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Background: Bangladesh hosts more than 800,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. The low health immunity, lifestyle, access to good healthcare services, and social-security cause this population to be at risk of far more direct effects of COVID-19 than the host population. Therefore, evidence-based forecasting of the COVID-19 burden is vital in this regard. In this study, we aimed to forecast the COVID-19 obligation among the Rohingya refugees of Bangladesh to keep up with the disease outbreak’s pace, health needs, and disaster preparedness. Methodology and Findings: To estimate the possible consequences of COVID-19 in the Rohingya camps of Bangladesh, we used a modified Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) transmission model. All of the values of different parameters used in this model were from the Bangladesh Government’s database and the relevant emerging literature. We addressed two different scenarios, i.e., the best-fitting model and the good-fitting model with unique consequences of COVID-19. Our best fitting model suggests that there will be reasonable control over the transmission of the COVID-19 disease. At the end of December 2020, there will be only 169 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Rohingya refugee camps. The average basic reproduction number (R0) has been estimated to be 0.7563. Conclusions: Our analysis suggests that, due to the extensive precautions from the Bangladesh government and other humanitarian organizations, the coronavirus disease will be under control if the maintenance continues like this. However, detailed and pragmatic preparedness should be adopted for the worst scenario.

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Diarrhea is a leading cause of death among under five children in developing countries. The burden of child diarrhea in Bangladesh is still significant. Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) can limit the events. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of WASH education of mothers or caregivers on child diarrhea. A community-based randomized control trial was conducted in the selected households of a rural community in Dumki Upazila, Patuakhali from March-June 2019. A total of 202 mothers/caregivers received intervention and 202 did not receive intervention. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to gather information on household WASH activities and diarrheal cases. Baseline data were collected first from the intervention group before providing education. WASH messages were given to the intervention group by face-to-face discussion. Both groups were followed up for diarrheal episodes for 3 months. Diarrheal prevalence of intervening group is compared with that of baseline and control. The results revealed that diarrheal prevalence was 11.4% (95% CI: 7.4-16.59%), 4.0% (95% CI: 1.7-7.65%), and 14.9% (95% CI: 10.25-20.52%) in baseline, intervention, and control group, respectively. Also, diarrhea was found lower in the intervention group than baseline (Z = − 2.524; P value = 0.012) and control (Z = − 1.85; P value = 0.04). WASH interventions were found effective to reduce the diarrheal episodes among under five children in rural community. Further investigation is necessary to assess the long-term effect of such intervention in other similar settings.

INTRODUCTION Exclusive breastfeeding is balanced nutrition for growth and development of the infant, prevents stunting as well as protects from infectious and chronic diseases and has also potential to reduce infant mortality. Thus, the study aimed to assess maternal knowledge, attitudes and other factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 mothers of children aged ≤12 months in Mother and Child Hospital in Dhaka city, Bangladesh, from June to December 2019 using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected by face-to-face interview from hospital's outdoors, following simple random sampling process from hospital register list. Chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression models were used to explore the association. RESULTS The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 63.4% for mothers with children aged ≤12 months. Good knowledge (p<0.001) and positive attitude (p<0.01) on breastfeeding were significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices. Housewife (AOR=5.84; 95% CI: 2.42-14.13), literate (AOR=7.16; 95% CI: 1.3-39.36), family monthly income ≥15000 BDT (AOR=5.41; 95% CI: 1.78-16.47), normal delivery (AOR=13.58; 95% CI: 5.29-35.48) and hospital delivery (AOR=3.38; 95% CI: 1.24-9.23) mothers were more likely to follow exclusive breastfeeding practices compared to their counterparts. Moreover, joint family (AOR=0.27; 95% CI: 0.12-0.62) and divorced (AOR=0.12; 95% CI: 0.03-0.58,) mothers had less likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding practices than their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Good knowledge, positive attitude and some sociodemographic factors were significant with exclusive breastfeeding which are needed to improve for promoting exclusive breastfeeding practices and reducing infant mortality and morbidity.

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) is crucial for mothers as well as children's health, and also has the potential to prevent neonatal mortality. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with EIBF among mothers in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2019, based on a sample of 422 mothers of children aged under 6 months. Data were collected by in-person interviews from a hospital's outdoor through a structured questionnaire consisted of demographic, reproductive, and healthcare utilization information. Association between variables was assessed by multiple logistic regression. The prevalence of EIBF among mothers was 48.3% [95% CI: 43.4-53.3]. Multiple logistic regression showed that being a housewife, having family income of > 10,000 BDT (Bangladeshi currency) per month, mothers education level, being multiparous, normal delivery, ANC (antenatal care) visits for ≥ 3 times, counseling prior to conception, and skin-to-skin contact after delivery significantly increased the likelihood of EIBF among mothers. Besides, mothers who gave birth to low-weight babies and provided pre-lacteal feeds to them were negatively associated with EIBF. EIBF has improved in Bangladesh during MDG era, but progress still remains slower. Key modifiable factors such as maternal education, normal delivery, ANC visits, skin-to-skin contact, and pre-lacteal feeding need to be improved to enhance the EIBF for reducing child malnutrition and mortality.

The extent of nutritional status affecting Rohingya refugee under-five children has become a major health issues in Bangladesh. This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status and its effect on under-five Rohingya children in comparison with the areas of Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study of 300 under-five children were conducted by structured questionnaire from Rohingya camp (100), Cox’s Bazar (100) and Dumki (100) applying simple random method. Anthropometric indices (weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)) were measured in children aged 6-59 months. Indices were reported in z-scores and compared with WHO 2005 reference population. Data were analyzed by WHO Anthro-Plus Software and SPSS. About 41% Rohingya, 43% surrounding areas, and 46% Dumki were stunting in height-for-age z-score (HAZ) score respectively. Near about 13%, 11% and 4% were wasting in weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) score and 18%, 15% and 10% were underweight in weight for age Z-score (WAZ) score respectively. Food groups, Disease, worm infestation among 3 study areas were statistically significant (P&lt; .05). Moreover, handwashing practice, vitamin-A consumption and worm infestation effects among diseases were statistically significant. In this study population, there was high prevalence of malnutrition among Rohingya children, especially wasting and underweight compared to other areas. Prevention of malnutrition plays an important role for having a healthy society of Rohingya Refugees.

Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) is the national and most important commercial fish species of Bangladesh. Hilsa widely occurs mainly in marine and estuarine environment but started to decline gradually over 30 years and reach to minimum during 1991-1992 that continued up to 2002-2003. Realizing the decreasing trend of hilsa, government took initiative to increase production by implementing regulation on jatka catch and restriction on brood hilsa catch from the breeding season of 2003-2004 under the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act, 1950. Hilsa management strategies help to contribute 11 percent of the total fish production and 1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Bangladesh. Based on secondary literature this study describes biology of hilsa, existing hilsa management strategy and its impact on hilsa. To improve the situation a number of suggestions are elicited for effective management of the hilsa fishery that could be incorporated in the national policy.