The burden and distribution of cystic echinococcosis in Bhutan: a retrospective study.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by is a neglected zoonosis posing a significant public health challenge. Little is known about human CE in Bhutan. This study was conducted to gain an understanding of the burden, distribution, and potential risk factors of CE in Bhutan.

Sources and pathways of spring flow and climate change effects in the Dungju Ri & Yude Ri catchments, Bhutan Himalaya.

Springs and streams are vital water sources for supporting the livelihood of Himalayan residents. Escalating climate change, population growth, and economic development strain the region's freshwater resources. A national survey reveals declining spring and stream flows in Bhutan, necessitating an improved understanding of their generation.

Mapping recommendations towards an Asian Code Against Cancer (ACAC) as part of the World Code Against Cancer Framework: an Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) initiative.

This paper outlines the process undertaken by Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) members in working towards an Asian Code Against Cancer (ACAC). The process involves: (i) identification of the criteria for selecting the existing set of national recommendations for ACAC (ii) compilation of existing national codes or recommendations on cancer prevention (iii) reviewing the scientific evidence on cancer risk factors in Asia and (iv) establishment of one or more ACAC under the World Code Against Cancer Framework. A matrix of national codes or key recommendations against cancer in ANCCA member countries is presented.

Lessons and Best Practices on Risk Communication and Infodemic Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bhutan.

During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) were instrumental in inducing behavior change in tandem with the evolving evidence and phases of the pandemic. Infodemic management also became one of the areas where much emphasis was laid in Bhutan's response to the COVID-19 pandemic along with other critical response strategies such as surveillance, contact tracing, quarantine, isolation, and testing. Over the past 3 years of the pandemic, much has been learnt about the significance and impact of RCCE.

Gender differences in social environmental factors of psychological distress among Indonesian adolescents: Findings from the 2015 Global School-based Student Health Survey.

Background: This study aimed to investigate gender differences in social environmental factors of psychological distress among Indonesian adolescents.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using the data from the 2015 Indonesia Global School-based Student Health Survey. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the influences of main independent variables - social environmental factors (i.

Green space and loneliness: A systematic review with theoretical and methodological guidance for future research.

Persistent loneliness troubles people across the life span, with prevalence as high as 61 % in some groups. Urban greening may help to reduce the population health impacts of loneliness and its concomitants, such as hopelessness and despair. However, the literature lacks both a critical appraisal of extant evidence and a conceptual model to explain how green space would work as a structural intervention.

Correlates of Sedentary Behavior among Bhutanese Adults: Findings from the 2014 Bhutan STEPS Survey Data.

Background: Sedentary behavior is associated with several adverse health outcomes. Data on factors that influence sedentary behavior are lacking in Bhutan. This study examined factors associated with increased sedentary behavior in Bhutan, with a focus on exploring sex differences.

Perceived built environment and type 2 diabetes incidence: Exploring potential mediating pathways through physical and mental health, and behavioural factors in a longitudinal study.

Aims: The evidence on the pathways through which the built environment may influence type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk is limited. This study explored whether behavioural, physical and mental health factors mediate the associations between perceived built environment and T2D.

Methods: Longitudinal data on 36,224 participants aged ≥45 years (The Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study) was analysed.

The roles of women empowerment on attitude for safer sex negotiation among Indonesian married women.

The situation of low women empowerment in household settings might influence women's attitude and ability to negotiate for protected sex in their marital relationship. This study aimed to investigate the association between women empowerment factors and the attitude for safer sex negotiation among Indonesian married women. The secondary data of 28,934 individual records of married women retrieved from the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) was used.

Health and behavioural outcomes of bullying victimisation among Indonesian adolescent students: findings from the 2015 Global School-based Student Health Survey.

Bullying victimisation among adolescents is globally recognised as an important predictor for several adverse health and behavioural outcomes. Due to a paucity of studies in Indonesia, this study aimed to identify the adverse health and behavioural outcomes due to bullying victimisation among school-going adolescents and investigate the possible moderation by age and sex. This was an analysis of the second Global School-based Student Health Survey data of Indonesia conducted in 2015.

Role of perceived neighbourhood crime in the longitudinal association between perceived built environment and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a moderated mediation analysis.

Background: We examined to what extent perceived neighbourhood crime moderates, associations between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and perceived local amenities, recreational facilities, footpaths and public transit, and potential mediation of environmental characteristics-T2DM association by physical activity, social contact, sleep and body mass index (BMI).

