Special Sensory Function Deficit among Patients with Post-COVID-19 Visiting a Tertiary Care Centre

Introduction: Several patients who recover from COVID-19 infection continue to have persistent symptoms even after recovery from the disease. The special sensory functions such as taste, smell and hearing are affected by COVID-19 infection even after recovery from the illness. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of special sensory deficits among patients with post-COVID-19 visiting a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients who recovered from COVID-19 visiting a tertiary care centre from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022. After obtaining ethical approval from the Research Ethics Board of Health, data on patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 one year ago was obtained from the surveillance register from the Ministry of Health. They were contacted by phone call and invited to the centre to participate in the study. Appropriate clinical examination and tests were carried out to assess the special sensory deficits. A convenience sampling technique was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 271 patients, the prevalence of sensory function deficit was 39 (14.39%) (10.21-18.57, 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: The prevalence of special sensory deficits after recovery from COVID-19 infections was found to be similar to the findings of other studies

Harmful drinking, parenting style and distress: Bhutan

Data from 245 young adults, self-report measures covering: parenting style, distress, and alcohol-related problems. Dysfunctional parenting styles were associated with increased distress and problematic alcohol use. Mediation model suggested that distress mediates the relationship between dysfunctional parenting styles and problematic alcohol use

The Impacts of Mining on Livelihood and Development in Nyoenpaling Chiwog under Phuntshopelri Gewog, Samtse

<p><i><strong>Abstract</strong></i><strong>—</strong> <i>Mining plays a key role in facelifting the economic status of the people of its catchment area and nation particularly for developing countries, and Bhutan is no exception. In Bhutan mining provides employment and livelihood to a good number of people. Nyoenpaling Chiwog under Phuntshopelri Gewog, Samtse has been an important mining site for limestone, and dolomite since a few decades ago and will be hereafter too. However, the contribution of mining activity to livelihood and development is unclear today. So, there is a need for a thorough study on the impact of mining in Nyoenpaling Chiwog. The objective of this paper is to document the impact of mining in mining catchment areas. The data were collected from mining site localities through a mixed-method research approach. The study reveals that local people are not very positive about having mining sites in their area. There is an indication that local people are not benefiting as expected. The responses of residents suggest that adequate infrastructure development like a paved transport network, safe drinking water, bridge, and river embankment could ease their living in the area. Therefore, the study aims to explore the possibility of addressing these issues by concerned stakeholders. Addressing these issues can have a greater positive impact on the livelihood of people living here.</i></p&gt

Parenting style, distress, and problematic alcohol use in Bhutan

Background Bhutan is a small landlocked country located between India and China that is largely rural and Buddhist. As the nation develops and adopts more Western practices, the nature of the relationship between its young people and alcohol is developing as well. Objectives The present study examines how problematic alcohol use relates to parenting styles and distress in a sample of predominantly tertiary students. Methods For this study, 245 young adults completed self-report measures of parenting style, distress, and alcohol-related problems. Results Strong correlations were found indicating that more dysfunctional parenting styles were associated with greater distress and problematic alcohol use. Further analyses to evaluate the relationship between parenting styles and alcohol use found no role for moderation but a significant mediation which indicated that more dysfunctional parenting styles were associated with greater distress which in turn was associated with greater problematic alcohol use. Conclusions These findings replicate those found in Western countries and imply that the same vulnerabilities to problematic alcohol use are also present in Bhutan

Ethnobotanical use of Symplocos paniculata (Thunb.) Miq. in Punakha District, Bhutan

Symplocos paniculata of symplocaceae was found to be used by Serigang community under Punakha Dzongkhag. The seed of the species was widely used for extraction of oil. There appears to be a smaller number of people who make medicines in the village. The production of Pangtse makhu is on a steady decline because of the availability of a cheaper alternative. Due to heavy work and little return, most of the trees are being cut to make way for other cash crops. Although the village is equipped with modern amenities, people still depend on forest for goods and services. Ethnobotany is still apparent in every item and situation that make up their everyday life. From this study prospects of an ethnobotanical plant have been found in kabjisa geog. It also suggests that rural folks should also be considered as an important source of information about the use of ethnobotanical plants. The effort in this study may provide benefits for future researchers in other parts of the locality

Harmful drinking, parenting style, and distress: Bhutan

Data from 245 young adults, self-report measures covering: parenting style, distress, and alcohol-related problems. Dysfunctional parenting styles were associated with increased distress and problematic alcohol use. Mediation model suggested that distress mediates the relationship between dysfunctional parenting styles and problematic alcohol use

Where chloroquine still works: the genetic make-up and susceptibility of Plasmodium vivax to chloroquine plus primaquine in Bhutan

Bhutan has made substantial progress in reducing malaria incidence. The national guidelines recommend chloroquine (CQ) and primaquine (PQ) for radical cure of uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax, but the local efficacy has not been assessed. The impact of cases imported from India on the genetic make-up of the local vivax populations is currently unknown.Patients over 4\ua0years of age with uncomplicated P. vivax mono-infection were enrolled into a clinical efficacy study and molecular survey. Study participants received a standard dose of CQ (25\ua0mg/kg over 3\ua0days) followed by weekly review until day 28. On day 28 a 14-day regimen of PQ (0.25\ua0mg/kg/day) was commenced under direct observation. After day 42, patients were followed up monthly for a year. The primary and secondary endpoints were risk of treatment failure at day 28 and at 1\ua0year. Parasite genotyping was undertaken at nine tandem repeat markers, and standard population genetic metrics were applied to examine population diversity and structure in infections thought to be acquired inside or outside of Bhutan.A total of 24 patients were enrolled in the clinical study between April 2013 and October 2015. Eight patients (33.3\ua0%) were lost to follow-up in the first 6\ua0months and another eight patients lost between 6 and 12\ua0months. No (0/24) treatment failures occurred by day 28 and no (0/8) parasitaemia was detected following PQ treatment. Some 95.8\ua0% (23/24) of patients were aparasitaemic by day 2. There were no haemolytic or serious events. Genotyping was undertaken on parasites from 12 autochthonous cases and 16 suspected imported cases. Diversity was high (H E 0.87 and 0.90) in both populations. There was no notable differentiation between the autochthonous and imported populations.CQ and PQ remains effective for radical cure of P. vivax in Bhutan. The genetic analyses indicate that imported infections are sustaining the local vivax population, with concomitant risk of introducing drug-resistant strains

Climate Change Impacts in Bhutan: Challenges and opportunities for the agricultural sector

This project was undertaken to examine the suitability of 8 keys crops in Bhutan under current conditions and future climate scenarios (RCP 8.5) up to 2050. This was a collaborative initiative between MoAF, CIAT and UNEP, funded through the Asia-Pacific Climate Technology Network and Finance Center (AP-CTNFC). The project had two principal objectives: Objective 1: Build capacities of key technical staff to produce suitability maps for a wider range of crops under different emission scenarios. Furthermore enhance the understanding and interpretation of uncertainties of the projections and introduce climate-resilient crop management practices in Bhutan. Objective 2: Assess the impacts of climate change on the climatic suitability of maize, rice, potato, chili and tomato growing areas in Bhutan. Share and discuss the results and implications of crop suitability studies with key stakeholders from Bhutan and relevant international agencies such as UNEP and FAO