Analysis of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) among arsenic victims: a cross-sectional study on health economics perspective.

Arsenic contamination of ground water is a major public health problem in Bangladesh. It is estimated that more than 20 million people are potentially exposed to arsenic poisoning. This cross-sectional study was carried out in Haziganj Upazila under Chandpur district between September to December, 2001 with the objectives to assess the socioeconomic consequences and disease burden in terms of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). A total of 168 subjects suffering from arsenicosis were studied. Both age and disability weights were considered to calculate DALYs. Agricultural labour and housewives suffered more from the disease. A strong relationship (p<0.005) was found between duration of suffering and occupation of the subjects. Also, there was a strong relationship between age of onset and education of the study subjects (p<0.006). No deaths directly from arsenicosis were reported. It may be noticed that 47% of the patients would be living with disability for more than 51 years. A strong relationship exists (p<0.002) between educational level and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs). A total of 7930 YLDs were lost due to arsenicosis, which accounts for 1908 DALYs.

Albendazole and infections with Trichuris trichiura and Giardia intestinalis.

One hundred and twenty-eight children aged 4 to 11 years old in Dhaka, Bangladesh were treated for infections with Trichuris trichiura and other intestinal parasites using a single dose of 400 mg of albendazole. Only one Trichuris infection was apparently cured although egg counts fell by about 50%. A larger single dosage is recommended to treat Trichuris. Eleven out of 46 infections with Giardia intestinalis were not detected after treatment (p less than 0.001).