Subclonal TP53 copy number is associated with prognosis in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a genetically heterogeneous cancer of bone marrow plasma cells with variable outcome. To assess the prognostic relevance of clonal heterogeneity of TP53 copy number, we profiled tumors from 1777 newly diagnosed Myeloma XI trial patients with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Subclonal TP53 deletions were independently associated with shorter overall survival, with a hazard ratio of 1.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.8; P = .01). Clonal, but not subclonal, TP53 deletions were associated with clinical markers of advanced disease, specifically lower platelet counts (P < .001) and increased lactate dehydrogenase (P < .001), as well as a higher frequency of features indicative of genomic instability, del(13q) (P = .002) or del(1p) (P = .006). Biallelic TP53 loss-of-function by mutation and deletion was rare (2.4%) and associated with advanced disease. We present a framework for identifying subclonal TP53 deletions by MLPA, to improve patient stratification in MM and tailor therapy, enabling management strategies.

Effectiveness of a large-scale handwashing promotion intervention on handwashing behaviour in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE: The behavioural effect of large-scale handwashing promotion programmes has been infrequently evaluated, and variation in the effect over time has not been described. We assess the effect of a large-scale handwashing promotion programme on handwashing outcomes in a community setting in Dhaka, Bangladesh. METHODS: We analysed data from a cluster-randomised trial that included three arms: vaccine-and-behaviour-change intervention (VBC), vaccine-only (V) and no intervention (Control). Data collectors randomly selected different subsets of households each month during the study period and assessed: (i) temporal variation in availability of soap and water at handwashing place; (ii) the use of water and soap by participants when asked to demonstrate handwashing, and; (iii) handwashing behaviour according to structured observation. We used log-binomial regression analyses to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals and compare outcomes by study arms. RESULTS: Data collectors surveyed 9325 households over 28 months. In VBC, there was a significant positive trend on availability of water and soap from baseline to 9 months after the start of the intervention (P-for-trends <0.001), and no significant trend during months 10-28 (P-for-trend = 0.297). In the entire study period, availability of water and soap was higher in VBC (43%) than in V (23%) (PR = 1.92; CI = 1.72, 2.15) and Control (28%) (PR = 1.53; CI = 1.38, 1.69) households. There were no differences between study arms with regard to use of soap during handwashing demonstrations. Observed handwashing with soap after toilet use was higher in VBC (17%) than in V (8%) (PR = 1.47, CI = 0.58, 3.75) and Control (2%) (PR = 3.47, CI = 0.48, 23.33) groups. At other possible pathogen transmission events, the prevalence of handwashing with soap was ≤3%. CONCLUSION: VBC households maintained soap and water for handwashing, but the prevalence of observed handwashing was low in all study arms. The results underscore the need to strengthen scalable behaviour change approaches.

