Assessment of the Utilization of HIV Interventions by Sex Workers in Selected Brothels in Bangladesh: An Exploratory Study

In this qualitative study of brothel-based Female Sex Workers (FSWs), the authors explored factors that influence safe sex practices of FSWs within an integrated HIV intervention. Qualitative methods, including focus group discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews and key informant interviews were applied in four brothels in Bangladesh. Young and elderly FSWs, Sordarnis (Madams who own young FSWs and who may be either active or inactive sex workers themselves), program managers and providers were the participants for this study. Findings showed that condom use was high but not consistent among bonded FSWs (those who are under the control of a Sordarni) who have regular clients. The bonded FSWs reported being maltreated by the Sordarnis for refusing to have sex without a condom, and access to health services was hindered by Sordarnis. Implications of the study are that integrated HIV intervention should provide more encouragement to relevant stakeholders to promote mutual support towards safe sex practices for the FSWs

Policy research institutions and the health SDGs : building momentum in South Asia - Bangladesh study

Bangladesh has made reasonable progress in policy planning for implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mapping of stakeholders in the public sector has been done, including identification of data gaps. However, relatively less progress has been made in multi-sectoral engagement for implementation of SDGs, though initiatives are underway by both public and private sectors. Annexes to the paper list Ministries and Government Department responsibilities, as well as civil organizations partnering with the “Citizen’s Platform” whose objective is to contribute to the delivery of SDGs and enhance accountability

Pressure ulcer risk assessment and prevention system design.

Pressure ulcer (PU, bedsore, ischemia, decubitus ulcer) has become a global healthcare problem. In United Kingdom 412,000 people develop pressure ulcer annually and it costs the National Health Service (NHS) £1.4-£2.1 billion pounds (4% of total NHS budget). Pressure ulcers are a combined result of multiple factors such as prolonged external load applied to the skin, reduced blood flow in tissues, the patient’s physiological parameters (body mass index, age, mobility) and body support surface properties. The aetiology of pressure ulcer formation includes both mechanical and biological properties of skin and soft tissues. In order to prevent PU formation in the human body, a new type of risk predicting tool is required where identification of PU risk is based on combined effect of patient’s physiological parameters and support surface properties. Previous research suggests that interface pressure (IP) of 32 mmHg (4.2kPa) can cause PU but there is no strong evidence to show when that pressure is reached. Also IP varies from person to person due to their physiology. There are three risk assessment scales available to predict the occurrence of PU formation; however, none of these scales take interaction of body support surface material into account. Also they do not provide any information at which area a person is at risk of ulceration. In order to identify the harmful IP, biomechanical behaviour of skin and soft tissue is modelled and interaction of body support surface is studied. A mathematical model has been developed to characterise a new type of body support surface material (viscoelastic) and validated by conducting experiments. The relationship between patient’s physiological parameters and surface material are identified along with risk assessment scales for pressure ulcer prediction by conducting experiments. External load at different bony areas are measured using eleven volunteers. By measuring the external load for eleven subjects (age =33±7) and (BMI =25.0±3.01 kg/m2) at different bony areas, the relationship between IP with the total body weight and BMI was developed. A mathematical model is proposed to predict the risk of PU formation combining the Waterlow risk assessment scale and risk prediction algorithms on a user friendly interface

Estimating Blood Pressure from Photoplethysmogram Signal and Demographic Features using Machine Learning Techniques

Hypertension is a potentially unsafe health ailment, which can be indicated directly from the Blood pressure (BP). Hypertension always leads to other health complications. Continuous monitoring of BP is very important; however, cuff-based BP measurements are discrete and uncomfortable to the user. To address this need, a cuff-less, continuous and a non-invasive BP measurement system is proposed using Photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal and demographic features using machine learning (ML) algorithms. PPG signals were acquired from 219 subjects, which undergo pre-processing and feature extraction steps. Time, frequency and time-frequency domain features were extracted from the PPG and their derivative signals. Feature selection techniques were used to reduce the computational complexity and to decrease the chance of over-fitting the ML algorithms. The features were then used to train and evaluate ML algorithms. The best regression models were selected for Systolic BP (SBP) and Diastolic BP (DBP) estimation individually. Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) along with ReliefF feature selection algorithm outperforms other algorithms in estimating SBP and DBP with a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 6.74 and 3.59 respectively. This ML model can be implemented in hardware systems to continuously monitor BP and avoid any critical health conditions due to sudden changes.Comment: Accepted for publication in Sensor, 14 Figures, 14 Table

