Influencing Factors of Fertility in Developing Countries: Evidence from 16 DHS Data

Objective: This study aims to identify factors that have a substantial impact on the fertility performance of the human population in developing countries. Methods: We have used 16 different countries\u27 demographic and health survey data to complete the study. To address the study objective, binary logistic regression random effect meta-analysis and random effect meta-regression are used. Results: At the end of the analysis, it is found that Odds Ratio (OR) for variable women’s age is 0.06 [0.06; 0.07] for the event high fertility which is least among all other results. OR for education of women and partner be respectively 0.31 [0.25; 0.39] and 0.44 [0.35; 0.56]. OR for age at first marriage was found to be 0.47 [0.40; 0.56] for the event high fertility. On the other hand, per-capita-health-expenditure can explain 57.14% of the total amount of variation for the variable age at first marriage. Additionally, 49.17% of the heterogeneity can be explained by annual population growth for the variable type of place of residence. Conclusion: In a developing country, women\u27s age is the most important factor to explain fertility performance. After women’s age, an increase in education for both partners and women lead to fertility decline. Another unusual factor that influences fertility behavior is the per capita health expenditure of a country. A rise in per capita health expenditure ultimately leads to fertility decline

Filtration in Pharmaceutical Industries and Role of Textile

Filtration is considered the keystone for clarification and control of contamination in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. From production to in-process to chemical and research laboratories to the purification of water for sterile and nonsterile products, all of which involve some form of filtration in order to achieve a good manufacturing practice (GMP). Textile materials possess a significant contribution to the pharmaceutical filtration system. Textile material in pharmaceutical filtration is used in the form of filter media or medium. Flexible in nature, large pore distribution and non-metallic properties of textile materials have led to widespread use as filter media for many years. In filtration processes, a proper selection of filter media/ membrane material is usually the most critical aspect for ensuring efficient separation. Generally, solid-liquid and solid-gas separation is done by the filter media. This paper emphasises solid-liquid filtration. Moreover, this paper reviews the water requirement, filtration processes and the role of textile in the filtration system of pharmaceutical industries. This paper also offers insight into the current market trend and COVID-19 impact on the pharmaceutical filtration industry. Furthermore, gathered information may be helpful to those studying and working in pharmaceutical engineering, filtration technology, and wastewater treatment and can get knowledge about filtration systems

Socioeconomic and Demographic Predictors of Women\u27s First Birth at an Early Age: Evidence from Bangladesh’s Demographic and Health Survey, 2004-2014

Women\u27s health is highly influenced by early childbearing in 95% of developing countries such as Bangladesh. Women who have their first child at an early age receive fewer years of schooling, which also influences their employment life. Women\u27s early age at first birth creates health complications, increases both maternal and child mortality, and prolongs the reproductive duration as well as a country\u27s fertility rate. This is a major social and public health problem around the world. This study aims to investigate the existing situation in Bangladesh and to identify the triggering influencing factors of age at first birth. A cross-sectional study design was implemented in this study, where we used the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data from 2004, 2007, 2011, and 2014. Firstly, to identify different factors associated with first birth at an early age, the bi-variate analysis method was carried out. Then a logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the simultaneous effect of socioeconomic and demographic factors. Findings of the study reveal that respondent education level, partner\u27s education level, religion, reading newspaper, and type of place of residence had significant contributions for early age at first birth among the female in Bangladesh. Based on the findings, there seems a decreasing trend of having early childbearing in Bangladeshi women over the years, but still, no optimal fertility rate has been achieved. For complex socio-cultural settings in Bangladesh, it is difficult to reduce the fertility rate. Hence, to reduce the prevalence of the age at early childbearing in Bangladesh, the Government and non-government organizations should take proper initiatives considering our study findings

Camouflage Fabric - Fabric for Today’s Competitive Era

Innovation is the foremost requirement of today’s competitive era. Innovation refers to improving on an existing concept or idea using a stepwise process to create a commercially viable product. Food, clothing, and shelter are the basic needs of a human being. Clothing is made from textiles; with the help of textiles, the shelters are made more comfortable and attractive. Traditionally, fabrics are used for apparel and home furnishing purpose, but these days, application is diversifying in order to satisfy technical and protective functions. Camouflage fabrics are the ones most suitable for technical and protective purposes. Over the past few years, researchers have put emphasis on the development of camouflage fabrics for security measures for troops, and for activities intended to hide facts and mislead the enemy. Years of investigations have been invested into innovation in the manufacture of these fabrics which are providing the ultimate performance and reliability. In this review paper, an attempt is made to comprise principle, manufacturing techniques, properties and application. This paper also highlights the modern development and recent trends in the field of camouflage fabric. Camouflage and multispectral universal camouflage are the main areas of recent trends on camouflage fabrics. Camouflage fabrics are mostly used for hunting, survival prepper, tactical and military protective wear