OBJECTIF: L'effet sur le comportement des programmes de promotion du lavage des mains à grande échelle a été rarement évalué et aucune variation de cet effet dans le temps n'a été décrite. Nous évaluons les effets d'un programme de promotion du lavage des mains à grande échelle sur les résultats dans un cadre communautaire à Dhaka, au Bangladesh. MÉTHODES: Nous avons analysé les données d'un essai randomisé par grappes comprenant 3 groupes: intervention vaccin-changement de comportement (VBC), vaccin uniquement (V) et aucune intervention (contrôle). Les collecteurs de données ont sélectionné au hasard différents sous-ensembles de ménages chaque mois au cours de la période d'étude et ont évalué: 1) la variation temporelle de la disponibilité de savon et d'eau sur le lieu de lavage des mains, 2) l'utilisation d'eau et de savon par les participants lorsqu'on leur a demandé de faire la démonstration du lavage des mains, 3) le comportement du lavage des mains selon une observation structurée. Nous avons utilisé des analyses de régression log-binomiales pour calculer les ratios de prévalence (PR) et les intervalles de confiance à 95%, ainsi que pour comparer les résultats par groupe d'étude. RÉSULTATS: Les collecteurs de données ont interrogé 9325 ménages au cours de 28 mois. Dans le groupe VBC, il y avait une tendance positive significative sur la disponibilité d'eau et de savon de la ligne de base à 9 mois après le début de l'intervention (p-pour-tendances <0,001) et aucune tendance significative au cours des mois 10 à 28 (p-pour- tendance = 0,297). Sur l'ensemble de la période d'étude, la disponibilité en eau et en savon était plus élevée dans le groupe VBC (43%) que dans le groupe V (23%) (PR = 1,92; IC: 1,72 - 2,15) et dans le groupe contrôle (28%) (PR = 1,53; IC: 1,38 - 1,69). Il n'y avait pas de différence entre les groupes d'étude en ce qui concerne l'utilisation de savon lors de démonstrations de lavage des mains. Le lavage des mains observé avec du savon après l'utilisation des toilettes était plus élevé dans le groupe VBC (17%) que dans le groupe V (8%) (PR = 1,47; IC: 0,58 - 3,75) et dans le groupe témoin (2%) (PR = 3,47, IC: 0,48 - 23,33). Lors d'autres événements possibles de transmission d'agents pathogènes, la fréquence du lavage des mains au savon était ≤ 3%. CONCLUSION: Les ménages du groupe VBC ont maintenu du savon et de l'eau pour se laver les mains, mais la prévalence du lavage des mains observé était faible dans tous les groupes de l'étude. Les résultats soulignent la nécessité de renforcer les approches évolutives de changement de comportement.

Investigating the Influence of Polysorbate 20/80 and Polaxomer P188 on the Surface & Interfacial Properties of Bovine Serum Albumin and Lysozyme.

PURPOSE: To provide new insights into how protein-surfactant competitive adsorbtion and corresponding surface tension reduction properties at the air-water and oil-water interface are impacted by the type of protein and the associated protein surface rheology. METHOD: Interfacial Rheology was utilized to obtain surface G' and G" as a function of frequency. Force tensiometry was utilized to obtain changes in surface tension as a function of surfactant concentration. The impact on surface properties of two different proteins i.e. BSA and Lysozyme was investigated as a function of surfactant concentration i.e. polysorbates PS 20, PS 80 and Poloxomer (Kolliphor P188). RESULTS: Surface tension and interfacial tension measurements for BSA showed that in mixed BSA/polysorbate surfactant systems, BSA dominates the interfacial behavior at both the air-water and oil-water interfaces, until a high polysorbate concentration of 0.1 mg/ml. At these high polysorbate concentrations a mixed BSA-Polysorbate interfacial layer is formed as corroborated by the surface elasticity values being lower than that of pure BSA but higher than that of pure Polysorbate. For Kolliphor, it was observed that Kolliphor was unable to displace BSA at any concentration. This is corroborated by the high surface elasticity of the BSA which is maintained in the presence of Kolliphor. Surface and interfacial tension measurements for lysozyme show that for mixed lysozyme/polysorbate surfactant systems, the surface tension values are lower than that exhibited by either the lysozyme or the polysorbate surfactants. This potentially indicates the formation of a mixed layer of lysozyme and polysorbate. At the high polysorbate concentrations probed, the surface elasticity values are however closer to that of pure polysorbates, indicating that the mixed layer may be more heavily polysorbate dominated, especially at high polysorbate concentrations. For Kolliphor, the response was similar to that seen in the Kolliphor-BSA system in which the Kolliphor was not able to displace the protein i.e. Lysozyme. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, it was seen that competitive adsorption between proteins and common excipient surfactants is dictated by the type of protein and its effective structuring/rigidity at the surface as reflected through surface elasticity and surface tan delta values. BSA was seen to exhibit a higher surface elasticity than lysozyme, and therefore has a more rigid structure and is more competitive at the interface.

