To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices(KAP) on Zika virus infection among pregnant women in Brunei Darussalam by a cross-sectional survey. Methods: Between February and June 2017, we recruited 234 pregnant ...To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices(KAP) on Zika virus infection among pregnant women in Brunei Darussalam by a cross-sectional survey. Methods: Between February and June 2017, we recruited 234 pregnant women from all government healthcare centres at Brunei-Muara district, using a modified systematic sampling approach. A pre-tested and self-administered questionnaire was used and data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: The study participants were mainly Malay(87.2%) and their mean age was 28.0 years. The median knowledge score was 13, out of a possible score of 28. Most participants(92.7%) knew that Zika virus was transmitted by mosquito bites whereas some(34.6%) knew that sexual transmission was also possible. Media(radio, television or newspapers) was the preferred source of updated information on Zika virus, followed by healthcare workers(44.0%), government announcements(43.2%), and social media(38.0%). Pregnant women who were 25 years old or older [Adj. OR=3.62(95% CI: 1.57, 9.51)], not Malays [Adj. OR=3.32(95% CI: 1.35, 8.55)], and had an average monthly household income of more than BND $3 000 [Adj. OR=4.06(95% CI: 1.81, 19.44)] were more likely to score higher for knowledge on Zika virus. The median prevention practice score was 23, out of a possible score of 36. Most participants reported wearing covering clothes(98.3%) and kept their living surroundings clean(99.6%). Most participants(88.0%) agreed that Zika is an important issue in their community. Conclusion: We found a lack of knowledge on Zika virus infection among pregnant women attending government maternal and child healthcare centres in Brunei Darussalam, in particular that Zika virus can be sexually transmitted. Such information could be well disseminated at the healthcare centre level. Health literacy studies should be conducted to understand the facilitators and barriers of KAP on Zika virus infection among pregnant women.展开更多
This systematic study of disaster risk and disaster management efforts in Brunei Darussalam uncovers the reasons why floods and landslides in particular continue to inflict significant social,economic,and psychologica...This systematic study of disaster risk and disaster management efforts in Brunei Darussalam uncovers the reasons why floods and landslides in particular continue to inflict significant social,economic,and psychological toll.Vulnerability to the impacts of hydro-meteorological hazards continue to rise despite international awareness and improved disaster governance and information,and regardless of the vast financial and material resources spent on structural and nonstructural measures for disaster relief and community awareness.Our premise is that,a poor diagnosis of the disaster risk issue is at the root of the disaster risk dilemma in Brunei Darussalam.We conducted our vulnerability-centered disaster risk assessment based largely on the Pressure and Release(PAR) Model proposed by Wisner et al.Our research results reveal that:(1)Hazard-risk in Brunei is high due to the impact of global climate change,the country's local geography,and Brunei's relative location in the Asia–Pacific Region.Limited reporting of localized disasters to international databases however fuels the misperception of low disaster risk in Brunei;(2) High community vulnerability and disaster risk is due to limited knowledge,awareness,and motivation among the general population,which prevents effective mitigation and adaptation to low magnitude but recurrent hazardous events;and(3) Partial incorporation of disasterrisk reduction into governance structures and development plans contributes to heightened disaster risks.Integrated frameworks are proposed that can minimize social vulnerability,reduce disaster risk,and enhance community resilience and adaptive capacity as part of a strengthened governance mechanism.Coupled with improvements in preparedness,response,recovery,and reconstruction promoted by the National Disaster Management Centre(NDMC),vulnerability and disaster risk can be minimized,and a more inclusive and sustainable growth can be generated.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the association between leptin levels and body mass index in Bruneian secondary school students.Methods:The body mass index of Bruneian secondary school students(aged 11–18years) was determin...Objective:To investigate the association between leptin levels and body mass index in Bruneian secondary school students.Methods:The body mass index of Bruneian secondary school students(aged 11–18years) was determined before collecting their saliva using the passive drool technique.Salivary leptin concentration was determined by ELISA.Results:Correlation and partial correlation(controlled for age) analyses showed no significant differences between the levels of salivary leptin of normal weight and overweight students.Conclusions:No significant increase in the salivary leptin concentration was observed in overweight compared with normal weight Bruneian secondary school students.展开更多
Understanding foraging strategies of birds is essential to understanding mechanisms of their community assembly. To provide such information on a key Southeast Asian rainforest family, the babblers （Timaliidae）, we ...Understanding foraging strategies of birds is essential to understanding mechanisms of their community assembly. To provide such information on a key Southeast Asian rainforest family, the babblers （Timaliidae）, we evaluated foraging behavior and abundance in 7 morphologically and behaviorally similar sympatric species （Cyanoderma erythropterum, C. rufifrons, Stachyris maculata, S. nigricollis, S. poliocephala, Macronus ptilosus, and Mixornis gularis） in 5 habitats defined by structural complexity： （1） continuous native rainforest, （2） logged native rainforest fragments, （3） mature industrial tree plantation, （4） young industrial plantation, and （5） oil palm plantation. Enough data were obtained to compare abundance in all 7 species and foraging behavior in 5. All species were common in forest fragments and mature industrial tree plantations and less so in continuous rainforest and young industrial plantations; only M. gularis occurred in oil palm. In terms of foraging, M. gularis was the greatest generalist; C. rufifrons foraged mainly on live leaves in the forest midstory; and S. maculata, C. eryth- ropterum, and M. ptilosus foraged mainly on dead leaves suspended in understory vegetation at sig- nificantly different heights. The dead-leaf substrate depends on a rich supply of falling leaves and ex- tensive understory structure, conditions most common in native forest and old industrial plantations, and less so in mature forest, young plantations, and oil palm. Because of the importance of foraging data to understanding and managing biodiversity, we encourage the development of foraging fields in eBird （ebird.org）, so that birdwatchers may help collect these relatively rare data.展开更多
