Knowledge on AIDS among female adolescents in Bangladesh: Evidence from the Bangladesh demographic and health survey data

To assess the knowledge on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among female adolescents in Bangladesh, this study used data extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 1996-1997. Of 1,446 ever-married women included in the study, most were currently married (96%), Muslims (92%) and from rural areas (91%). Only one in six adolescents had ever heard of AIDS. Of them, 57% reported AIDS as a fatal disease almost always, while only 22% believed that AIDS could be avoided. Multivariate analysis revealed that knowledge on AIDS was strongly and positively associated with education of female adolescents and their husbands and varied significantly across different parts of the country. Knowledge on AIDS was higher among relatively older and urban residents who had access to television or radio and whose husbands were using condom. Strong efforts are needed to improve awareness and to clarify misconceptions about AIDS. Improved access to education, mass-media, and promotion of condom use could prevent AIDS among female adolescents in Bangladesh

Identifying Potential Factors of Childbearing in Bangladesh

This paper aims to identify different potential factors associated with childbearing pattern among the ever-married women in Bangladesh. Childbearing pattern is directly related to fertility level and rapid population growth is the major consequence of more childbearing. Bearing more children affects adversely on social and economic opportunities and produces substantial risks to the health of mothers and children. Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey data 1999-2000 and 2004 have been used for this study. First bi-variate analysis method is carried out to identify different factors associated with childbearing. Then generalized linear modelling approach has been performed to quantify the simultaneous effect of key socio-economic and demographic factors. Our primary findings show that childbearing varied tremendously by education level and age at first marriage. From the generalized linear model analysis, mother's age group, types of place of residence, division, media exposure are found to be significantly associated with bearing more children among the ever-married women in Bangladesh. These findings suggest that government should continue its effort to ensure higher education for females and to promote to delay age at marriage

Promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour can minimise the risk of suicidal behaviours among adolescents

Suicide is a leading cause of premature mortality and a major public health concern (1). It is more common in low‐ and middle‐income countries like Bangladesh, where the rate is 39.6 per 100,000 population, compared to the estimated global average of 11.4 (2). Adolescents represent more than one‐fifth of the Bangladeshi population (3), but there is limited information on how health behaviours like physical activity (PA) affect suicidal thoughts and behaviours in this vulnerable group. Identifying potentially modifiable risk behaviours is essential to reduce the country's adolescent suicide rate

Cordyceps Mushroom: a Potent Anticancer Nutraceutical

The Cordyceps mushrooms have a long history as medicinal fungi. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cordyceps have been used to treat several conditions including cancers for thousand of years. Extracts from both mycelium and fruiting bodies of C. sinensis, C. militaris and other Cordyceps species showed significant anticancer activities by various mechanisms such as, modulating immune system and inducing cell apoptosis. Some polysaccharide components and cordycepin (3\u27 -deoxyadenosine) have been isolated from C. sinensis and C. militaris, which acted as potent anticancer components. This review article aims to further elucidate the importance of Cordyceps mushrooms by summarizing the findings of some of the important research works concerning possible mechanism of anticancer activity of this mushroom

The association between sedentary leisure and physical activity in middle-aged adults

Aim The aim of this study was to examine the association between time spent in sedentary leisure and physical activity level in mid-aged men and women

Physical education class participation is associated with physical activity among adolescents in 65 countries

In this study we examined the associations of physical education class participation with physical activity among adolescents. We analysed the Global School-based Student Health Survey data from 65 countries (N = 206,417; 11–17 years; 49% girls) collected between 2007 and 2016. We defined sufficient physical activity as achieving physical activities ≥ 60 min/day, and grouped physical education classes as ‘0 day/week’, ‘1–2 days/week’, and ‘ ≥ 3 days/week’ participation. We used multivariable logistic regression to obtain country-level estimates, and meta-analysis to obtain pooled estimates. Compared to those who did not take any physical education classes, those who took classes ≥ 3 days/week had double the odds of being sufficiently active (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.84–2.28) with no apparent gender/age group differences. The association estimates decreased with higher levels of country’s income with OR 2.37 (1.51–3.73) for low-income and OR 1.85 (1.52–2.37) for high-income countries. Adolescents who participated in physical education classes 1–2 days/week had 26% higher odds of being sufficiently active with relatively higher odds for boys (30%) than girls (15%). Attending physical education classes was positively associated with physical activity among adolescents regardless of sex or age group. Quality physical education should be encouraged to promote physical activity of children and adolescents

Is physical inactivity associated with depressive symptoms among adolescents with high screen time? Evidence from a developing country

Background Increasing levels of screen use and physical inactivity in developing countries may be deleterious for adolescent mental health. This study aimed to examine how physical inactivity is associated with concurrent depressive symptoms among adolescents with high recreational screen time in Bangladesh. Methods A self-administered survey was conducted among 898 secondary school students of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. High screen-time was assessed using the Adolescent Sedentary Activity Questionnaire (ASAQ), with a cut-off of >2\ua0h/day. Scores ≥10 on the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD10) suggested depressive symptoms. The Three-Day Physical Activity Recall (3DPAR) instrument was used to estimate physical activity, with those doing ≤60\ua0min/day of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) classified as not meeting MVPA recommendations. Of the 599 adolescents who were determined to have high recreational screen time (>2\ua0h/day), 505 completed the CESD10, and form the basis for this analysis. Results Of the adolescents with high recreational screen time, 32% did not meet MVPA recommendations and 25% reported depressive symptoms. Generalized estimating equations modelling on CESD scores showed that depressive symptoms were more prevalent among adolescents with high screen time who also did not meet MVPA recommendations (OR 2.37; 95% CI: 1.23–4.59), after adjusting for a set of confounders including sociodemographic, psychosocial and lifestyle factors. Conclusions Adolescents in Dhaka city with high recreational screen time and not meeting physical activity recommendations are also likely to have depressive symptoms. More research is needed to understand the causal directions of these relationships

Managing Sexually Transmissible Infections in Clinical Practice: Evidence from New South Wales, Australia

Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are on the increase in Australia. The considerable health, psychosocial, and economic consequences of STIs underscores the need for their better prevention and control. As primary health care providers, general practitioners (GPs) with their incomparable access to the Australian population are best placed to provide effective sexual health services. However, earlier research suggests that there are inconsistencies in the provision of clinical care for STIs in general practice in Australia, although little is known about STI care by GPs in the state of New South Wales (NSW). The purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of how STIs are managed in general practice, and to examine how STI care in general practice differs to that in specialised practice staffed by sexual health physicians (SHPs)

Trade openness and inflation: A test of Romer hypothesis for Bangladesh

An important prediction found in international trade is that Trade openness can affect inflation. The trade openness or trade liberalization is associated with declining prices, that is, there is negative relation between inflation and trade openness. In line with this view, Romer (1993) postulates the hypothesis that inflation is lower in small and open economies. The objective of this paper is to explore the relationship between trade openness and inflation for the small economy Bangladesh using data over 1976 -2010 period. For this purpose, Cointegration Approach and a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) have been used. Empirical results show that there is a significant negative long-run relationship between inflation and trade openness, which confirms the existence of Romer’s hypothesis in Bangladesh