Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics in water and sediments of Hatiya Island, Bangladesh and their risk assessment.

This research has evaluated the MPs distribution, characteristics, and potential threats of MPs in surface water and sediments from Hatiya Island. The results showed that the abundance of MPs was 139 ± 44 items/m3 in surface water and 493 ± 80 items/kg dw in sediments, indicating higher levels of MPs contamination in sediment samples. Fibers were the predominant kind of microplastics, and microscopic sizes (0.3-1.5 mm) MPs were generally more frequent and largely present in both the surface water and sediments. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that polyethylene terephthalate was the major polymer component of microplastics in surface water, whereas polyethylene was the most abundant polymer in sediments. MPs contamination risk was examined based on multiple risk assessment models. Nemerow pollution index (NPI) and pollutant load index (PLI) show minimal pollution levels of MPs. But potential hazard index (PHI), potential ecological risk factor (Er), and potential ecological risk index (RI), indicate severe MPs contamination due to the presence of polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, epoxy that were hazardous MPs and exhibited a critical concern for MPs risk. These statistics will help to understand the environmental difficulties generated by MPs and which hazard is waiting for mankind in the future.

Unraveling the potential effects of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) on the Protein structure and function of the human SLC30A8 gene on type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer: An In silico approach.

Background and aims: The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SLC30A8 gene have been recognized as contributing to type 2 diabetes (T2D) susceptibility and colorectal cancer. This study aims to predict the structural stability, and functional impacts on variations in non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) in the human SLC30A8 gene using various computational techniques. Materials and methods: Several in silico tools, including SIFT, Predict-SNP, SNPs&GO, MAPP, SNAP2, PhD-SNP, PANTHER, PolyPhen-1,PolyPhen-2, I-Mutant 2.0, and MUpro, have been used in our study. Results: After data analysis, out of 336 missenses, the eight nsSNPs, namely R138Q, I141N, W136G, I349N, L303R, E140A, W306C, and L308Q, were discovered by ConSurf to be in highly conserved regions, which could affect the stability of their proteins. Project HOPE determines any significant molecular effects on the structure and function of eight mutated proteins and the three-dimensional (3D) structures of these proteins. The two pharmacologically significant compounds, Luzonoid B and Roseoside demonstrate strong binding affinity to the mutant proteins, and they are more efficient in inhibiting them than the typical SLC30A8 protein using Autodock Vina and Chimera. Increased binding affinity to mutant SLC30A8 proteins has been determined not to influence drug resistance. Ultimately, the Kaplan-Meier plotter study revealed that alterations in SLC30A8 gene expression notably affect the survival rates of patients with various cancer types. Conclusion: Finally, the study found eight highly deleterious missense nsSNPs in the SLC30A8 gene that can be helpful for further proteomic and genomic studies for T2D and colorectal cancer diagnosis. These findings also pave the way for personalized treatments using biomarkers and more effective healthcare strategies.

Experience and side effects of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among university students: a cross-sectional survey study.

Introduction: Many people expressed concern over coronavirus vaccinations' reliability and side effects. This research aimed to assess university students' perceptions and experiences regarding the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines in Bangladesh. Method: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey to collect responses from university students vaccinated with any vaccines administered in Bangladesh between November 2021 to April 2022. Bangladeshi university students over the age of 18 and having an internet connection was included in the study. A binary logistic regression analysis along with Pearson's Chi-square test were used to identify COVID-19 vaccine-related side effects predictors after receiving the first dose. Results: A total of 1,176 participants responded voluntarily to the online study, and most were vaccinated. More than half of the participants received the Sinopharm vaccine (56.5%), while others received Covishield (8.9%), Moderna (7.3%), and Pfizer (5.8%) vaccine. Around 32% of the participants reported side effects after receiving the first dose of the vaccine, including pain and edema (78.4%), body temperature (20.3%), and headache (14.5%), while a few experienced allergy, anxiety, and uneasy feelings. About 17% of the participants reported experiencing side effects after the second dose of the vaccine, including pain and edema (7.5%), body temperature (8.8%), and headache (7.3%). Most side effects were significantly associated with the Moderna vaccine (p < 0.001). Female students and those previously infected with COVID-19 were significantly associated with the side effects after taking the first dose of the vaccine. Conclusion: We found that side effects are mild and did not pose a significant challenge to Bangladesh's effort in managing and reducing the risk associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

A qualitative investigation to understand the challenges and representation of women in the media industry of Bangladesh.

