BackgroundChikungunya virus causes mosquito-transmitted infection that leads to extensive morbidity affecting substantial quality of life. Disease associated morbidity, quality of life, and financial loss are seldom reported in resources limited countries, such as Bangladesh. We reported the acute clinical profile, quality of life and consequent economic burden of the affected individuals in the recent chikungunya outbreak (May to September 2017) in Dhaka city, Bangladesh.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study during the peak of chikungunya outbreak (July 24 to August 5, 2017) to document the clinical profiles of confirmed cases (laboratory test positive) and probable cases diagnosed by medical practitioners. Data related to clinical symptoms, treatment cost, loss of productivity due to missing work days, and quality of life during their first two-weeks of symptom onset were collected via face to face interview using a structured questionnaire. World Health Organization endorsed questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life.ResultsA total of 1,326 chikungunya cases were investigated. Multivariate analysis of major clinical variables showed no statistically significant differences between confirmed and probable cases. All the patients reported joint pain and fever. Other more frequently reported symptoms include headache, loss of appetite, rash, myalgia, and itching. Arthralgia was polyarticular in 56.3% of the patients. Notably, more than 70% patients reported joint pain as the first presenting symptom. About 83% of the patients reported low to very low overall quality of life. Nearly 30% of the patients lost more than 10 days of productivity due to severe arthropathy.ConclusionsThis study represents one of the largest samples studied so far around the world describing the clinical profile of chikungunya infection. Our findings would contribute to establish an effective syndromic surveillance system for early detection and timely public health intervention of future chikungunya outbreaks in resource-limited settings like Bangladesh.

Background: Infertility is a global health issue affecting approximately 8-10% of couples and has multidimensional problem with social, economic and cultural implications, which can take threatening proportions in countries with strong demographic problems. Objective: To investigate the determinants of infertility among couples seeking treatment. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in selected private clinic of Dhaka city among 196 infertile couple by face to face interview using pretested semi structured questionnaire. Results: The sample studied consisted of 196 infertile couple. One third (38%) aged 26-30 years, majority Muslims (96%), housewives (72%) and one fourth (24%) had education level of secondary to higher secondary. Slightly more than half of their family income was taka 5361-21270. More than three fourth (66%) had primary infertility. Concerning the determinants of infertility polycystic ovary, hormonal imbalance, and fallopian tube blockage was 19%, 16% and 7% respectively but unexplained factors (28%) crossed the other factors. Only male factor was 10% and combined male and female factors were 10% among study subjects. Regarding the daily habits of the male participants, 18% were smokers. Conclusions: The determinants of female infertility are problems in the fallopian tubes and the uterus, disorders of menstruation, sexual disorders, age and ovarian failure. Female infertility is a complex problem that should be considered carefully by the government and stakeholders in each country in order to find effective interventions and solutions.

ObjectivePrimarily, we assessed the distribution of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among school children living in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh. In addition to this, we sought the association between place of residence and modifiable CVD risk factors among them.Design, setting and participantsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 854 school children (aged 12–18 years) of Bangladesh. Ten public high schools (five from Dhaka and five from Sirajgonj district) were selected randomly and subjects from those were recruited conveniently. To link the family milieu of CVD risk factors, a parent of each children was also interviewed.Primary and secondary outcome measuresDistribution of CVD risk factors was measured using descriptive statistics as appropriate. Again, a saturated model of binary logistic regression was used to seek the association between place of residence and modifiable CVD risk factors.ResultsMean age of the school children was 14.6±1.1 years and more than half (57.6%) were boys. Overall, 4.4% were currently smoker (urban—3.5%, rural—5.2%) with a strong family history of smoking (42.2%). Similar proportion of school children were identified as overweight (total 9.8%, urban 14.7%, rural 5%) and obese (total 9.8%, urban 16.8%, rural 2.8%) with notable urban-rural difference. More than three-fourth (80%) of them were physically inactive with no urban-rural variation. Only 2.4% consumed recommended fruits and/ or vegetables (urban—3.1%, rural—1.7%). In the adjusted model, place of residence had higher odds for having several modifiable CVD risk factors: current smoking (OR: 1.807, CI 0.872 to 3.744), inadequate fruits and vegetables intake (OR: 1.094, CI 0.631 to 1.895), physical inactivity (OR: 1.082, CI 0.751 to 1.558), overweight (OR: 3.812, CI 2.245 to 6.470) and obesity (OR: 7.449, CI 3.947 to 14.057).ConclusionsBoth urban and rural school children of Bangladesh had poor CVD risk factors profile that demands further nation-wide large scale study to clarify the current findings more precisely.

IntroductionThe prevalence, disease progression, and treatment outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes vary significantly between ethnic groups. The Bihari community constitutes one of the most vulnerable populations in Bangladesh on the basis of access to health services and other fundamental rights. Our study aimed at finding out the prevalence and risk factors of type 2 diabetes among the Bihari adults in Dhaka city.MethodsThis cross-sectional community-based study was carried out among stranded Pakistanis (known as Bihari) living in camps in the Mirpur area from July 2014 to June 2015. Laboratory-based oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was the basis for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, biochemical tests, family history, and socioeconomic information were obtained to determine the risk factors.ResultsThe prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) were estimated at 10.11%, 8.74%, and 4.55%, respectively. Increased diastolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride, and cholesterol level were observed to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with diabetes. Also, the presence of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity among relatives significantly increased the probability of diabetes.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on diabetes prevalence among the Bihari community in Bangladesh. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus was found to be higher among the Bihari community compared to the general population in Bangladesh. Health planners and policymakers should realize the alarming situation and identified risk factors and consider the minor ethnic groups during decision-making regarding prevention and control of diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases.

No abstract