BACKGROUND: Food handlers can play a vital role into reducing foodborne diseases by adopting appropriate food handling and sanitation practices in working plants. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with food safety knowledge and practices among meat handlers who work at butcher shops in Bangladesh. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 meat handlers from January to March, 2021. Data were collected through in-person interviews using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three parts; socio-demographic characteristics, assessments of food safety knowledge, and food safety practices. A multiple logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with food safety knowledge and practices. RESULTS: Only 20% [95% confidence interval, (CI) 15.7-24.7] and 16.3% (95% CI 12.3-20.7) of the respondents demonstrated good levels of food safety knowledge and practices, respectively. The factors associated with good levels of food safety knowledge were: having a higher secondary education [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.57, 95% CI 1.11-18.76], income above 25,000 BDT/month (AOR = 10.52, 95% CI 3.43-32.26), work experience of > 10 years (AOR = 9.31, 95% CI 1.92-45.09), ≥ 8 h per day of work (AOR = 6.14, 95% CI 2.69-13.10), employed on a daily basis (AOR = 4.05, 95% CI 1.16-14.14), and having food safety training (AOR = 8.98 95% CI 2.16-37.32). Good food safety knowledge (AOR = 5.68, 95% CI 2.33-13.87) and working ≥ 8 h per day (AOR = 8.44, 95% CI 3.11-22.91) were significantly associated with a good level of food safety practice. CONCLUSIONS Poor knowledge and practices regarding food safety were found among Bangladeshi meat handlers. Findings may help public health professionals and practitioners develop targeted strategies to improve food safety knowledge and practices among this population. Such strategies may include education and sensitization on good food safety practices.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bangladesh ; Female ; Food Handling/statistics & numerical data* ; Food Safety/methods* ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Meat ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Arsenic/toxicity* ; Bangladesh ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth/chemically induced* ; Rural Population ; Zinc

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that exposures to heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and selenium) may be associated with differences in blood pressure. However, the findings of these studies have been inconsistent. This study was performed to examine the associations between urinary heavy metal concentrations and blood pressure among residents of four Asian countries (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam). METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined 1899 adults in four Asian countries. Urinary concentrations of heavy metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A questionnaire survey was administered regarding individual characteristics. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were performed. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured after a short rest. Multiple linear regression models were applied to investigate associations between urinary heavy metal concentrations and blood pressure after adjustments for age, sex, and body mass index. RESULTS: The geometric means of the urinary concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and selenium were 84.6, 0.885, 2.09, and 16.5 μg/g creatinine, respectively. The urinary arsenic concentrations were slightly higher than those typically reported in non-polluted populations, while urinary cadmium, lead, and selenium concentrations were equivalent or slightly lower. The urinary lead concentrations were positively associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but urinary selenium concentrations were negatively associated with them. CONCLUSIONS Variations in the urinary concentrations of lead and selenium were associated with blood pressure at low levels of exposure/intake.
Adult ; Arsenic/urine* ; Bangladesh ; Blood Pressure ; Cadmium/urine* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; Indonesia ; Lead/urine* ; Linear Models ; Male ; Metals, Heavy/urine* ; Middle Aged ; Nepal ; Selenium/urine* ; Vietnam

Aims: The study was designed to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in pregnant women depending on their various clinical and socio-demographic factors, and to assess the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the responsible uropathogens in a tertiary care hospital of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methodology and results: A total of 100 midstream urine samples were collected from pregnant women and different clinical and socio-demographic variables viz. age, gestational weeks, living conditions, and level of education associated with UTI were determined. Bacterial isolation was carried out using blood and MacConkey agar and identified according to their phenotypic characteristics. Antibiogram profiling of the isolates was done by disc diffusion method. From 48% of positive UTI samples, the highest bacteriuria was recorded within the age group of 26-30 years (n=19; 59.38%) and in both, 1st and 3rd trimester period (50%). There was no significant association between the studied risk factors and bacteriuria, except for the age of the pregnant women. Most predominantly isolated bacteria was Escherichia coli (n=39; 81.25%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=9; 18.75%). In E. coli, the highest resistance was recorded against ceftriaxone (87.18%), followed by cephalexin (84.61%) and ceftazidime (79.49%); whereas K. pneumoniae showed 100% resistance to ceftriaxone and cephalexin. Netilmicin was found as the only effective antibiotic against E. coli showing 100% sensitivity. For K. pneumoniae, azithromycin, imipenem, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, amikacin and nitrofurantoin were found as the most efficacious drugs. Conclusion, significance and impact of study As the emergence of drug resistance is ever increasing, the study necessitates the continuous surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility of uropathogens to ensure safety and better treatment to the mother and fetus.
Urinary Tract Infections--microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Pregnant Women ; Bangladesh (Daka)

