Incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in garments workers of Dhaka City, Bangladesh.

This study was conducted to find out the incidence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PT) in garments workers of Dhaka city and to find-out the relationship between the incidence of PT and socio-demographic factors of the respondents. From all garments factories of Dhaka city, 30 factories were included by stratified random sampling method. Then workers were selected by simple random sampling technique. Following selection, detailed history was taken and recorded in a pre-tested questionnaire. Chest X-ray, Sputum for AFB, M.T and ESR were done in the suspected cases. PT was diagnosed when any patient fulfilled predefined inclusion criteria. Out of 2400 selected workers, 2281 workers were studied finally. A total of 22 (9.6 per 1000) definite PT cases were identified. Sputum positive were 4/2281 (1.75 per 1000) cases. All were diagnosed as new cases; none had received any treatment of tuberculosis in the past. The study concludes that PT among the garments workers is a more alarming health issue than among the general population of Bangladesh. Improved and regular health check-up system and 'directly observed treatment shortcourse' (DOTS) should be implemented in the working places particularly where clusters of workers are working together.

Biological control of mosquito larvae by Guppy fish.

Predation potentiality of a biological control agent, the guppy fish, Poecilia reticulata (= Lebistes reticulatus), was studied over the mosquito larvae under laboratory conditions. The third instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito were used as prey. The average consumption rate was 41.0 per day per fish. The female fish was more active (54.9) than male ones (27.0). The feeding activity was found to be higher at higher water temperature. The study suggests that this fish could be used, after careful field trial, as a promising and sustainable biological control agent in controlling filariasis and other mosquito-borne diseases.

An evaluation of workshop approach in research manpower development.

Effectiveness of organised training workshop on research methodology was assessed by administering pre and post-test questionnaire and analysis of the responses. A structured questionnaire containing 13 propositions, each having three options were used both for pre and post testing. Issues raised in the questionnaire relate to the rules, tools and techniques of biomedical research. The participants mean score for 5 days, 15 days and 30 days groups were 5,82; 7,33 and 5,41 respectively before the workshop. The corresponding scores after the workshop were 7,17; 9,42 and 8,67 respectively. The post-test scores were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the pre-test scores and indicated that improvement in the participants' knowledge on research methodology had taken place.

Geographical distribution & seasonal pattern of diarrhoeal diseases in Bangladesh.

The district wise distribution and seasonal pattern of diarrhoeal diseases from 1987 to 1989 of Bangladesh are compiled and reported. The districts of Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Rajbari and Banderban showed higher incidences of diarrhoeal diseases to mean range of 8 and above. Among the remaining districts, 18 districts were in the medium ranges of incidences between 4 to less than 8% and 41 districts with lower range of incidences i.e. less than 4%. Two peaks of diarrhoeal diseases were found, once during the months of September-October in the post monsoon period and other during April-May.