Open Science: Knowledge for the people, by the people, and with the people

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Patterns and predictors of intimate partner violence among married women living in urban informal settlements of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Despite legal and policy proscriptions, intimate partner violence remains a pervasive issue worldwide, with particularly severe implications for marginalised and vulnerable women. In Bangladesh, women living in urban slums may face increased risks, but evidence remains limited. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap. Methods: Cross-sectional survey was done among ever-married women resident (aged 18 years or older) in slums-dwelling in Dhaka North, Dhaka South and Gazipur. Data was collected using face-to-face interview on four types of intimate partner violence: physical, sexual, emotional and economic. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to explore the association between the violence outcome variables and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Six hundred seven women participated in the survey. The overall level of any form of life-time violence was 82%. Physical violence was most reported (66%), followed by economic (47%), sexual (44%), and emotional (38%). Uneducated women, and those whose husbands were uneducated, faced particularly high risks of violence. Gazipur stood out as an area with higher intimate partner violence than other slum areas. Working women also experienced more life-time violence than non-working women. Conclusion: Urban slum women face high levels of violence in Dhaka and Gazipur. Policy level interventions, workplace-based actions and community-level measures should be taken to curb this epidemic. Specific steps should be taken to increase awareness related to intimate partner violence, and improve attitudes towards gender roles among women residing in urban slums

Multi-dimensional research impact assessment through bibliometrics, altmetrics, semantometrics, and webometrics

Research impact assessment (RIA) has emerged as a critical approach for evaluating the societal, academic, and policy-related influence of scholarly work, particularly within the evolving landscape of Open Science. This paper provides a synthesis of quantitative RIA metrics, which offer standardised, data-driven insights into the reach and significance of research outputs. It outlines four principal methodologies: (i) bibliometrics (analyse citation patterns through indicators such as citation counts, co-citation, and bibliographic coupling); (ii) altmetrics (track online engagement and dissemination); (iii) semantometrics (assess textual contributions using semantic similarity measures); and (iv) webometrics (evaluate digital presence through web interactions and backlink analysis). While these quantitative approaches are valuable for benchmarking and strategic decision-making, they often fail to capture the nuanced societal and intellectual impacts of research. To address this limitation, the paper advocates for a hybrid assessment model that integrates quantitative metrics with qualitative methods, such as case studies and narrative analyses, to provide both scalability and contextual depth. Ultimately, the work underscores the importance of critically and judiciously interpreting RIA metrics to fully reflect the multifaceted nature of research impact across disciplines and stakeholder domains

Knowledge, attitude and practice on cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescent girls residing in a slum of Kolkata

Background: Cervical cancer has emerged as an important public health concern among Indian women as it contributes to significant mortality.  Early diagnosis and its prevention are thus of vital importance in the current scenario. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding screening and human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescent girls in a slum area of Kolkata. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 227 adolescent girls (aged 14–19 years) at Arpuli Lane, Kolkata. A pre-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were done to findout the factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practice. Results:  Approximately 91% had inadequate knowledge regarding the prevention of cervical cancer, 47% had an unfavourable attitude towards the prevention of cervical cancer, and 22% had undergone a Pap smear examination/HPV test, while only 13% had received HPV vaccination. The educational status of the participants and their mothers was significantly associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination. Conclusion:  Appropriate behaviour change communications should be initiated considering the propensity for high-risk behaviour and poor knowledge and attitude. Future studies should reveal the causes of their poor behaviour to ensure timely screening and adequate vaccine coverage

Clinical and biochemical profile of wasp sting patients in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Wasp stings and the resulting allergic reactions are common reasons for visiting the emergency department. Stings can be fatal due to multi-system involvement. In our country, the impact of massive wasp stings has been significantly underestimated and has not been systematically investigated. This study aimed to identify the clinical presentations and biochemical profiles of patients experiencing wasp stings in our context. Methods: This case-series study was conducted at the department of medicine in Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet, Bangladesh. The research involved species identification, based on photographic evidence, in conjunction with the patient’s history and informed consent. The study documented the socio-demographic history, details of the wasp bite, and related complications. Results: Among the 30 patients studied, there were 22 males, and 8 females, mean age 36.5 (13.1) years. The average number of stings was 57.6 (114.7) (2 to 500 bites), and hospital arrival time ranged from 15 minutes to 8 days. All the patients experienced local pain, swelling, myalgia and rhabdomyolysis. Systemic complications, such as acute kidney injury, were observed in 20% of cases, with half of these requiring hemodialysis. Biochemically, elevated creatine phosphokinase, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia were frequent. Most of the stings were attributed to Vespa affinis (21; 70%) and Vespa tropica (7; 23%). Conclusion: Rhabdomyolysis was a universal finding in wasp sting cases. Delayed arrival to the hospital significantly increases systemic complications, with acute kidney injury emerging as the most common severe outcome. Early medical intervention is necessary to minimise these risks

