Dietary Pattern and Anaemia Among Female Adolescent Garment Workers in Bangladesh.

Introduction: In Bangladesh, many adolescents work in garment sector which is an important contributor to the country’s economy. This study aimed to investigate the dietary pattern and haemoglobin level of the adolescent female garment workers in Bangladesh. Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in a peri-urban area in Bangladesh in 2008. The food intake pattern was assessed by food frequency questionnaire and level of haemoglobin was estimated by haemoglobin colour scale (HbCS). Anaemia was defined as the haemoglobin level of <12 g/dl.1 Results: Among 108 participants, 104 (96%) were muslim, 83 (77%) were unmarried and 54 (50%) had a primary level of education. Most of their parents were illiterate. Sixty six (61%) respondents had a large family (>5 family members, mean 5.2, SD±2.1). The mean age at menarche was 12.91±1.37 years. Majority of them worked for >12 hours (55, 51%), did not watch television (77, 71%) and had just three meals with no snacks in between the meals (97, 90%) in last seven days. Fish, pulse and fruits/vegetables were consumed for >6 times in a week by 59 (55%), 56 (52%) and 68 (63%) respondents, respectively. Majority of the participants did not consume milk (65, 60%) and meat (62, 57%) in last seven days. Prevalence of anaemia was 92% (99); 54% (58) were moderately anaemic and 38% (41) were mildly anaemic. Discussion: Prevalence of anaemia among adolescent female garment workers is extremely high. They also consume inadequate food. Immediate steps should be taken to improve nutritional status of these girls.

FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and FEF25-75% in End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis.

Background: End-stage renal disease causes multiple pulmonary complications and lung functions are decreased in ESRD patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis. Objectives: To observe FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and FEF25-75% in ESRD patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis to evaluate their lung functions status. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, BSMMU, Dhaka, from July 2011 to June 2012. For this, 30 ESRD patients aged 25-55 years undergoing maintenance haemodialysis with less than 1 year duration were studied and 30 age, sex matched healthy subjects were taken as control. Patients were selected from the Nephrology department of BSMMU, Dhaka. FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and FEF25-75% were measured by a Digital Spirometer. For statistical analysis Independent Sample‘t’ test and One way ANOVA test were performed as applicable. Results: The mean percentage of predicted values of FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75% were significantly lower in patients except FEV1/FVC ratio which was almost similar to control. 63.33% patients had restrictive and 36.67% patients had both restrictive and obstructive (small airway obstruction) feature. Conclusion: This study concluded that some pulmonary functions were markedly reduced in ESRD patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis. In addition most of the patients were suffering from restrictive and some of them were affected with both obstructive and restrictive type of pulmonary disorders.

Relationship Of FEF25-75, Pefr And SVC With Estrogen And Progesterone Level In Postmenopausal Women.

Background: Deterioration of lung function is common in women after menopause, which may be related to very low estrogen and progesterone level. Objective: To observe FEF25-75, PEFR and SVC (slow vital capacity) values in apparently healthy postmenopausal women to find out their relationships with serum estrogen and progesterone. Methods: This study was carried out in the Department of Physiology in BSMMU, Dhaka in the year 2007. 30 healthy postmenopausal women aged 45 to 60 years and 30 healthy premenopausal women aged 20 to 30 years during their different phases of menstrual cycle were studied. Postmenopausal women were residents of Dhaka city and premenopausal subjects were medical students. FEF25-75, PEFR and SVC of all subjects were measured by a digital micro spirometer. Their estrogen and progesterone levels were estimated by Micro particle Enzyme Immunoassay (MEIA) method. Data were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient test, one way ANOVA and unpaired‘t’ test Results: The mean percentage of predicted values of FEF25-75 and PEFR were lower in postmenopausal women compared to those of follicular and luteal phases of premenopausal women but it was not significant. Measured values of SVC was Significantly (p<.001) lower in postmenopausal women compared to those of follicular and luteal phases of premenopausal women. Again Mean serum estrogen and progesterone levels were significantly (p<.001) lower in post menopausal women compared to those of follicular and luteal phases of premenopausal women. In post menopausal women, FEF25-75 was positively, PEFR and SVC were negatively correlated with progesterone level. PEFR and SVC showed positive correlattion and FEF25-75 showed negative correlation with serum estrogen level. All these correlations were statistically non significant. In premenopausal women FEF25-75 and PEFR showed positive correlation and SVC showed negative correlation with serum progesterone level. The relationships were statistically significant in luteal phase but nonsignificant in follicular phase. FEF25-75 ,PEFR and SVC were positively correlated with serum estrogen level in luteal phase but FEF25-75 and PEFR negatively correlated and SVC positively correlated with estrogen level in follicular phase. Conclusion: The outcome of this study shows FEF25-75 , PEFR and SVC may be reduced in postmenopausal women which in turn may be associated with their low progesterone and estrogen levels.

