Assessment of knowledge, awareness and attitudes regarding the re-emerging outbreak of monkeypox among the health professionals in Bangladesh: a web based cross-sectional study

Background: Before the early 70s, Monkeypox (MPX) was simply recognized as a native disregarded disease in western and central Africa. Moreover, monkeypox is a re-emerging disease that becomes a serious life threatening issue all over the world including non-endemic countries. Regarding the evaluation of research based information about monkeypox in Bangladesh, this study has been conducted to assess the existing knowledge among health professionals. Methods: An online-based cross-sectional study was carried out from 20 June 2022 to 10 August 2022 time period where respondents' knowledge about monkeypox was assessed through using a 21-item scale. The chi-square test was used to make the association between socio-demographic variables and knowledge level. Results: Among 223 respondents, only 53% had good knowledge (mean score >14). Respondents age and sex were significantly correlated with the level of knowledge about monkeypox (p<0.006) and (p<0.02) respectively. Around 72.1% of respondents agreed that the world's populations are able to prevent and control monkeypox worldwide and 65% of respondents believed that media coverage of monkeypox may contribute to global prevention. Moreover, 52.4% respondents had negative attitudes toward monkeypox for becoming a world pandemic. Conclusions: The study finding reveals that knowledge about the monkeypox virus was average and training as well as awareness programs are recommended on monkeypox to promote feather knowledge development among health professionals.

Effects of Diet and Exercise in Middle Aged Subjects with Impaired Glucose Tolerance.

Patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are now considered as being pre-diabetic, which indicates their relatively high risk for developing diabetes mellitus associated with abnormal metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. However, dietary modification and physical exercise may play a critical role in this respect. To determine the influence of dietary modification and physical exercise in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance in Bangladesh, thirty three newly detected otherwise healthy subjects with IGT, aged 30-63 years, were randomly selected to participate in a 12 weeks diet and exercise program. Substantial improvement in glucose tolerance was observed at the end of 12 weeks particularly in middle aged subjects (41-50 years). Mean fasting blood glucose and 2 hr post load glucose value were reduced significantly. Glucose tolerance was reverted to normal in 66.7% of the participants, remained unchanged in 26.7% and deteriorated to diabetes in 6.7%. Significant reduction in serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol along with mild deterioration in HDL cholesterol and increase in triglyceride values were observed. It was found that the principles of 'prudent diet' in combination with physical exercise are highly effective in improving glucose tolerance, lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in IGT subjects.

Doctors’ Vision Regarding Undergraduate Medical Curriculum of Bangladesh.

This study was done to identify the lacking in conducting MBBS course-curriculum of Bangladesh. For this purpose a descriptive survey was done among 30 MBBS doctors (Passed within 10 years) of Faridpur district. No internship doctors were included. Self-administered unstructured questionnaire was supplied to them and qualitative analysis of data was done. Majority doctors dissatisfied with (i) Gaining knowledge and skill (ii) Environment of medical colleges (iii) Teaching method (iv) Less MCQ (v) Existing viva-voce (vi) Library facilities (vi) Less clinical symposium.

Client expectation from doctors: expectation - reality gap.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine client expectation from doctors, a descriptive survey was conducted amongst people above 18 years of age and doctors of Faridpur District. METHODOLOGY: For this purpose a total of 400 patients and 30 doctors were involved. Both rural and urban population were included. A sample of 30 doctors was selected from the outdoor department of Faridpur Medical College Hospital (FMCH), one Thana Health Complex; Non-Govt. private practitioners working in Faridpur town and one Thana of Faridpur District. All had MBBS degree and had become doctors within the last 10 years. Data were collected and both quantitative and qualitative analyses were done. Focus group discussions were done among the people of Faridpur town and one Thana. RESULTS: The results showed that the majority of clients wanted (I) Experienced and skilled but inexpensive doctors. (II) Proper diagnosis (III) Good behaviour (IV) Free supply of medicine especially for the poor (V) Good clean hospital infrastructure (VI) Hospital to be in the vicinity of their residences. (VII) Both treatment and advice for prevention to be given by the doctors.

Effect of Solanum trilobatum against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in albino rats.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Many hepatoprotective herbal preparations have been recommended in alternative systems of medicine for the treatment of hepatic disorders. No systematic study has been done on protective efficacy of Solanum trilobatum to treat hepatic diseases. Protective action of Solanum trilobatum extract (STE) was evaluated by us in an animal model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). METHODS: Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups. Group I was normal control group; Group II, the hepatotoxic group was given CCl4; Groups III-V received different doses of plant extract with CCl(4). Liver marker enzymes were assayed in serum and antioxidant status was assessed in liver tissue. RESULTS: Levels of marker enzymes such as alanine transminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were increased significantly in CCl4 treated rats (group II). STE brought about a significant decrease in the activities of all these enzymes. Lipid peroxidation (LP) was increased significant in liver tissue in the CCl4 treated rats (group II) while the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were decreased. STE treatment led to the recovery of these levels to near normal. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The present observations suggested that the treatment with S. trilobatum extract enhance the recovery from CCl4 induced hepatic damage due to its antioxidant and hepatoprotective property.