Temporal trends of diarrheal diseases and associated treatment responses among children aged under five: Insight from the multiple Indicator Cluster surveys from 2006 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant progress in its health sector, Bangladesh has a high burden of diarrheal mortality and morbidity in the South Asian region. Given recent major social and economic transitions in Bangladesh, it is important to examine how patterns of diarrhea and its treatment have evolved over the past few decades. The current study aims to assess the temporal changes in the frequency of diarrhea and identify the factors that influence whether affected children receive proper treatment. METHODS: The current study utilized data from three Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), 2006, 2012-13, and 2019, respectively. Binary logistic regressions were conducted, and the reported results included odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence of diarrhea in Bangladesh declined from 7.05% in 2006 to 3.91% in 2012-13, but then increased to 8.78% in 2019. The proportion of children with diarrhea who received oral rehydration therapy (ORT) was 68.91%, 77.35%, and 70.59% respectively. Binary logistic regression indicated that older children (OR:0.54; CI:0.51-0.58), females (OR:0.92; CI:0.86-0.98), children from upper quintile families, and children from mothers having primary education (OR:0.9; CI:0.83-0.98) were less likely to suffer from diarrhea. However, the odds of receiving proper treatment with ORT were higher among older children (OR:1.45; CI:1.26-1.68), children from the rich and richest quintiles (OR:1.85; CI:1.47-2.32 and OR:1.7; CI:1.32-2.2 respectively). Also, it was the same for children from mothers with primary (OR:1.19; CI:1.01-1.41) and secondary or above education (OR:1.32; CI:1.12-1.56). CONCLUSION: A targeted approach is needed to reduce diarrhea and promote the use of ORT. Maternal education can be an important intervention, and steps should be taken to reduce poverty. Future policies should consider strategies focusing on socioeconomic and environmental factors.

Effects of diabetes mellitus on retreatment of Tuberculosis: A multi-centered case-control study from Bangladesh.

Objectives: Several studies suggested that diabetes mellitus (DM) worsens the tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcome. But information regarding the association of DM with retreatment of TB is very scarce in Bangladesh. Present study aimed to assess the effects of DM on retreatment of TB. Methods: This case-control study was conducted among 254 patients (127 cases and 127 controls) from January 2022 - December 2022. Patients were recruited by purposive sampling from 92 centers of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS). Data were collected by face-to-face interview and record reviewing with the help of semi-structured questionnaire and checklist respectively. Quality of data was maintained in all stages of the study. Data were analyzed by using IBM SPSS software. Informed written consent was taken from each patient prior to the study. Ethical issues were maintained strictly. Results: Present study matched the age and sex of cases and controls. The study revealed that majority of case (89.0) and controls (97.6) were married. Among cases 78.0 % had DM and among controls 64.6 % had DM. Among diabetic patients, 78.8 % cases' and 64.6 % controls' HbA1C level was not within normal range. The study found that, the number of episodes of previous TB (AOR = 3.088, ρ = 0.019), presence of DM (AOR = 2.817, ρ = 0.012) and uncontrolled HbA1C level (AOR = 2.500, ρ = 0.028) were independently associated with retreatment of TB. Conclusion: The study found that presence of DM, uncontrolled HbA1C level and multiple episodes of previous TB were the risk factors for retreatment of TB. So, a separate guideline for treatment of TB-DM patients should be established to prevent retreatment cases.

Skin-to-skin contact and early initiation of breast feeding in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study using MICS6, Bangladesh (2019) data.

BACKGROUND: To curb neonatal deaths, practices such as skin-to-skin contact (SSC) and early initiation of breast feeding (EIBF) can play an important role. Despite being effective, globally only 48% of newborns receive EIBF, and SSC is practised at varying prevalence (1%-74%) among low-income and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the current study was to estimate the level of SSC and EIBF practice in Bangladesh and examine factors associated with SSC and EIBF. METHODS: The cross-sectional study used data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Bangladesh (2019). Women of reproductive age with live birth during the last 2 years were included in the analysis (n=8854). A p<0.05 as considered statistically significant (significance level of α=0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence of SSC and EIBF was 16.4% and 70.4%, respectively. Higher secondary or more level of education (AOR 1.43; 95% CI 1. 07 to 1.90; p=0.016), skilled birth attendant's (SBA) assistance at birth (AOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.60 to 2.61; p<0.001) and receiving antenatal care (AOR 1.40; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.70; p<0.001) had higher odds of practising SSC. Having institutional delivery (AOR 0.35; 95% CI 0.28 to 0.43; p<0.001) and belonging to the richest category (AOR 0.78; 95% CI 0.65 to 0.94; p=0.008) had lower odds of practising EIBF. SSC and EIBF did not have a statistically significant association in the study. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SSC in Bangladesh is quite low. However, EIBF prevalence can be considered as 'good'. Targeted interventions such as antenatal care, and assistance by SBA during birth can help in promoting SSC. To promote EIBF practice, interventions should focus on institutes providing delivery support and the richer strata of the society.