This study explores the representation of women in the media in Bangladesh and the social perception regarding their media engagement. Both Dhaka and Khulna cities were purposively selected as the study area for fulfilling the research objective. A qualitative research method has been used to conduct the study and primary data were collected by using an in-depth interviews (IDIs) and two focus group discussions (FGDs). Using a convenient sampling technique, a total of fifteen informants, including IDIs with five (5) informants who were media professionals, two FGDs of ten (10) informants (five in each group), were communicated for data collection. The findings revealed that women are represented as a commodity for marketing the product, and their charm or glamour became the main requirement for recruitment. The informants perceived that the lack of professionalism in the media industry ignores women's intellectual value. Moreover, female models are mostly judged by their physical beauty, not by their merit. The findings also revealed the presence of sexual harassment in the media industry. From the consumers perspective, the study revealed that elderly people have a negative perception of women's engagement in the media; however, the younger people adjusted their thoughts to new media portrayal of females as sexual objects but lack respect for the profession. The study significantly recommends measures such as eliminating sexually objectifying roles for female artists, introducing pay protection and social support campaigns to ensure a non-discriminatory media industry and consumer culture.

Rural and urban differences in the prevalence and determinants of Type-2 diabetes in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in urban and rural settings and identify the specific risk factors for each location. METHOD: We conducted this study using data from the 2017-18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), sourced from the DHS website. The survey employed a stratified two-stage sampling method, which included 7,658 women and 7,048 men aged 18 and older who had their blood glucose levels measured. We utilized chi-square tests and ordinal logistic regression to analyze the association between various selected variables in both urban and rural settings and their relationship with diabetes and prediabetes. RESULTS: The prevalence of T2D was 10.8% in urban areas and 7.4% in rural areas, while pre-diabetes affected 31.4% and 27% of the populations in these respective settings. The study found significant factors influencing diabetes in both urban and rural regions, particularly in the 55-64 age group (Urban: AOR = 1.88, 95% CI [1.46, 2.42]; Rural: AOR = 1.87, 95% CI [1.54, 2.27]). Highly educated individuals had lower odds of T2D, while wealthier and overweight participants had higher odds in both areas. In rural regions, T2D risk was higher among caffeinated drink consumers and those not engaged in occupation-related physical activity, while these factors did not show significant influence in urban areas. Furthermore, urban participants displayed a significant association between T2D and hypertension. CONCLUSION: Our study outlines a comprehensive strategy to combat the increasing prevalence of T2D in both urban and rural areas. It includes promoting healthier diets to control BMI level, encouraging regular physical activity, early detection through health check-ups, tailored awareness campaigns, improving healthcare access in rural regions, stress management in urban areas, community involvement, healthcare professional training, policy advocacy like sugary drink taxation, research, and monitoring interventions. These measures collectively address the T2D challenge while accommodating the distinct features of urban and rural settings.

Research and application of polypropylene: a review.

Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile polymer with numerous applications that has undergone substantial changes in recent years, focusing on the demand for next-generation polymers. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent research in PP and its advanced functional applications. The chronological development and fundamentals of PP are mentioned. Notably, the incorporation of nanomaterial like graphene, MXene, nano-clay, borophane, silver nanoparticles, etc., with PP for advanced applications has been tabulated with their key features and challenges. The article also conducts a detailed analysis of advancements and research gaps within three key forms of PP: fiber, membrane, and matrix. The versatile applications of PP across sectors like biomedical, automotive, aerospace, and air/water filtration are highlighted. However, challenges such as limited UV resistance, bonding issues, and flammability are noted. The study emphasizes the promising potential of PP while addressing unresolved concerns, with the goal of guiding future research and promoting innovation in polymer applications.

Fabrications, Classifications, and Environmental Impact of PCM-Incorporated Textiles: Current State and Future Outlook.

