Prevalence of preeclampsia and its associated risk factors in Rajshahi region, Bangladesh

Background: Although preeclampsia claims lives of 70,000 mothers and 500,000 newborns each year, in Bangladesh the comprehensive data-sets are not well-documented. We studied the prevalence of preeclampsia, its trend and the associated risk factors in Rajshahi, Bangladesh.Methods: Using a cross-sectional longitudinal design, 90 women hospitalized with preeclampsia in 7 hospitals of Rajshahi, Bangladesh were considered in the study, of which Rajshahi medical college hospital (RMCH) is a tertiary referral hospital. The data were collected by interviewing the patients, physical examinations and analyzing patients� pathological profile. For statistical analyses, SPSS software was employed. Results: During the five years (2013-2017), RMCH admitted pregnant mothers for delivery or with obstructed complications had increased from 11,523 to 17,201, leading to an increase in preeclamptic patients from 407 to 435. Its prevalence rate (3.21%) was found to be decreased linearly with time. The preeclamptic patients were of 16-40 years, averaging 25.90�65 years. The youngest (� years) preeclamptic mothers (24%) were at high risk of preeclampsia. The obese (40%) and overweight (29%) preeclamptic mothers experienced severe oedema, headache, vomiting, lower abdominal pain and hyperacidity. About three-fourths of the concerned patients were of lower socio-economic class, of which the majority was below education level 10. The majority were from joint families (58%) who took less than 2.2 L of drinking water per day.Conclusions: The average prevalence preeclampsia rate was 3.21% that was found to decrease linearly with time. The youngest but obese (BMI of � kg/m2) mothers were vulnerable for preeclampsia. Other risk factors include lower socio-economic class, less education, white complexion, joint family type and taking less amount of fluid.

Screening for cervical cancer (By VIA Test) among selected garments worker in Chattogram, Bangladesh

Background: Bangladesh is a densely populated country of South East Asia with low resource setting where cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of female cancer. In more than 80% cases are diagnosed at advanced and inoperable stage. Regarding socio demographic context of this country VIA has been introduced as a screening method for cervical cancer which is most simple, cost effective, and acceptable test for all women. In Bangladesh among 3 million garment workers more than 80% are women. The objective of this study was to identify prevalence of VIA positive cases among garment workers. So that it can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in Bangladesh.Methods: It was a cross杝ectional observational study conducted in some selected garment factories in Chattogram city of Bangladesh from January 2021 to July 2021, where we enrolled 534 female workers for VIA test.Results: Among all the respondents 56% were 30 years or younger, 38% were aged between 31 to 40 years. Among 534 participants, 44.9% completed primary education, 37.3% were smoker and 34.5% had their children at early age. Majority (86.7%) had excessive whitish discharge. Post coital bleeding and irregular bleeding was 2.6% and 2.2% respectively. Considering awareness, 61.8% had idea about cervical cancer, only 1.1% had undergone VIA test in the past. In our study we found 2.4% of participants were VIA positive cases.Conclusions: It is important to include the garment workers, while making public health policies and implementation of cervical cancer control program.

Health Problems among Women Building Construction Workers.

Back ground: Construction industry is one of the stable growing industries world over, including Bangladesh. In Dhaka city there are many construction sites, where workers are exposed to hazardous condition, specially the female workers. Throughout the world, over 90% of construction workers are male. In some developing countries, the proportion of women is higher. In Bangladesh their number is increasing day by day. Objective: To explore the health problems among the women building construction workers Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 134 female construction workers. Data was collected through face to face interview by using prefixed questionnaire. The study was conducted from September 2011 to December 2012 in the Department of Community medicine, Dhaka National Medical College, Dhaka. The subjects were selected from different building construction sites of old Dhaka city. Results: It was observed that among 134 respondents, majority 96(71.6%) of the women construction worker were brick breaker and 38(28.3%) were weight carrier. Their mean age was 38.29±6.9 years. Most workers 110 (82.1%) had different types of skin problem. The proportion of skin problems was found to be high among the weight carrier and the difference was statistically highly significant (pOE .001). 89(66.5%) respondents had urinary tract infection, 66(49.3%) had constipation and 24(17.9%) complaint uterine prolapse. Among the total respondents 68(58.2%) complain of backache. The workers who complain of backache, 52(54.1%) were brick breaker and 16(42.1%) were weight carrier. 79 (58.9%) respondents used personal protective equipments, among them 61(77.2%) used self made hand gloves and 38(48.1%) used folded towel to carry weight. Besides of the total respondents 117(87.3%) complain of different types of respiratory problem. Conclusion: The study concludes that different types of skin diseases are present among female construction workers that might be attributable to exposure to hot humid working environment. Besides pain full micturation, uterine prolapse, low backache and respiratory problem were found among them which might need special attention.