Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of sepsis among neonates admitted into neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of public hospitals in Dhaka. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 173 neonates admitted into the NICUs of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital from March 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016 at Dhaka, Bangladesh. On the basis of the presence of clinical signs and symptoms of sepsis, neonates were admitted into the NICUs. The weight of the baby was measured and blood culture, complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and urine R/M/E were done at the time of admission. The neonates, who had positive blood culture reports, were confirmed as having sepsis. After receiving informed written consent, maternal data were collected from the mother of the neonate and neonatal data were collected from NICUs. Results: The prevalence of sepsis among the neonates admitted into NICU of the concerned public hospitals in Dhaka was 69.35%. In the multiple logistic regression model, perinatal asphyxia (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.27-8.90), presence of infection at umbilical cord (aOR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.40-7.85), history of bottle feeding of the neonates (aOR = 3.02, 95% CI = 1.11-8.25) and pre-existing maternal infection (aOR = 4.44, 95% CI = 1.92-10.26) were significantly (p-value < 0.05) associated with neonatal sepsis. The odds of developing sepsis among the neonates with ≤ 2.5 kg weight at admission was more than three times higher (aOR 3.82, 95% CI = 1.59-9.19) than neonates with admission weight > 2.5 kg. Conclusion: Like other South Asian countries, the prevalence of neonatal sepsis is alarming in Bangladesh. Further research should be conducted to measure the burden of infections in the entire neonatal period and observe the effects of biological risk factors on the early and lateonset neonatal sepsis.

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ObjectiveTo determine whether the odds of being a smoker differ based on social media use and social interactions among urban university students in Bangladesh.HypothesisSocial media use and social interactions influence the smoking behaviour of Bangladeshi university students, particularly in starting and maintaining cigarette smoking.Design and settingA cross-sectional study using mixed methods on 600 student smokers and non-smokers recruited from two public and two private universities in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a lower middle-income country with limited resources. Exclusion criteria were those who did not use any form of social media and PhD students.ResultsOdds of smoking were significantly higher for those who socialised more than 4 hours/day (p<0.05; OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.12 to 2.75) and typically at night (p<0.05; OR 2.80; 95% CI 1.95 to 4.00). Odds of smoking were also higher for those who liked (p<0.05; OR 4.85; 95% CI 3.32 to 7.11), shared (p<0.05; OR 20.50; 95% CI 13.02 to 32.26) and followed (p<0.05; OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.36 to 6.11) tobacco-related content on social media. Qualitative analysis resulted in emergent themes of smokers imitating tobacco-related photos or videos seen on social media and peers as an influence for smoking initiation.ConclusionThis study suggests social media and social interactions may influence smoking behaviour in university students in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Future research should continue to investigate the roles social media and social interaction have on smoking in order to explore social media-based smoking cessation interventions or dissemination of smoking health hazards through social media.

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Background: Worldwide, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer and affects both men and women equally. Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal glucose metabolism may be associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer. The aim of this case control study was to determine the association of colorectal cancer with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM) and other risk factors of colorectal cancer among adult Bangladeshi population.Methods: We included patients of colorectal cancer as cases and the controls were mostly cancer patients other than colorectal cancer and relatives of the patients attending in National Institute of Cancer Research Hospital (NICRH) in Dhaka. Three hundred samples (100 cases and 200 controls) were selected purposively.Results: It was found that in cases 19% participants had T2 DM before colorectal cancer whereas 10.5% participants in controls had similar history. Appropriate statistical analysis reported that cases having T2 DM has 2.86 times higher chance to develop colorectal cancer (OR 2.68, 95% CI: 1.21-5.96) compared to controls. We also got significant inverse association with colorectal cancer with obesity (OR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.19-0.97), positive smoking history (OR 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19-0.60) and low fruits and vegetable intake (OR 0.33, 95% CI: 0.19-0.60).Conclusions: This was a unique study for Bangladesh which showed results consistent with the finding of studies done globally. Therefore, we accept our research hypothesis as T2 DM is a risk indicator for colorectal cancer, however obesity, smoking and less fruits and vegetable intake are also risk factors for colorectal cancer among Bangladeshi population.

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Objectives:The aim of this study was to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitude of hypertensive patients for metabolic syndrome and its relation to demographic data in those attending the out-patient services.Design and Methods: 400 known hypertensive patients between the age 18-60 years were recruited. Data was collected using a 2-parts closed ended questionnaire using a 4-point Likert scale. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics (student's t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and Spearman correlation coefficient).Results: A significant relationship was established between knowledge score and age of the participants (p = 0.002), but not between age and awareness and attitude (p >; 0.05). A significant relation was observed between the duration of metabolic syndrome and knowledge score (p < 0.05). There is a significant relationship between knowledge score and educational level (p < 0.05). There is a significant difference between men's and women's awareness scores (p < 0.005), but this difference is not seen in other aspects (knowledge, attitude) (p >; 0.05). Women's awareness score was more than men's (p = 0.0007). Data analysis showed that there is a significant relationship between awareness and knowledge (P = 0.003), and awareness and attitude (P = 0.0001). Conclusions:The participants' blood pressure was not controlled in spite of good awareness and attitude. The knowledge score was low and community-based programs to improve knowledge should be initiated. Programs like May Measurement Month, regular BP screenings, and awareness around medication compliance should be encouraged in the community.