Phase change materials (PCMs) are an extraordinary family of compounds that can store and release thermal energy during phase changes. In recent years, the incorporation of PCMs into textiles has attracted considerable interest, since it represents a unique way to improve the comfort and usefulness of textiles. This article examines the advancements achieved in the preparation, classifications, and environmental effects of PCM-integrated textiles, along with a roadmap for the future. Progress of different PCM has been reported including its pros and cons. In addition, fabrications of the PCM on the apparel have been highlighted. Moreover, this Review analyzed the positive environmental impact of PCM-integrated textiles including improved insulation, extended product lifespan, and energy savings along with negative effects like higher energy consumption in the manufacturing process, added chemical additives tending to have a negative impact on the environment, less disposal features textiles and many more with recent references. Moreover, the future outlook also reports more research on nanoencapsulation, making it energy efficient, ensuring affordability, and more applications in smart PCM textiles. It seeks to stimulate additional research, encourage innovation, and contribute to the creation of high-performance, energy-efficient textiles by investigating the possibilities of PCM-enhanced textiles. The future of PCM in textiles is hopeful, with continuous research and technological advances resolving the aforementioned difficulties.

Patterns, prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence and its association with mental health status during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study on early married female adolescents in Khulna district, Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to identify the patterns, prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) against female adolescents and its association with mental health problems. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTINGS: Dumuria Upazila (subdistrict) under the Khulna district of Bangladesh. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 304 participants were selected purposively based on some specifications: they must be female adolescents, residents of Dumuria Upazila and married during the COVID-19 pandemic when under 18 years of age. OUTCOME MEASURES: By administering a semi-structured interview schedule, data were collected regarding IPV using 12 five-point Likert scale items; a higher score from the summation reflects frequent violence. RESULTS: The findings suggest that the prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional IPV among the 304 participants, who had an average age of 17.1 years (SD=1.42), was 89.5%, 87.8% and 93.7%, respectively, whereas 12.2% of the participants experienced severe physical IPV, 9.9% experienced severe sexual IPV and 10.5% experienced severe emotional IPV. Stepwise regression models identified age at marriage (p=0.001), number of miscarriages (p=0.005), education of spouse (p=0.001), income of spouse (p=0.016), age gap between spouses (p=0.008), marital adjustment (p<0.001) and subjective happiness (p<0.001) as significant risk factors. Hierarchical regression, however, indicated that age at marriage (p<0.001), age gap between spouses (p<0.001), marital adjustment (p<0.001) and subjective happiness (p<0.001) had negative associations with IPV, while the number of miscarriages (p<0.001) had a positive relationship. Pearson's correlation showed that IPV was significantly associated with depression, anxiety and stress. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in IPV and mental health problems among early married adolescents was documented. To reduce physical and mental harm and to assure their well-being, preventive and rehabilitative measures should be devised.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of university students towards monkeypox in Bangladesh.

The recent outbreak of viral zoonotic disease-monkeypox-caused by the monkeypox virus, has infected many people worldwide. This study aims to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning monkeypox among university students in Bangladesh. Data were collected using purposive snowball sampling from 887 university students through an online survey using Google Form. The participants were mostly in their twenties (M = 22.33 [SD 2.01] years), and they spent, on average, 2.59 [SD 1.91] hours/day on electronic and social media. The participants generally showed moderate knowledge (39.5%), low attitude (25.1%), and moderate practice (48.6%) toward monkeypox, with 47.6% having had a moderate KAP score. Findings further showed that personal attributes of university students, i.e., age, sex, year of schooling, residence, living status, geographical distribution, e.g., division, were statistically and significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding monkeypox and overall KAP score. It is also apparent that health status, susceptibility to monkeypox, and exposure to social media were the most common factors significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding monkeypox and overall KAP score. The current study's findings underscore the need for developing appropriate information, education, and communication (IEC) materials and their dissemination, which could play an important role in reducing the risk of monkeypox and similar other infectious diseases, particularly among students in Bangladesh.

Households' vulnerability assessment: empirical evidence from cyclone-prone area of Bangladesh.

