Objective:To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with tuberculosis mortality in Brunei Darussalam and to explore its underlying causes.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted where data on ...Objective:To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with tuberculosis mortality in Brunei Darussalam and to explore its underlying causes.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted where data on socio-demographics,clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of all tuberculosis patients registered at the National tuberculosis Coordinating Centre between 2013 and 2017 were collected.Overall tuberculosis mortality and the proportion of tuberculosis-related deaths were calculated.Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors of tuberculosis mortality when compared to those who are cured and/or completed tuberculosis treatment.Results:Of 1107 tuberculosis cases,99 died,giving an overall tuberculosis mortality rate of 8.9%(95%CI 7.4%-10.8%).Significant risk factors associated with tuberculosis mortality were age≥40 years(adjusted OR for 40-59 years was 3.89;95%CI 1.13-1.69;adjusted OR for≥60 years was 22.3;95%CI 7.27-91.9,using 20-39 years as reference),female sex(adjusted OR 1.74;95%CI 1.09-2.79),having renal disease(adjusted OR 25.7;95%CI 2.82-191.50)and having any cancers(adjusted OR 3.61;95%CI 1.26-10.00).The majority(75.8%)of the recorded deaths were not related to tuberculosis.Conclusions:Tuberculosis patients who were older than 40 years,female,and having renal disease and any cancer will need close monitoring in their management program to prevent tuberculosis mortality.Clinicians should also focus on other non-tuberculosis aspects of the patient’s medical history.展开更多
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
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
AIM： To determine epidemiology of Bruneian paediatric chronic kidney disease （CKD） patients and factors that affect growth and progression of disease.METHODS： A cross-sectional study conducted on all children belo...AIM： To determine epidemiology of Bruneian paediatric chronic kidney disease （CKD） patients and factors that affect growth and progression of disease.METHODS： A cross-sectional study conducted on all children below 18 years old who were diagnosed with CKD over a ten year period （2004 to 2013）. The reference population was all children （〈 18 years old） suffering from CKD and attending the tertiary paediatric nephrology clinic in Brunei Darussalam. Demographic （current age, age of diagnosis, gender, ethnicity）, anthropometric （weight and height）, diagnosis, laboratory data （serum creatinine and haemoglobin, urinalysis） and blood pressure were extracted from the patients’ clinical case notes and recorded using a data collection form.RESULTS： The study revealed a high national prevalence [736 per million child population （pmcp）] and incidence （91 pcmp） of CKD. If CKD was defned at Stage 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the associated prevalence fgures were 736, 132, 83, 50 and 33 pmcp. Glomerulonephritis accounted for 69% of all prevalent cases, followed by congenital abnormalities of kidney and urinary tract （20%） and tubulointerstitial diseases （8%）. Minimal change disease being the most common histological diagnosis. The median age of diagnosis was 4.5 years, with congenital disease patients experiencing an earlier onset of diagnosis. A large proportion of patients were below the 5% percentile for height and weight. Non-glomerular diseases, adolescent and female patients were significantly associated with poor growth, but not glomerular filtration rate, age of diagnosis or steroid usage. CONCLUSION： Brunei has a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease in the paediatric population with glome-rulonephritis being the most common disease.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
The issue of a dual system of education has been largely discussed among Muslim scholars and intellectuals all over the world.Efforts have been made by scholars through the proposal of different ideas and approaches t...The issue of a dual system of education has been largely discussed among Muslim scholars and intellectuals all over the world.Efforts have been made by scholars through the proposal of different ideas and approaches towards achieving an ideal Islamic curriculum.This paper aims to share the experience of Brunei Darussalam in implementing a design model of an Islamic curriculum.The idea of designing an Islamic curriculum model was formally discussed among educationists in 1998,although the issue of dualism of education in Brunei was raised much earlier,in the 1970s.Towards achieving this,on January 3,2004,the Ministry of Education in Brunei Darussalam implemented the‘Integrated Education System’in all primary schools in Brunei Darussalam.This system was implemented for only two years(2004,2005).A fieldwork research study using a survey questionnaire was conducted in 2008 among 114 general primary school teachers to explore the issues and challenges encountered in implementing the system.The findings have demonstrated that although the issue of dualism in education is currently a significant topic of discussion within Muslim societies,teachers and educationist lag far behind in realizing this issue,ostensibly because they have not been exposed to the matter.There are also other issues and challenges in implementing this system,which will be discussed later in this paper.展开更多
