Neurodevelopmental disorders in children aged 2-9 years: Population-based burden estimates across five regions in India.

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) compromise the development and attainment of full social and economic potential at individual, family, community, and country levels. Paucity of data on NDDs slows down policy and programmatic action in most developing countries despite perceived high burden. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We assessed 3,964 children (with almost equal number of boys and girls distributed in 2-<6 and 6-9 year age categories) identified from five geographically diverse populations in India using cluster sampling technique (probability proportionate to population size). These were from the North-Central, i.e., Palwal (N = 998; all rural, 16.4% non-Hindu, 25.3% from scheduled caste/tribe [SC-ST] [these are considered underserved communities who are eligible for affirmative action]); North, i.e., Kangra (N = 997; 91.6% rural, 3.7% non-Hindu, 25.3% SC-ST); East, i.e., Dhenkanal (N = 981; 89.8% rural, 1.2% non-Hindu, 38.0% SC-ST); South, i.e., Hyderabad (N = 495; all urban, 25.7% non-Hindu, 27.3% SC-ST) and West, i.e., North Goa (N = 493; 68.0% rural, 11.4% non-Hindu, 18.5% SC-ST). All children were assessed for vision impairment (VI), epilepsy (Epi), neuromotor impairments including cerebral palsy (NMI-CP), hearing impairment (HI), speech and language disorders, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and intellectual disability (ID). Furthermore, 6-9-year-old children were also assessed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders (LDs). We standardized sample characteristics as per Census of India 2011 to arrive at district level and all-sites-pooled estimates. Site-specific prevalence of any of seven NDDs in 2-<6 year olds ranged from 2.9% (95% CI 1.6-5.5) to 18.7% (95% CI 14.7-23.6), and for any of nine NDDs in the 6-9-year-old children, from 6.5% (95% CI 4.6-9.1) to 18.5% (95% CI 15.3-22.3). Two or more NDDs were present in 0.4% (95% CI 0.1-1.7) to 4.3% (95% CI 2.2-8.2) in the younger age category and 0.7% (95% CI 0.2-2.0) to 5.3% (95% CI 3.3-8.2) in the older age category. All-site-pooled estimates for NDDs were 9.2% (95% CI 7.5-11.2) and 13.6% (95% CI 11.3-16.2) in children of 2-<6 and 6-9 year age categories, respectively, without significant difference according to gender, rural/urban residence, or religion; almost one-fifth of these children had more than one NDD. The pooled estimates for prevalence increased by up to three percentage points when these were adjusted for national rates of stunting or low birth weight (LBW). HI, ID, speech and language disorders, Epi, and LDs were the common NDDs across sites. Upon risk modelling, noninstitutional delivery, history of perinatal asphyxia, neonatal illness, postnatal neurological/brain infections, stunting, LBW/prematurity, and older age category (6-9 year) were significantly associated with NDDs. The study sample was underrepresentative of stunting and LBW and had a 15.6% refusal. These factors could be contributing to underestimation of the true NDD burden in our population. CONCLUSIONS: The study identifies NDDs in children aged 2-9 years as a significant public health burden for India. HI was higher than and ASD prevalence comparable to the published global literature. Most risk factors of NDDs were modifiable and amenable to public health interventions

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Not AvailableLongphongtook an indigenous fish aggregating method practised along the Namsang stream by Nocte tribe of Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh has been described in the present study. In this practice, fishes were caught by attracting them to a circular structure (diameter 2.5 to 2.75 m) made up of boulders and pebbles of the river bed. The study revealed that thigmotropism behaviour of fish was effectively and efficiently utilised by the fisher folk in this fishing technique. The catch mostly comprised of migratory hill stream fishes.Not Availabl

Frontiers in aquaculture

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Integrated environment management of aquatic resources of NE region

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Not AvailableThe present study was conducted in 13 earthen ponds measuring 0.1 ha for 3 months to study the efficacy of different doses of pig dung i.e. 4,000 kg ha-1 , 6,000 kg ha-1 , 8,000 kg ha-1 and 10,000 kg ha-1 on growth performance and survival of Indian major carps. Supplementary feed was used twice daily @ 3% body weight per day for entire experiment. Water quality parameters in all the experimental ponds (T1, T2, T3 and T4) were within normal range except for turbidity which showed higher values. Abundance of plankton groups among the treatments did not differ significantly. Highest abundance of phytoplankton (48.32 ± 6.32 x 10 6 Nos./l) and zooplankton (688.81 ± 75.47 Nos./l) was observed in T4. Survival rate of Catla (75 ± 1.12), Rohu (71.66 ± 1.54) and Mrigal (65.83 ± 1.23) was found to be highest in T1. Highest production (5354.0±167.37 kg ha-1 yr-1) was observed in T3.Not Availabl

Mapping natural capital and ecosystem services to advance sustainable development in Myanmar

Paper Session - Myanmar in Transition. Perspectives on Social, Economic, Political and Spatial Changes (1)As Myanmar undergoes rapid socioeconomic and political change, sustainable management and equitable use of its natural resources will be crucial to ensure that the benefits of development are not undercut by social and environmental costs. To inform decision-making around conservation and natural resource management, we are mapping and quantifying natural capital and ecosystem services in Myanmar. These assessments are being conducted at a national level, and in Tanintharyi, part of a transboundary landscape with Thailand that is rich in biodiversity, and facing complex and rapid changes in land use, including the development of the Dawei Special Economic Zone and associated infrastructure. We are mapping beneficiaries of ecosystem services to identify areas that are especially important in providing these benefits to potential users. By modeling climate and land use scenarios, and the potential impact of these scenarios on ecosystem service provision, we are investigating how access to these benefits could change in the future. In Tanintharyi, we are also assessing the impacts of the road on wildlife habitat and movement corridors, and exploring mitigation options. We will present on one or more of the above studies, describe our related ongoing mainstreaming and capacity building initiatives, and reflect on how these are influencing dialogue on sustainable development in Myanmar government and civil society

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