Bhutan Health Journal
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The management of benign biliary strictures
Get PDFThe most common cause of Benign Biliary Stricture is post cholecystectomy bile duct injury. Following introduction of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure the incidence of bile duct injury and stricture has increased. The studies suggest that the incidence remained stable even after the improved learning curve. The early diagnosis and prompt management is the key in preventing devastating sequelae of this benign condition. The management of post cholecystectomy biliary strictures involves a multidisciplinary approach. Our review aims to describe the present strategy in management of post cholecystectomy biliary strictures
Health-related quality of life and co-morbidities among older adults in Bhutan
Get PDFIntroduction: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a multi-dimensional construct that assesses an individual’s and group’s perceived physical and mental health over time. Measurement of HRQoL is an important medical outcome study and its study among older adults in Bhutan is limited.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study aimed to assess HRQoL and its sociodemographic and health correlates, among older adults in Bhutan. Data for this study was collected from the four major towns of Thimphu, Phuntsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrupjongkhar, Bhutan, from November 2014 - February 2015, using structured questionnaire with face-to-face interview. A total of 337 Bhutanese older adults participated in this study. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for social science version 21.0.
Results: The overall mean score for the HRQoL among older adults in this study was 0.67 (SD: 0.13) significantly different between the gender (p-value<0.001). A significantly low scores inthe areas of role limitations (p<0.05), pain (p<0.01), mental health (p<0.001), and vitality (p<0.05) of the HRQoL was observed for the female gender. Frequent back pain (67.1%), memory decline (60.5%), depression (46.0%) mobility impairment (45.4%), insomnia (42.1%), and problem affecting breathing (31.8%) were common health problems and were significantly higher among the female gender. Better health conditions was positively related with better HRQoL (p-value<0.001).
Conclusions: Low HRQoL was reported higher among female gender and was linked to multiple and cumulative health morbidities. Members of the family, community and healthcare providers could incorporate holistic approach to foster positive health outcomes and HRQoL of the older adults
Barriers to self-injection of insulin among patients attending the diabetes clinics at the three referral hospitals in Bhutan: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFIntroduction: Insulin, despite its increasing cost, is prescribed to selected cases of diabetes patients with an aim to achieve good glycaemic control. However, many on insulin do not achieve glycaemic control. We, therefore, studied the possible factors that may act as barriers to effective self-injection of insulin among diabetes patients at the three referral hospitals in Bhutan.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted from January-June 2017, involving all patients on insulin therapy for more than three months duration. Convenience sampling was used. Respondents’ basic details and self-reported barriers to insulin therapy under various domains were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Ethics approval was granted by the Research Ethics Board of Health, Bhutan.
Results: There were 207 respondents on insulin therapy. The mean age of the sample was 55 years (±13.8 years) and the mean duration of diabetes was 10.6 years (± 7.8 years). Injection dexterity was an issue in 77 respondents (37.2%) while 37 respondents (17.8%) reported that they would miss their insulin shots if their caregiver were unavailable. Insulin regimens were burdensome and interfered with their daily activities (80; 38.7%) and meal timings (64; 30.9%). Although the majority (179; 86.4%) knew why insulin was indicated for them, 149 (72.0%) found that the healthcare personnel’s demonstration on the use of insulin was inadequate and 50 respondents (24.2%) felt that they did not receive enough information on how to inject insulin.
Conclusions: Barriers to self-injection are common among insulin users and coordinated efforts are needed to overcome them
Incidence and clinicopathological profile of gestational trophoblastic disease in tertiary care centre
Get PDFIntroduction: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) arises from abnormal proliferation of placental trophoblastic tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and clinicopathological profiles with treatment outcome of gestational trophoblastic disease in Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Bhutan.
Method: A prospective and retrospective observational study was conducted over a period of 18 months.
Results: A total of 121 cases of gestational trophoblastic disease were diagnosed with an incidence rate of 19.7 per 1000 deliveries. Majority comprised hydatidiform moles(115);of which, 30 (26.1%) were complete and 85(73.9%) partial moles. The mean gestational age at diagnosis of hydatidiform mole was 9.8± 1.6 weeks and the most common symptom being vaginal bleeding (72.8%). Nine (7.8%) of these progressed to gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and was strongly associated with high pre-evacuation beta-hCG level (> 100,000 mIU/ml) and larger uterine size (> 14 weeks).
Conclusions: This study revealed a high incidence of gestational trophoblastic disease in national referral hospital. Further in-depth research and instituting a GTD registry can be useful to validate these findings and find the true incidence. A substantial number of molar pregnancies can progress to GTN, and thus requires strict follow-up
Taking action on prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in Bhutan by strengthening gross national happiness
Get PDFNoncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are major public health problem in Bhutan, accounting for 68% of total deaths. The growing epidemic of NCDs threatens the achievement of Gross National Happiness (GNH). NCDs are the results of complex interaction of social and economic risk factors and change in diet and lifestyle. Effective action to prevent and control these diseases requires a whole-of-government approach.In this paper we review new evidence to support political priority for NCDs in Bhutan. One third of the Bhutanese are overweight (33%) and hypertensive (35.7), and 6.4% are diabetic. The prevalence of modifiable risk factors is also very high. We also present the analysis of strategic policy opportunities for health sector to integrate the ‘Multisectoral national action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs, 2015-2020’ into policies across all relevant sectors. Our analysis has identified three specific opportunities for the health sector to engage strategically to strengthen action on NCDs and GNH, concurrently: 1) raising priority actions on NCDs within the existing GNH multisectoral committee, to achieve both health and happiness objectives; 2) identifying shared agenda between NCDs and GNH to achieve both health and happiness objectives; and 3) identifying shared GNH determinants between NCDs and GNH to enhance action on NCDs. Addressing NCDs aligns with the optimization of Gross National Happiness. It is imperative that the Government of Bhutan recognize that action on NCDs is an integral element for achieving GNH
Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices in western Bhutan
Get PDFIntroduction: Breastfeeding is widely accepted in Bhutan but there are wide range of practices, some of which are not in accordance with the recommendations of WHO. In 2015 the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding under six months of age, in western region was only 33.8% while the national rate was 51.4%. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices in western Bhutan.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 220 mothers with children 6-12 months of age attending the Maternal and Child Health clinics of three hospitals in western Bhutan. Data collection was done by a face-to-face interview in April 2017. Chi-square test was used to assess the association and all the significant variables were included in the multivariate model adjusting for potential confounders.