Causes of Maternal Mortality Decline in Matlab, Bangladesh

Bangladesh is distinct among developing countries in achieving a low maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 322 per 100,000 livebirths despite the very low use of skilled care at delivery (13% nationally). This variation has also been observed in Matlab, a rural area in Bangladesh, where longitudinal data on maternal mortality are available since the mid-1970s. The current study investigated the possible causes of the maternal mortality decline in Matlab. The study analyzed 769 maternal deaths and 215,779 pregnancy records from the Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) and other sources of safe motherhood data in the ICDDR,B and government service areas in Matlab during 1976-2005. The major interventions that took place in both the areas since the early 1980s were the family-planning programme plus safe menstrual regulation services and safe motherhood interventions (midwives for normal delivery in the ICDDR,B service area from the late 1980s and equal access to comprehensive emergency obstetric care [EmOC] in public facilities for women from both the areas). National programmes for social development and empowerment of women through education and microcredit programmes were implemented in both the areas. The quantitative findings were supplemented by a qualitative study by interviewing local community care providers for their change in practices for maternal healthcare over time. After the introduction of the safe motherhood programme, reduction in maternal mortality was higher in the ICDDR,B service area (68.6%) than in the government service area (50.4%) during 1986-1989 and 2001-2005. Reduction in the number of maternal deaths due to the fertility decline was higher in the government service area (30%) than in the ICDDR,B service area (23%) during 1979-2005. In each area, there has been substantial reduction in abortion-related mortality—86.7% and 78.3%—in the ICDDR,B and government service areas respectively. Education of women was a strong predictor of the maternal mortality decline in both the areas. Possible explanations for the maternal mortality decline in Matlab are: better access to comprehensive EmOC services, reduction in the total fertility rate, and improved education of women. To achieve the Millenium Development Goal 5 targets, policies that bring further improved comprehensive EmOC, strengthened family-planning services, and expanded education of females are essential

The legal aspect of industrial relations practice in Bangladesh

The role of labour and industrial laws is of paramount importance when the economy of a country depends largely on its industrial sector. In addition, the necessary infrastructure for investments in natural resources is also important. It is clear that if these essential elements are not available then the growth of the industrial sector is hardly feasible. Besides all these, the proper management of labour is essential for the growth of the industrial sector including managing labour issues. Thus timely disposal of labour disputes is also important. However, in most cases labour law disputes are not solved within a short period of time causing remedies which are essential for these disputes to be delayed. Labour laws are important from the Bangladesh perspective as it is crucial for the industrial development of the country. Labour is an important part of an industry and as such an industry without labour would be inconceivable. Although labour rights are crucial in Bangladesh, employees are ignorant about their rights as they do not have adequate education and knowledge about labour laws. This is a huge problem. This paper aims to narrow the gap between existing laws and the real scenario relating to industrial practices in Bangladesh

Agritourism, Community Attachment and Their Contributions to Tourism and Community: An Empirical Study

The tourism industry has encountered various sustainable development functionalities, and nations seek to develop tourism while conserving nature and its resources. Agritourism strengthens a region’s competitive, cultural, and transformational resources while helping the rural community, economy, and society thrive sustainably. However, few studies have evaluated community attention toward agritourism in developing countries. This study bridges this gap using community attachment through agritourism-based resident perceptions of the economic, social, cultural, and environmental impacts of tourism support and its contributions to resident communities. A partial least squares method under structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed using SmartPLS 3.0. Results reveal that community attachment is significantly correlated with economic, social, cultural, and environmental impacts, which are also significantly associated with tourism support. These impacts were mainly related to contributions to the community, thus confirming all hypotheses except for the cultural implications, which were found to be insignificant. This study will help marketers, professionals, and decision-makers understand and predict the economic, social, cultural, and environmental impacts of agritourism and formulate policies to contribute to its development