Caesarean delivery and its association with educational attainment, wealth index, and place of residence in Sub-Saharan Africa : a meta-analysis

Caesarean delivery (C-section) has been increasing worldwide; however, many women from developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are deprived of these lifesaving services. This study aimed to explore the impact of certain socioeconomic factors, including respondent’s education, husband’s education, place of residence, and wealth index, on C-section delivery for women in Sub-Saharan Africa. We used pooled data from 36 demographic and health surveys (DHS) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Married women aged 15–49 years who have at least one child in the last five years were considered in this survey. After inclusion and excluding criteria, 234,660 participants were eligible for final analysis. Binary logistic regression was executed to determine the effects of selected socioeconomic factors. The countries were assembled into four sub-regions (Southern Africa, West Africa, East Africa, and Central Africa), and a meta-analysis was conducted. We performed random-effects model estimation for meta-analysis to assess the overall effects and consistency between covariates and utilization of C-section delivery as substantial heterogeneity was identified (I2 > 50%). Furthermore, the meta-regression was carried out to explain the additional amount of heterogeneity by country levels. We performed a sensitivity analysis to examine the effects of outliers in this study. Findings suggest that less than 15% of women in many Sub-Saharan African countries had C-section delivery. Maternal education (OR 4.12; CI 3.75, 4.51), wealth index (OR 2.05; CI 1.94, 2.17), paternal education (OR 1.71; CI 1.57, 1.86), and place of residence (OR 1.51; CI 1.44, 1.58) were significantly associated with the utilization of C-section delivery. These results were also consistent in sub-regional meta-analyses. The meta-regression suggests that the total percentage of births attended by skilled health staff (TPBASHS) has a significant inverse association with C-section utilization regarding educational attainment (respondent & husband), place of residence, and wealth index. The data structure was restricted to define the distinction between elective and emergency c-sections. It is essential to provide an appropriate lifesaving mechanism, such as C-section delivery opportunities, through proper facilities for rural, uneducated, impoverished Sub-Saharan African women to minimize both maternal and infant mortality

Temporal variations of sex ratio and growth pattern of critically endangered catfish Clupisoma garua from the Ganges river of north-western Bangladesh

647-653This research work states the temporal variations of sex ratio (SR), length-frequency distributions (LFDs), growth type based on length-weight relations (LWRs) and length-length relations (LLRs) of Clupisoma garua from the Ganges river of north-western Bangladesh. A total of 1200 specimens (male=630, female=570) were sampled using traditional fishing gears during May 2014 to April 2015. Then, total length (TL), standard length (SL) and fork length (FL) were taken to about 0.1 cm, and body weight (W) was taken to 0.1 g accuracy. The overall SR (male: female=1.0:0.90) did not vary statistically from the expected ratio of 1:1 (df =1, χ2 = 3.00, p>0.05). However, monthly variations of SR indicate males were higher in each month except June-August when females were greater in percentage. The LFDs showed that in males C. garua, ranged from 3.8-25.9 cm TL and females 3.9-26.3 cm TL. The LFDs for both sexes did not pass the normality; and Mann-Whitney U-test showed significant differences between sexes (pbvs. FL and TL vs. SL) of C. garua were highly significant (pr2 values >0.975. Finally, the findings of this study will be helpful for fishery biologists and conservationists to recommend adequate policy for the sustainable fishery of C. garua in the Ganges river and surrounding ecosystem

Biometry, sexual maturity, natural mortality and fecundity of endangered halfbeak Dermogenys pusilla (Zenarchopteridae) from the Ganges River in northwestern Bangladesh

