Taunggyi University

Purpose of the study: This study aims to examine the effect of booklet-based health education on fifth-grade students’ knowledge and preventive behaviors regarding Enterobius vermicularis at Primary School Ye Twin Kaung, Ye Twin Kaung Village, Sagaing. The study focuses on assessing whether visual and verbal educational materials can improve hygiene practices to prevent pinworm infection. Methodology: A pre-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design was applied. Participants were 11 fifth-grade students selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected using structured knowledge questionnaires and observation checklists. The intervention consisted of a 30-minute booklet-based health education session with visual illustrations and verbal explanations. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test. Main Findings: Booklet-based health education significantly improved students’ knowledge and preventive behaviors against Enterobius vermicularis. Knowledge levels increased from 9.1% to 90.9% for good knowledge, while good preventive behaviors rose from 18.2% to 81.8%. The intervention effectively translated understanding into observable hygiene practices, such as handwashing and avoiding soil contact, within three days post-intervention. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study introduces a visually engaging, age-appropriate booklet combined with facilitator-led discussion to improve both knowledge and practical preventive behaviors in elementary school children. Unlike prior research relying on static or passive educational materials, this intervention links cognitive understanding directly to action, offering a novel, sustainable approach for school-based enterobiasis prevention programs.

Background and Aim: Depression is a common mental health issue among the elderly. Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) is involved in neuronal survival and modulation of neurotransmitter profiles. Zinc deficiency increases neuronal degeneration. This study aims to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation on serum BDNF level and GDS (Geriatric Depression Scale) among elderly persons with mild to moderate depression. Methodology: Total 76 elderly persons with mild to moderate depression according to GDS score were selected and randomly assigned to supplement (zinc or placebo) groups using block randomization. Before and after supplementation of 20 mg zinc tablets/placebo tablets for 3 months, serum zinc levels and serum BDNF levels were measured, using the flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and GDS score also reassessed in both groups. Results: Baseline serum zinc, serum BDNF and GDS score were not significantly different between two groups. After zinc supplementation, serum zinc level and serum BDNF level were significantly increased. GDS score was also significantly reduced in the zinc group. Comparing to the placebo group, zinc group had lower GDS score and higher BDNF level. There was a significant negative correlation between serum zinc level and GDS score after supplementation in the study population. Conclusion: Zinc supplementation for three months had a beneficial effect on elderly persons with mild to moderate depression.

In April 2022, in northern Shan State, Myanmar, a Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis, an Endangered species, was observed entering a house and feeding on two Eurasian Tree Sparrows Passer montanus. This observation provides new information about the diet of Nycticebus bengalensis and its habituation to a highly disturbed urban environment.

The land cover of this basin showed the changes clearly. In 1990, closed forests were found in northern edge, eastern and southwestern part of the watershed area, near Pinlaung range, Kyauktalone range and Pindaya-Ywangan area, however, in 2000, these closed forests were changed to open forest, scrub grassland, and agriculture. In some part of the watershed area, near Taunggyi, scrub land was changed into open forest because of the reforestation program. Agriculture extension occurred in the lake watershed area especially in western and northwestern part of the lake, near Kalaw-Aung Ban, Heho Valley, and Thamakhan Plain. One of the unique characteristic of Inle Lake is hydroponic cultivation. Besides, tomato cultivation is an important economy of Inle Lake. This type of cultivation is practiced on the naturally floating island and it is effected the water surface area of the Inle Lake in the following ways such as after using the old floating garden islands, they are decomposed to the lake bottom and the lake will be shallower, and the extension of floating garden cultivation causes more shrinkage to the water surface area in the study area. The floating garden area was increased from 1990 to 2010 years. On the other side, water surface area is decreased from 1990 to 2010 year because it is influenced by climatic condition, extension of floating garden, and population growth of the study area.