BackgroundThe objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of long COVID symptoms in a large cohort of people living with and affected by long COVID and identify any potential associated risk factors.MethodsA prospective survey was undertaken of an inception cohort of confirmed people living with and affected by long COVID (aged 18–87 years). 14392 participants were recruited from 24 testing facilities across Bangladesh between June and November 2020. All participants had a previously confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis, and reported persistent symptoms and difficulties in performing daily activities. Participants who consented were contacted by face-to-face interview, and were interviewed regarding long COVID, and restriction of activities of daily living using post COVID-19 functional status scale. Cardiorespiratory parameters measured at rest (heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, maximal oxygen consumption, inspiratory and expiratory lung volume) were also measured.ResultsAmong 2198 participants, the prevalence of long COVID symptoms at 12 weeks was 16.1%. Overall, eight long COVID symptoms were identified and in descending order of prominence are: fatigue, pain, dyspnoea, cough, anosmia, appetite loss, headache and chest pain. People living with and affected by long COVID experienced between 1 and 8 long COVID symptoms with an overall duration period of 21.8±5.2 weeks. Structural equation modelling predicted the length of long COVID to be related to younger age, female gender, rural residence, prior functional limitation and smoking.ConclusionIn this cohort, at 31 weeks post diagnosis, the prevalence of long COVID symptoms was 16.1%. The risk factors identified for presence and longer length of long COVID symptoms warrant further research and consideration to support public health initiatives.

Background and aims : It is important to determine the profile of long COVID (LC) symptoms within the scope of rehabilitation in Bangladesh. This study’s objective was to estimate the newly experienced long COVID symptoms needing rehabilitation by determining the prevalence and spectrum of impairments due to LC in Bangladesh. Methods A Cross-sectional household survey of 12,925 COVID-19 patients confirmed by RT-PCR from 24 testing facilities in Bangladesh. LC was diagnosed according to WHO working group definition. COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS) was used to determine the symptom responses, symptom severity, new long COVID symptoms, and scope of rehabilitation. Results The population proportion of LC symptoms requiring rehabilitation interventions are 0.22 [95% CI, 0.20–0.24] in Bangladeshi people diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. Among them, 0.08 [95% CI, 0.07–0.09] had mild, 0.07 [95% CI, 0.06–0.09] had moderate, and 0.05 [95% CI, 0.04–0.06] had severe long COVID symptoms (LCS). There was a significant positive correlation between LCS and functional disabilities (r = 0.889, p < 0.001), while a negative correlation was observed between the severity of symptoms and overall health (r=-0.658, p < 0.001). In comparison to the pre-COVID status, 17 new LCS were observed and the increase in the scope of rehabilitation intervention among LCS ranged between 0.01 [95% CI, 0.001–0.01] and 0.21 [95% CI, 0.19–0.22]. In Bangladesh, 59% (n = 334) of the LC cases are out of reach for any rehabilitation interventions. Conclusion Nearly one-fourth of Bangladeshi Post-COVID-19 have long COVID (LC). Seventeen symptoms (LCS) were observed and more than half of the populations having long COVID are out of reach of any rehabilitation facilities.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of chest physiotherapy along with early mobility after abdominal surgery. The study was investigating the effect of chest physiotherapy along with early mobility and only chest physiotherapy after major abdominal surgeries on respiratory function, length of hospital stays, pain intensity, oxygen saturation level and status of functional independency (FIM). Methodology: This was a quasi-experimental study where sixty patients with Lower abdominal surgery conveniently selected from the post-operative unit of the tertiary level specialized hospitals in Dhaka and simple random sampling was used for differentiating the groups. Thirty patients in chest physiotherapy group (control) and thirty in chest physiotherapy along with early mobility group (Experimental). It was measured the respiratory function, length of hospital stays, pain intensity, oxygen saturation level and status of functional independence. Results: Regarding this study the mean age of the experimental group were 46.7 (±18.12) years and mean age of control group were 43.4 (±15.66) years. Mean length of hospital stay was 7.90 (± 2.078) days in experimental group and 11.50 (±3.75) in control group, and the p value was 0.0016 in experimental group and 0.019 in control group so it was proved that the chest physiotherapy along with early mobilization significantly reduce the duration of hospital stay and chest physiotherapy was also effective. However it was showed that post-operative day-05 experimental group treatment was significantly effective where the p value was ≤0.05 (p=0.0378). So it was absolute showed that the treatment of experimental group was much effective. Study was showed that the effect on improving functional independency level was significantly effective of experimental group of FIM score in all parameters and also in control group also but in comparison it was showed that the experimental group was more effective than control group. Conclusion: It was identified the significant effectiveness of chest physiotherapy (CPT) along with early mobility rather than only chest physiotherapy after abdominal surgeries. But both groups of participants were showed significant effectiveness. Participants in the CPT along with early mobility exercise after abdominal surgeries showed that it significantly reduces the duration of hospital stay and as well as increase the peripheral oxygen saturation level and also improved functional independence rather than the control group who got only chest physiotherapy.

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This study aims to investigate coping strategies used by Bangladeshi citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Prospective, cross-sectional survey of adults (N=2001) living in Bangladesh. Methods: Participants were interviewed for socio-demographic data and completed the Bengali translated Brief-COPE Inventory. Statistical data analysis was conducted using SPSS (Version 20). Results: Participants (N=2001), aged 18 to 86 years, were recruited from eight administrative divisions within Bangladesh (mean age 31.85, SD 14.2 years). Male to female participant ratio was 53.4% (n=1074) to 46.6% (n=927). Higher scores were reported for approach coping styles (29.83, SD 8.9), with lower scores reported for avoidant coping styles (20.83, SD 6.05). Humor coping scores were reported at 2.68, SD 1.3, and religion coping scores at 5.64, SD 1.8. Both men and women showed similar coping styles. Multivariate analysis found a significant relationship between the male gender and both humor and avoidant coping (p <.01). Male gender was found to be inversely related to both religion and approach coping (p<.01). Marital status and education were significantly related to all coping style domains (p<.01). The occupation was significantly related to approach coping (p <.01). Rural and urban locations differed significantly in participant coping styles (p <.01). Factor analysis revealed two cluster groups (Factor 1 and 2) comprised of unique combinations from all coping style domains. Conclusion: Participants in this study coped with the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing a combination of coping strategies. Factor 1 revealed both avoidant and approach coping strategies and Factor 2 revealed a combination of humor and avoidant coping strategies. Overall, higher utilization of approach coping strategies was reported, which has previously been associated with better physical and mental health outcomes. Religion was found to be a coping strategy for all participants. Future research may focus on understanding resilience in vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities or with migrant or refugee status in Bangladesh.