Introduction: Excessive use of internet can lead to "Internet Addiction". A sharp rise in the number of internet users among adolescents in Bhutan have been observed lately which could have potential side-effects on their health. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of internet addiction and psychological co-morbidities among the secondary school-going adolescents.
Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional quan-qual sequential mixed method design with a quantitative component and qualitative component. The study was conducted between 1st May and 30st November 2017 conducted in twelve schools across Bhutan after taking ethical clearance was from Research Ethics Board of Health of Bhutan. Data were doubleentered in EpiData Entry, validated and imported into STATA version 12.0 for analysis. Point estimate at 95% CI was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data.
Results: Among 721 adolescents from twelve selected schools, prevalence of internet addiction was 248 (34.440%) at , 95% Confidence Interval (31-38%). Out of A total of 586 (81%) preferred smartphone for internet use with 388 (54%) actually using it. Depression and anxietywere the associated psychological co-morbidities seen along with internet addiction. Internet addiction was high among those using internet at home, using smartphone for internet access, social networking and night time internet use were associated with internet addiction. Boredom, stress/anxiety and peer pressure were triggers of internet use. Internet addiction also affected academic performance, social interactions and sleep.
Conclusions: Prevalence of internet addiction among adolescents in Bhutan is high comparing to previous standard data which requires immediate attention.
Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening is one of the most destructive diseases of citrus in the world and one of the major factors limiting citrus production in south east Asia including Bhutan. The presence of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus', associated with the Asiatic form of HLB, was confirmed by conventional and real-time PCR in adults of the black psyllid, Diaphorina communis Mathur. This is the first formal detection of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' in D. communis, and the first detection of the pathogen in a psyllid other than D. citri Kuwayama in Asia, excluding Arabia. This study is also the first to report the presence of D. communis in Bhutan.
Citrus, mainly mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is an economically important fruit crop in Bhutan. Despite having favorable agro-climatic conditions for citrus cultivation, the early decline of fruit-bearing orchards coupled with low crop productivity is a major concern among the citrus growers. During the recent survey, an association of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (citrus greening) and citrus tristeza virus (CTV), either singly or as mixed infection in declined citrus trees was recorded in all four major citrus-growing districts viz. Tsirang, Dagana, Zhemgang and Sarpang. Using PCR-based diagnosis, a higher incidence of citrus greening (27.45 %) and tristeza (70.58 %) was observed in symptomatic field samples. Detection and characterization of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ (CLas) was performed based on 16S rDNA, Prophage gene, 50S ribosomal rplA-rplJ gene, and tandem repeats of CLIBASIA_01645 locus. Similarly, coat protein, p23, and p18 genes were used as genetic markers for the detection and characterization of Bhutanese CTV. The CLas isolates from Bhutan segregated into Class-II and III based on CLIBASIA_01645 locus, analogous to Indian isolates from the north-east region and Term-A based on CLIBASIA_05610 locus. CTV isolates of Bhutan were observed as closely related to VT strain, which is considered as most devastating. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on molecular characterization of CLas and CTV isolates and their association with citrus decline in Bhutan.
This study records medicinal plants used in different treatment by the local healer at Kilikhar Chiwog of Mongar Dzongkhag, Bhutan. A total of 61 different medicinal plants were recorded from 52 species identified belonging to 37 different families. Preference ranking of plant species helped to validate the efficacy of the plants used for treating diseases. It is also observed that a single plant species is used to treat single to multiple diseases.
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