Exploring the burden of postpartum depression in urban Bangladesh: Prevalence and its associations with pregnancy-related factors from a cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a globally recognized public health concern, yet research focusing on women in urban areas of Bangladesh remains unexplored. This study aimed to address this research gap by investigating the prevalence and associated factors of PPD within the first 2 years after childbirth. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 259 women (26.66 ± 4.57 years) residing in urban areas who were attending healthcare delivery centers. Sociodemographic factors, child-related issues, pregnancy-related complications, and PPD using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were used for data collection. Data analysis involved the application of χ 2 tests and logistic regression analysis using SPSS software. Results: This study found a 60.6% prevalence of PPD using a cutoff of 10 (out of 30) on the EPDS scale. Logistic regression analysis identified several significant factors associated with PPD, including high monthly family income (odds ratio [OR] = 47.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.34-270.54, p < 0.001), income dissatisfaction (OR = 14.28, 95% CI: 4.75-42.87, p < 0.001), up to two gravidities (OR = 2.94, 95% CI = 1.25-6.90, p = 0.013), pregnancy-related complications (OR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.05-6.96, p = 0.039), increased antenatal care visits, and higher childbirth expenses. Conclusion: This study underscores the high prevalence of PPD among urban mothers in Bangladesh. The identified risk factors emphasize the need for targeted mental health initiatives, specifically tailored to support the vulnerable group. Implementing such initiatives can effectively address the challenges posed by PPD and enhance the well-being of postpartum women in urban areas.

Prevalence and factors associated with digital addiction among students taking university entrance tests: a GIS-based study.

BACKGROUND: The surge in digital media consumption, coupled with the ensuing consequences of digital addiction, has witnessed a rapid increase, particularly after the initiation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite some studies exploring specific technological addictions, such as internet or social media addiction, in Bangladesh, there is a noticeable gap in research focusing on digital addiction in a broader context. Thus, this study aims to investigate digital addiction among students taking the university entrance test, examining its prevalence, contributing factors, and geographical distribution using GIS techniques. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional survey were collected from a total of 2,157 students who were taking the university entrance test at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. A convenience sampling method was applied for data collection using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 25 Version and AMOS 23 Version, whereas ArcGIS 10.8 Version was used for the geographical distribution of digital addiction. RESULTS: The prevalence of digital addiction was 33.1% (mean score: 16.05 ± 5.58). Those students who are attempting the test for a second time were more likely to be addicted (42.7% vs. 39.1%), but the difference was not statistically significant. Besides, the potential factors predicted for digital addiction were student status, satisfaction with previous mock tests, average monthly expenditure during the admission test preparation, and depression. No significant difference was found between digital addiction and districts. However, digital addiction was higher in the districts of Manikganj, Rajbari, Shariatpur, and Chittagong Hill Tract areas, including Rangamati, and Bandarban. CONCLUSIONS: The study emphasizes the pressing need for collaborative efforts involving educational policymakers, institutions, and parents to address the growing digital addiction among university-bound students. The recommendations focus on promoting alternative activities, enhancing digital literacy, and imposing restrictions on digital device use, which are crucial steps toward fostering a healthier digital environment and balanced relationship with technology for students.

Ultra-fast, low dose high-pitch (FLASH) versus prospectively-gated coronary computed tomography angiography: Comparison of image quality and patient radiation exposure.

BACKGROUND: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is increasingly being used for the evaluation of coronary artery disease; however, radiation exposure remains a major limitation of its use. OBJECTIVE: To compare image quality and radiation exposure in two groups of patients undergoing CCTA using a 256-slice dual-source helical computed tomography scanner with high-pitch (FLASH) or prospective [step-and-shoot (SAS)] gating protocols. METHODS: A prospective, single-center study was performed in our cardiac center. In total, 162 patients underwent CCTA with either FLASH or SAS scanning protocols. Subjective image quality was graded on the basis of a four-point grading system (1, non-diagnostic; 2, adequate; 3, good; 4, excellent). Objective image quality was assessed using image signal, noise, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The effective radiation dose was also estimated. RESULTS: The clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients in both groups were similar. The median age of the patients in both groups was 48.43 years, and males accounted for 63% and 68.7% of the FLASH and SAS groups, respectively. We found that the subjective image quality obtained with the FLASH protocol was superior to that obtained with the SAS protocol (3.35 ±â€¯0.6 mSv vs. 2.82 ±â€¯0.61 mSv; p < 0.001). Image noise was higher in the FLASH group but was not statistically significant (25.0 ±â€¯6.13 vs. 24.0 ±â€¯6.8; p = 0.10), whereas the signal and SNR was significantly higher with the FLASH protocol than with the SAS protocol [(469 ±â€¯116 vs. 397 ±â€¯106; p > 0.001) and (21.6 ±â€¯8.7 mSv vs. 16.6 ±â€¯7.7 mSv; p < 0.001), respectively]. Radiation exposure was 62% lower in the FLASH protocol than in the SAS protocol, (1.9 ±â€¯0.4 mSv vs. 5.12 ±â€¯1.8 mSv; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of 256-slice CCTA performed with the FLASH protocol has a better objective and subjective image quality as well as lower radiation exposure when compared with the use of prospective electrocardiography gating.

Patient's satisfaction with the dental care provided by dental students.

BACKGROUND: The success of an oral health service can be assessed by the degree of satisfaction of its patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction following comprehensive dental treatment provided by final year dental students at college of dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and to correlate the level of patient satisfaction with their post-treatment oral hygiene maintenance. METHODS: The required information for this cross-sectional was collected from patients using a self-answered questionnaire. A five point Likert scale was used (Strongly agree, agree, neither, disagree and strongly disagree) to evaluate the level of patient satisfaction. Clinical examination included assessment of oral hygiene status using 0111-S (Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified). RESULTS: Four hundred & forty-six patients who received comprehensive dental treatment at the student clinics during the past two years were contacted out of which 86 patient's (81% males and 19% females) participated. The overall patient's satisfaction score of 68.67±6.85 was highly satisfactory. The mean OHI-S score was 2.21±1.68. This showed a good to moderate level of oral hygiene among the participating patients. No statistically significant difference was found for the overall patient satisfaction score in relation to the age, gender, nationality and educational level. The post treatment oral hygiene status was significantly better in female patients compared to males. There was no statistically significant difference in OHI-S scores in relation to age, nationality and education level. The patient satisfaction scores and OHI-S score showed no correlation. CONCLUSION: The patients treated by the dental students at college of dentistry were highiy satisfied with their treatment. A good to moderate level f post treatment oral hygiene among the participating patients was recorded according to the