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

Socio-economic factors associated with increased neonatal mortality: A mixed-method study of Bangladesh and 20 other developing countries based on demographic and health survey data

Background: Neonatal mortality is a significant pointer of a country's level of socio-economic development and quality of life. The neonatal mortality rate reduction is an important goal of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as it is decreasing slowly but surely compare to under-five mortality in developing countries. This study desired to determine the prevalence of neonatal mortality and its associated risk factors in developing countries. Methods: This study used the latest DHS data of 21 different developing countries, including Bangladesh. Logistic regression model and Meta –Analysis techniques were used in this study. Results: A logistic regression model reveals that, for Bangladesh mother's higher-level education (OR: 0.591; CI: 0.401–0.872)and father's higher-level education (OR: 0.352; CI: 0.135–0.915), better wealth status (OR: 0.467; CI: 0.275–0.795), being 2nd born and above order neonate (OR: 0.329; CI: 0.216–0.501), above 19 years for delivery (OR: 0.51; CI: 0.341–0.763), being female neonate (OR: 0.352; CI: 0.253–0.49), ANC visit, (OR: 0.206; CI: 0.144–0.296), media access (OR: 0.590; CI: 0.391–0.891) were statistically significant predictors of lowering neonatal death. While being twin birth (OR: 8.815; CI: 4.057–19.153) is revealed as a risk factor of neonatal mortality. These results were justified by meta-analyses for the developing countries as well. Conclusion: In this study, mother's and father's lower education level, poor wealth status, being 1st born neonate, early maternal age, being male neonate, being twin birth, having no ANC visit, no media access was found to be statistically significant influencing factors of neonatal death in developing countries

Arsenic removal by conventional and membrane technology: An overview

441-450Presently used arsenic removal technology has been reviewed, pointing especially to the promise of membrane technologies as a practical means of purification. The membrane technologies include reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), ultrafiltration (UF) and microfiltration (MF). Among them, the applications of the first two have proved to be reliable in removing arsenic from water. The influence of membrane materials, membrane type, operating conditions such as temperature, pressure, pH of the feed solution and feed concentration on arsenic removal efficiency by membrane technologies are discussed. This paper also provides a comparison between conventional technologies and membrane technologies for arsenic removal and concludes that membrane technology is preferred for water treatments to meet the maximum contaminant limit (MCL) standard

Jackfruit (<i>Artocarpus heterophyllus</i>) leaf powder: An effective adsorbent for removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions

142-149Batch sorption experiments were carried out using jackfruit leaf powder (JLP), for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. Effects of process parameters pH, adsorbent mass, concentration and contact time were studied. The amount of MB adsorbed per unit weight of the adsorbent increased with the increase of pH, concentration and contact time. The pH at the point of zero charge (pHPZC) of the adsorbent was found to be 3.9. Adsorption of MB was found highly pH dependent. The FTIR of the adsorbent was done to find the potential adsorption sites for interaction with the cationic MB dye. Equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The equilibrium data were best represented by both the isotherms. Maximum dye uptake was found to be 326.32 mg/g, indicating that JLP can be used as an excellent low-cost adsorbent for removal of MB dye. From experimental data it was found that adsorption of MB onto JLP followed pseudo second order kinetics. The desorption studies showed that most of the MB can be recovered by decreasing the pH of the solution. The experimental result inferred that electrostatic attraction between the surface and the dye is one of the major adsorption mechanisms for binding MB to JLP surface

Textile Effluent Treatment Plant Sludge: Characterization and Utilization in Building Materials

The main objective of this study is to characterize and find a potential use of textile effluent treatment plant (ETP) sludge produced in Bangladesh. Textile ETP sludge collected from the local textile industries have been characterized in the laboratory. The physicochemical and engineering properties of the sludge have been studied. Collected ETP sludge has been processed to get cement-like fine powder that has been used for partial replacement of Portland cement/sand in the composition of the mortar and concrete specimens. Different mechanical (compressive and flexural strength), physical (water absorption) and morphological (porosity) properties of the test specimens have been evaluated. The test result shows that the addition of sludge in the mortar and concrete composition as a substitution of Portland cement or sand decreases the compressive strength and flexural strength, and increases the water absorption and porosity of the mortar and concrete specimens. Leaching study, conducted for the sludge-based mortar and concrete specimens following tank leaching test procedure, reveals that the concentration of leached metals is quite low than the limits specified by the Department of Environment in Bangladesh. These results amply demonstrate that textile ETP sludge can be utilized for making non-structural building components where lower strength is justified