Health-related quality of life of the adult COVID-19 patients following one-month illness experience since diagnosis: Findings of a cross-sectional study in Bangladesh.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stances an incredible impact on the quality of life and denigrates the physical and mental health of the patients. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of COVID-19 patients. We conducted this study at the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM) of Bangladesh for the period of June to November 2020. All the COVID-19 patients diagnosed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay in July 2020 formed the sampling frame. The study enrolled 1204 adult (aged >18 years) COVID-19 patients who completed a one-month duration of illness after being RT-PCR positive. The patients were interviewed with the CDC HRQOL-14 questionnaire to assess HRQOL. Data were collected by telephone interview on the 31st day of being diagnosed and by reviewing medical records using a semi-structured questionnaire and checklist. Around two-thirds (72.3%) of the COVID-19 patients were males and a half (50.2%) were urban residents. In 29.8% of patients, the general health condition was not good. The mean (±SD) duration of physical illness and mental illness was 9.83(±7.09) and 7.97(±8.12) days, respectively. Most of the patients (87.0%) required help with personal care, and 47.8% required assistance with routine needs. The mean duration of 'healthy days' and 'feeling very healthy' was significantly lower in patients with increasing age, symptoms, and comorbidity. The mean duration of 'usual activity limitation', 'health-related limited activity', 'feeling pain/worried', and 'not getting enough rest' were significantly higher among patients' having symptoms and comorbidity. 'Not so good' health condition was significantly higher in females (OR = 1.565, CI = 1.01-2.42) and those having a symptom (OR = 32.871, CI = 8.06-134.0) of COVID-19 and comorbidity (OR = 1.700, CI = 1.26-2.29). Mental distress was significantly higher among females (OR = 1.593, CI = 1.03-2.46) and those having a symptom (OR = 4.887, CI = 2.58-9.24). Special attention should be given to COVID-19 patients having symptoms and comorbidity to restore their general health, quality of life, and daily activities.

Impact of childhood cancer on the family: evidence from Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: The care of children with cancer creates emotional, financial, and social impacts for their families. Information on the impact of childhood cancer (CC) on the family is scarce in Bangladesh. Thus, the study was set out to assess the impact of CC on the families in the local context. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2018 in three purposively selected tertiary hospitals. All the children diagnosed and treated at those hospitals during the study period were eligible for this study. Children undergoing bone marrow transplantation, or those who were seriously ill, or those transferred to another hospital, or those who died were excluded or whose parents were not willing to participate. A total of 242 children were enrolled in the study and their parents were included in the interview. Measures included socio-demographic attributes, financial burden, personal strain, social impact, mastery, and treatment cost. Informed written consent was obtained from the parents and a face-to-face interview was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire based on (i) About you and your-family and (ii) the Impact-On-Family (IOF) scale. High scores of the scale correlated to high impact. Medical records were reviewed to collect data on the pattern of CC and treatment costs. RESULTS: Major CCs included leukemia (36.0%), blastoma (18.2%), sarcoma (14.9%), and lymphoma (12.4%). The weighted score was highest for mastery (3.63) followed by financial burden (3.33), personal strain (3.27), and social impact (3.21) domains. The difference of IOFS score was significant by family type (p < 0.05), father's occupation (p < 0.05), type (p < 0.01) and duration of cancer (p < 0.01), and treatment cost (p˂0.01). Families adopted diverse coping strategies including changed lifestyle (98.3%), sought social support (86.0%), rely more on religion (98.8%), and reduced family investment (83.9%) to adjust the impact. CONCLUSION: The impact of CC on the family is evident at many levels. In particular, mean scores of financial burden, personal strain, social impact, and mastery domains of the IOF scale were significantly associated with the employment status of parents, residing place, treatment cost, type, and duration of cancer. The study findings could contribute to devising impact-reducing intervention programs in Bangladesh.