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. Methods: The most recent dataset of the Bhutan National Health Survey (BNHS) 2012 was used in this study. Multiple logistic regression analysis using a backwards elimination approach was performed to identify significant factors influencing UFM. All statistical analyses were adjusted for the complex study design due to the multistage stratified cluster sampling used in BNHS. Results: Bhutan's UFM rate was 37 per 1000 live births. The weighted mean age of the children was 7.3 years (SD: 1.53; range: 3-12). Mother's age, household size, access to electricity and sanitation, residential region, and parity were the key factors associated with UFM. The UFM risk was significantly lower in children born to mothers aged 36-40 years, 41-45 years, and > 45 years when compared to that in children born to mothers aged < 26 years. The likelihood of mortality was 66% lower (95% CI: 0.21-0.55) among children born in households with > 5 members. Children born in households without electricity and safe sanitation had a significantly higher risk of death, by 81 and 49% respectively. Relative to those born in the west, children born in the central and eastern regions were 1.72 (95% CI: 1.07-2.77) and 2.09 (95% CI: 1.46-2.99) times more likely to die, respectively. Children born to mothers who gave birth to > 2 children were significantly more likely to die than their counterparts. Conclusion: These findings suggest that younger mother's age, the higher number of births and being born in the central and eastern regions are associated with a higher UFM risk, whereas a larger household size and access to electricity and safe sanitation are key factors associated with lower UFM risk in Bhutan. Women empowerment, health education and strategies promoting maternal and child health in rural areas need to be scaled-up. Additionally, socioeconomic development programs should seek to reduce regional disparities

The Fruit Flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) in Bhutan: New Faunistic Records and Compendium of Fauna

Based on a field survey from 2017, twenty-three species are reported from Bhutan for the first time: Acroceratitis ceratitina, A. hardyi, Anomoia approximata, Bactrocera connecta, B. latifrons, B. nigrifacia, B. syzygii, Campiglossa sororcula, Cecidochares connexa, Dacus jacobi, Gastrozona fasciventris, Hoplandromyia antelopa, Lenitovena ultima, Ptilona confinis, Rioxoptilona dunlopi, R. formosana, R. vaga, Spathulina acroleuca, Themara yunnana, Trypeta indica, Zeugodacus apiciflavus, Z. diversus, and Z. fereuncinatus. Four species of the genera Cornutrypeta, Hemilea, Morinowotome, and Vidalia are also recorded for the first time, but the precise determination to species needs additional study and material. As the result, 71 species is listed from Bhutan by far. Their taxonomic position and key characters are discussed. Illustrations for most of the newly recorded species are given

The impact and outcomes of (non-education) doctorates: the case of an emerging Bhutan

This is a follow-up study of the impact of education doctorate holders in Bhutan (Maxwell 2018). A representative sample of doctorate holders contributed to this qualitative study. There were anticipated personal outcomes of gains in confidence and self-esteem. There were considerable gains in knowledge and research skills, and mentoring was clearly an important outcome. However, respondents were equivocal about leadership. Workplace conditions appeared to be creating dissatisfaction. Bhutan appears to be close to, or beyond, the cusp where brain drain takes over from brain gain. This, coupled with the under-representation of females amongst doctorate graduates, means development is most likely to be slowed down unless attended to. Ideas for further research are identified

Post-Harvest Handling and Losses of Green Chilies: A Case Study From Bhutan

This study assessed post-harvest activities and post-harvest losses of green Chili farming in Kabjisa, Punakha, Bhutan. Data came from interviewing 75 Chili-growers selected via proportionate random sampling. Most farmers were found selling fresh Chili (green Chili). Few farmers produced blanched, dried, and powdered Chilies for self-consumption. Most grown Chili varieties were Wookup ema, Indian Chili, and Yangtsep ema. Farmers mostly harvested Chilies manually during the daytime in a bucket. The majority of the farmers have sorted and graded Chilies based on disease infection, damaged parts, and size. Chilies are usually packed and stored for a night before the sale. Most Chili losses occurred during harvesting, followed by marketing and sorting. The price of fresh Chilies had to discount significantly during the peak season as farmers could not process Chilies into other products. Hence, supporting farmers with dryer, cold storage, Chili value addition infrastructure, and contract farming would minimize Chili losses

Tiger reappearance in Bhutan's Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary: a case for maintaining effective corridors and metapopulations

The tiger Panthera tigris is globally 'Endangered'(Goodrich et al., 2015). The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is an important stronghold (Tempa et al., 2019) for this ecologically and economically important apex predator (Estes et al., 2011; Thinley et al., 2018). Here, we report the reappearance of the tiger in Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) in north-eastern Bhutan (Fig. 1a), after a likely absence of 12 years