12 research outputs found
Food neophobia and its association with sociodemographic factors and food preferences among bangladeshi university students: evidence from a cross-sectional study
Food neophobia, described as a reluctance to eat and or avoid new food, is a personality trait that affects food choice. Despite its potential influence on an individual's food intake, food neophobia has been poorly investigated in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate food neophobia and its association with sociodemographic factors and food preferences in a sample of Bangladeshi university students. Five hundred students from five public universities completed the structured surveys. Food neophobia was assessed by a 10-item validated food neophobia scale with some minor modifications based on study settings. A multiple linear regression model was used to observe the factors associated with food neophobia. The mean food neophobia score among study participants was 37.45 (SD: 13.39, Range: 13-67). According to the adjusted statistical model, being female (regression coefficient, β = 2.73), having higher monthly family income (β = -6.64), being underweight (β = 4.68), being overweight (β = -4.63), having any food allergy (β = 9.09), and a history of sickness after eating a new food item (β = 5.16) were significantly associated with food neophobia amongst the participants. The participants' liking of various food items such as vegetables were significantly correlated with food neophobia scores. Nutrition education policies and programs are of importance to address the students' food neophobia during their tertiary education so that they maintain lifelong healthy dietary habits and consume a variety of foods to improve their physical health and well-being
The Association Between Bangladeshi Adultsâ Demographics, Personal Beliefs, and Nutrition Literacy: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Survey
Background: Poverty and health illiteracy, combined with inappropriate systems to track disease and infection rates, contribute to children-and-mothersâ poor adherence to nutrient-rich foods intake in Bangladesh. Although risk factors for child and pregnant women malnutrition have been explored, the relationship between Bangladeshi adultsâ nutrition literacy and their demographics and personal beliefs remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between adultsâ nutrition literacy, demographics and personal beliefs in a large sample of Bangladeshi adults.
Methods: Four hundred adults from two districts (Dhaka and Chattogram) of Bangladesh participated in a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected by interviews using a structured questionnaire containing the Nutrition Literacy Scale. Multiple linear regression models were employed to analyze associations between nutrition literacy and related factors.
Results: The mean nutrition literacy score was 21.6 (SD: 3.7; range: 11â32) on a scale of 32. Multiple linear regression revealed that being a businessman (β = 1.66, p = 0.013) or private employee (β = 1.08, p = 0.030), having a higher family income (β = 1.17, p = 0.009), and a higher educational level were positively associated with higher nutrition literacy scores compared to their counterparts. Participants who had ever completed a nutrition-related course (β = 4.95, p < 0.001), and who perceived themselves as having a need for accessing nutrition-related information were positively associated with the higher nutrition literacy compared to their counterparts.
Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest the need for an integrated response plan involving educational interventions and accessible dietary plans targeting adult populations to enhance their nutritional literacy
Depressive symptoms associated with loneliness and physical activities among graduate university students in Bangladesh: findings from a cross-sectional pilot study
Prevalence and predictors of binge eating disorder symptoms among a sample of university students in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional survey
Background and Aims:Â There is a dearth of information about binge eating disorder (BED) among Bangladeshi university students, who may be more susceptible to BED due to the rise in unhealthy lifestyles and food habits. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of BED symptoms among Bangladeshi university students.
Methods:Â Students (Nâ=â525) from three public universities in Bangladesh participated in this cross-sectional study between November 2022 and March 2023. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured paper-based questionnaire that included two validated survey tools; the binge eating disorder screener and the patient health questionnaire-9. To identify the factors associated with BED symptoms, multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted, with sociodemographic and behavioral information (e.g., age, sex, smoking status, etc.) considered as covariates.
Results: The prevalence of BED symptoms among participants (mean age 21.28 years, 50.3% male and 49.7% female) was 20.6%. Male students had a 2.28 times higher likelihood of having BED symptoms compared to female counterparts (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]â=â2.28; 95% CI: 1.33â3.89). Older students (AORâ=â3.56, 95% CI: 1.80â7.05), students who were overweight or obese (AORâ=â3.32, 95% CI: 1.87â5.89), and students reporting higher depressive symptoms (AORâ=â2.69, 95% CI: 1.66â4.35) were at greater risk for developing BED compared to their respective counterparts.
