Frequency of Hepatitis B, C and HIV Infections among Transfusion-Dependent Beta Thalassemia Patients in Dhaka.

Transfusion transmitted infections have remained a major deterrent to public health, particularly among the patients with transfusion-dependent Beta thalassemia in developing countries. Although proper donor selection through adoption of WHO-advised infection panel has lowered the rate of infections, the multi-transfused patients are not free of risk. In this study, we screened 148 transfusion-dependent Beta thalassemia patients to determine the frequency of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) using the ELISA method. Among them, infected cases with HCV, HBV and HIV were 13.51%, 3.37% and 0%, respectively. Moreover, 2% of the patients were found to be co-infected with both HBV and HCV. The percentage of infections in the patients with frequent transfusion interval (≤30 days) was significantly higher (p < 0.0005) than that in the patients with less frequent transfusion intervals (>30 days). Immunochromatography (ICT)-based rapid test kits are usually used to screen and confirm these infections in the blood of the patients. However, ICT-based tests are not sensitive enough to detect the infections. So, a combination of both Nucleic Acid testing (NAT) and serological testing are suggested to significantly reduce the risk of viral infections during blood transfusion.

Association between dietary habit and diabetic risk profiles among diagnosed Type-2 diabetic patients in a selected area of Bangladesh.

AIMS: This study aimed to assess the association of dietary habits on diabetic risk profiles of patients with type-2 diabetes in a selected area, Bangladesh. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted among 420 type-2 diabetic patients, selected conveniently from Jahangirnagar University and nearest community, Savar, Dhaka. Five days food records were used to determine macronutrient consumption. Blood sample was taken for biochemical investigation and height, weight were taken for BMI measurement. A bivariate Pearson's r correlation analyses were used to assess the association of dietary habit and diabetic risk profiles. RESULTS: Out of 420 patients, 228 were male and 172 were female (mean ±â€¯SD of age, 47.5 ±â€¯6.4 years). Mean HbA1c was 7.53 ±â€¯0.90%. The patients with hypercholesterolemia were 64.8% and hypertriglyceridemia were 39.0%. Patients with high LDL-C were 57.1%. Mean HDL-C was 49.15 ±â€¯12.07 mg/dl. Among 420 patients, 188 (44.8%) were overweight and 132 (31.4%) were obese. Mean daily carbohydrate, protein and fat consumption was 259.23 ±â€¯57.19, 87.21 ±â€¯19.08 and 65.07 ±â€¯12.23 respectively. Study found that carbohydrate, protein and fat consumption was associated with diabetic risk profiles. CONCLUSION: A large number of people's dietary habit has strong association with diabetic risk profile among type-2 diabetic patients.

Associations of socioeconomic determinants with community clinic awareness and visitation among women: evidence from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey-2011.

BACKGROUND: Although Bangladesh has achieved tremendous success in health care over the last four decades, it still lagged behind in the areas of maternal and child malnutrition and primary health care (PHC). To increase access to PHC, the Bangladesh government established approximately 18,000 community clinics (CCs). The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of socioeconomic determinants of women aged 12-49 years with the CCs awareness and visitation. METHODS: We analyzed secondary data provided by Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey-2011. A two-stage cluster sampling was used to collect the data. A total of 18,222 ever married women aged 12-49 years were identified from selected households and 17,842 were interviewed. The main outcome measures of our study were awareness and visitation of CCs. Bivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to examine the associations between the awareness and visiting CCs with socioeconomic determinants. RESULTS: Low prevalence of awareness about CC (18 %) was observed among studied women and only 17 % of them visited CCs. Significant associations (P < 0.05) with CCs awareness and visitation were observed among aged 20-29 years (adjusted OR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.03-1.35 and adjusted OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.05-2.11), primary education (adjusted OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.08-1.34 and adjusted OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.05-1.78), and poorest family (adjusted OR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.03-1.42 and adjusted OR = 2.36; 95% CI = 1.56-3.55, respectively), after controlling potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness and visitation of CCs were found to be positively associated with lower economic conditions, young age, and primary education. Awareness and access to CCs might be increased through community activities that involve health care workers. The government should also lower barriers to PHC access through CCs by providing adequate logistics, such as human resources and equipment.

Evaluation of knowledge, practices, and possible barriers among healthcare providers regarding medical waste management in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Improper handling of medical wastes, which is common in Bangladesh, could adversely affect the hospital environment and community at large, and poses a serious threat to public health. We aimed to assess the knowledge and practices regarding medical waste management (MWM) among healthcare providers (HCPs) and to identify possible barriers related to it. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out during June to September, 2012 including 1 tertiary, 3 secondary, and 3 primary level hospitals in Dhaka division, Bangladesh through 2-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected from 625 HCPs, including 245 medical doctors, 220 nurses, 44 technologists, and 116 cleaning staff who were directly involved in MWM using a self-administered (researcher-administered for cleaning staff), semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Nearly one-third of medical doctors and nurses and two-thirds of technologists and cleaning staff had inadequate knowledge, and about half of medical doctors (44.0%) and cleaning staff (56.0%) had poor practices. HCPs without prior training on MWM were more likely to have poor practices compared to those who had training. Lack of personal protective equipment, equipment for final disposal, MWM-related staff, proper policy/guideline, and lack of incinerator were identified as the top 5 barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Strengthening and expansion of ongoing educational programs/training is necessary to improve knowledge and practices regarding MWM. The government should take necessary steps and provide financial support to eliminate the possible barriers related to proper MWM.