Background In Bangladesh, community-based and peer-led prevention interventions for human immunodeficiency virus infection are provided to key populations (KPs) by drop-in centers (DICs), which are primarily supported by external donors. This intervention approach was adopted because public healthcare facilities were reportedly insensitive to the needs and culture of KPs, particularly with regard to the provision of sexually transmitted infection (STI) services. Nonetheless, in the absence of external funding, STI services need to be integrated into public healthcare systems. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in 2017 to understand the willingness of KPs to uptake the STI services of public healthcare facilities. Data were collected based on 34 in-depth interviews, 11 focus group discussions, and 9 key informant interviews. The social-ecological theoretical framework was used to analyze the data thematically and contextually. Results Most participants were either resistant or reluctant to uptake STI services from public healthcare facilities because of their previous firsthand experiences (e.g., disrespectful and judgmental attitudes and behaviors), perceived discrimination, anticipatory fear, and a lack of privacy. Very few participants who had visited these facilities to receive STI services were motivated to revisit them. Nevertheless, they emphasized their comfort in DICs over public healthcare facilities. Thus, it appears that KPs can be situated along a care-seeking continuum (i.e., resistance to complete willingness). Unless policymakers understand the context and reasons that underlie their movement along this continuum, it would be difficult to encourage KPs to access STI services from public healthcare facilities. Conclusion KPs’ willingness to uptake the STI services of public healthcare facilities depends not only on individual and community experiences but also on the nexus between socio-structural factors and health inequalities. Community mobilization and training about the needs and culture of KPs for healthcare professionals are essential. Therefore, addressal of a wide range of structural factors is required to motivate KPs into seeking STI services from public healthcare facilities.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a multi-systemic infectious disease that has evoked a substantial disease burden in developing countries, including Bangladesh. The aim of this study is to determine the socio-demographic risk factors for adult tuberculosis. A matched case-control study was conducted with 178 cases and 179 controls from a selected TB hospital in Dhaka. Data was collected via face-to-face interview using a standard structured questionnaire, posing questions about socio-demographic, clinical and behavioral factors where tuberculosis patients were matched for age and sex to controls. Crude and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that over-crowding in a house (OR = 3.49, CI = 2.08-5.93), contact with TB patients during the last 6 months (OR = 1.789, CI = 0.917-3.559) and employed participants (OR = 1.99, CI = 1.175-3.458) were positively associated with the development of TB. Besides, monthly income (>25000 taka) (OR = 0.291, CI = 0.151-0.547) and urban living (OR = 0.295, CI = 0.163-0.527) are found negatively associated with the TB status. The identified determinants for the development of adult tuberculosis reflect a complex interaction among socio-demographic conditions. Tuberculosis control would benefit from a collaboration of broad public health activities in improving the sociodemographic factors.