Mitral valve replacement in a 12 year old boy with Marfan syndrome and severe mitral regurgitation

A 12 year old boy with Marfan syndrome associated with severe mitral regurgitation underwent successful mitral valve replacement. Careful evaluation of the cardiovascular system and specific surgical intervention help long-term survival of  patients

Challenges Encountered by Healthcare Professionals as Frontline Fighters during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study

Throughout the pandemic, healthcare professionals (HCPs) around the world encountered numerous challenges. This study was conducted in the middle of the pandemic, from June to November 2021, and explored the multiple issues that HCPs faced in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Thirty doctors and nurses, covering a wide range of workplaces and experiences, were interviewed. A qualitative investigation was performed to assess the influence that diverse organizational, familial, social, and religious factors had on their commitment to fulfil their professional duties. Thematic content analysis was performed on the findings. The results emphasize the physical and mental health problems of HCPs, the vital role of organizations in addressing the wellbeing of HCPs, and the necessity of providing training for them, along with workloads and PPE-related problems. It also explores the roles of families, the influence of society, and the impact of religious beliefs on their commitment during the pandemic

Familial and socio-cultural barriers in maintaining tobacco-free homes in Bangladesh: a comparative cross-sectional study

Objectives: Children, pregnant women and the elderly at a global level are all being dangerously exposed to tobacco use in the household (HH). However, there is no understanding of the familial and socio-cultural factors that provide barriers to ensuring tobacco-free homes in Bangladesh either in urban or rural areas (U&RAs). This study therefore investigates those barriers to help enable a move towards tobacco free homes in Bangladesh. Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Settings: Data were collected from both urban and rural settings in Bangladesh. Participants: A probability proportional sampling procedure was used to select 808 participants in U&RAs out of a total of 3,715 tobacco users. Results: The prevalence of tobacco use at home was 25.7% in urban areas and 47.6% in rural areas. In urban areas: marital status (AOR=3.23, 95%CI=1.37-6.61), education (AOR=2.14, 95%CI=1.15-3.99), the smoking habits of elderly family members (AOR=1.81, 95%CI=0.91-2.89), offering tobacco as a traditional form of leisure activity at home (AOR=1.85, 95%CI=.94-2.95), and lack of religious practices (AOR=2.39, 95%CI=1.27-4.54) were identified as significant socio-cultural predictors associated with tobacco use at home. In rural areas: age (AOR=5.11, 95%CI=2.03-12.83), extended family (AOR=3.08, 95%CI=1.28-7.38), lack of religious practices (AOR=4.23, 95%CI=2.32-7.72), using children to buy or carry tobacco (AOR=3.33, 95%CI=1.11-9.99), lack of family guidance (AOR=4.27, 95%CI=2.45-41 7.42), and offering tobacco as a traditional form of leisure activity at home (AOR=3.81, 95%CI=2.23-6.47) were identified as significant determinants for tobacco use at home. Conclusion: This study concludes that socio-cultural traditions and familial norms in Bangladesh provide significant barriers for enabling tobacco-free homes. The identification of these barriers can aid policy makers and programme planners in Bangladesh in devising appropriate measures to mitigate the deadly consequences of tobacco use in the home. The consequences also include the dangers involved in family members being exposed to second48 hand smoke

Factors influencing the initiation of smokeless tobacco consumption among low socioeconomic community in Bangladesh: a qualitative investigation

This study explored factors influencing the initiation of Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) consumption in a low socioeconomic urban community in Bangladesh. The study conducted four Focus Group Discussions among 33 informants involves school teachers, community leaders, women and betel-nut shops owners. The results were prepared by thematic analysis of the transcripts where informants mean age was 30 (SD ±6.8) years with varying level of education. Tradition of hospitality, curiosity, offer from an elderly person, avoiding nausea during pregnancy and at time of quitting smoking were key factors for the initiation of SLT consumption. The results also revealed most people were aware about the danger of SLT consumption but in practice, consumed frequently. The research suggested that doctors might advise people not to use any form of SLT while they seeking health services. Furthermore, community base awareness programme could minimize the wider use of SLT among low income community in Bangladesh

IMPACT OF SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAM IN ACHIEVING SDG-3.8: A CASE STUDY OF NOANNOY UNION, NOAKHALI, BANGLADESH