1548-1555The present study express the biometry, including length-weight relationships (LWRs) using 12 equations, length-length relationships (LLRs) using 15 equations, condition factors (allometric, KA; Fultonʹs, KF; relative, KR; and relative weight, WR), form factor (a3.0), first sexual maturity (Lm), natural mortality (MW) and fecundity (FT) of Dermogenys pusilla from the Ganges River, northwestern Bangladesh. A sum of 75 individuals was hardly collected using cast net and gill net during July 2013 to June 2014. In our study total length ranged from 6.6–16.1 cm for male and 7.5-15.6 cm for female and fin formula was- dorsal, D. 12 (4/8); pectoral, P1. 11 (2/9); pelvic, P2. 6 (1/5); anal, A. 13-14 (2-3/11-12) and caudal C. 18-20 (4/14-16). All LWRs were highly significant (P r2, BW vs. FL was the best fitted model among 12 equations for both sexes. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed significant differences between males and females for LWRs (P P r2 values ≥ 0.940. According to highest value of r2, LLR by TL vs. FL was the best suited model among 15 equations for both genders. Based on Pearson correlation values, KF was highly correlated with BW and TL; thus KF can be used for the wellbeing of this species in the Ganges River. The a3.0 was 0.0025 for male and 0.0024 for female. The Lm was 9.70 cm TL for male and 9.40 cm TL for female. Also, the MW was 1.13, 1.41 year-1 for males and females respectively, and the fecundity was ranged from 620-1544 (mean ± SD = 1125 ± 248). Therefore, the findings of this study would be very effective for sustainable conservation of this endangered species in the Ganges River and surrounding ecosystem

Mental health status of early married girls during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study in the southwestern region of Bangladesh

BackgroundDue to unemployment, the prolonged lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic caused panic and deepened poverty, especially among lower-class and marginal people. The related financial crises led to harmful practices such as the early marriage of adolescent girls, which deteriorated these girl’s mental state.AimsThis study attempted to assess the prevalence of mental health problems among early married girls and determine the associated predictors of the growing mental health burden.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey was conducted during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Dumuria Upazila in the Khulna district of Bangladesh. Data were collected purposively from 304 girls who were married off during the COVID-19 pandemic, this was carried out between 22 July and 31 August 2022 by administering a semi-structured interview schedule, with mental health measured by the depression, anxiety, and stress scale 21 (DASS 21). The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 25), and multiple linear regression was executed in order to predict mental health problems among early married girls.ResultsThe findings show that the overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among early married girls during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh was 60.9% (95% CI: 0.554–0.663), 74.7% (95% CI: 0.698–0.796), and 23.7% (95% CI: 0.189–0.285). The prevalence was relatively higher among girls from the Sanatan (Hindu) religion and younger girls than among Muslim and older girls, respectively. The multiple linear regressions indicate that age, age at marriage, duration of the marriage, spousal occupation, intimate partner violence (IPV), and subjective happiness were the critical predictors of mental health problems among early married girls.ConclusionEarly marriage, along with various adverse outcomes, i.e., IPV, maladjustment, and poor subjective happiness, has resulted in heightened mental health problems for young girls. Policymakers should implement coercive measures to prevent early marriage, especially during social, economic, political, and health crises; in addition, more research is recommended in order to explore the mechanisms that make early married girls psychologically vulnerable and thus formulate protective and preventive programs for addressing such vulnerabilities

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices concerning Black Fungus during COVID-19 Pandemic among Students of Bangladesh: An Online-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Infection with COVID-19 and its control entailing steroids and immunomodulatory medications disrupted normal immune function. The ensuing immunological disorder led to the rise of another infection—Black Fungus (Mucormycosis). However, the spread of Black Fungus can be minimized through proper knowledge, informed attitude, and conscious preventive practice. This study aimed to assess students’ knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding Black Fungus amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among Bangladeshi students from June to July 2021. Using Google Forms, an e-questionnaire was developed for this web-based survey, and the participants were selected through a snowball sampling approach. Results: Out of the 2009 participants, more than half were female (53.5%), and the majority were at an age between 18 and 25 years (31.5%) and had received higher secondary (HSC) schooling (77.8%), while around 61% resided in urban areas. Findings revealed that most of the students (63.8%) spent around 2 h on electronic and social media to become informed about COVID-19 and Black Fungus. Approximately 33% of the students showed low KAP scores (32.9%), whereas around 26% had high KAP scores. Our results show a significant association between KAP and sex, schooling, living status, residence, and media exposure. Conclusion: The knowledge of Black Fungus considerably varies among Bangladeshi students considering the place of residence, age, sex, living arrangement, and media exposure. Policymakers should emphasize awareness among people focusing on the results of this study to increase deterrent attitudes and protective practices to minimize the risks of being infected