Formative research for the design of a scalable water, sanitation, and hygiene mobile health program: CHoBI7 mobile health program

BACKGROUND: The Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-Days (CHoBI7) is a handwashing with soap and water treatment intervention program delivered by a health promoter bedside in a health facility and through home visits to diarrhea patients and their household members during the 7 days after admission to a health facility. In a randomized controlled trial among cholera patient households in Bangladesh, the 7-day CHoBI7 program resulted in a significant reduction in cholera among household members of cholera patients and sustained improvements in drinking water quality and handwashing with soap practices 12 months post-intervention. In an effort to take this intervention to scale across Bangladesh in partnership with the Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, this study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of mobile health (mHealth) programs as a low-cost, scalable approach for CHoBI7 program delivery. METHODS: Formative research for the development of the CHoBI7 mHealth intervention included 40 semi-structured interviews, 4 mHealth workshops, 2 group discussions, and a pilot study of 52 households to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the developed mHealth program. Thematic analysis of the interviews and group discussions was conducted by two individuals separately based on emergent themes, and then themes were compared and discussed. RESULTS: A theory- and evidence-based approach using qualitative research methods was implemented to design the CHoBI7 mHealth program. Semi-structured interviews with government stakeholders identified perceptions and preferences for scaling the CHoBI7 mHealth program. Group discussions and semi-structured interviews with diarrhea patients and their family members identified beneficiary perceptions of mHealth and preferences for CHoBI7 mHealth program delivery. mHealth workshops were conducted as an interactive approach to draft and refine mobile message content based on stakeholder preferences. The pilot findings indicate that the CHoBI7 mHealth program has high user acceptability and is feasible to deliver to diarrhea patients that present at health facilities for treatment in Bangladesh. Both text and voice messages were recommended for program delivery. Dr. Chobi, the sender of mHealth messages, was viewed as a credible source of information that could be shared with others. CONCLUSION: This study presents a theory- and evidence-based approach that can be implemented for the development of future water, sanitation, and hygiene mHealth programs in low-resource settings.

Correction to: Formative research for the design of a scalable water, sanitation, and hygiene mobile health program: CHoBI7 mobile health program.

It was highlighted that the original article [1] contained an error in the title. Additionally, Table 2 contained a typesetting mistake. This Correction article shows the incorrect and correct article title and Table 2. The original article has been updated.

Behaviour change intervention to improve shared toilet maintenance and cleanliness in urban slums of Dhaka: a cluster-randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Shared toilets in urban slums are often unclean and poorly maintained, discouraging consistent use and thereby limiting impacts on health and quality of life. We developed behaviour change interventions to support shared toilet maintenance and improve user satisfaction. We report the intervention effectiveness on improving shared toilet cleanliness. METHODS: We conducted a cluster-randomised controlled trial among users of 1226 shared toilets in 23 Dhaka slums. We assessed baseline toilet cleanliness in January 2015. The six-month intervention included provision of hardware (bin for solid waste, 4 l flushing bucket, 70 l water reservoir), and behaviour change communication (compound meetings, interpersonal household sessions, signs depicting rules for toilet use). We estimated the adjusted difference in difference (DID) to assess outcomes and accounted for clustering effects using generalised estimating equations. RESULTS: Compared to controls, intervention toilets were more likely to have water available inside toilet cubicles (DID: +4.7%, 95% CI: 0.2, 9.2), access to brush/broom for cleaning (DID: +8.4%, 95% CI: 2, 15) and waste bins (DID: +63%, 95% CI: 59, 66), while less likely to have visible faeces inside the pan (DID: -13%, 95% CI: -19, -5), the smell of faeces (DID: -7.6%, 95% CI: -14, -1.3) and household waste inside the cubicle (DID: -4%, 95% CI: -7, -1). CONCLUSIONS: In one of few efforts to promote shared toilet cleanliness, intervention compounds were significantly more likely to have cleaner toilets after six months. Future research might explore how residents can self-finance toilet maintenance, or employ mass media to reduce per-capita costs of behaviour change.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Hospital-Based Hygiene and Water Treatment Intervention (CHoBI7) to Reduce Cholera.

The risk for cholera infection is >100 times higher for household contacts of cholera patients during the week after the index patient seeks hospital care than it is for the general population. To initiate a standard of care for this high-risk population, we developed Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-Days (CHoBI7), which promotes hand washing with soap and treatment of water. To test CHoBI7, we conducted a randomized controlled trial among 219 intervention household contacts of 82 cholera patients and 220 control contacts of 83 cholera patients in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during 2013-2014. Intervention contacts had significantly fewer symptomatic Vibrio cholerae infections than did control contacts and 47% fewer overall V. cholerae infections. Intervention households had no stored drinking water with V. cholerae and 14 times higher odds of hand washing with soap at key events during structured observation on surveillance days 5, 6, or 7. CHoBI7 presents a promising approach for controlling cholera among highly susceptible household contacts of cholera patients.

