Standardized questionnaires for screening common health problems in the community often need to be translated for use in non-English speaking countries. There is a lack of literature documenting the process of translation of such questionnaire/scale that would enable their application in cross-cultural settings and standardization of the procedure. This paper reports the process of translation into Bangla of the widely used Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for use in Bangladesh. Three methods: forward translation, committee translation, and back translation were used to ensure the equivalence of the translated version. Both the English and Bangla versions were piloted among 10 social science graduates who were proficient in both the languages. The concurrence of each respondent between the two versions showed a correlation coefficient of 0.98 (p<0.01). The BlandAltman test also showed a high degree of agreement. The piloted version was also tested with 15 women in the postnatal period and found to be suitable for women with lower educational attainment. The documentation of the translation process and the lessons learnt would be helpful in similar settings where screening questionnaires need to be adapted for local use.

BackgroundIn 2010, an acute illness outbreak was reported in school students eating high-energy biscuits supplied by the school feeding programme in northwest Bangladesh. We investigated this outbreak to describe the illness in terms of person, place and time, develop the timeline of events, and determine the cause and community perceptions regarding the outbreak.MethodsWe defined case-patients as students from affected schools reporting any two symptoms including abdominal pain, heartburn, bitter taste, and headache after eating biscuits on the day of illness. We conducted in-depth interviews and group discussions with students, teachers, parents and community members to explore symptoms, exposures, and community perceptions. We conducted a questionnaire survey among case-patients to determine the symptoms and ascertain food items eaten 12 hours before illness onset, and microbiological and environmental investigations.Results Among 142 students seeking hospital care, 44 students from four schools qualified as case-patients. Of these, we surveyed 30 who had a mean age of 9 years; 70% (21/30) were females. Predominant symptoms included abdominal pain (93%), heartburn (90%), and bitter taste (57%). All students recovered within a few hours. No pathogenic Vibrio cholerae, Shigella or Salmonella spp. were isolated from collected stool samples. We found no rancid biscuits in schools and storage sites. The female index case perceived the unusually darker packet label as a “devil’s deed” that made the biscuits poisonous. Many students, parents and community members reported concerns about rumors of students dying from biscuit poisoning.ConclusionsRapid onset, followed by rapid recovery of symptoms; female preponderance; inconsistent physical, microbiological and environmental findings suggested mass sociogenic illness rather than a foodborne or toxic cause. Rumours of student deaths heightening community anxiety apparently propagated this outbreak. Sharing investigation results and reassuring students and parents through health communication campaigns could limit similar future outbreaks and help retain beneficiaries’ trust on nutrition supplementation initiatives.

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The present study was conducted at milk pocket areas Sahjadpur Upazila under Sirajgonj district and Shathia and Bera Upazila under the Pabna district, respectively. A total number of one hundred ninety (190) dairy farmers were surveyed randomly selecting twenty farmers from each village. All data collected were statistically analyzed using Univariate General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SPSS computer program. Lack of balanced feed was the highest cause of repeat breeding claimed by about sixty (60%) percent farmers in this study. The highest incidence of RB was obtained in LocalHolstein Friesian crosses (69%) and lowest in LocalSahiwal crosses (8%). From the study of present findings; it can be concluded that genotype, nutrient of feed, quality of semen, frequency of insemination and reproductive problems are the main possible causes for RB in the studied areas.

Objective:The study was conducted to assess the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows at Baghabari milk shed area of Sirajganj and Pabna districts in Bangladesh. Materials and methods: A total of 300 milk samples were collected from crossbred dairy cows, and the milk samples were subjected for using California Mastitis Test (CMT). Besides, data related to farm management were taken from 60 farmers through direct interviews. The CMT was compared with White Slide Test (WST) and Surf Field Mastitis Test (SFMT). The samples showing strong positive reaction to mastitis by CMT were used for the isolation of associated bacteria using conventional bacteriological examinations and biochemical properties. The isolated bacteria were subjected for antibiogram studies by disc diffusion method. Results: Out of 300 samples, 153 (51%) revealed positive reactions denoting that the cows were suffering from subclinical mastitis. Of the 153 samples, 39(13%) were trace-positive, 56(18.56%) were weak-positive, 33(11%) were distinct-positive, and the rest 25(8.3%) samples were strongly positive. In comparison economically among CMT, WST and SFMT, SFMT was found to be the cheapest and easiest. In this study, the cows were mostly infected with mixed infection with Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and some cows had single bacterial infection. It was observed that most of the microorganisms were sensitive to Gentamycin, Amoxicillin and Ceftriaxone, and were resistant to Penicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Colistin sulphate. Conclusion: Overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis in the crossbred dairy cows at Sirajganj and Pabna district is 51%. It indicates that subclinical mastitis is a major threat for dairy industry in the studied areas. Early detection and appropriate preventive measures are suggestive to successful control of the disease.

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The objective of this study was to clarify the inside of socio-economic condition and cattle production scenario in few areas of Pabna district. Data of socio-economic condition of farmers, cattle population, genotype and overall management were collected from three villages at Bera upazila of Pabna district during August to September in 2017. The collected data were tabulated and analyzed following one-way ANOVA including descriptive statistics. It was observed that the age of farmers were average 42 years with 19 years of average farming experiences. Agriculture was found as primary occupation (47.37%) followed by house wife (15.79%) and animal husbandry (10.53%). Among the total livestock population, 52% (n=286) was cattle with different genotypes but the frequency of local Pabna cattle was highest (70%). About 79% cattle were reared intensively at home because the areas were surrounded by water. The average peak day milk yield (4.56 liters) of local Pabna cattle was significantly (p <0.001) lower than Holstein crossbred (7.43 liters). The cattle feeding system was mostly intensive (77%) followed by semi-extensive (23%) with 60%, 49% and 98% restricted feeding for straw, green grass and concentrate feeds in the studied households. The capacity building training of farmers including different farm oriented facilities would enhance a dairy development programme in those areas from local Pabna cattle which could contribute their socio-economic condition as well.