Spatio-temporal evaluation of respiratory disease based on the information provided by patients admitted to a medical college hospital in Bangladesh using geographic information system.

In Bangladesh respiratory illnesses are one of the leading risk factors for death and disability. Limited access to healthcare services, indoor and outdoor air pollution, large-scale use of smoking materials, allergens, and lack of awareness are among the known leading factors contributing to respiratory illness in Bangladesh. Key initiatives taken by the government to handle respiratory illnesses include, changing of respiratory health policy, building awareness, enhancing healthcare facility, and promoting prevention measures. Despite all these efforts, the number of individuals suffering from respiratory diseases has increased steadily during the recent years. This study aims at examining the distribution pattern of respiratory diseases over space and time using Geographic Information System, which is expected to contribute to the better understand of the factors contributing to respiratory illness development. To achieve the aims of the study two interviews were conducted among patients with respiratory sickness in the medicine and respiratory medicine units of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital between January and April of 2019 and 2020 following the guidelines provided by the Ethics Committee, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh (ethical approval reference number: 2018/08). Principal component extraction and spatial statistical analyses were performed to identify the key respiratory illnesses and their geographical distribution pattern respectively. The results indicate, during January-February the number of patients was a lot higher compared to March-April. The patients were hospitalized mainly due to four respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia, and pulmonary hypertension). Geographical distribution pattern of respiratory disease cases also varied considerably between the years as well as months of the years. This information seems reasonable to elucidate the spatio-temporal distribution of respiratory disease and thus improve the existing prevention, control, and cure practices of respiratory illness of the study area. Approach used in this study to elicit spatio-temporal distribution of repertory disease can easily be implemented in other areas with similar geographical settings and patients' illness information from hospital.

Exploring spatial variations in level and predictors of unskilled birth attendant delivery in Bangladesh using spatial analysis techniques: Findings from nationally representative survey data.

BACKGROUND: Bangladesh has failed to meet the United Nations goal for reducing maternal mortality in the last decade. The high prevalence of unskilled birth attendant (UBA) delivery (47%) has resulted in negative consequences for the health of mothers and newborn babies in the country. Spatial variations in UBA delivery and its predictors are yet to be explored in Bangladesh, which could be very helpful in formulating cost-effective policies for reducing that. This study examines the spatial variations in UBA delivery and its predictors in Bangladesh. METHODS: This study analyzed the characteristics of 672 clusters extracted from the 2017/18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, and healthcare facility data from the 2017 Bangladesh Health Facility Survey. These data were analyzed using descriptive and spatial analyses (hot spot analysis, Ordinary Least Squares Regression, and Geographically Weighted Regression) techniques. RESULTS: Statistically significant hot spots of UBA delivery were concentrated in parts of the Mymensingh, Sylhet, Barishal, and Rangpur regions, while Khulna was the safest region. Predictive strengths of the statistically significant predictors of spatial variation in UBA delivery were observed to vary considerably across the regions. Poorest household wealth status and less than four antenatal care contacts emerged as strong predictors of UBA delivery in all the aforementioned hot spot-stricken regions, except Barisal. Additionally, primiparity and all secondary education or higher were strong predictors of lower UBA delivery rates in Mymensingh and Sylhet, while poorer household wealth status was also a strong predictor of UBA delivery in Sylhet. Multiparity was an additional strong predictor of UBA delivery in Rangpur. In Barisal, only poorer household wealth status exerted a strong positive influence on UBA delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The remarkable spatial variations in UBA delivery and its predictors' strengths indicate that geographically-targeted interventions could be a cost-effective method for reducing the UBA delivery prevalence in Bangladesh, thereby improve maternal and child health.

Effects of population, land cover change, and climatic variability on wetland resource degradation in a Ramsar listed Ghodaghodi Lake Complex, Nepal.

Wetlands support livelihoods of millions of people in developing countries. However, wetland land cover change, as a result of growing population and subsequent anthropogenic activities, has been evident at a global scale, and ongoing micro-climate alteration has further deteriorating its ecological condition. Nepal is equally vulnerable to wetland changes that can have direct effects on the sustenance of local wetland-dependent people. This study thus attempts to look at how wetland areas of Nepal are undergoing changes, taking a case of Ghodaghodi Lake Complex (GLC). Remote sensing technique, climate, and population data were used in the analysis aided by focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Results showed that total population of the study area has been increased drastically in recent decades. Landsat image analysis for 25 years (1989-2016) depicts changes in the GLC in its land cover, with maximum expansion observed in settlement followed by river and banks, whereas maximum reduction was observed in forests, followed by areas of agricultural land and lake. Similarly, diurnal temperature is increasing while total annual rainfall is slightly decreasing during the same period. Locals have perceived ecological degradation in the GLC due to both anthropogenic pressure and climatic variability. The study outlines linkage of drivers for GLC degradation and finally makes recommendations to achieve longer term sustainability of the lake complex.

Mapping tidal channel dynamics in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh, between 1974 and 2017, and implications for the sustainability of the Sundarbans mangrove forest.

This study presents the spatial and temporal dynamics of tidal channels in the Bangladesh Sundarbans. Parts of the Passur River system were considered for this investigation. Tidal channel bank layers were extracted from aerial photographs from 1974 and 2011 and a Sentinel-2 image from 2017. On-screen digitizing of a tidal channel was undertaken to create the tidal channel layers, and special care was taken during digitization to obtain more accurate results. Layers were overlaid together so that the tidal channel position could be seen for each date. Tidal channel positions were highlighted to infer the erosion/accretion sectors along the channel, and the tidal channel dynamics were calculated. Remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms were used to analyse, interpret and visualize data on accretion and erosion, as well as the locations of the tidal channel bank over different years. The results revealed that erosion was severe in the larger channels, whereas accretion was dominant in the smaller channels. These erosion and accretion processes played an active role in the displacement of tidal channel banks during the period under investigation. Displacement of the tidal channel bank has had a profound impact on the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem, and continued erosion and accretion processes are of concern for the future sustainability of biodiversity in the Sundarbans. While in the short term, these changes may not have much impact; over decades, the dynamics of tidal channels may significantly contribute to the imbalance of fauna and flora in the Sundarbans.