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to identify the distribution of undiagnosed isolated hypertension subtypes and their correlates amongst adults aged 35 years and older in Bangladesh using data from the Bangladesh Demography and Health Survey 2011. METHODS: Out of a total of 17,964 selected households, 7,880 were included in the final analysis for this study. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured 3× at 10-minute intervals. Hypertension subtypes were defined for individuals not under antihypertensive treatment as systolic-diastolic hypertension (SDH): systolic BP (SBP) ≥ 140 mm Hg and diastolic BP (DBP) ≥ 90 mm Hg; isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH): SBP < 140 mm Hg and DBP ≥ 90 mm Hg, and isolated systolic hypertension (ISH): SBP ≥140 mm Hg and DBP < 90 mm Hg. RESULTS: The predominant hypertension subtypes were SDH and IDH [5.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.7–5.1] followed by ISH (3.8%; 95% CI: 3.4–4.2). Multiple logistic regression showed that age and gender were significant predictors of ISH. SDH was associated with females [odds ratio (OR): 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3–2.6], the older age group (OR-7.4; 95% CI: 4.3–12.7), and overweight or obese individuals (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.4). Non-manual work (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0–2.0]) and being overweight or obese (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4–2.8) were factors associated with IDH. CONCLUSION: ISH, IDH and SDH represent salient subtypes of hypertension in Bangladesh. To identify preventive intervention for averting adverse cardiovascular events, further research is needed.
Adult ; Bangladesh ; Blood Pressure ; Demography ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Overweight

BACKGROUND AND CURRENT STATUS OF THERANOSTICS: Therapeutic nuclear medicine (NM) in Bangladesh began in the early 1980s with the application of radioactive iodine for treatment of thyroid cancer and primary hyperthyroidism. Since then, NM practice has remarkably developed in the country with the advancement of instrumentation, radiopharmacy, and information technology. The government took the initiative to establish four PET-CTcenters at different NMcenters, including one at the National Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (NINMAS). A further development is the installation of a cyclotron center (18-MeV cyclotron) at NINMAS by the government's fund. Currently, NM is providing good health services to oncology patients throughout the country. More than 20 NM centers are functioning in different parts of the country, and therapeutic NM has an important place. However, conventional radioactive iodine still remains the major theranostic application.CHALLENGES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVE: The expansion and development of therapeutic NM for other cancers have been limited due to a number of challenging factors. A brief overview of the history and current status ofNMin Bangladesh is presented here with an examination of factors that pose as obstacles to the introduction and development of new therapeutic technologies. Finally, future perspectives are discussed with ways to mitigate existing problems and challenges.
Bangladesh ; Cyclotrons ; Financial Management ; Health Services ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Iodine ; Nuclear Medicine ; Theranostic Nanomedicine ; Thyroid Neoplasms

OBJECTIVES: Smoking is a significant public health issue in Bangladesh. The purpose of this study was to examine peer smoking and smoking-related beliefs among college students in Bangladesh. METHODS: College students at two universities in Dhaka, Bangladesh participated in a self-administered survey in May and June 2017. RESULTS: First, being a current or former smoker is associated with lower levels of beliefs among respondents that they would not smoke even with smoker friends or nervousness, and lower levels of intentions that they would not smoke, while current smokers and former smokers have different smoking-related beliefs. Second, having smoker friends is associated with lower levels of intentions that they would not smoke. Third, higher levels of normative beliefs that it is important not to smoke are associated with higher levels of beliefs that they would not smoke even with smoker friends or nervousness, higher levels of intentions that they would not smoke, and higher levels of avoidance of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking-related beliefs and perceived norms in individuals’ social networks are important components in promoting tobacco cessation in Bangladesh. But it is challenging to prevent or intervene in smoking because of the high rates of smoking in this country and the high prevalence of smokers in individuals’ social networks. Future studies should examine the most effective interventions to combat smoking in high-smoking social networks, such as using mobile apps or social media, and evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions.
Anxiety ; Bangladesh ; Friends ; Humans ; Intention ; Mobile Applications ; Peer Influence ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Social Media ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tobacco Use Cessation