Despite Bangladesh being vulnerable to cyclones, there is a dearth of research on cyclone vulnerability assessment. Assessing a household's vulnerability is considered a crucial step in avoiding the adverse effects of catastrophe risks. This research was conducted in the cyclone-prone district of Barguna, Bangladesh. This study's purpose is to evaluate this region's vulnerability. A questionnaire survey was conducted using a convenience sample technique. A door-to-door survey of 388 households in two Unions of Patharghata Upazila, Barguna district, was conducted. Forty-three indicators were selected to assess cyclone vulnerability. The results were quantified using an index-based methodology with a standardized scoring method. Where applicable, descriptive statistics have been obtained. In terms of vulnerability indicators, we also utilized the chi-square test to compare Kalmegha and Patharghata Union. When appropriate, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was employed to evaluate the relationship between the Vulnerability Index Score (VIS) and the union. According to the results, the environmental vulnerability (0.53 ± 0.17) and the composite vulnerability index (0.50 ± 0.08) were significantly greater in Kalmegha Union than in Patharghata Union. They faced inequity in government assistance (71%) and humanitarian aid (45%) from national and international organizations. However, 83% of them underwent evacuation practices. 39% were satisfied with the WASH conditions at the cyclone shelter, whereas around half were dissatisfied with the status of the medical facilities. Most of them (96%) rely only on surface water for drinking. National and international organizations should have a comprehensive plan for disaster risk reduction that encompasses all individuals, regardless of race, geography, or ethnicity.

Incorporation of MPCM on cotton fabric for potential application in hospital bed sheet.

Over the last few decades, phase change materials (PCM) have attracted a great deal of interest in medical textiles due to its superior thermoregulation system, simple application, and so on. Patients, however, confined to bed in a medical facility face the serious risk of developing bed sores, which is not mitigated by the use of a standard bed sheet. Numerous articles and patents have been studied related to development of thermal bed sheets using PCM applied by various techniques; however, no such initiates was found to prepare and characterize of hospital bed sheets using microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) through screen printing method. Thus, this study aims to develop a hospital bed sheet constructed from cotton fabric incorporated with MPCM. To accomplish this, MPCM was mixed into the printing paste that had been applied on the fabric by screen printing method, and then dried at room temperature. Thermal behavior, thermal transition, and thermal conductivity of the developed samples had been investigated. Moisture management properties, mechanical properties, and bonding behavior of the samples were also examined. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to analyze the sample's morphology, and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to determine how polymeric materials behaved when heated. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated that the MPCM incorporated sample lost weight slowly, while the DSC test confirmed that melting began at 20 °C and ended at 30 °C. Furthermore, fabricated sample had higher heat conductivity (0.1760822 w.m-1 k-1). Overall, the results revealed a great potential for using the developed samples as hospital bed sheets to prevent patients from developing bed sores.

A qualitative investigation of stressful life events and mental health disorders: The views of patients and caregivers in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Mounting mental health disorders among students has become a significant challenge in producing quality graduates with bright minds. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the underlying causes of students' mental health-related problems and their experiences while living with mental health disorders. This study investigates the causes and exposures of mental health problems among university students in Bangladesh. For this purpose, a qualitative method was used, and an unstructured in-depth interview schedule was used to collect data from students and caregivers. The students were selected from Khulna University, and data were collected in two consecutive months, i.e., November and December 2021. Using a convenient sampling technique, eight (8) students with mental health issues and five (5) caregivers were interviewed to obtain the necessary data. RESULTS: The findings showed that the intertwined social circumstances led to mental health problems among university students. The students experienced deep depression following a breakup of their romantic affairs/relationships. The prolonged isolation or social distancing due to the government-imposed strict lockdown during the COVID-19 also produced frustration regarding the possible loss of both academic and professional careers. Furthermore, the growing academic pressure in a form of an unfamiliar approach to teaching and learning-online education-also compelled students to complain about depression and suicidal tendencies as parts of their experiences. CONCLUSIONS: This study recommends that the government and policymakers prioritize mental health issues in educational institutions, and they should enforce specific strategies, such as introducing age-specific mental health services and student counseling at educational institutions to reduce growing mental health issues. Furthermore, a positive approach from the family and community is also required to battle against mental health disorders. Besides, nationally representative empirical research is recommended to comprehend the growing mental health issues among students in the 21st century to figure out solutions for the present and the future.

