Nighttime Light Intensity and Child Health Outcomes in Bangladesh

This study examines the impact of nighttime light intensity on child health outcomes in Bangladesh. We use nighttime light intensity as a proxy measure of urbanization and argue that the higher intensity of nighttime light, the higher is the degree of urbanization, which positively affects child health outcomes. In econometric estimation, we employ a methodology that combines parametric and non-parametric approaches using the Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Bootstrap Aggregating that originate from machine learning algorithms. Based on our benchmark estimates, findings show that one standard deviation increase of nighttime light intensity is associated with a 1.515 rise of Z-score of weight for age after controlling for several control variables. The maximum increase of weight for height and height for age score range from 5.35 to 7.18 units. To further understand our benchmark estimates, generalized additive models also provide a robust positive relationship between nighttime light intensity and children's health outcomes. Finally, we develop an economic model that supports the empirical findings of this study that the marginal effect of urbanization on children's nutritional outcomes is strictly positive.Comment: 44 page

Laws, Regulations, Formalities, Facilities and Incentives on Investment: A Case Study of Bangladesh

Investment is a crucial phenomenon for economic and industrial development of a country. The main objective of this paper is to highlight the present investment related laws and regulations in Bangladesh. An analysis has been made to depict different aspects and their impacts on formulations, promotions, incentives and facilities support provided by BOI, BEPZA, BSCIC, Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Bank and National Board of Revenue to both local and foreign investors. A one stop source of all required information to all potential domestic and foreign investors regarding investment laws, regulations, formalities, facilities and incentives in Bangladesh needs to be provided in encouraging the investments at the desired level of the sustainable development. The results of the study indicate that variables related to investment in Bangladesh are highly positive for economic growth and industrial development of the country. Even then, Bangladesh government has to come forward to enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of investors through providing more liberalized laws, regulations policies, facilities and incentives on investment. Key words: Laws, regulations, formalities, facilities, incentives, investment, economic growth, industrial development etc

Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Approach on Consumers’ Preferences for Selecting Telecom Operators in Bangladesh

This study is designed for the analysis of the consumers’ preferences for selecting the telecom operators in Bangladesh. This study includes an empirical analysis using AHP model based on some criteria of consumers’ preferences. This study provides relevant ranking using AHP model rather than finding the causal relationship among the variables. The results of the empirical analysis shows that the respondents preferred the network criterion as most important criterion for their preferences, and also preferred two telecom operators Grameen Phone and Airtel under different criteria. Finally, the global weights of the AHP analysis show that the respondents preferred Grameen Phone most than all other telecom operators in Bangladesh. Keywords: AHP Analysis, Telecom Operators, Consumers’ Satisfaction

The role perceptions of DEOs in Pakistan : Toothless tigers or selfless servants?

The study of educational leadership and management in Pakistan is relatively a new territory – a road less travelled. This is truer when it comes to the study of District Education Officials’ (DEOs) ways of managing education. These officials actually bridge the government higher functionaries and policies in terms of policy implementation, monitoring and supervision of the schools in their respective districts. These officials theoretically should exercise significant control over the functioning of schools in their jurisdiction. Though on paper they have heavy responsibilities but actually they have limited arena to exercise; their power due largely to complex web of power centres in their respective provinces. A small-scale exploratory case study was undertaken in qualitative research paradigm to investigate the perceptions and practices of the district educational officials in Pakistan. The sample of the study was drawn from the eleven districts of Baluchistan, eleven districts of Sindh, and ten officials from Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) who were selected for their professional development at AKU-IED under an USAID/ED-LINKS Project during 2008-2010. The study investigated these DEOs’ self-perceived roles and responsibilities through mainly interviews. Some head teachers were also interviewed to see how they view the roles and responsibilities of these senior officials. As well, the headteachers, who were also participating in the same course, were asked to comment about the DEOs’ role and what that means to their schools. Moreover, the DEOs were also asked to comment on their learnings during their certificate course programme. The findings of the study reveal that DEOs perceive their roles as more administrative, at best management and hardly leadership. Reportedly, they do this work very often in trying circumstances, pressurized by political influences, local traditions, tribal dynamics, and uncertain law and order situations. They feel almost besieged with debilitating rather than enabling circumstances. Despite these limitations, they try their best to do at least the minimum they are required; but find it difficult to go beyond. Self-efficacy in this case is in short supply; though some do claim that they are able to accomplish what they can; in the given circumstances. Though good intentions are in abundance but materializing them is a herculean task for them. They appear to be the toothless tigers; as they appear to be senior government officials but their actual influence on their area of operation appears too little; they cannot account even their humblest employees due to many reasons, including political interference