基金Universiti Brunei Darussalam’s University Research Grant(Ref:UBD/RSCH/URC/RG(b)/2019/011)。
文摘Objective:To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with tuberculosis mortality in Brunei Darussalam and to explore its underlying causes.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted where data on socio-demographics,clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of all tuberculosis patients registered at the National tuberculosis Coordinating Centre between 2013 and 2017 were collected.Overall tuberculosis mortality and the proportion of tuberculosis-related deaths were calculated.Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors of tuberculosis mortality when compared to those who are cured and/or completed tuberculosis treatment.Results:Of 1107 tuberculosis cases,99 died,giving an overall tuberculosis mortality rate of 8.9%(95%CI 7.4%-10.8%).Significant risk factors associated with tuberculosis mortality were age≥40 years(adjusted OR for 40-59 years was 3.89;95%CI 1.13-1.69;adjusted OR for≥60 years was 22.3;95%CI 7.27-91.9,using 20-39 years as reference),female sex(adjusted OR 1.74;95%CI 1.09-2.79),having renal disease(adjusted OR 25.7;95%CI 2.82-191.50)and having any cancers(adjusted OR 3.61;95%CI 1.26-10.00).The majority(75.8%)of the recorded deaths were not related to tuberculosis.Conclusions:Tuberculosis patients who were older than 40 years,female,and having renal disease and any cancer will need close monitoring in their management program to prevent tuberculosis mortality.Clinicians should also focus on other non-tuberculosis aspects of the patient’s medical history.
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.
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AIM： To determine epidemiology of Bruneian paediatric chronic kidney disease （CKD） patients and factors that affect growth and progression of disease.METHODS： A cross-sectional study conducted on all children below 18 years old who were diagnosed with CKD over a ten year period （2004 to 2013）. The reference population was all children （〈 18 years old） suffering from CKD and attending the tertiary paediatric nephrology clinic in Brunei Darussalam. Demographic （current age, age of diagnosis, gender, ethnicity）, anthropometric （weight and height）, diagnosis, laboratory data （serum creatinine and haemoglobin, urinalysis） and blood pressure were extracted from the patients’ clinical case notes and recorded using a data collection form.RESULTS： The study revealed a high national prevalence [736 per million child population （pmcp）] and incidence （91 pcmp） of CKD. If CKD was defned at Stage 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the associated prevalence fgures were 736, 132, 83, 50 and 33 pmcp. Glomerulonephritis accounted for 69% of all prevalent cases, followed by congenital abnormalities of kidney and urinary tract （20%） and tubulointerstitial diseases （8%）. Minimal change disease being the most common histological diagnosis. The median age of diagnosis was 4.5 years, with congenital disease patients experiencing an earlier onset of diagnosis. A large proportion of patients were below the 5% percentile for height and weight. Non-glomerular diseases, adolescent and female patients were significantly associated with poor growth, but not glomerular filtration rate, age of diagnosis or steroid usage. CONCLUSION： Brunei has a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease in the paediatric population with glome-rulonephritis being the most common disease.
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.
文摘The issue of a dual system of education has been largely discussed among Muslim scholars and intellectuals all over the world.Efforts have been made by scholars through the proposal of different ideas and approaches towards achieving an ideal Islamic curriculum.This paper aims to share the experience of Brunei Darussalam in implementing a design model of an Islamic curriculum.The idea of designing an Islamic curriculum model was formally discussed among educationists in 1998,although the issue of dualism of education in Brunei was raised much earlier,in the 1970s.Towards achieving this,on January 3,2004,the Ministry of Education in Brunei Darussalam implemented the‘Integrated Education System’in all primary schools in Brunei Darussalam.This system was implemented for only two years(2004,2005).A fieldwork research study using a survey questionnaire was conducted in 2008 among 114 general primary school teachers to explore the issues and challenges encountered in implementing the system.The findings have demonstrated that although the issue of dualism in education is currently a significant topic of discussion within Muslim societies,teachers and educationist lag far behind in realizing this issue,ostensibly because they have not been exposed to the matter.There are also other issues and challenges in implementing this system,which will be discussed later in this paper.
