Search results

This study examined the risk factors associated with hypertension in Bhutan.

The cross-sectional data of 30,889 adults from the National Health Survey of Bhutan was used in this study. Multivariable regression accounting for the complex survey design was performed to identify the risk factors. The backward elimination approach was applied in the multivariable analysis.

The prevalence of hypertension was 17%. Increasing age, being female, being previously married, higher wealth status, past alcohol use, having diabetes, loneliness, health service use and low vegetable intake was associated with increased hypertension risk, whereas, higher education level, being employed and residing in the eastern region was associated with reduced risk. Age, gender, education, wealth status, diabetes status, loneliness and health service use were common factors in all the regions. Marital status and vegetable intake were associated with hypertension in the western and central regions, and alcohol use in the eastern and central regions.

Affecting around one-sixth of the population, hypertension is a significant public health problem in Bhutan. Interventions to improve health education and access, motivate healthy lifestyles, and reduce harmful alcohol use, and strategies to create health-promoting social and built environments are needed to curb the hypertension epidemic and its consequences.

The differences in the distribution of factors associated with under-five mortality (UFM) can help explain the rural-urban inequities in UFM. The determinants contributing to UFM in rural and urban areas have not been previously explored in Bhutan. This study examined the factors associated with UFM in rural and urban Bhutan and the role of the factors in explaining UFM disparity.

The dataset of 6,398 single births (4,999 in rural and 1,399 in urban areas) from the 2012 Bhutan National Health Survey was analyzed. Logistic regression analysis accounting for the complex survey design was performed to investigate the determinants.

The UFM rate was 2.75 times higher in rural than in urban Bhutan. In rural communities, children of younger mothers, born in households without safe sanitation and electricity, and central and eastern regions had increased UFM odds. Whereas, children born to working mothers and educated fathers, and born in households with non-working household heads had lower UFM odds in urban areas. A higher number of births and smaller household size was associated with an increased UFM odds irrespective of rural-urban residence. Environmental factors were attributable for the largest portion of rural UFM disadvantage.

This study helps to understand the rural-urban differences in the factors influencing UFM in Bhutan. The findings suggest that policies aimed to improve environmental and socioeconomic conditions, women empowerment, and those aimed to enhance health utilization can help reduce the rural-urban child survival disparity and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal target.

This paper is to examine the factors associated with partner violence (IPV) in Bhutan.

The nationally representative National Health Survey data conducted in 2012 was used. The survey included 12,210 women aged 15–75 years. Multiple logistic regression accounting for complex survey design was performed to assess the possible association of the putative factors with physical, sexual, psychological and any IPV experienced in the past 12 months before the survey.

Alcohol consumption, quarrelling habits and extramarital relationships of husbands/partners were associated with the experience of all types and any IPV. Women performing household chores had increased odds of sexual and any IPV, and those whose husbands had low education levels were more likely to experience physical IPV. Women living in households with >9 members had reduced odds of physical and any IPV. Women married to older husbands/partners were less likely to be psychologically abused. Women from poorer wealth quintiles and who married before reaching 18 years of age also had greater odds of any IPV.

Poor relationship quality, alcohol use, household size, low education, early marriage, poor wealth status and husband’s age were factors associated with one or more types of IPV in Bhutan. Interventions to reduce alcohol use, transform social norms, promote healthy relationships and enhance female empowerment through socio-economic programs may help prevent IPV.