Healthcare-seeking behaviour of marginalised older people in urban slums: a cross-sectional survey study in Khulna City, Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to measure healthcare-seeking behaviour and determine its associated factors among older people in the slums of the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) areas of Bangladesh. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTINGS: Four slums in the KCC areas of Bangladesh. PARTICIPANTS: The participants were selected following a two-stage area probability sampling with the following specifications: they must be aged ≥60 years and must have lived in the slums of KCC for at least 5 consecutive years. OUTCOME MEASURES: A semistructured interview schedule was administered to determine participants' healthcare-seeking behaviour, with healthcare-seeking behaviour measured through a dichotomous response of 'yes' or 'no'. RESULTS: 636 participants were included in the study. Gastrointestinal problems (75.3%) and aches and pains (71.5%) were the two most common health problems among older people in the slums of KCC. Older adults in their 80s had higher adjusted odds of attaining healthcare services (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.028; 95% CI: 1.140 to 3.609; p<0.05) than other older people, while educated older people (AOR=0.664; 95% CI: 0.441 to 1.000; p<0.05) and those with greater satisfaction with domains of life (SDL index; AOR=0.860; 95% CI: 0.811 to 0.912; p<0.01) were less inclined to seek healthcare services than their counterparts. Additionally, widows/widowers (AOR=2.218; 95% CI: 1.080 to 4.556; p<0.05) and married people (AOR=2.750; 95% CI: 1.329 to 5.689; p<0.01) had higher adjusted odds of seeking healthcare services than those who were divorced/separated. CONCLUSION: Age, education, marital status and SDL index were significant predictors for the healthcare-seeking behaviour of older people in KCC slums. Effective strategies need to be implemented to reduce existing access barriers to healthcare services for older people in the slum areas of urban Bangladesh.

'He was a brilliant student but became mad like his grandfather': an exploratory investigation on the social perception and stigma against individuals living with mental health problems in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, mental health issues constitute a substantial threat to people's social, economic, and mental well-being and contribute significantly to many fatalities each year. In Bangladesh, people with mental health issues typically delay contacting health professionals because they prefer traditional or religious healers. Moreover, the situation is exacerbated by a lack of awareness, social stigma, and negative perception of sufferers of mental health issues on the part of families and the community. Therefore, this paper investigates the social perception and stigmatization of individuals living with mental health problems and their caregivers in Khulna, Bangladesh. METHODS: Data were collected from university students with concurring mental health issues as well as their closest caregivers, who had in-depth knowledge of the problem and a willingness to take care of the individuals with mental health issues. Following the criteria for data collection, eight individuals living with mental health problems and five caregivers were purposively selected for this research. A semi-structured in-depth interview guide was used for the confidential data collection process, which took place in November and December 2021, and each interview lasted 40-50 min on average. RESULTS: This study used thematic analysis to present the results; the findings showed that: individuals afflicted with mental health problems sought both medical and spiritual support to recover. Those with mental health issues who received positive family support recovered relatively faster than those who did not. However, negative social perception and stigmatization were the key impediments for individuals suffering from mental health problems and their families, as they found it difficult to discuss their issues with relatives and communities when attempting to access support or seek remedies. Moreover, the commonality of social stigmas, such as labeling mental health problems as equal to 'madness,' hindered disclosure to family members, peers, and the community. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: In Bangladesh, the majority of individuals living with mental health problems are stigmatized and do not receive emotional support. Hence, we suggest nationwide community-based awareness-building programs to promote more positive perceptions of the fight against mental health disorders. Furthermore, counseling and awareness-building programs for effective discouragement of non-scientific remedies such as spiritual healing, as well as diagnosis and medication at the primary stage of sickness, are recommended for early detection and better medical assistance.

Mental Health Status of Teachers During the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Study in Bangladesh.