Reconceptualization of teacher education experiences from the context of a multicultural developing country

Teacher education in developing countries faces great challenges attributable to economic constraints, including shrinking resources, the low status of teachers—exacerbated by declining incentives—and an entirely theoretical approach in teacher training programs. These challenges are further intensified by variations in the trainees’ cultural, regional, and religious backgrounds and by the lack of collaboration between different education sectors. In this context, the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) in Karachi, Pakistan, is attempting to provide contextually appropriate, effective teacher education programs for Pakistan and other developing countries. This article draws on the authors’ personal experiences in the teacher education programs at AKU-IED and on studies that examine the impact of these programs on participants. Several studies show that teacher education transforms teachers’ beliefs and practices if accomplished through more effective approaches. The article discusses how teacher education programs are conceptualized and implemented in the multicultural context of AKU-IED, where the course participants come from various developing countries and diverse backgrounds

Assessment of fish fauna in relation to biodiversity indices of Chalan Beel, Bangladesh

The research was carried out to enlist the fish species diversity along with diversity indices of existing fish species of Chalan Beel, Bangladesh. During the study, a total of 78 fish species including 69 native and 9 exotic fish species were recorded belonging 10 orders and 26 families. The values of Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H') indicated a good spread of fish population in Chalan Beel although the number of species was not found satisfactory. The degradation of water quality due to domestic discharges, jute rotting, excessive usage of agro-chemicals, indiscriminate fishing activity etc. were revealed  as the causes of declining the fish diversity of this Beel. The Margalef’s richness index (d) expressed the species richness of Chalan Beel that started in July by joining new fish population with the existing fish species and reached gradually highest in November after breeding. Pielou’s index (J) showed the equal distribution pattern of fish species throughout the sampling area indicating a stable but incompatible habitat for existing fish species. The assessment of the study revealed the number of species was not found in expected level in view of the overall fish biodiversity of the country. Considering the observations, it is recommended for stopping water pollution, ensuring normal water flow and developing awareness of fishermen to retrieve the fish diversity of the study area. Besides, an inclusive management and conservation scheme is crying need for the Beel fishery to enrich the fish species diversity of the Chalan Beel as well as the country

Reconceptualization of teacher education: Experiences from the context of a multicultural developing country

Teacher education in developing countries faces great challenges attributable to economic constraints, including shrinking resources, the low status of teachers—exacerbated by declining incentives—and an entirely theoretical approach in teacher training programs. These challenges are further intensified by variations in the trainees’ cultural, regional, and religious backgrounds and by the lack of collaboration between different education sectors. In this context, the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) in Karachi, Pakistan, is attempting to provide contextually appropriate, effective teacher education programs for Pakistan and other developing countries. This article draws on the authors’ personal experiences in the teacher education programs at AKU-IED and on studies that examine the impact of these programs on participants. Several studies show that teacher education transforms teachers’ beliefs and practices if accomplished through more effective approaches. The article discusses how teacher education programs are conceptualized and implemented in the multicultural context of AKU-IED, where the course participants come from various developing countries and diverse backgrounds

Feeding Different Levels of Energy and Crude Protein in Compound Pellet and Performance of Black Bengal Goat