Isolation and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Escherichia coli Causing Urinary Tract Infection in Enam Medical College Hospital.

Background: Since antibiotic resistance of uropathogens has gradually been rising, knowledge of antimicrobial resistance pattern of Escherichia coli (Esch. coli), the predominant pathogen of urinary tract infection (UTI), is important in selecting empirical antimicrobial therapy. Objectives: To find out the common organisms causing UTI with their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in Enam Medical College Hospital. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in the department of Microbiology, Enam Medical College Hospital, Savar, Dhaka between January 2010 to June 2011 to see the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Esch. coli in urine sample. A total of 512 urine samples were studied from clinically suspected UTI cases irrespective of age and sex. Esch. coli were isolated and antibiogram of the isolates were done. Results: The results of antibiogram revealed the resistance pattern of the isolated Esch. coli to ampicillin (93.94%), cefradine (70.71%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (48.49%), azithromycin (41.42%), ciprofloxacin (39.40%), ceftazidime (35.56%), nitrofurantoin (29.30%), ceftriaxone (10.11%), gentamicin (7.08%) and imipenem (3.04%). Conclusion: It can be inferred that our findings will render useful information to clinicians in determining the appropriately directed antimicrobial regimen when given empirically.

Risk Factors of Mortality in Severely-malnourished Children Hospitalized with Diarrhoea.

This case-control study was conducted in the Dhaka Hospital of ICDDR,B to identify the risk factors of mortality in severely-malnourished children hospitalized with diarrhoea. One hundred and three severelymalnourished children (weight-for-age <60% of median of the National Center for Health Statistics standard) who died during hospitalization were compared with another 103 severely-malnourished children who survived. These children were aged less than three years and admitted to the hospital during 1997. On admission, characteristics of the fatal cases and non-fatal controls were comparable, except for age. The median age of the cases and controls were six and eight months respectively (p=0.05). Patients with low pulse rate or imperceptible pulse had three times the odds of death compared to the control group (p<0.01). The presence of clinical septicaemia and clinical severe anaemia had 11.7 and 4.2 times the odds of death respectively (p<0.01). Patients with leukocytosis (>15,000/cm3) had 2.5 times the odds of death (p<0.01). Using logistic regression, clinical septicaemia [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=8.8, confidence interval (CI) 3.7-21.1, p=0.01], hypothermia (AOR=3.5, CI 1.3-9.4, p<0.01), and bronchopneumonia (AOR=3.0, CI 1.2-7.3, p<0.01) were identified as the significant risk factors of mortality. Severely-malnourished children (n=129) with leukocytosis, imperceptible pulse, pneumonia, septicaemia, and hypothermia had a high risk of mortality. The identified risk factors can be used as a prognostic guide for patients with diarrhoea and severe malnutrition.

Prevalence of selected reproductive tract infections among pregnant women attending an urban maternal and childcare unit in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

A cross-sectional study was conducted during May-December 2000 among pregnant women attending an urban maternal and childcare-delivery unit in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to assess the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and syphilis. All pregnant women at 16-24 weeks gestation attending the clinic for antenatal check-up irrespective of symptoms were enrolled. Sociodemographic information and obstetric history were obtained from each enrolled subject. High vaginal swabs and serum samples were tested for bacterial vaginosis, and T. vaginalis and syphilis respectively. In total, 284 pregnant women were enrolled. Of them, 17.7% had bacterial vaginosis, 1.4% had Trichomonas infection, and 3% had syphilis. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was higher in women with low socioeconomic status.