Feasibility and effectiveness of oral cholera vaccine in an urban endemic setting in Bangladesh: a cluster randomised open-label trial.

BACKGROUND: Cholera is endemic in Bangladesh with epidemics occurring each year. The decision to use a cheap oral killed whole-cell cholera vaccine to control the disease depends on the feasibility and effectiveness of vaccination when delivered in a public health setting. We therefore assessed the feasibility and protective effect of delivering such a vaccine through routine government services in urban Bangladesh and evaluated the benefit of adding behavioural interventions to encourage safe drinking water and hand washing to vaccination in this setting. METHODS: We did this cluster-randomised open-label trial in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We randomly assigned 90 clusters (1:1:1) to vaccination only, vaccination and behavioural change, or no intervention. The primary outcome was overall protective effectiveness, assessed as the risk of severely dehydrating cholera during 2 years after vaccination for all individuals present at time of the second dose. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01339845. FINDINGS: Of 268,896 people present at baseline, we analysed 267,270: 94,675 assigned to vaccination only, 92,539 assigned to vaccination and behavioural change, and 80,056 assigned to non-intervention. Vaccine coverage was 65% in the vaccination only group and 66% in the vaccination and behavioural change group. Overall protective effectiveness was 37% (95% CI lower bound 18%; p=0·002) in the vaccination group and 45% (95% CI lower bound 24%; p=0·001) in the vaccination and behavioural change group. We recorded no vaccine-related serious adverse events. INTERPRETATION: Our findings provide the first indication of the effect of delivering an oral killed whole-cell cholera vaccine to poor urban populations with endemic cholera using routine government services and will help policy makers to formulate vaccination strategies to reduce the burden of severely dehydrating cholera in such populations. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Preterm birth and neonatal mortality in selected slums in and around Dhaka City of Bangladesh: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although under-five mortality has declined appreciably in Bangladesh over the last few decades, neonatal mortality still remains high. The objective of the study is to assess the level and determinants of preterm birth and the contribution of preterm birth to neonatal mortality. METHODS: Data for this study came from selected slums in and around Dhaka city, where; since 2015, icddr,b has been maintaining the Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). The HDSS data were collected by female Field Workers by visiting each household every three months; however, during the visit, data on the Last Menstrual Period (LMP) were also collected by asking each eligible woman to ascertain the date of conception. Gestational age was estimated in complete weeks by subtracting LMP from the date of the pregnancy outcome. In this study, 6,989 livebirths were recorded by HDSS during 2016-2018, and these births were followed for neonatal survival; both bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Out of total births, 21.7% were born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation), and sub-categories were: 2.19% for very preterm (28 to 31 weeks), 3.81% for moderate preterm (32 to 33 weeks), and 15.71% for late preterm (34 to 36 weeks). The study revealed that preterm babies contributed to 39.6% of neonatal deaths; however, the probability of death was very high on the 1st day of birth (0.124 for very preterm, 0.048 for moderate preterm, 0.024 for late preterm, and 0.013 for term birth), and continued until the 3rd day. In the regression analysis, compared to the term neonates, the odds of neonatal mortality were 8.66 (CI: 5.63, 13.32, p<0.01), 4.13 (CI: 2.69, 6.34, p<0.01) and 1.48 (CI: 1.05, 2.08, p<0.05) respectively for very, moderate, and late preterm birth categories. The population attributable fraction for neonatal mortality was 23%, and sub-categories were 14% for very preterm, 10% for moderate preterm, and 6% for late preterm. CONCLUSIONS: Although urban slums are in proximity to many health facilities, a substantial proportion of preterm births contribute to neonatal deaths. So, pregnant women should be targeted, to ensure timely care during pregnancy, delivery, and post-partum periods to improve the survival of new-borns in general and preterm birth in particular.