文摘To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices(KAP) on Zika virus infection among pregnant women in Brunei Darussalam by a cross-sectional survey. Methods: Between February and June 2017, we recruited 234 pregnant women from all government healthcare centres at Brunei-Muara district, using a modified systematic sampling approach. A pre-tested and self-administered questionnaire was used and data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: The study participants were mainly Malay(87.2%) and their mean age was 28.0 years. The median knowledge score was 13, out of a possible score of 28. Most participants(92.7%) knew that Zika virus was transmitted by mosquito bites whereas some(34.6%) knew that sexual transmission was also possible. Media(radio, television or newspapers) was the preferred source of updated information on Zika virus, followed by healthcare workers(44.0%), government announcements(43.2%), and social media(38.0%). Pregnant women who were 25 years old or older [Adj. OR=3.62(95% CI: 1.57, 9.51)], not Malays [Adj. OR=3.32(95% CI: 1.35, 8.55)], and had an average monthly household income of more than BND $3 000 [Adj. OR=4.06(95% CI: 1.81, 19.44)] were more likely to score higher for knowledge on Zika virus. The median prevention practice score was 23, out of a possible score of 36. Most participants reported wearing covering clothes(98.3%) and kept their living surroundings clean(99.6%). Most participants(88.0%) agreed that Zika is an important issue in their community. Conclusion: We found a lack of knowledge on Zika virus infection among pregnant women attending government maternal and child healthcare centres in Brunei Darussalam, in particular that Zika virus can be sexually transmitted. Such information could be well disseminated at the healthcare centre level. Health literacy studies should be conducted to understand the facilitators and barriers of KAP on Zika virus infection among pregnant women.
文摘This systematic study of disaster risk and disaster management efforts in Brunei Darussalam uncovers the reasons why floods and landslides in particular continue to inflict significant social,economic,and psychological toll.Vulnerability to the impacts of hydro-meteorological hazards continue to rise despite international awareness and improved disaster governance and information,and regardless of the vast financial and material resources spent on structural and nonstructural measures for disaster relief and community awareness.Our premise is that,a poor diagnosis of the disaster risk issue is at the root of the disaster risk dilemma in Brunei Darussalam.We conducted our vulnerability-centered disaster risk assessment based largely on the Pressure and Release(PAR) Model proposed by Wisner et al.Our research results reveal that:(1)Hazard-risk in Brunei is high due to the impact of global climate change,the country's local geography,and Brunei's relative location in the Asia–Pacific Region.Limited reporting of localized disasters to international databases however fuels the misperception of low disaster risk in Brunei;(2) High community vulnerability and disaster risk is due to limited knowledge,awareness,and motivation among the general population,which prevents effective mitigation and adaptation to low magnitude but recurrent hazardous events;and(3) Partial incorporation of disasterrisk reduction into governance structures and development plans contributes to heightened disaster risks.Integrated frameworks are proposed that can minimize social vulnerability,reduce disaster risk,and enhance community resilience and adaptive capacity as part of a strengthened governance mechanism.Coupled with improvements in preparedness,response,recovery,and reconstruction promoted by the National Disaster Management Centre(NDMC),vulnerability and disaster risk can be minimized,and a more inclusive and sustainable growth can be generated.
基金Supported by the Brunei Research Council(Grant No.BRC4)
文摘Objective:To investigate the association between leptin levels and body mass index in Bruneian secondary school students.Methods:The body mass index of Bruneian secondary school students(aged 11–18years) was determined before collecting their saliva using the passive drool technique.Salivary leptin concentration was determined by ELISA.Results:Correlation and partial correlation(controlled for age) analyses showed no significant differences between the levels of salivary leptin of normal weight and overweight students.Conclusions:No significant increase in the salivary leptin concentration was observed in overweight compared with normal weight Bruneian secondary school students.
文摘Understanding foraging strategies of birds is essential to understanding mechanisms of their community assembly. To provide such information on a key Southeast Asian rainforest family, the babblers （Timaliidae）, we evaluated foraging behavior and abundance in 7 morphologically and behaviorally similar sympatric species （Cyanoderma erythropterum, C. rufifrons, Stachyris maculata, S. nigricollis, S. poliocephala, Macronus ptilosus, and Mixornis gularis） in 5 habitats defined by structural complexity： （1） continuous native rainforest, （2） logged native rainforest fragments, （3） mature industrial tree plantation, （4） young industrial plantation, and （5） oil palm plantation. Enough data were obtained to compare abundance in all 7 species and foraging behavior in 5. All species were common in forest fragments and mature industrial tree plantations and less so in continuous rainforest and young industrial plantations; only M. gularis occurred in oil palm. In terms of foraging, M. gularis was the greatest generalist; C. rufifrons foraged mainly on live leaves in the forest midstory; and S. maculata, C. eryth- ropterum, and M. ptilosus foraged mainly on dead leaves suspended in understory vegetation at sig- nificantly different heights. The dead-leaf substrate depends on a rich supply of falling leaves and ex- tensive understory structure, conditions most common in native forest and old industrial plantations, and less so in mature forest, young plantations, and oil palm. Because of the importance of foraging data to understanding and managing biodiversity, we encourage the development of foraging fields in eBird （ebird.org）, so that birdwatchers may help collect these relatively rare data.