Background: Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Bangladesh implemented strict non-therapeutic measures, i.e., "social distancing," "lockdown," "work from home," in the first quarter of 2020. Like other professionals, teachers at schools, colleges and universities were confined within households. However, the introduction of online education imposed an additional burden on teachers along with growing household responsibilities, thus, affecting their psychological state. Aims: This study was aimed to explore the prevalence of mental health problems among teachers in Bangladesh and to identify the associated risk factors. Methods: This web-based cross-sectional study was conducted during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Data were collected from 381 teachers working at schools, colleges, and universities between 01 August and 29 August 2021 by administering a self-reported e-questionnaire using Google Form, where the mental health of teachers was assessed by depression, anxiety, and stress scale. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 26) and STATA Version 16, and multiple linear regression was executed to predict mental health problems among teachers. Results: The findings indicate that the overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among teachers was 35.4%, 43.7%, and 6.6%, respectively. The prevalence was higher among male and older teachers than among their female and younger colleagues. The findings further showed that place of residence, institution, self-reported health, usage of social and electronic media, and fear of COVID-19 significantly influenced the mental health status of teachers. Conclusion: It is strongly recommended that the government and policymakers provide proper mental health services to teachers in order to reduce mental health problems and thus sustain the quality of education during and after the pandemic.

Changes in dietary patterns among Bangladeshi adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic: A web-based cross-sectional study.

Background: The home confinement induced by the COVID-19 pandemic affects individuals' mental wellbeing and increases unhealthy behaviors, such as minimum to no physical activity, overeating, and substance use. Objective: This study aimed to assess the changes in dietary patterns among the Bangladeshi adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify their determinants. Methods: This web-based cross-sectional survey was carried out from 10-17 December 2020 using an e-questionnaire based on Google Forms. A semi-structured e-questionnaire was forwarded to the participants - Bangladesh citizens aged above 18 years - through social media platforms and email in order to collect information about socio-demographic issues and multidimensional dietary patterns. From the initial 817 responses gathered through snowball sampling, 748 responses were retained. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were executed. Results: The findings suggest that 50% of the participants reported a reduction in weight and physical activities, while approximately 52% experienced increased sleep time. One in three participants (31.4%) experienced a decrease in food buying capacity. The findings further indicate that women were 1.65 times more likely to reduce food consumption than men. Meanwhile, employed people were about 34% less likely to increase food consumption than their unemployed counterparts. People who were getting more than 6 h of sleep per day were nearly 61% less likely to increase food consumption than people who slept for less than 6 h per day. People struggling to buy food items were 2.31 times more likely to reduce food intake than people with no such limitations. Conclusions: The study shows that COVID-19 has substantially affected Bangladeshi people's common food consumption patterns. Being confined within the household, primarily due to countrywide lockdowns and 'general holidays', has affected both the dietary patterns and the financial wellbeing of people. Therefore, the concerned authorities should promote effective nutrition education and healthy dietary behaviors; meanwhile, financial support or incentives for people in need are also strongly advocated.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices concerning Black Fungus during COVID-19 Pandemic among Students of Bangladesh: An Online-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: Infection with COVID-19 and its control entailing steroids and immunomodulatory medications disrupted normal immune function. The ensuing immunological disorder led to the rise of another infection-Black Fungus (Mucormycosis). However, the spread of Black Fungus can be minimized through proper knowledge, informed attitude, and conscious preventive practice. This study aimed to assess students' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding Black Fungus amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out among Bangladeshi students from June to July 2021. Using Google Forms, an e-questionnaire was developed for this web-based survey, and the participants were selected through a snowball sampling approach. RESULTS: Out of the 2009 participants, more than half were female (53.5%), and the majority were at an age between 18 and 25 years (31.5%) and had received higher secondary (HSC) schooling (77.8%), while around 61% resided in urban areas. Findings revealed that most of the students (63.8%) spent around 2 h on electronic and social media to become informed about COVID-19 and Black Fungus. Approximately 33% of the students showed low KAP scores (32.9%), whereas around 26% had high KAP scores. Our results show a significant association between KAP and sex, schooling, living status, residence, and media exposure. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of Black Fungus considerably varies among Bangladeshi students considering the place of residence, age, sex, living arrangement, and media exposure. Policymakers should emphasize awareness among people focusing on the results of this study to increase deterrent attitudes and protective practices to minimize the risks of being infected.

Which Color Channel Is Better for Diagnosing Retinal Diseases Automatically in Color Fundus Photographs?