Results: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at six months was 35.9%. Multivariate logistic regression detected significant association of exclusive breastfeeding with parity(ORadjusted 2.80; 95% CI 1.36-5.78), knowledge (ORadjusted 2.09; 95% CI 1.09-4.00), family income (ORadjusted 2.26; 95% CI 1.10- 4.65), early initiation of breastfeeding (ORadjusted 6.28; 95% CI 1.90-20.70), and care giver (ORadjusted 3.56; 95% CI 1.19-10.59). Mothers’ perception that the child feels thirsty was the most important reason to stop exclusive breastfeeding.
Conclusions: The study identified breastfeeding education as a definite measure to improve the rates of exclusive breastfeeding in western Bhutan. The study recommends to educate mothers that water is not required for the baby until six months of age and to include fathers in breastfeeding education sessions. The study also recommends to strengthen lactation management clinic
Patients’ knowledge and practices on the drug regimens prescribed at the National Traditional Medicine Hospital: a call for a systematic approach to drug information services
Get PDFIntroduction: The World Health Organisation estimates that only half of all medicines dispensed are used appropriately. The Bhutanese Traditional Medicine (BTM) system is no exception. Objectives: We studied the patients’ knowledge on the usage of traditional medicine regimens prescribed to them, their medication adherence and possible adverse events.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted using an interviewer-administered questionnaire at the National Traditional Medicine Hospital, Thimphu in 2017. A simple random sampling was used. Ethical approval was sought from Research Ethics Board of Health, Thimphu.
Results: A sample of 402 patients were studied. The mean age of the respondents was 45 years (±15 years) and 333 (82.8%) were old cases presenting to the hospital. The knowledge on the correct timing of the medicine, how to take the medicine and what to avoid while on those medicines were understood only by 62.7%, 34.6% and 22.9% respectively. Only 351 (87.3%) patients received verbal information on the usage of drugs from the dispensers, of which 119 (29.6%) said the information was not clear or not adequate. Failure to take medicines on time was reported by 224 (67.3%) among old cases. Undesirable events reported while using BTM were giddiness, vomiting, skin irritation, diarrhoea and fainting episodes.
Conclusions: The drug information system and monitoring of medication adherence and adverse drug events require adoption of more effective toolsand methods
Maternal Oral Health: An Examination Survey Conducted in Three Referral Hospitals in Bhutan
Get PDFBackground: Good oral health is important for women during pregnancy and throughout their lives. Mothers with good oral health are less likely to transmit cariogenic bacteria to their infants and toddlers. Thus, maternal oral health is directly related to family health.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of dental caries, periodontal diseases and modifiable risk factors among pregnant women seeking antenatal care in three referral hospitals in Bhutan.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of pregnant women was conducted in April-May 2017. We used a non-probability sampling method to recruit pregnant women (n=443). Oral examinations were done according to methods recommended by the WHO. Participants completed a questionnaire for modifiable risk factors.
Results: Overall, caries prevalence was 40% among pregnant women, ranging from 54% in those under 25 to 81% in women 35 and older. The mean decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) was 1.93 (SD=2.66). Nearly 72% of women had calculus on their teeth. Just over 2% had periodontitis. Most women rated their oral health as good to excellent (89%) versus poor (11%). Just 11% reported having had dental care during pregnancy.
Conclusions: There is an urgent need for professional dental care during pregnancy, especially among older and multiparous women. Increasing awareness on the importance of oral health during pregnancy will improve maternal health and the health of their young children
Community action to reduce harmful use of alcohol: a pilot study in the remote villages of eastern Bhutan
Get PDFIntroduction: As per the Annual Health Bulletin, 2017, alcohol related liver disease is the leading cause of death in Bhutan. There were 190 deaths due to harmful use of alcohol in 2016 and alcohol liver disease (ALD) incidence was 46 per 10,000 people. Community action to reduce harmful use of alcohol in the communities is one of the strategies being implemented in Bhutan. However, the impact of such community action is not assessed in the country. Therefore, this pilot study was conducted in two gewogs (sub-district) of Trashiyangtse dzongkhag to assess the short-term effects of this community action to reduce alcohol use.
Methods: This pilot study involved one intervention and one control community. The interventions were developed and implemented in consultation with the community by empowering them for monitoring to ensure effectiveness of the intervention. The data were collected pre and post-intervention in both the gewogs through repeated cross-sectional surveys.
Results: The practice of offering tshogchang decreased from about 99% to about 50% after the intervention. Practice of children drinking alcohol decreased by 6.83%. The average monthly spending on alcohol reduced from about Nu. 418 to about Nu. 97, and the amount of grains used for brewing decreased from about 34 Kg to 18 Kg, after the intervention.
Conclusion: This study found that the community action is effective in bringing positive impacts in reducing harmful use of alcohol in community. Therefore, expansion of such community action in other communities in Bhutan with similiar context is strongly recommended.