DIR/Floor Time in Engaging Autism: A Systematic Review.

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder, which affects various multiple areas of a child's development. The objective of this study was to systematically review the available literature and appraise the effect of floortime in engaging autism disorder among children. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was performed using PubMed, PsycINFO, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Medline. The search terms used were DIR/floor time, ASD, floortime and autism, relationship therapy and autism, floortime, and ASDs. The studies, which described floortime in engaging children with ASD, full-text available in English, the sample had no comorbid psychiatric diagnosis, and the articles published in English from 2010 to 2020 were included in the review. Twelve studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the review. Results: The results showed substantial progress in different levels of functioning of autistic children with floortime. Home-based floortime improved emotive functioning, communication, and daily living skills, the parent-child interactions were improved as expressed by mothers, and also certain demographic factors of the parents have significantly influenced the floortime outcome. There were no adverse events to children or parents during floortime. Conclusions: In general, we concluded that floortime is a cost-effective, completely child-led approach, which could be initiated as early as possible. If started early by healthcare professionals, it can be vital in improving social and emotional development among children.

Depressive symptoms and anxiety among women with a history of abortion living in urban slums of Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Globally, major emphasis has been placed on understanding the physiological consequences of losing a pregnancy. However, its mental health impact on socially disadvantaged women remains unexplored. To further inform the field the present study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with the development of depressive symptoms and anxiety among women with a history of spontaneous abortion living in the urban slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh. METHODS: Information was obtained from 240 women who experienced a spontaneous abortion from July 2020 to December 2021. It was obtained through the urban health and demographic surveillance system (UHDSS) survey. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to measure mental health symptoms. Bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to assess the associated factors with the mental health outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 240 women, majority (77.50%) of the women experienced mild to severe depressive symptoms and more than half (58.75%) of the respondants experienced mild to severe anxiety, within one and half years of experiencing spontaneous abortion. A higher level of education and being employed were protective factors for anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. However, women with higher sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) knowledge had significantly increased anxiety and depressive symptoms. In contrast, receiving post-abortion care (PAC) was associated with decreased anxiety and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that ensuring access to affordable PAC services and integrating mental health services into the standard PAC service package is crucial. This study also emphasizes the importance of providing education for women living in urban slums and encouraging them to participate in economic activities.

Psychosocial health of school-going adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a nationwide survey in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Common psychosocial health problems (PHPs) have become more prevalent among adolescents globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the psychosocial health of school-going adolescents has remained unexplored in Bangladesh due to limited research during the pandemic. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PHPs (i.e., depression and anxiety) and assess associated lifestyle and behavioral factors among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3,571 school-going adolescents (male: 57.4%, mean age: 14.9±1.8 years; age range: 10-19 years) covering all divisions, including 63 districts in Bangladesh. A semi-structured e-questionnaire, including informed consent and questions related to socio-demographics, lifestyle, academics, pandemic and PHPs, was used to collect data between May and July 2021. RESULTS: The prevalence of moderate to severe depression and anxiety were 37.3% and 21.7%, respectively, ranging from 24.7% in the Sylhet Division to 47.5% in the Rajshahi Division for depression, and from 13.4% in the Sylhet Division to 30.3% in the Rajshahi Division for anxiety. Depression and anxiety were associated with older age, reports of poor teacher cooperation in online classes, worries due to academic delays, parental comparison of academic performance with other classmates, difficulties coping with quarantine situations, changes in eating habits, weight gain, physical inactivity and having experienced cyberbullying. Moreover, being female was associated with higher odds of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent psychosocial problems represent a public health problem. The findings suggest a need for generating improved empirically supported school-based psychosocial support programs involving parents and teachers to ensure the well-being of adolescents in Bangladesh. School-based prevention of psychosocial problems that promote environmental and policy changes related to lifestyle practices and active living should be developed, tested, and implemented.

Protocol for validation of the Global Scales for Early Development (GSED) for children under 3 years of age in seven countries.

