In Bangladesh, morbidity and mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has increased over the last few decades. Hypertension is an important risk factor for NCDs, specifically cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to assess prevalence and risk factors for hypertension and prehypertension among adults in Bangladesh. Data for this analysis were collected during the national NCD Risk Factor Survey of Bangladesh conducted in 2010 from a representative sample of men and women, aged 25 years or above. The survey adopted a multistage, geographically clustered, probability-based sampling approach. WHO STEPS questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, behavioral risk factors, and physical measurements. Overall, 20% of the study population were hypertensive at study measurement. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age and body mass index(BMI). Twelve percent of the population were previously diagnosed with hypertension. Among these individuals, nearly half were not taking any medications to control their hypertension. Additionally, the prevalence of pre-hypertension was 43%, with higher levels among males, older age groups, and those with higher education, higher wealth index and high BMI. Predictors of hypertension, included older age, high BMI and diabetes comorbidity. Based on this study, we estimate that 1 out of 5 Bangladeshi adults have hypertension. The risk of hypertension increases with older age and high BMI. Additionally, prevalence of pre-hypertension is high in Bangladesh in both rural and urban areas. Findings from this study can be used to inform public health programming to control the spread of NCDs in Bangladesh.

Background Alcohol use is a risk factor for the development of noncommunicable diseases. National data are needed to assess the prevalence of alcohol use in the Bangladeshi population. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and patterns of alcohol use among men and women of rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. Additionally, predictors of ever alcohol use were also identified. Methods A nationally representative cross-sectional survey (STEPS 2010) was conducted on 9275 adults between November 2009 and April 2010. Participants were selected using multi-stage random cluster sampling. Data on several risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, including alcohol use, were collected by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results Among the total population, 5.6% (n = 519) reported to have ever drunk alcohol and 94.4% (8756) were lifetime abstainers; 2.0% (n = 190) of participants reported to have drunk alcohol within the last 12 months. Of these, 94.7% (n = 180) were men. Only 0.9% (n = 87) of the total population had drunk alcohol within the last 30 days and were categorized as current drinkers. Among current drinkers, 77.0% (n = 67) were defined as binge drinkers, having had at least one episode of heavy drinking in this time period; 92.0% (n = 80) were current smokers and 59.8% (n = 52) had either no formal education or less than primary school education. Ever alcohol use was more common among men, those who live in urban areas and smokers. Conclusion Alcohol use is low in Bangladesh; however, those who do use alcohol frequently binge drink, which is a public health concern. Targeted efforts should be made on these specific groups, to control and prevent the continued use of alcohol in Bangladesh.

Melioidosis is not widely recognized in Bangladesh which is evident from the paucity of published reports on melioidosis from this region. Here, we summarize the clinical presentation, laboratory results, prevention and control policies and make important recommendations for patient management. A 35-years-old diabetic male forest officer from Gazipur Sadar located north-west of Dhaka city got admitted to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka with history of recurrent fever for last 1 year. Initially the fever was high grade (upto 105 0 F), intermittent nature and lasted for a few days to week. About five months back, the patient developed a parietal abscess over the left lumber region and was treated surgically accordingly. The patient then gradually recovered and remained afebrile for about one month. Fever again recurred, high grade, quotidian in nature and has been persistent for the last 3 months. The patient had also developed marked loss of appetite, altered bowel habit with occasional vomiting and lost about 15kg of his body weight. The patient noticed profuse watery diarrhea for last 2 days and got himself admitted. On examination, the patient was found wasted, conscious but slow mentation, dehydrated and moderately anaemic. His pulse was 116/min, blood pressure 80/60 mm Hg, respiration 24/min and oral temperature was 103 0 F but no palpable lymph nodes. The patient had moderate hepato-splenomegaly with left sided pleural effusion and bilateral depressed ankle jerks. Burkholderia pseudomallei was isolated and identified by blood and urine culture as well as with serological test. We should be more alert among the diabetic patients who are presented with fever with high ESR and neutrophilic leucocytosis, even if radiography or cytopathology is indicative of tuberculosis. [Bangladesh J Infect Dis 2015;2(1):23-26]

Background: We report relationship of wealth indices with self-reported diabetes data in Bangladeshi people. As a secondary objective we examine whether educational achievement can be used as a proxy of wealth indices. Methods: We have analyzed data of a nationally representative STEPS survey (STEPwise Surveillance of NCD risk factors) done in 2010 in 8808 adults selected at their households using a multistage cluster sampling approach to describe association of socioeconomic status with diabetes mellitus. We created wealth indices using principal component analysis based on a 20-item household asset items; and then divided subjects in to quartiles. Results: Prevalence of documented diabetes was 3.9% but it was more than 11 times (9.3%) in the fourth quartile (richest) compared to the first quartile (0.8%). This may either mean that the detection rate is higher among the higher socioeconomic group or there are some intervening factors accompanied by the economic achievements that favors occurrence or detection of diabetes in Bangladeshi adults. Conclusion: Future studies need to identify the factor(s) that provides such a putative effect. Educational achievement also has shown similar trend. Therefore, education might be a proxy variable to determine socioeconomic status instead of a long list of household asset items. Cardiovasc. j. 2020; 13(1): 52-55

Background: Health care providers have different attitude and practice about the snake bite in rural community of Bangladesh.Objective: The purpose of the present study was to know the attitude and practice about the snake bite in rural community of Bangladesh.Methodolgoy: The findings from survey study on snake bite have been elicited from face to face interview with 243 number of medical professionals/health service providers consisting of 113 number of MBBS doctors, 86 number of nurses and 46 number of other health practitioners. The study area consisted of 5 zillasadar hospitals and 15 upazilla health complexes. This study aims to assess the Attitude and Practice of snakebite in rural community and effective management of snake bite through community engagement and using health care system of Bangladesh approach for prevention of snakebite in rural community and effective management of snake bite for the rural Bangladeshi people. It uses the methodological triangulation qualitative and quantitative approach as well as a case study design in analyzing data, whereby the exploratory-descriptive design is followed.Result: We purposively select the 243 sample (Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics ,Others) from the selected districts and its consisting random upazillas from the govt. sector hospitals keeping in mind gender balance (Male-Female) as a primary total target population. So in total, 5 division and its consisting random upazilas hospital including union health complex hospital personnel (From District, Upazilla& Community Hospitals)will be interviewed throughout mention areas of Bangladesh. The findings show that 60.1% of doctors, 50.0% of nurses and 56.8% of practitioners have a notion that the snake bite victims would go to Ozha followed by 11.5% of doctors, 4.7% of nurses and 11.4% of practitioners have a notion that they would go to the local healers and that of 26.5% of doctors, 41.9% of nurses and 32.9% of practitioners mentioned that the snake bite victims would go to doctors. The findings show that 69.0% of doctors, 64.0% of nurses and 56.8% of practitioners will recommend not to apply ‘ tight bandage’ to victim’s snake bite spot and 67.3% of doctors, 65.1% of nurses and 13.6% of practitioners will recommend not to apply ‘Suction by mouth or chick’ to victim’s snake bite spot. The findings show that 82.3% of doctors, 90.7% of nurses and 70.5% of practitioners applied first aid to the snake bite victim as their common practice.Conclusion: Majority of health professionals are well informed regarding harmful traditions and measuresJournal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2018;4(1): 28-32

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J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll ?Volume 2 Number 2 December 2010 ? Page 18-23 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v2i2.12048

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