Conclusions:Â This study provides new insights into the prevalence of BED symptoms and its contributing factors among Bangladeshi students. Approximately 1-in-5 university students reported having BED symptoms. University students who are older, overweight, or obese, and who report depressive symptoms may be at greatest risk. Future longitudinal studies are needed to determine the causal factors underlying BED. Findings from this study can assist policymakers and public health professionals in developing effective and targeted strategies to mitigate the risks associated with BED among Bangladeshi university students
Assessment of food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices of street food vendors in Chattogram city, Bangladesh: A crossâsectional study
Abstract Introduction Street food has become popular in developing countries due to its affordability, availability and taste. Maintaining the quality and safety of street food is linked to the vendorsâ appropriate food handling practices to reduce foodborne illness. Therefore, this study aimed to assess food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices of street food vendors in Chattogram city, Bangladesh. Methods A crossâsectional study was carried out among 302 street food vendors from December 2020 to March 2021. Data were collected by inâperson interviews through a structured questionnaire. Independent sample tâtests and oneâway analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices scores across socioâdemographic variables. Results The mean score of food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices was 8.99 (SD = 4.17, range: 1â18), 8.46 (SD = 3.51, range: 1â16) and 17.78 (SD = 5.74, range: 1â34), respectively. The food safety knowledge scores significantly (p < 0.05) differed by the participantsâ age, marital status, income, residence and work experience. The average food safety attitudes score significantly (p < 0.05) varied by age, marital status, income, and education level. The average food safety practices score significantly (p < 0.05) differed by the respondentsâ education level and work experience. Conclusion Our findings suggest that food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices were poor among street food vendors. Therefore, there is a need for strategies and intervention programs such as food safety training and awareness campaigns as well as financial support to improve food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices which help to reduce foodborne illness
Handwashing with soap: A concern for overuse of water amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh
Handwashing is one of the vital public health measures. It helps to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, water overuse during hand scrubbing with soap keeping the tap on may put enormous pressure on the already overstretched groundwater resources and householdsâ economic well-being. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the overuse of water while scrubbing hands with soap for handwashing when the tap is on amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Sociodemographic data were collected using a web-based survey tool among 1980 participants and an experiment was conducted among 126 participants to estimate the overuse of water during hand scrubbing while the tap is on. A total of 80% of the participants washed their hands regularly after returning home from outside. About 57.3% of participants did not turn off their tap throughout the handwashing process. A single participant, who kept his tap on throughout the handwashing process, overused approximately 1.7 L of water per handwash and 14.9 L of water per day. Hand scrubbing with soap keeping the tap on, raised the overuse of water 13-fold during this pandemic compared to the non-pandemic situation which cost an extra 225.0 BDT (2.7$) per day for 1980 participants. Minimize the speed of tap, using automatic taps, and using taps operated by legs might be an effective solution to reduce the water overuse. Furthermore, behavioral change interventions are needed to aware people turn off the tap during hand scrubbing with soap
Food neophobia and its association with sociodemographic factors and food preferences among Bangladeshi university students: Evidence from a cross-sectional study
Food neophobia, described as a reluctance to eat and or avoid new food, is a personality trait that affects food choice. Despite its potential influence on an individual's food intake, food neophobia has been poorly investigated in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate food neophobia and its association with sociodemographic factors and food preferences in a sample of Bangladeshi university students. Five hundred students from five public universities completed the structured surveys. Food neophobia was assessed by a 10-item validated food neophobia scale with some minor modifications based on study settings. A multiple linear regression model was used to observe the factors associated with food neophobia. The mean food neophobia score among study participants was 37.45 (SD: 13.39, Range: 13â67). According to the adjusted statistical model, being female (regression coefficient, β = 2.73), having higher monthly family income (β = â6.64), being underweight (β = 4.68), being overweight (β = â4.63), having any food allergy (β = 9.09), and a history of sickness after eating a new food item (β = 5.16) were significantly associated with food neophobia amongst the participants. The participants' liking of various food items such as vegetables were significantly correlated with food neophobia scores. Nutrition education policies and programs are of importance to address the students' food neophobia during their tertiary education so that they maintain lifelong healthy dietary habits and consume a variety of foods to improve their physical health and well-being
Exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with poor sleep quality among non-smoking university students in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional survey
Abstract Although secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is predominant in Bangladesh, the adverse effect of SHS exposure on health-related behaviors, such as sleep quality, have remained an under-investigated area of the countryâs public health landscape. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between SHS exposure and poor sleep quality among non-smoking university students in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was carried out between May and September 2022. SHS exposure (main predictor variable) and other covariates (e.g., age, sex, etc.) were measured using a self-reported questionnaire and sleep quality (outcome variable) was measured via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Multiple logistic regression models investigated the association between SHS exposure and poor sleep quality. The study included 390 students (mean age: 22Â years, 53.8% male). Approximately 41.8% of the participants reported SHS exposure, and 50.5% had poor sleep quality. Students exposed to SHS were more likely to have poor sleep quality compared to their counterparts (AORâ=â1.61; 95% CI 1.01, 2.58). Subgroup analysis revealed poor sleep quality was 2-times higher among male students exposed to SHS than those male students without SHS exposure (AORâ=â2.03; 95% CI 1.05, 3.93). No association was found in female students. Findings from this study warrant increased awareness and public health initiatives on the implications of SHS on health behaviors, such as sleep quality, in non-smoking Bangladeshi university students
Assessment of Food Safety Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Food Service Staff in Bangladeshi Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study
Al Banna MH, Khan MSI, Rezyona H, et al. Assessment of Food Safety Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Food Service Staff in Bangladeshi Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients. 2022;14(12): 2540.Food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices among hospital food service staff are crucial in the prevention of foodborne disease outbreaks, as hospitalized patients are more vulnerable to potential hazards. This study, therefore, sought to assess the food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices of food service staff in Bangladeshi hospitals. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 191 food service staff from seven different hospitals in Dhaka and Chattogram from October 2021 to March 2022 using pretested questionnaires. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the factors associated with the food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices. The findings showed moderate knowledge but high levels of attitudes and practices of food safety among hospital food handlers. Food safety knowledge was significantly higher among males, participants from private hospitals and participants working in a hospital that had a food service supervisor and dietitian in charge of food service operations. Moreover, participants from private hospitals and participants working in a hospital that had a food service supervisor and dietitian in charge of food service operations had more positive attitudes and better practices regarding food safety. Hospital management should consider these factors for enhancing food handlersâ knowledge and increase training and supervision on food safety practices to reduce foodborne diseases and outbreaks
Association between Nutrition Literacy and Bangladeshi Adultsâ Healthy Eating Behaviors: Evidence from the Nutrition Literacy Study 2021
Al Banna MH, Hamiduzzaman M, Kundu S, et al. Association between Nutrition Literacy and Bangladeshi Adultsâ Healthy Eating Behaviors: Evidence from the Nutrition Literacy Study 2021. Healthcare. 2022;10(12): 2508.This study investigated the association between healthy eating behaviors and nutrition literacy in a sample of Bangladeshi adults. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 adults from two districts of Bangladesh (Dhaka and Chattogram). Data were generated by in-person interviews using a structured questionnaire. The Nutrition Literacy Scale and National Dietary Guidelines for Bangladesh were used to assess nutrition literacy and healthy eating behaviors, respectively. Multiple linear regression models were used to observe the association. The mean score for healthy eating behavior was 21.8 (SD = 4.8, Range: 5â33) on a scale of 34. A moderate positive correlation was found between nutrition literacy and healthy eating behavior of participants (r = 0.28, p < 0.001). The adjusted regression model showed that a 1 unit increase in nutrition literacy reflected an increase in the healthy eating behavior score of participants by 0.22 units (β = 0.223, p < 0.001). Findings showed an association between nutrition literacy and eating behaviors in Bangladeshi adults. Future research could be carried out to establish a causal relationship that may help inform the necessity of educational interventions for Bangladeshi adults to assist with meeting national nutrition-related targets