Bangladesh is grappling with the largest mass poisoning of a population in the world due to contamination of drinking water with naturally occurring inorganic arsenic. It is estimated that 75 million people of 59 (out of 64) districts are at risk of drinking contaminated water with arsenic above 50μg/L. Long term exposure to arsenic causes cancers, including skin, lung, and bladder. This is a randomized prospective study to see the prevalence of skin cancer from arsenic affected area of Bangladesh, as well as their variation by geographical area, age, gender, location on the body, and socioeconomic conditions, in outpatient department of plastic surgery unit of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). A total of 960 patients with skin cancers comprised of 528 males and 432 females were selected for the study from January 2004 to December 2015. In this 12-year study, we found squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma to be associated with the ingestion of arsenic contaminated ground water. This is a reflection of a small part of the total national scenario of devastating result of arsenic mediated cancer in terms of skin malignancy. This study will help the future researchers who are contemplating to work on arsenic induced health problem.

Background: The sudden onset of COVID-19 began in late 2019 caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-COV2) and on 11th March, WHO declared it to have developed pandemic status. There is still no specific treatment and vaccine available for COVID-19; causing wide spread health problem and concern of the globe. Povidone iodine (PVP-I) is an antiseptic that has been used for over 150 years. It is already proved that different concentration of PVP-I can deactivate COVID-19 virus. Methodology: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, out of 1113 patients 606 patients were enrolled and divided in 2 groups by randomization after taken consents. In Gr-A, 303 patients underwent mouthwash/gargle, nasal drops and eye drops with 1% povidone iodine 4 hourly for 4 weeks as well as symptomatic treatment according to need. In Gr-B 303 patients were advised mouthwash/gargle, nasal cavity and eye wash with lukewarm water 4 hourly for 4 weeks and symptomatic treatment according to need. RT-PCR test done every 3rd, 5th and 7th day and Thyroid hormone level (TSH,T3, T4, FT4) at 4th week for follow up. Results: The group of patients used 1% PVP-I have shown tremendously reduced mortality, morbidity and hospital as well as financial burden in this covid situation. Conclusion: Administration of 1% PVP-I as mouthwash/gargle, nasal or eye drop is simple, rapid and cost effective in reduction of mortality and morbidity by COVID-19. Bioresearch Commu. 7(1): 919-923, 2021 (January)

Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness is an imperative intervention which has proven to reduce delays in care seeking behavior in case of obstetric emergencies. Although, many pregnant women and their families do not take the suggested steps to prepare for childbirth, despite of being known of them. Additionally, marked disparities often have been observed between rural and urban areas, with more maternal and neonatal deaths occurring in the rural areas owing to the unpreparedness. This study thus set out to assess and compare the knowledge, practice and factors associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness among women from rural and urban areas in Bangladesh. Methodology: A cross-sectional comparative study design have been undertaken among 250 rural and 240 urban women in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh and Shaheed Sayed Nazrul Islam Medical College and Hospital, Kishoreganj, Dhaka over a period of 6 months from 1st October 2020 to 30th March 2021. All pregnant women who attended in the antenatal clinic of SSNIMCH and SSMCH for the first time during the study period was include in the study. Quantitative data was collected by the use of semi structured questionnaires adapted from the safe motherhood questionnaire, developed by maternal and neonatal Programme of Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO) an affiliate of John Hopkins University. Result: Birth preparedness and complication readiness was evident in 34.17% of the urban and 30.4% of the rural respondents. Urban women were statistically significantly more aware of the danger signs of pregnancy, labour and postpartum period (p<0.001). Selection of place of delivery, arrangement of transportation, emergency fund and blood donor was the most important actions taken as part of birth preparedness both in rural and urban respondents. Null birth preparedness was observed among 28.0% of the rural respondents compared to 2.50% of the urban respondents. The decision regarding the place of delivery was taken mostly by their husband both in urban and rural sub sets. Thus, this study findings showed low practice of BPACR both among urban and rural community while rural people showed more inaction than urban people. Bioresearch Commu. 8(2): 1100-1105, 2022 (July)

Background: Consultant Couple Interactive (CCI) session is an interactive session held weekly between service provider and the infertile couple. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of CCI sessions on fertility outcome. Methodology: This mixed method study was conducted from May 2009 to August 2012. The samples were collected from a primary care center at Bheramara upazila of district of Kushtia on couples attending during that period. The qualitative part was performed on couples by asking open-ended questions as well as the focus group discussion (FGD). For quantitative part, a preformed data collection sheet (questionnaire) was used to collect data through face to face interview. Results: A total number of 275 couples were studied. For qualitative study, 55(20%) couples were selected, of them 41 participated. In a single focused group up to 6 (12 persons) couples were included. Among the 41 couples, 61% had primary and in 39% had secondary infertility. All the respondents were exposed to CCI sessions but 186 (67.6%) were treated with only with CCI. Out of the remaining 53 (19.3%), needed ovulation inducing oral drugs, 5 (1.8%) were treated with metformin and the others required medical and surgical treatments in different combination according to need. Out of 275 respondents, 112 (40.7%) conceived and among the conceived group, 72 (64.3%) conceived only following CCI. From the seven FGDs, it was revealed that most of the couples followed the advices provided during CCI session, majority were able to improve the relationship among partners and two third of the respondents could relieve 75% of environmental pressure exerted on them. Conclusion: The consultant couple interactive session has significant effect on fertility outcome among infertile couples. Bioresearch Commu. 8(2): 1143-1148, 2022 (July)

Introduction: Granulomatous mastitis is a very significant chronic breast infection poses a lot of challenge for diagnosis and management. Treatment options are ranging from various medical management to different surgical procedure. However, none of the treatment strategy is considered as standard so far. In this study, we showed some investigations and management options for chronic breast infections. Materials and methods: It is a randomized clinical trial done in BIRDEM (Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation of Diabetic Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders) Hospital and Ibrahim Medical College from July 2013 to June 2020. We enrolled patients on basis of histopathological report of chronic breast infected patients. Gene X-pert for tuberculosis, MT (Montoux Test) and bacterial culture was done in all enrolled patients. Results: A total of 165 female patients were enrolled in this study. Patient’s age was between 13-68 years with mean age 31.5 years. Maximum 44.85% (76) cases were found in 20-30 yeas age group. Most common clinical presentation non healing discharging ulcer 51.52% (85) followed by mass with abscess 26.02% (43) and mass with sinus 22.42% (37). Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologically. Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis was found in 58.79 %( 97) patients and Tubercular Mastitis in 41.21% (68) patients. Tubercular Mastitis was treated by standard Anti tubercular drugs in 23.72% (37) patients and by additional oral methyl prednisolone in 18.79% (31). 21.82% (36) Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis was treated with oral methyl prednisolone and sensitive antibiotic, whereas 36.97% (61) patients needed additional oral methotrexate. Different type of surgical procedures needed in both infections to achieve the goal. Conclusion: We want to share our experience regarding diagnosis and management of different chronic breast infections and final outcome of management Bioresearch Commu. 8(2): 1156-1159, 2022 (July)