Academic Use of Smartphones in Secondary Level Education in Bangladesh: A Non-Parametric Approach

This study aims to examine the use of smartphones for educational purposes and the acceptance of online learning among secondary students. To investigate the academic utilization of smartphones among secondary students in Bangladesh, a sample of 384 students from different districts of Bangladesh were surveyed. The survey was conducted using a selfadministered, semi-tailored computerized questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics 26 and the Mann-Whitney U test. The findings indicate that male students used smartphones for educational purposes with greater confidence and less difficulty than female students. On the other hand, students in 8th to 10th grade classrooms reported a greater willingness to use smartphones for academic purposes, with urban students being more enthusiastic than their rural peers. The study’s findings have implications for the government, policymakers, educators, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). They highlight the importance of ensuring equal access to resources and tools that support academic success, as well as addressing the adverse effects of excessive smartphone usage. In addition, the government and NGOs should prioritize the elimination of inequities between rural and urban areas and provide subsidies to rural students

Exploring barriers to accessing healthcare services for older indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tract, Bangladesh

We aim to investigate the obstacles faced by elderly indigenous individuals in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh when accessing healthcare services. A qualitative research approach was utilized, and data collection was carried out in three distinct regions of the aforementioned area. A total of 30 in-depth, semi-structured interviews and participant observations were conducted to achieve the research objectives. Thematic analysis utilizing both a deductive and inductive approach was employed to analyze the data. The Granheim method and Nvivo-12 software were utilized to process, analyze and code the data. The study's findings indicate that a lack of knowledge about healthcare needs, geographical barriers, poor financial conditions, higher cost of medical services, scarcity of hospitals nearby and communication barriers all contribute to inadequate access to healthcare services. By recognizing the factors that impede access to healthcare services in this region, this study offers valuable insight for policymakers and healthcare providers on how to enhance healthcare services for the indigenous population, especially the elderly. Furthermore, the government can adopt a more efficient approach to include these elderly individuals in various social safety net programs