INTRODUCTION: Children's early development is affected by caregiving experiences, with lifelong health and well-being implications. Governments and civil societies need population-based measures to monitor children's early development and ensure that children receive the care needed to thrive. To this end, the WHO developed the Global Scales for Early Development (GSED) to measure children's early development up to 3 years of age. The GSED includes three measures for population and programmatic level measurement: (1) short form (SF) (caregiver report), (2) long form (LF) (direct administration) and (3) psychosocial form (PF) (caregiver report). The primary aim of this protocol is to validate the GSED SF and LF. Secondary aims are to create preliminary reference scores for the GSED SF and LF, validate an adaptive testing algorithm and assess the feasibility and preliminary validity of the GSED PF. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct the validation in seven countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire, Pakistan, The Netherlands, People's Republic of China, United Republic of Tanzania), varying in geography, language, culture and income through a 1-year prospective design, combining cross-sectional and longitudinal methods with 1248 children per site, stratified by age and sex. The GSED generates an innovative common metric (Developmental Score: D-score) using the Rasch model and a Development for Age Z-score (DAZ). We will evaluate six psychometric properties of the GSED SF and LF: concurrent validity, predictive validity at 6 months, convergent and discriminant validity, and test-retest and inter-rater reliability. We will evaluate measurement invariance by comparing differential item functioning and differential test functioning across sites. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has received ethical approval from the WHO (protocol GSED validation 004583 20.04.2020) and approval in each site. Study results will be disseminated through webinars and publications from WHO, international organisations, academic journals and conference proceedings. REGISTRATION DETAILS: Open Science Framework https://osf.io/ on 19 November 2021 (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/KX5T7; identifier: osf-registrations-kx5t7-v1).

Levels, trends and socio-demographic determinants of infant and under-five mortalities in and around slum areas of Dhaka city, Bangladesh.

Infant and child mortality are often used to monitor the progress of national population health programs. The data for this study was collected from selected urban slums where icddr,b has maintained the Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). Using the HDSS database, 6,666 married women were selected and interviewed in 2018 to collect data on socioeconomic status, pregnancy history and safe motherhood practices. The study examined levels and trends of infant and under-five mortality for three periods: 1990-1999 (Period 1), 2000-2009 (Period 2), and 2010-2018 (Period 3) and examined socio-demographic differentials of infant and under-five mortality for Period 3. From Period 1 to Period 3, under-five mortality declined by 68.2%, with child mortality (1-4 years) declining more than infant mortality (84% vs. 65%). In the regression models for Period 3, infant and under-five mortality were higher for working than non-working mothers (infant: OR = 1.35*, CI: 0.98, 1.86; under-five: OR = 1.34*, CI: 0.99, 1.82), lower for girls than boys (infant: OR = 0.77*, CI: 0.57, 1.03; under-five: OR = 0.77*, CI: 0.58, 1.03), higher for small-size than normal/big-size babies (infant: OR = 4.11***, CI: 3.00, 5.64; under-five: OR = 3.68***, CI: 2.70, 5.02), higher for babies delivered vaginally than by caesarean section (infant: OR = 1.79**, CI: 1.14, 2.97; under-five: OR = 1.87***, CI: 1.21, 2.88), higher for babies delivered with complications than no complication (infant: OR = 2.16***, CI: 1.48, 3.15; under-five: OR = 2.21***, CI: 1.55, 3.18), and higher for babies born after a short (<24 months) birth interval (infant: OR = 1.71*, CI: 0.96, 3.05; under-five: OR = 1.63*, CI: 0.93, 2.86) than firstborns. While substantial progress has been made in reducing under-five and infant mortality, neonatal mortality have declined less slowly. Targeted population health interventions addressing the socio-demographic drivers of infant mortality, with a focus on the urban poor, will help Bangladesh achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.

