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.

Antibiotic use and quality indicators of antibiotic prescription in Bhutan: a point prevalence survey using the Australian National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey tool.

Background: The National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in Bhutan promotes the rational use of antibiotics. It is important to establish baseline data on the use of antibiotics and the quality indicators of antibiotic prescriptions to identify where improvement efforts may need to be focused.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence and patterns of antibiotic prescription and establish baseline data regarding quality indicators of antibiotic prescriptions in four major hospitals in Bhutan.

Knowledge, attitude and practice on antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance among competent persons in the community pharmacies in Bhutan.

Introduction: Since the discovery, antimicrobials have been used to treat variety of infections both in humans and animals caused by microbes. However, with the increasing use, microbes developed resistance to the antimicrobials and many of the antimicrobials became ineffective against certain microbes. Many factors are reported to contribute to the resistance of microbes to antimicrobials.

Trends in antimicrobial consumption in Bhutan.

Introduction: Antimicrobial use has been recognized as one of the main drivers of antimicrobial resistanceand it is, therefore, crucial to monitor the consumption and use of antimicrobials. This study was conducted to determine the consumption of antimicrobials in terms of defined daily doses (DDDs) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DIDs) at both national and dzongkhag levels in Bhutan, and to investigate trends from 2017 to 2019.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of antimicrobial consumption in healthcare facilities in Bhutan from 2017 to 2019 was undertaken using the national records of annual distribution of medicines.

Modes of administering sexual health and blood-borne virus surveys in migrant populations: A scoping review.

There has been a growing number of sexual health and blood-borne virus (SHBBV) surveys specifically administered to migrant populations. The purpose of this scoping review is to collate available information about how SHBBV surveys have been administered in migrant populations and the effect that mode of administration has on data quality, reliability and other practical considerations, e.g.

Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic schoolchildren in Bhutan.

Aim: Bhutan is a small mountainous country between Tibet and India with relatively homogenous population. According to the World Health Organization, gastric cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer death in Bhutan. This study examined the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori among children in Bhutan with emphasis on water source and living conditions.