Color fundus photographs are the most common type of image used for automatic diagnosis of retinal diseases and abnormalities. As all color photographs, these images contain information about three primary colors, i.e., red, green, and blue, in three separate color channels. This work aims to understand the impact of each channel in the automatic diagnosis of retinal diseases and abnormalities. To this end, the existing works are surveyed extensively to explore which color channel is used most commonly for automatically detecting four leading causes of blindness and one retinal abnormality along with segmenting three retinal landmarks. From this survey, it is clear that all channels together are typically used for neural network-based systems, whereas for non-neural network-based systems, the green channel is most commonly used. However, from the previous works, no conclusion can be drawn regarding the importance of the different channels. Therefore, systematic experiments are conducted to analyse this. A well-known U-shaped deep neural network (U-Net) is used to investigate which color channel is best for segmenting one retinal abnormality and three retinal landmarks.

Prevalence and determinants of internet addiction among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: An online cross-sectional study.

Background: Globally, internet use has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and internet addiction (IA) has become a severe public health issue. Therefore, this study aimed to assess IA prevalence among adults and identify its determinants during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, this study recruited 608 participants through a self-administered online-based e-questionnaire. Young's internet addiction test (YIAT) of 20 items was used to assess the prevalence of IA among adults in Bangladesh. Bivariate and binary logistic regression analyses explored the factors influencing IA. Results: The overall prevalence of IA was 29.4% among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the addiction rate was 34.7% among participants under 20 years old. Tobacco smoking (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.15-3.07) and spending more time on the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.08-3.94) were likely the reasons for IA among Bangladeshi adults. Participants aged over 24 years (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.17-0.91), living in rural areas (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.32-0.81), living away from family (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.26-0.79), attached to physical activity (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.24-0.52), and sleeping less than or equal 6 hours (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.42-0.93) had a lower chance of IA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: This study has shown that the prevalence of IA was comparatively higher among younger participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Smoking, long-time use of the internet, physical activity status, and sleeping duration were the most significant determinants of IA. Thus, raising awareness among the younger generation is the most important strategy to reduce IA. The findings of this study can be used to support health and educational organizations to design their programs, which will help prevent IA in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Caesarean delivery and its association with educational attainment, wealth index, and place of residence in Sub-Saharan Africa: a meta-analysis.

Caesarean delivery (C-section) has been increasing worldwide; however, many women from developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are deprived of these lifesaving services. This study aimed to explore the impact of certain socioeconomic factors, including respondent's education, husband's education, place of residence, and wealth index, on C-section delivery for women in Sub-Saharan Africa. We used pooled data from 36 demographic and health surveys (DHS) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Married women aged 15-49 years who have at least one child in the last five years were considered in this survey. After inclusion and excluding criteria, 234,660 participants were eligible for final analysis. Binary logistic regression was executed to determine the effects of selected socioeconomic factors. The countries were assembled into four sub-regions (Southern Africa, West Africa, East Africa, and Central Africa), and a meta-analysis was conducted. We performed random-effects model estimation for meta-analysis to assess the overall effects and consistency between covariates and utilization of C-section delivery as substantial heterogeneity was identified (I2 > 50%). Furthermore, the meta-regression was carried out to explain the additional amount of heterogeneity by country levels. We performed a sensitivity analysis to examine the effects of outliers in this study. Findings suggest that less than 15% of women in many Sub-Saharan African countries had C-section delivery. Maternal education (OR 4.12; CI 3.75, 4.51), wealth index (OR 2.05; CI 1.94, 2.17), paternal education (OR 1.71; CI 1.57, 1.86), and place of residence (OR 1.51; CI 1.44, 1.58) were significantly associated with the utilization of C-section delivery. These results were also consistent in sub-regional meta-analyses. The meta-regression suggests that the total percentage of births attended by skilled health staff (TPBASHS) has a significant inverse association with C-section utilization regarding educational attainment (respondent & husband), place of residence, and wealth index. The data structure was restricted to define the distinction between elective and emergency c-sections. It is essential to provide an appropriate lifesaving mechanism, such as C-section delivery opportunities, through proper facilities for rural, uneducated, impoverished Sub-Saharan African women to minimize both maternal and infant mortality.