Health system impact of COVID-19 on urban slum population of Bangladesh: a mixed-method rapid assessment study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to rapidly assess the health system impact of COVID-19 in the urban slums of Bangladesh. DESIGN: Setting and participantsA cross-sectional survey among 476 households was conducted during October-December 2020 in five selected urban slums of Dhaka North, Dhaka South and Gazipur City Corporation. In-depth interviews with purposively selected 22 slum dwellers and key informant interviews with 16 local healthcare providers and four policymakers and technical experts were also conducted. OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage of people suffering from general illness, percentage of people suffering from chronic illness, percentage of people seeking healthcare, percentage of people seeking maternal care, health system challenges resulting from COVID-19. RESULTS: About 12% of members suffered from general illness and 25% reported chronic illness. Over 80% sought healthcare and the majority sought care from informal healthcare providers. 39% of the recently delivered women sought healthcare in 3 months preceding the survey. An overall reduction in healthcare use was reported during the lockdown period compared with prepandemic time. Mismanagement and inefficient use of resources were reported as challenges of health financing during the pandemic. Health information sharing was inadequate at the urban slums, resulting from the lack of community and stakeholder engagement (51% received COVID-19-related information, 49% of respondents knew about the national hotline number for COVID-19 treatment). Shortage of human resources for health was reported to be acute during the pandemic, resulting from the shortage of specialist doctors and uneven distribution of health workforce. COVID-19 test was inadequate due to the lack of adequate test facilities and stigma associated with COVID-19. Lack of strong leadership and stakeholder engagement was seen as the barriers to effective pandemic management. CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study are expected to support the government in tailoring interventions and allocating resources more efficiently and timely during a pandemic.

Burden and risk factors for antenatal depression and its effect on preterm birth in South Asia: A population-based cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Women experience high rates of depression, particularly during pregnancy and the postpartum periods. Using population-based data from Bangladesh and Pakistan, we estimated the burden of antenatal depression, its risk factors, and its effect on preterm birth. METHODS: The study uses the following data: maternal depression measured between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation using the 9-question Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9); data on pregnancy including an ultrasound before 19 weeks of gestation; data on pregnancy outcomes; and data on woman's age, education, parity, weight, height, history of previous illness, prior miscarriage, stillbirth, husband's education, and household socioeconomic data collected during early pregnancy. Using PHQ-9 cutoff score of ≥12, women were categorized into none to mild depression or moderate to moderately severe depression. Using ultrasound data, preterm birth was defined as babies born <37 weeks of gestation. To identify risk ratios (RR) for antenatal depression, unadjusted and adjusted RR and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using log- binomial model. Log-binomial models were also used for determining the effect of antenatal depression on preterm birth adjusting for potential confounders. Data were analyzed using Stata version 16 (StataCorp LP). RESULTS: About 6% of the women reported moderate to moderately severe depressive symptoms during the antenatal period. A parity of ≥2 and the highest household wealth status were associated with an increased risk of depression. The overall incidence of preterm birth was 13.4%. Maternal antenatal depression was significantly associated with the risk of preterm birth (ARR, 95% CI: 1.34, 1.02-1.74). CONCLUSION: The increased risk of preterm birth in women with antenatal depression in conjunction with other significant risk factors suggests that depression likely occurs within a constellation of other risk factors. Thus, to effectively address the burden of preterm birth, programs require developing and providing integrated care addressing multiple risk factors.

Health-Related Quality of Life among Rural-Urban Migrants Living in Dhaka Slums: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its associated factors among urban slum dwellers who migrated from different rural parts of Bangladesh. METHODS: The present study analyzed data from a Migration and Mobility Determinants on Health survey and was conducted in 2017 among 935 migrant slum dwellers of Dhaka city (North & South) and Gazipur City Corporations, as a part of the icddr,b's Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System (UHDSS). The face-to-face interviews were conducted with the adult population by using a semi-structured questionnaire that included variables related to socio-demographics, migration, occupation, and HRQoL (SF-12). Bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with HRQoL. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) scores of physical component summary (PCS), and mental component summary (MCS) were 57.40 ± 22.73 and 60.77 ± 22.51, respectively. As per multiple regression analysis, lower PCS scores were associated with having older age, being female, and not having any job. Mean MCS scores were significantly lower among participants who reported having older age, not having any job, not working/ less working hours (≤8 h/day), as well as increased work-related stress in the current urban slum. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that available urban social protection programs should include a comprehensive social safety net for the improvement of the slum infrastructure as well as proper health care and risk mitigation plans at workplaces.

The Lived Experiences of Community Health Workers Serving in a Large-Scale Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Intervention Trial in Rural Bangladesh.