PURPOSE: Postpartum fatigue can impact maternal well-being and has been associated with levels of perceived self-care. This study aimed to examine the relationship among fatigue, depressive mood, self-care agency, and self-care action among postpartum women in Bangladesh. METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional survey was done with 124 first-time mothers from two tertiary hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Modified Fatigue Symptoms checklist, Denyes' Self Care Instrument, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and items on sociodemographic and delivery-related characteristics, were used in Bengali via translation and back-translation process. RESULTS: High fatigue levels were found in 18.5%(n=23) and 73.4% had possible depression (n=91). There was a significant negative relationship between fatigue and self-care agency (r=−.31, p < .001), and self-care action (r=−.21, p < .05). Fatigue differed by level of self-care agency (t=4.06, p < .001), self-care action (t=2.36, p=.023), newborn's APGAR score (t=−2.93, p=.004), parental preparation class participation (F=15.53, p < .001), and postpartum depressive mood (t=-4.64, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that high level of self-care efficacy and behaviors can contribute to fatigue management, and highlight the need for practical interventions to better prepare mothers for postpartum self-care, which may, in turn, alleviate postpartum fatigue.
Apgar Score ; Bangladesh* ; Checklist ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; Depression, Postpartum ; Fatigue* ; Female ; Humans ; Mothers* ; Parents ; Postpartum Period* ; Self Care* ; Tertiary Care Centers

The REAP-AP study recruited 3,746 patients with schizophrenia, in March and April 2016, from 71 centers in 15 Asian countries/territories namely Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Our findings reveal a trend according to which high dose antipsychotic prescription is more prevalent in Eastern Asia (especially, Japan and Korea) than in other regions of Asia. This historical factor may be associated with our finding of an Eastern Asian preponderance of high dose antipsychotic prescription.
Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Bangladesh ; China ; Far East ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; India ; Indonesia ; Japan ; Korea ; Malaysia ; Myanmar ; Pakistan ; Prescriptions* ; Schizophrenia* ; Singapore ; Sri Lanka ; Taiwan ; Thailand ; Vietnam

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the research are to examine the problems of abnormal menopausal women: the relationship between depression and menopausal-specific quality of life (MENQOL)-symptoms among postmenopausal women; the association of MENQOL-symptoms between pre- and postmenopausal female society in Bangladeshi real community. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted on 435 women of Tangail, aged (≥ 17) years, using a structured questionnaire where is inaacluded the information of MENQOL and one of the main outcomes “depression” is measured by beck depression inventory. RESULTS: Menopausal status and MENQOL symptoms (except pain) are significantly (P < 0.05) associated. By using post-hoc analysis, the proportion of menopausal women, classified as having a depressive mood of early menopause is significantly higher than natural-menopause. Among postmenopausal women, there is a significant correlation between “concentration problem” and “depression”. Here mean depression score (29.40 ± 6.42) of menopausal women who have any difficulty in concentrating is higher than mean depression score (20.89 ± 6.64) of menopausal women who have no difficulty in concentrating. Another six factors (osteoporosis, heart-beating, fatigue, pressure, tingling, headaches) of MENQOL-symptoms were significantly correlated with depression and P-values are 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.033, 0.006, and 0.002, respectively. Finally the presence of “difficulty in concentrating” and “fatigue” are strongly associated factors with depression score (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The early postmenopausal women have to face more psychological problems (e.g., depression) compare to others. Among postmenopausal women, there is no significant relation between depression and vasomotor symptom (e.g., hot-flashes) perspective to menopausal female society of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh* ; Cross-Sectional Studies* ; Depression* ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Quality of Life*