Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) in children is increasingly becoming an important cause of global child morbidity and mortality. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical spectrum of TB in children under the age of 15 years and document any changes that occur over time. Materials & Methods: This observational study was conducted in the pediatric outpatient department (OPD) of 250 Bedded TB Hospital, Shyamoli, Dhaka, from October'2016 to January'2017. A total 71 children of both sex up to 15 years of age, who were diagnosed as having TB and attended the pediatric OPD of TB hospital during the four months study period were enrolled. The data was analyzed on the basis of patient's age, gender, socioeconomic status, mode of presentation, BCG vaccination status, history of contact with smear positive TB patient, clinical findings, investigations and associated co-morbidities. Results: This study revealed that among the 71 cases of TB, (72%) had extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB) and (28%) had pulmonary TB (PTB), the commonest age group was 6 to 15 years with male preponderance (51%). Pulmonary TB was diagnosed mostly clinically (60%) followed by positive sputum smear result (20%), gastric aspirate for acid-fast bacilli AFB (5%) and sputum for Gene Xpert (5%). Distribution of extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB) according to the organ involvement was TB lymphadenitis (49%), osteoarticular TB (19.6%) and abdominal TB (5.9%). Cervical lymphadenopathy was the commonest presentation (76%) among the EPTB cases. Tuberculin skin test (TST) was positive in (69%) cases. Among the total cases (90%) children had TB alone whereas (10%) had other co-morbid disease along with TB. Conclusion: Extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB) was more prevalent among the childhood TB cases in a tertiary level set up Md. Mozammel Haque et al.: Pattern of Childhood Tuberculosis in the Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Level Hospital in Dhaka City where cervical TB lymphadenitis was the commonest.

Introduction: Hypertension is a crucial health problem and chronic disease in both developed and underdeveloped countries. Without prevention and treatment it may lead to life threatening complication of vital organs and patient's disability. Objective: Assessing patient's knowledge, their attitude and lifestyle practices on hypertension who suffered from stroke was the primary objective. The secondary objectives were to assess the compliance of hypertensive patients, their beliefs and misconceptions, awareness and practices on hypertension and the demographic and personal characteristics of the participants. Materials & methods: This cross sectional observational study conducted in Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital involving 100 adult patients who were hypertensive for at least 2 years and presented with stroke confirmed by CT scan of brain. Data was collected by structured questionnaire. Part of the questionnaire was taken from 'WHO STEP wise approach' to chronic disease surveillance which was translated into Bengali for better understanding. Chi-square test was used to analyze the data with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Maximum numbers of hypertensive patient who suffered from stroke were between 45-54 years (41%). Minimum age 38 years and maximum age 80 years, mean age 52.02±8.26 (SD) years. Male patients were 55 (55%) and female 45 (45%) & male: female was 1.2:1 Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 156.07±16.61 (SD) and 89.84±9.78 (SD) mm of Hg respectively. Sixty percent (60%) of the study population had knowledge on hypertension and (49%) had knowledge on the risk factors. Tobacco smoking (100%) and lack of physical activity (95.9%) were identified as the common risk factors. Patients who reported to be doing physical exercise were (57%) and smoking (26%). Irregular antihypertensive was taken by (30%) of the patients and (33%) could not mention about the medication. Conclusion: A vast majority of the hypertensive patients still have poor knowledge on hypertension, risk factors, and lifestyle practices. It is necessary to implement effective educational strategies directed towards the patients and public so that they can avoid the risk factors, hence reducing the prevalence of hypertension.