Community health workers (CHWs) are key to implementing community-based health interventions and quality can be enhanced by better understanding their lived experiences. The WASH Benefits, Bangladesh trial engaged 540 female CHWs to promote varying health intervention packages. We report on factors influencing their lived experiences during the trial, to aid future recruitment, training and retention of CHWs. Nine focus groups and 18 in-depth interviews were conducted with CHWs. Focus groups and interviews were transcribed and thematic content analysis performed to summarize the results. All CHWs described experiencing positive working conditions and many benefits both socially and financially; these contributed to their retention and job satisfaction. Their honorarium was commonly applied towards their children's education and invested for income generation. CHWs gained self-confidence as women, to move unaccompanied in the community and speak in public. They earned respect from the community and their family members who helped them manage their family obligations during work and were viewed as a resource for advice on health and social issues. Many participated in family decision-making from which they were previously excluded. Health programs should foster a positive experience among their CHWs to aid the recruitment, retention and development of this important human resource.

Development of undergraduate nursing entrustable professional activities through using a participatory design approach.

BACKGROUND: Competencies represent sets of general abilities and attributes that graduating nurses must acquire. Most nursing programs adopt competency based assessment and training approaches to prepare their students to enter the clinical environment. However, some concern has been raised regarding their interpretation and implementation in everyday clinical training. To operationalize competencies for better use in clinical practice, the Entrustable Professional Activities framework (EPAs) was introduced in 2005 by ten Cate. AIM: The aim of this study is to develop a framework of EPAs for an Undergraduate Nursing Program. METHOD: Through using a participatory action design approach, the participants developed a set of EPAs linked with competencies for an Undergraduate Nursing Program. Thematic analysis was performed, and EPAs framework validity was constructed. RESULT: A total of eight core EPAs were developed and each one was operationalized by a brief description and nested within the related core competency domains. Supervision levels and entrustment decisions were determined. CONCLUSION: The development of EPAs specific to undergraduate nursing programs may offer the opportunity to have standardized language to evaluate students' progress toward competency in nursing. It is recommended to conduct further research to improve the developed EPAs.

Experience with Airway Management and Sequencing of Repair of Panfacial Fractures: A Single Tertiary Healthcare Appraisal in Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Special cooperation is required among surgeons and anesthetists in airway management during repair of panfacial fractures, due to problems of shared airway and occlusion. Several methods have been proposed for airway management and sequencing of repair of panfacial fractures. The main objective of the current study was to share our experience in the airway management and sequencing of repair of panfacial fractures. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of panfacial fractures in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 2008 to December 2018. Data collected included demographics, type of airway management, sequence of repair (as primary variables), and outcome of surgery (secondary variable), while surgeon and anesthetic expertise are confounders. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows Version 25 (Armonk, NY, USA: IBM Corp). Results were presented as simple frequencies and descriptive statistics. Pearson Chi-square was used to compare categorical variables such as airway management and sequencing of repair with the panfacial fractures. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Overall, 1057 patients sustained different categories of maxillofacial bone fractures with 23 females and 1034 males (M:F of 46:1). A total of 43 male patients out of 1057 patients had panfacial fractures during the study period, giving a prevalence rate of 4.1%. Only the 43 male patients with panfacial fractures were analyzed. All cases were as a result of motor vehicular accident. Six (13.9%) patients had tracheostomy while 37 (86.1%) patients had submental intubation. "Bottom-up" and "outside-in" approach was used in 33 (76.7%) patients, while "top-bottom" and "inside-out" approach was used in 10 (23.3%) patients. DISCUSSION: Submental intubation was the major airway management of panfacial fracture, and "bottom-up" and "outside-in" approach was the main sequence of repair in our series. These approaches have been mentioned in the literature. CONCLUSION: From our study, victims of pan-facial fractures were found to be exclusively male with MVA as the sole etiological factor. Barring severe head injuries, which may necessitate the use of tracheostomy to sustain breathing over a longer period, submental intubation is extremely reliable as a mode of airway management during surgical treatment of panfacial fractures. The sequencing of repair of panfacial fractures can only be determined according to the case presentation rather than a predetermined one.