019). Men on the move and the wives left behind: the impact of migration on family planning in Nepal. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 27(1), 248-261. doi:10.1080/26410397.2019.1647398
  • Pradhan, S., van Teijlingen, E., Simkhada, P., Dhungel, A., Silwal, R., Fanning, P., & Wasti, SP (2019). Factors affecting the uptake of institutional delivery, antenatal and postnatal care in Nawalparasi district, Nepal. Kathmandu University Medical Journal, 17(67), 206-211.
  • Bhatta, D. N., Adhikari, R., Karki, S., Koirala, A. K., & Wasti, SP (2019). Life expectancy and disparities in survival among HIV-infected people receiving antiretroviral therapy: an observational cohort study in Kathmandu, Nepal. BMJ Global Health, 4(3), e001319. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001319
  • Simkhada, R., Wasti, SP., Gc, VS., & Lee, AC. (2018). Prevalence of depressive symptoms and its associated factors in older adults: a cross-sectional study in Kathmandu, Nepal. Aging & Mental Health, 22(6), 802-807. doi:10.1080/13607863.2017.1310803
  • Simkhada, P., Van Teijlingen, E., Gurung, M., & Wasti, SP (2018). A survey of health problems of Nepalese female migrants workers in the Middle-East and Malaysia. BMC International Health and Human Rights, 18(1), 1-7. doi:10.1186/s12914-018-0145-7
  • Rijal, S., & Wasti, SP (2018). Factors influencing career progression of working women in health services: A case from Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 11(3), 164-170. doi:10.1080/20479700.2018.1444952
  • Simkhada P, van Teijlingen E, Sharma A, Bissell P, Poobalan A and Wasti SP (2018). Health consequences of sex trafficking: a systematic review. J of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences. 4(1), 130-150. doi: 10.3126/jmmihs.v4i1.21150
  • Regmi, PR., Aryal, N., Kurmi, O., Pant, PR., van Teijlingen, E., & Wasti, SP (2017). Informed consent in health research: Challenges and barriers in low‐and middle‐income countries with specific reference to Nepal. Developing World Bioethics, 17(2), 84-89. doi:10.1111/dewb.12123
  • Karmacharya, M., Jasienska, G., Bissell, P., Wasti, SP., & Bajracharya, L. (2017). Factors influencing the utilization of health facilities for childbirth in a disadvantaged community of Lalitpur, Nepal. Journal of Gynaecology, 1(1), 1-27
  • Aryal, N., & Wasti, SP. (2016). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in South Asia: a systematic review. International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, 36, 255-262. doi:10.1007/s13410-015-0365-5
  • Odesanmi, TY., Wasti, SP., Odesanmi, OS., Adegbola, O., Oguntuase, OO., & Mahmood, S. (2013). Comparative effectiveness and acceptability of home-based and clinic-based sampling methods for sexually transmissible infections screening in females aged 14–50 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sexual Health, 10(6), 559-569. doi:10.1071/SH13029
  • Wasti, SP., Simkhada, P., Randall, J., Freeman, JV., & Van Teijlingen, E. (2012). Factors influencing adherence to antiretroviral treatment in Nepal: a mixed-methods study. PloS One, 7(5), e35547. https://doi.org/35510.31371/journal.pone.0035547
  • Wasti, SP; van Teijlingen, E., Simkhada, P., Randall, J., Baxter, S., Kirkpatrick, P. & GC Sigh, V. (2012). Factors influencing adherence to antiretroviral treatment in Asian Developing Countries: A systematic review. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 17, 71-81. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02888.x
  • Wasti, SP., Simkhada, P., Randall, J., Freeman, JV., & Van Teijlingen, E. (2012). Barriers to and facilitators of antiretroviral therapy adherence in Nepal: a qualitative study. Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition, 30(4), 410-419. doi:10.3329/jhpn.v30i4.13294

Book:

