Objective This study was aimed to assess the perceived fear of COVID-19 and its associated factors among older adults in Bangladesh. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2020 among 1032 older Bangladeshi adults aged ≥60 years. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on participants’ characteristics and COVID-19 related information. Perceived fear of COVID-19 was measured using the seven-item Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), where the cumulative score ranged from 7 to 35. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with perceived fear of COVID-19. Results The mean fear score was 19.4. Participants who were concerned about COVID-19 (β: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.71 to 3.78) and overwhelmed by COVID-19 (β: 3.31, 95% CI: 2.33 to 4.29) were significantly more likely to be fearful of COVID-19. Moreover, older adults who felt themselves isolated from others and whose close friends and family members were diagnosed with COVID-19 were more fearful. However, the participants who received COVID-19 related information from the health workers had a lower level of fear (β: -1.90, 95% CI: − 3.06 to − 0.73). Conclusions The presence of overwhelming fear of COVID-19 among the older adults of Bangladesh underlines the psychological needs of these vulnerable groups. Health workers have a key role in addressing these needs and further research is needed to identify the effective strategies for them to use.

Aim This study aimed to assess the fear of COVID-19 and its associates among older Rohingya (Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals or FDMNs) in Bangladesh. Method We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 416 older FDMNs aged 60 years and above living in camps of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on participants’ socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics, pre-existing non-communicable chronic conditions, and COVID-19 related information. Level of fear was measured using the seven-item Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) with the cumulative score ranged from 7 to 35. A multiple linear regression examined the factors associated with fear. Results Among 416 participants aged 60 years or above, the mean fear score was 14.8 (range 8–28) and 88.9% of the participants had low fear score. Participants who were concerned about COVID-19 (β: 0.63, 95% CI: -0.26 to 1.53) and overwhelmed by COVID-19 (β: 3.54, 95% CI: 2.54 to 4.55) were significantly more likely to be fearful of COVID-19. Other factors significantly associated with higher level of fear were lesser frequency of communication during COVID-19, difficulty in obtaining food during COVID-19, perception that older adults are at highest risk of COVID-19 and receiving COVID-19 related information from Radio/television and friends/family/neighbours. Conclusions Our study highlighted that currently there little fear of COVID-19 among the older Rohingya FDMNs. This is probably due to lack of awareness of the severity of the disease in. Dissemination of public health information relevant to COVID-19 and provision of mental health services should be intensified particularly focusing on the individual who were concerned, overwhelmed or fearful of COVID-19. However, further qualitative research is advised to find out the reasons behind this.

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Abstract:A cross sectional comparative study was carried out to compare the nutritional status between the vegetarian and non-vegetarian individuals. The study was conducted among 100 respondents (50 vegetarian and 50 non-vegetarian) at Tangail sadar upazilla in Tangail district to assess their nutritional status by collecting anthropometric and socio-demographic data, dietary intake pattern as well as hygienic and clinical information. Among the respondents all the vegetarian were Hindu and majority of the non-vegetarian were Muslim (70%). The study found that nutritional status of 72% vegetarian and 62% nonvegetarian were normal. According to this study 4% vegetarian and 12% non-vegetarian respondents were underweight and 26% non-vegetarian and 24% vegetarian respondents were overweight respectively. Mean heights of vegetarian respondents was 161.62cm and mean weight 59.78 kg whereas mean height and weight of the non-vegetarian respondents were 158.62cm and 57.14 kg respectively. The study observed the food habits of the respondents. Vegetarian respondents consumed more leafy and non-leafy vegetables, pulses, and dairy based products avoiding egg, meat, and fish. Besides 64% non-vegetarian consumed fish and 24% consumed egg daily and 64% consumed meat weekly. The study findings strengthen the notion that the nutritional status of the vegetarian respondents are better than non-vegetarian due to their health consciousness and food intake pattern.