Methods: The 45 and Up Study data of 36, 224 individuals collected from 2010 to 2015 were analysed in 2019 using multilevel logistic regression to examine the association between T2DM and clustering of unfavourable built environment, and any difference in the association with increasing unfavourable environment and area disadvantage. We performed causal mediation analyses stratified by crime to examine whether crime moderated the strength of identified local amenities-T2DM pathways.

Factors associated with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Bhutan: A nationwide case-control study.

Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a growing public health concern globally. In Bhutan, the rates of MDR-TB are high. Data on the risk factors of MDR-TB that can help inform policies are limited in Bhutan.

Epidemiological and histopathological characteristics of head and neck cancers in Bhutan from 2011 to 2017: a retrospective descriptive study.

Background: Head and neck cancers are among the commonest cancers in the developing world. Personal habits, such as the use of tobacco, betel nut and alcohol are strongly associated with the development of head and neck cancers at certain sites. Therefore, they are among the preventable cancers.

Residential self-selection, perceived built environment and type 2 diabetes incidence: A longitudinal analysis of 36,224 middle to older age adults.

Much of the existing studies on the built environment and type 2 diabetes are cross-sectional and prone to residential self-selection bias. Using multilevel logistic regression analysis of 36,224 participants from a longitudinal study, we examined whether perceived built environment characteristics are associated with type 2 diabetes. We found that the odds of diabetes incidence varied geographically.

Factors associated with under-five mortality in Bhutan: an analysis of the Bhutan National Health Survey 2012.

Background: As an important marker for health equity and access, under-five mortality (UFM) is a primary measure for socioeconomic development. The importance of reducing UFM has been further emphasized in an ambitious target under Sustainable Development Goals. The factors influencing UFM are not adequately understood in Bhutan.

Environmental Risk Factors for Developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review.

Different elements of the environment have been posited to influence type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This systematic review summarizes evidence on the environmental determinants of T2DM identified in four databases. It proposes a theoretical framework illustrating the link between environment and T2DM, and briefly discusses some methodological challenges and potential solutions, and opportunities for future research.

Geographical distribution of the incidence of gastric cancer in Bhutan.

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of gastric cancer (GC) in a cohort of patients diagnosed with GC and to compare it with patients diagnosed with all other types of gastro-intestinal (GI) cancer during the same period.

Methods: Between 2008 and 2013, five-year period, the medical records of all GI cancer patients who underwent medical care and confirm diagnosis of cancer were reviewed at the National Referral Hospital, Thimphu which is the only hospital in the country where surgical and cancer diagnosis can be made. Demographic information, type of cancer, and the year of diagnosis were collected.

α-Glucosidase inhibitory activities of isoflavanones, isoflavones, and pterocarpans from Mucuna pruriens.

Three new isoflavanones (1-3) and thirteen known compounds (4-16) were isolated from the roots of Mucuna pruriens. The absolute configurations of isoflavanones 1-3 and parvisoflavanone (4), lespedeol C (5), and uncinanone C (6) were addressed by a circular dichroism technique. Isoflavanones, isoflavones, and pterocarpans of M.

Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori in Bhutan: the role of environment and Geographic location.

Background: Bhutan is small mountainous country bordering India and China and consists of four geographic regions, west, east, central, and south. The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection and risk factors associated with in Bhutan are not previously studied. The World Health Organization reported the incidence of stomach cancer to be very high in Bhutan.

The burden and treatment outcomes of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Bhutan.

Setting: All tuberculosis (TB) registration sites in Bhutan.

Design: Cross-sectional study involving a retrospective review of TB registers and TB treatment cards.

Objectives: To determine: 1) the number and proportion of all TB cases registered as extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB) from 2001 to 2010, 2) the age and sex of the patients and the categories and types of EPTB registered in 2010, and 3) their treatment outcomes.

Childhood tuberculosis in Bhutan: profile and treatment outcomes.

Setting: All hospitals and health centres under the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTCP) in Bhutan.

Objective: To describe the number and proportion of childhood tuberculosis (TB) cases registered under the NTCP in 2010, their demographic and clinical characteristics and any associations with treatment outcomes.

Design: Retrospective cohort study involving a review of TB treatment cards and registers.