  • Wasti, SP, Simkhada, P, Hundley V & van Teijlingen, E. (Eds. Book) (2022). Academic Writing and Publishing in Health and Social Sciences. Kathmandu, Nepal: Social Science Baha & Himal Books https://himalbooks.com/product/academic-writing-and-publishing-in-health-and-social-sciences/
  • Wasti, SP, Simkhada, P & van Teijlingen, E. (Eds.) (2015). The Dynamics of Health in Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal: Social Science Baha & Himal Books.  https://himalbooks.com/product/the-dynamics-of-health-in-nepal/

Presentations
  • Wasti, SP; Shrestha A, Dhakal P & Singh V (2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and associated factors of exclusive breastfeeding practices in Nepal. 8th National Summit of Health and Population Scientists in Nepal; April 10-12, 2022 (Abstract).
  • Simkhada, P, Singh V, van Teijlingen E & Wasti SP. (2022). Sustainability of community-based health promotion interventions on maternity and neonatal care in Nepal: Findings from ten-year controlled, non-randomised study. 19th BNAC Nepal Study Days in Oxford on 12-13 April, 2022 (Abstract).
  • Wasti SP; Simkhada, P & van Teijlingen E. (2021). The provincial health policies in Nepal: opportunities and challenges for effective implementation. 18th BNAC Nepal Study Days in London on 22-23 April, 2021 (Abstract).
  • Wasti, SP; Paudyal P & Neupane P (2020). Exploring health issues of Nepalese migrant workers and families: a qualitative study. 6th National Summit of Health and Population Scientists in Nepal; July 06-07, 2020 (Abstract).
  • Wasti SP, Chipanta SK, Limbu N & Shattuck D (2018). Measuring fertility awareness in five districts of Nepal. 4th National Summit of Health and Population Scientists in Nepal, April 11-12, 2018 [http://summit.nhrc.org.np] (Abstract).
  • Limbu, N., Wasti, SP., Chipanta, N., Riley, C., & Shattuck, D. (2018, November). Assessing the impact of male migration on women’s reproductive health decisions. In APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo, APHA (Abstract).
  • Shattuck, D., Rubardt, M., Chipanta, N., Riley, C., Nguyen, G., Wasti, SP & Limbu, N. (2018). Providing reproductive health services to hard-to-reach communities in Nepal. In APHA's 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 10-Nov. 14). APHA (Abstract).
  • Wasti, SP, Limbu, N., Chipanta, N. & Shattuck, D. (2017). Family planning dynamics among couples with migrating husbands in Nepal. 9th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights, 27-30 November 2017, Vietnam (Abstract).
  • Wasti, SP, Limu, N., Chipanta, N & Shattuck, D (2017). Beliefs and perceptions of family planning and fertility in Nepal. 11th World Congress on Adolescent, 27-29, 2017, Health, New Delhi (Abstract).
  • Wasti SP, Chipanta SK, Limbu N & Shattuck D (2017). Fear of side-effects and pressures to have children influencing family planning use in Nepal. 3rd National Summit of Health and Population Scientists in Nepal, April 10-12, 2017 [http://summit.nhrc.org.np] (Abstract).
  • Wasti SP, Limbu N, Chipanta SK & Shattuck D (2017). Bringing services to hard-to-reach communities: Integrating roving auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) in Nepal. 3rd National Summit of Health and Population Scientists in Nepal, April 10-12, 2017 [http://summit.nhrc.org.np] (Abstract).
  • Chipanta, N., Nguyen, G., Wasti, SP., Limu, N & Shattuck, D (2017). Let’s Play! Using games to address social norms, fertility awareness, and accurate family planning information in hard-to-reach communities in Nepal. In APHA 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 4-Nov. 8). APHA (Abstract).
  • Wasti, SP., Limu, N., Nepal, A., Nguyen, G., Chipanta, N., Cachan, J & Shattuck, D. (2016). Social marketing, a hands-on approach for introducing a fertility awareness method. In APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29-Nov. 2, 2016). APHA (Abstract).