Community-based study on knowledge, attitudes and perception of rabies in Gelephu, south-central Bhutan.

postprintCommunity knowledge, attitudes and practices are important both for prevention of human deaths due to rabies and for control of the disease in animals. This study was a cross-sectional survey investigating the level of community knowledge as well as attitudes and perceptions about rabies in Gelephu, south central Bhutan, a region endemic for rabies. A total of 615 household respondents were interviewed, of which 224 (36%) were males and 391 (64%) were females. The majority of the respondents had high level of knowledge, and attitude and perception of rabies, and has a positive attitude towards the prevention and control of rabies. Multivariable logistic regression model showed that better knowledge about rabies was predicted by gender, educational level and dog ownership status of the respondents, whilst health-seeking behaviours of animal bite injuries were predicted by dog ownership status, presence of children in the household and occupation of the respondents. The majority of the respondents believed that stray dogs are a problem in the community and felt that it was important to control the dog population in Gelephu. These findings also indicate that there exists a knowledge gap about rabies in the community that could be improved by creating an awareness education programme. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Perception, Rabies, Cross-sectional survey, Bhuta

Community-based study on knowledge, attitudes and perception of rabies in Gelephu, south-central Bhutan.

Community knowledge, attitudes and practices are important both for prevention of human deaths due to rabies and for control of the disease in animals. This study was a cross-sectional survey investigating the level of community knowledge as well as attitudes and perceptions about rabies in Gelephu, south central Bhutan, a region endemic for rabies. A total of 615 household respondents were interviewed, of which 224 (36%) were males and 391 (64%) were females. The majority of the respondents had high level of knowledge, and attitude and perception of rabies, and has a positive attitude towards the prevention and control of rabies. Multivariable logistic regression model showed that better knowledge about rabies was predicted by gender, educational level and dog ownership status of the respondents, whilst health-seeking behaviours of animal bite injuries were predicted by dog ownership status, presence of children in the household and occupation of the respondents. The majority of the respondents believed that stray dogs are a problem in the community and felt that it was important to control the dog population in Gelephu. These findings also indicate that there exists a knowledge gap about rabies in the community that could be improved by creating an awareness education programme. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Perception, Rabies, Cross-sectional survey, Bhuta

FAIRifying STEM Data Ecosystem to Enhance Data Reuse

In the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) community, academic and research workflows and work practices are increasingly mediated and informed by data. However, making digital materials and resources findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) for teaching, learning, and research is an under-researched area. Thus, it is vital to examine the current data practices of STEM students and faculties and acquaint them with the FAIR data concept. FAIR Data Principles is a set of guidelines that underscore metadata, vocabularies, licences, and standards to enhance data reuse. A study was conducted among students and faculties in the STEM community of the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) to unpack their current data practices and explore areas for improvement using the FAIR Data Principles. The STEM students and faculties of the RUB share and reuse digital materials and resources for teaching, learning, and research. Nevertheless, their data practice is not as widespread or desired in the literature on optimum data reuse. Moreover, the compliance of current data practices to the tenets of FAIR Data Principles is not satisfactory. A pragmatic solution is complementing data practices with policies and infrastructural systems that underscore FAIR Data Principles. A sensitisation programme such as seminars and hands-on exercises on data FAIRification is crucial to familiarise people with the essentialness of FAIR data, and doing so will provide a platform to develop their repertoire for FAIRifying data and encourage systematic sharing and reuse of data. An in-depth account of the FAIRifying STEM data ecosystem in the study contributes to the growing knowledge base on adopting FAIR Data Principles in other areas of data-informed work and life

FAIRifying STEM Data Ecosystem to Enhance Data Reuse

In the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) community, academic and research workflows and work practices are increasingly mediated and informed by data. However, making digital materials and resources findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) for teaching, learning, and research is an under-researched area. Thus, it is vital to examine the current data practices of STEM students and faculties and acquaint them with the FAIR data concept. FAIR Data Principles is a set of guidelines that underscore metadata, vocabularies, licences, and standards to enhance data reuse. A study was conducted among students and faculties in the STEM community of the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) to unpack their current data practices and explore areas for improvement using the FAIR Data Principles. The STEM students and faculties of the RUB share and reuse digital materials and resources for teaching, learning, and research. Nevertheless, their data practice is not as widespread or desired in the literature on optimum data reuse. Moreover, the compliance of current data practices to the tenets of FAIR Data Principles is not satisfactory. A pragmatic solution is complementing data practices with policies and infrastructural systems that underscore FAIR Data Principles. A sensitisation programme such as seminars and hands-on exercises on data FAIRification is crucial to familiarise people with the essentialness of FAIR data, and doing so will provide a platform to develop their repertoire for FAIRifying data and encourage systematic sharing and reuse of data. An in-depth account of the FAIRifying STEM data ecosystem in the study contributes to the growing knowledge base on adopting FAIR Data Principles in other areas of data-informed work and life

