Demographic Characteristics of Patients with Breast Cancer in Bangladesh: A Single-Centre Study.

We performed this study to investigate the socio-demographic factors of breast cancer patients of Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2018 to September 2019 for a period of one (1) year. All consecutive cases of breast carcinoma admitted in hospital and attended at outpatient department during the study period were selected as study population. Total 50 patients were selected. The mean age of the study patients was 51.1. Maximum number (70.0% cases) of breast cancer was belonged in 4th to 5th decade aged group. 70.0% breast cancer patients were housewives. The most of the breast carcinoma was reported in the urban people which were 78.0% cases. The percentage of educated study population was 80.0%. On religious background, 86.0% cases of breast cancer patients were Muslim. Most of breast cancer patients were sporadic in origin 94.0% cases, had no family history of breast cancer. Breast cancer was mostly distributed in pre-menopausal aged group with 82.0% cases. Ninety percent (90.0%) of the study population was come from middle class socio-economic group. In western countries, incidence of breast cancer is more in elderly aged menopause women with high socio-economic class. In this study the breast carcinoma was most prevalent among educated urban Muslim pre-menopausal housewives of age group 4th to 5th decade and most of them belonged to middle socio-economic class. The socio-demographic factors of breast cancer patients in Bangladesh are disparate from western countries in age standard, social class group and menstrual status.

Suicidal Behaviors among Bangladeshi Nurses: A Cross-sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Though, suicide is a preventable public health problem but prediction is almost impossible. Nevertheless, past suicidal behaviors are important risk factors which should be considered to prevent deaths by suicides. We aimed to explore the suicidal behaviors among currently employed nurses working in a referral hospital of Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted from August to September 2018 among 203 currently working nurses of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected by face to face interview with pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 20.0. Among the 203 respondents; 175 were female and 28 were male, whose mean age was 28.96±4.08 years, ranging from 22-40 year. About 71% were married, 75% had educational attainment of diploma in nursing, 2% had family history of mental illness and suicide, and another one percent had family history of suicidal attempts. Prevalence of life time suicidal ideation was found as 10%, one-year prevalence rate 4%, one month 2% and within last two days it was found as 1.5%. Mean age of onset of suicidal ideation of the respondents was 23.81±4.9 year ranging from 17-35 year. Late adolescence was found as the entry time of the suicidal thoughts among this specific group. About one in ten nurses had suicidal ideation in their life time. Further larger scale and longitudinal studies are warranted to find out more precise information.

Preparation of Hierarchical Porous Activated Carbon from Banana Leaves for High-performance Supercapacitor: Effect of Type of Electrolytes on Performance.

We demonstrate a facile efficient way to fabricate activated carbon nanosheets (ACNSs) consisting of hierarchical porous carbon materials. Simply heating banana leaves with K2 CO3 produce ACNSs having a unique combination of macro-, meso- and micropores with a high specific surface area of ∼1459 m2 g-1 . The effects of different electrolytes on the electrochemical supercapacitor performance and stability of the ACNSs are tested using a two-electrode system. The specific capacitance (Csp ) values are 55, 114, and 190 F g-1 in aqueous 0.5 M sodium sulfate, organic 1 M tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate in acetonitrile, and pure ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6 ]) electrolytes, respectively. The ACNSs also shows the largest potential window of 3.0 V, the highest specific energy (59 Wh kg-1 ) and specific power (750 W kg-1 ) in [BMIM][PF6 ]. A mini-prototype device is prepared to demonstrate the practicality of the ACNSs.

Evaluation of Surgical Site Infection among Post Cesarean Patients in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

Surgical site infection (SSI) in postnatal period is a noteworthy misery for the mother as well as the family increasing both hospital stay and hospital expenses. SSI in post cesarean patients has not been well documented in study area despite considerable number of cesarean section performed and the relatively common occurrence of SSI. Hence this cross sectional observational study was intended in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh (MMCH), Bangladesh among 100 patients to assess the risk factors of incisional SSI after cesarean section from March 2012 to February 2013. The patients diagnosed as SSI were enrolled purposively. Age, status of antenatal checkup, indication of operation, duration of operation, thickness of subcutaneous fat, character and bacteriological study of wound discharge, post operative day of detection of wound infection, status of hemoglobin were considered as major variables. Among the patients 96% underwent emergency cesarean section which were done 40% due to obstructed labour, 35% had prolonged labour and 26% had PROM more than 24 hours. Most of the infections (50%) were detected on 5th post operative day. Duration of operation was more than one hour in 35% cases, 65% patient's subcutaneous fat thickness was more than 2cm. Regarding wound discharge, 65% were serosanguinous. Organisms from wound swab were detected in 55% cases. Among those 85% infection occurred by Staphylococcus and 15% by E. coli. Moderate to severe anaemia was diagnosed in 75% patients. Maximum (80%) patients were not under regular antenatal check up. Finally it was revealed that emergency CS, obstructed labour, prolonged ruptured membrane, prolong duration of operation, anaemia, irregular antenatal check up are possible considerable risk factors for surgical site infection. Obstetrician should meticulously follow surgical safety checklist and ensure the essential safety steps into their normal operative workflow specially during handling the patients with risk factors. Encourage for regular ANC & improvement of host factor also should consider as remedial measures.

Tuberculosis in the workplace: developing partnerships with the garment industries in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVES: To implement and evaluate a public-private partnership model involving garment factories to reduce the tuberculosis (TB) burden in this workforce. DESIGN: We used operational research to develop and evaluate a mechanism for effective and sustainable TB control in workplaces in three areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Strategies, protocols, guides and tools were developed with stakeholders. We assessed the impact of the project using quantitative and qualitative measures: changes in TB outcomes were calculated using standard indicators based on factory and DOTS centre records; changes in TB care-seeking behaviour were assessed using qualitative in-depth interviews with factory managers and medical personnel, and focus group discussions with factory workers, including TB patients. FINDINGS: The project brought positive changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices of managers, workers and health care providers on TB care and control. During 2008-2010, a total of 3372 workers from a workforce of 69,000 were referred for sputum microscopy and 598 were diagnosed with smear-positive TB, 145 of whom received care at their workplace. The overall treatment success rate was 100%. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to engage factories in TB control activities in Bangladesh, and thereby increase case notifications and improve treatment outcomes.