Three different complete compound pellets containing different levels of energy and crude protein,viz. standard energy and protein(SEP),low energy and protein(LEP) and high energy and protein(HEP) were prepared where SEP contained 10.28 MJME and 140g CP per kgDM of feed, LEP contained 10% less energy and protein and HEP contained 10% high energy and protein than SEP, respectively and were fed to three groups of growing Black Bengal goats to evaluatefeeding value of different levels of ME and CP containing pellet. Data were analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of statistical analysis software (SAS). The effectsof different level of energy and protein containing pellet on performance of goat weredifferent. Highest energy (ME)andcrude proteinintake and best FCR, PCRandtotal liveweight gain were observed in HEP but SEP and HEP showed significantly higher (p<0.01) values of the parameters than LEP and only HEP showed significantly higher (p<0.05) crude protein intake (Kgd-1100-1Kg LW and gKg-1W 0.75d-1) and MEI (MJd-1100-1Kg LW and MJ Kg-1W 0.75d-1) than LEP. Both SEP and HEP groups showed significantly higher (p<0.01) digestibilityof CP than LEP. On the other hand,HEP showed higher (p<0.01) digestibility of DM and OM than both SEP and LEP but digestibility of EE was higher (p<0.01) in SEP than LEP and HEP. Digestibility of NFE was dissimilar in three groups and the difference was significant (p<0.01) where highest value was found in HEP. Dissimilar percentageof digestible value of CP, NFE and D valueswereobserved among the groups where HEP showed highest value(p<0.01) and LEP showed lowest. Percent of digestible value of CF was higher (p<0.01) in LEP than SEP and HEP. On the other hand SEP and LEP showed higher (p<0.01) value of EE than HEP where as SEP and HEP showed higher (p<0.01) value of TDN than LEP. Meat yield, selling price of meat, and total price was highest in HEP but both SEP and HEP showed significantly higher (p<0.01) value of theseparameters than LEP. Feed cost and total rearing cost was highest in HEP but the values were dissimilar among the groups and the difference was significant (p<0.01). Insignificantly highest net profit was observed in SEP and lowest in LEP. From the observation it can be concludedthat there is a positive effect of increasing energy and crude protein in diet on performance of goat but economically not significant and in this case standard energy and crude protein containing diet can be used for commercial goat production in stall feedin

ASSESSMENT OF PATIENT’S SATISFACTION RECEIVING TREATMENT AT PHYSICAL THERAPY OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT OF HAYATABAD MEDICAL COMPLEX PESHAWAR

Introduction: Patient satisfaction is an important indicator of the quality of care given to patients in the health care system. It helps the clinician to know about the exact and objective feedback of the services they provide and to improve the quality and outcome of patient care. Patient satisfaction in physical therapy has not been closely monitored, and limited research exists in the field of health services in this area. The purpose of this study was to measure the patient's satisfaction at the physiotherapy OPD of Hayatabad medical complex Peshawar. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2018 to January 2019 to measure patient satisfaction. MedRisk patient satisfaction questionnaire by Beattie et al (2005) was used for data collection. The questionnaire was distributed among 125 participants at the physiotherapy OPD of Hayatabad medical complex Peshawar by non-probability convenient sampling. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 125 participants were recruited of which more than half were female (n=70, 56%) and male (n=55,44%) with a mean age of 41.88±12.23. The chief complaint participants presented with was shoulder pain (n=29, 23.2%) followed by low back pain (n=24,19.2%). Patients were satisfied and responded positively to all the MedRisk patient satisfaction questionnaire statements. When asked the participants “My therapist treats me respectfully” (n=4,3.2%) disagree, (n=4,3.2%) neutral responses, and (n=117,93.6%) agree. When inquired about the time therapist spend with participants (n=111, 88.8%) disagree, (n=14, 11.2%) agree. “My therapist thoroughly explains the treatment(s) I receive” (n=3,2.4%) disagree, (n=3,2.4%) neutral response and (n=119,95.2%) agree. “Overall, I am completely satisfied with the services I received from my therapist” (n=1,0.8%) disagree, (n=7,5.6%) neutral response, (n=117,93.6%) agree. No significant correlation was found between gender and patient satisfaction as the p-value was greater than 0.05. Conclusion: This cross-sectional survey showed a high level of patient satisfaction with physiotherapy and good quality care to the patient by a professional therapist in physiotherapy OPD of Hayatabad medical complex Peshawar