The aim of the research was to explore the impact of social safety net programs in achieving the SDG target 3.8 at the union level of Bangladesh. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to collect the data. A total of 100 quantitative survey data and 10 KIIs were conducted. Statistically significant tests between variables (X2, p-value, and CI) were done. The average age of the respondents is 58.41 18.35 years. There is a strong association between the age of the respondents and receiving the government social safety net program support. We found an association between respondents monthly income and types of disability. The health expenditure of the study respondents is higher compared to the age range below 50 years in Bangladesh. There is a strong association between respondents' age and health expenditure. The majority of respondents (84.5%) bought medicine, 8.2% buy food, 4.1% expenses on children's educational purposes and 3.1% buy a dress with their SSPs money. About 69% of respondents think that SSPs' support money is not sufficient to survive and maintain the minimum quality of life. Study findings suggest that the majority of the respondents were happy with government SSPs. Further research should address the factors of disability of the SSPs beneficiaries and the quality of life of SSPs beneficiaries

A study of Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels in patients with prostatic cancer

Background: Vitamin D, a key nutrient in the body, has been linked to a decrease in prostate cancer (PCa) morbidity and mortality rates. The study concluded that any compensation mechanism may no longer be adequate for patients with PCa, and further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the relationship between serum Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) homeostasis. The findings will help determine cancer prevalence and trends in India and support public health initiatives to control cancer. Aims and Objectives: The aim is to assess the mean values of Vitamin D and PTH in patients with PCa and also to compare these levels with that of healthy controls (non-PCa). Materials and Methods: One hundred participants in the outpatient department of the Department of Biochemistry were assigned as control subjects, and another 100 participants were participants with PCa. 5 mL of fasting venous blood were drawn into red top vials using a disposable syringe and needle in an aseptic manner. PTH and serum Vitamin D were estimated. Results: When comparing PCa patients to healthy controls, the observed Vitamin D level was significantly lower in the former group. Furthermore, a notable distinction in Vitamin D levels was noted between the two groups. Furthermore, we found that PCa patients had higher PTH values than healthy controls. When we compared the PTH values of the two groups, we found a substantial difference. Conclusion: The authors conclude from the study that with alterations in the study parameters in patients with PCa, any compensation mechanism may become insufficient

Mitral valve replacement in a 12 year old boy with Marfan syndrome and severe mitral regurgitation

A 12 year old boy with Marfan syndrome associated with severe mitral regurgitation underwent successful mitral valve replacement. Careful evaluation of the cardiovascular system and specific surgical intervention help long-term survival of  patients

Prevailing familial, social and cultural obstacles in keeping tobacco-free homes in urban areas of Bangladesh: A mixed-method study.

BackgroundMillions of children and others across the world are being dangerously exposed to tobacco smoke and toxins in their own homes. Whilst there is limited interest in laws and interventions controlling tobacco use in public places in Bangladesh, no attention has been given to preventing tobacco-use inside homes. This study explores the familial and socio-cultural factors that provide obstacles for ensuring tobacco-free homes in Bangladesh.Materials and methodsA mixed-method design was adopted and from among the 1,436 tobacco users identified in a population of 11,853, 400 (tobacco users) were selected for cross-sectional survey. This survey involved a probability proportional sampling procedure, and 24 In-Depth Interviews. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to explore the association of familial and socio-cultural factors with tobacco-use at home adjusted by other demographic characteristics. Thematic content analysis was done on the qualitative data, and then inferences were drawn out collectively.ResultsThis study revealed that the prevalence of tobacco-use in the home was 25.7% in urban residential areas in Bangladesh. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that familial and socio-cultural factors were significantly associated with tobacco-use at home: marital status (OR 3.23, 95% CI: 1.37-6.61), education (OR 2.14, 95% CI: 1.15-3.99), smoking habits of older family members (OR 1.81 95% CI: 0.91-2.89), tobacco being offered as hospitality and for entertainment (OR 1.85, 95% CI: .94-2.95) and lack of religiosity practice (OR 2.39, 95% CI: 1.27-4.54). Qualitative findings indicated that social customs, lack of religious practice, tobacco-use of older family members, and lack of family guidance were key obstacles for enabling tobacco-free homes in urban areas.ConclusionUse of tobacco at home is continuing as part of established familial and socio-cultural traditions. If tobacco-use at home is not addressed seriously by the authorities then the emerging threat of second-hand smoke exposure and harmful consequences of tobacco- use will be exacerbated