Smallholder Farmers’ Vulnerability to Impact of Climate Change in Central Bhutan

Climate change carries immense threat to the livelihood and food security of smallholder farmers in Bhutan and it is therefore crucial to enhance their adaptive capacity.  However, building resiliency to climate impact require information on vulnerability of the system of interest. Therefore, this study assessed smallholder farmers’ vulnerability to impacts of climate change and variability in central regions (Bumthang and Trongsa) of Bhutan. Data was collected from 247 randomly selected households by administering a pre-tested survey questionnaire. Data was analyzed using composite index approach (LVI) and IPCC framework approach (LVI-IPCC). The LVI analysis revealed that Bumthang was more vulnerable in terms of Socio-demographic profile (0.55), social networks (0.45), health (0.31) and natural disasters and climate variability (0.47) compared to Trongsa. Whereas, Trongsa was more vulnerable in terms of livelihood strategies (0.31) and water (0.13). Vulnerability score on the food component was same for both the districts (0.27). Overall, Bumthang was more vulnerable compared to Trongsa on both LVI (Bumthang: 0.36, Trongsa: 0.34) and LVI-IPCC (Bumthang: 0.24, Trongsa: 0.13) analysis. The findings could be used for designing micro-level context specific interventions to enhance smallholder farmers’ adaptive capacity to impacts of climate change in central Bhutan

Role of immune-pineal axis in neurodegenerative diseases, unraveling novel hybrid dark hormone therapies

The anti-oxidant effects of melatonin and the immune-pineal axis are well established. However, how they play a role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases is not well elucidated. A better understanding of this neuro-immuno-endocrinological link can help in the development of novel therapies with higher efficacy to alleviate symptomatology, slow disease progression and improve the quality of life. Recent studies have shown that the immune-pineal axis acts as an immunological buffer, neurohormonal switch and it also intricately links the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (like Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease) and inflammation at a molecular level. Furthermore, alteration in circadian melatonin production is seen in neurodegenerative diseases. This review will summarise the mechanics by which the immune-pineal axis and neuro-immuno-endocrinological disturbances affect the pathogenesis and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. It will also explore, how this understanding will help in the development of novel hybrid melatonin hormone therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Oral mucosal leishmaniasis presenting as a nonhealing chronic oral growth: A case report

Key Clinical Message Oral mucosal leishmaniasis is a rare finding posing challenges in the diagnosis and treatment in a nonendemic setting. This disease is present in dental clinics as nonhealing chronic growth. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial to prevent further complications and death

INVESTIGATION OF SUSPECTED PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY OUTBREAK IN DECHENTSEMO CENTRAL SCHOOL, THINLEYGANG, PUNAKHA

Background: A suspected peripheral neuropathy outbreak was reported from Dechentsemo Central School, Thinleygang, Punakha, following which the investigation team was immediately dispatched in the field. Objective: The aim of investigation was to ascertain the cause and risk factor for the outbreak in order to implement control measures. Methods: A case control study was devised for the investigation to study about the past exposure or deficiencies in order to find out the suspected cause and risk factors. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was administered to both cases and controls to collect information on the type of food they have consumed. The information garnered was analyzed using Chi-Square or Fischer Exact test for categorical variables and Man-Whitney U-test for quantitative variables. Results: All 17 cases were females with mean age of 13 years (SD 2.7 years). The average daily amount of thiamine intake was 0.6 mg/day for case and 0.8 mg/day for controls against the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 1.2 mg/day. Case and control patients differed significantly with respect to fat intake (p-value = 0.02), more strongly with folate and iron intake (p-value < 0.01). Conclusion: The outbreak of peripheral neuropathy in Dechentsemo Central School appears to be linked to reduced dietary intake rich in vitamin B1 coupled with low intake of folate and iron in their diet