Effect of concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin versus concurrent chemoradiation with carboplatin in locally advanced carcinoma cervix: A quasi-experimental study

Background: The standard approach for locally advanced cervical cancer is concurrent chemoradiation with platinum agents, preferably cisplatin. This study was aimed at comparing the treatment response and toxicity of carboplatin-based versus cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiation in locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted from September 2022 to August 2023 on 80 patients with locally advanced carcinoma cervix. Patients were divided evenly between the two arms (40 in each Arm). Arm A received weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m2, Arm B received weekly carboplatin with an area under the curve equal to 2 during external beam radiation. Then all the patients in both arms were treated by intracavity brachytherapy. Each patient was evaluated weekly during treatment and three months after the completion to assess treatment response and treatment related acute toxicities. Results: After three months of completion of treatment, the response was statistically similar between arms [Arm A, 35 (87.5%) versus Arm B, 37 (92.5%), P=0.71]. In terms of toxicity, while Arm B had significantly less anaemia (P=0.03), vomiting (P=0.05), and renal toxicity (P=0.03) than Arm A. Other toxicities such as leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, hyponatremia, radiation-induced dermatitis, cystitis, proctitis, and diarrhea were similar between arms. Conclusion: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with carboplatin had a similar therapeutic response to concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin in locally advanced cervical cancer. Furthermore, the carboplatin arm had lesser toxicity than the cisplatin arm in terms of anaemia, vomiting, and renal toxicity

Internet addiction and its association with life satisfaction among university students in Bangladesh

Background: Internet addiction (IA) is a serious issue for students because it hampers their daily activities and academic performance negatively impacting mental health. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of IA and the factors associated with it among university students.  Methods: A total of 1,168 students of four Bangladeshi universities (50.2% males, 49.8% females, mean age 22.7 and standard deviation 2.2 years) were collected using multistage cluster sampling for this cross-sectional study. The Bangla-adapted Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was used to assess the presence of IA. Results: A total of 78% of individuals had IA. The key factors associated with IA were marital status, self-reported physical health condition, sleep quality, physical exercise, social engagement, and life satisfaction. Students who reported dissatisfaction with life were more likely to have IA than those who were satisfied (92.8% versus 69.8%). Unmarried individuals were more likely to experience IA compared to married individuals (83.9% versus 63.2%). Respondents with poor physical health status exhibited higher IA rates than those with good physical health status (91.5% versus 62.1%). Higher IA was found to be more prevalent among individuals with poor sleep quality than those with good sleep  (89.2% versus 59.8%). Individuals who did not engage in social activities were more likely to have IA than those who engaged in social activities (81.6% versus 71.8%). Multiple logistic regression analysis  supported these relationships. Conclusion: IA is widely prevalent among university students, with nearly three-fourths of them being addicted. Therefore, university administrators and relevant authorities should take necessary measures to mitigate the adverse effects of IA

Percutaneous epidural balloon decompression and neuroplasty by ZiNeu catheter in lumber spinal stenosis patient in Bangladesh: A case report

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Delirious mania in an adolescent with Bardet-Biedl syndrome : A case report

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Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is a urine-based biomarker for diagnosing active lupus nephritis

Background: Lupus nephritis is one of the most serious complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a non-invasive biomarker that may aid in diagnosing active lupus nephritis. This study seeks to evaluate NGAL as a urine-based biomarker to diagnose active lupus nephritis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Rheumatology, and Nephrology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Urine samples were collected to estimate NGAL levels using the ELISA method in the Department of Laboratory Medicine. Participants were divided into three groups: patients with SLE and active lupus nephritis, patients without nephritis, and healthy controls. Each group was comprised of 24 individuals. Patients with active lupus nephritis were classified into six categories (I to VI). ANOVA was performed to compare urinary NGAL values across the groups or categories. A receiver operating characteristic curve was created to establish the cut-off point for NGAL. Results: The mean urinary NGAL level was 19.5 (SD 6.9), 7.2 (3.8), and 1.7 (6.5) ng/mL in SLE patients with active lupus nephritis, SLE patients without active lupus nephritis, and healthy individuals, respectively. Increasing mean levels were observed across the classes of lupus nephritis. The cut-off point for urinary NGAL in active lupus nephritis was 11.6 ng/mL, demonstrating a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 93.8%. Conclusion: The level of urinary NGAL was elevated in SLE patients with active lupus nephritis. It could serve as a valuable biomarker for diagnosing active lupus nephritis