Dowry Abuse and South Asian Populations in Australia: A Narrative of Project Findings

Dowry is a cultural practice where a person transfers money, property, goods, in the form of gifts to their partner's family before, upon or after marriage. Dowry abuse is an act of violence or abuse and threats, linked with giving or receiving dowry, any time before, during or after the marriage. The giving of dowry is a marriage custom prevalent in South Asian countries and becoming increasingly popular in Australia. The South Asian populations comprise of those originating from countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. Although dowry is illegal in key South Asian countries, it remains a common practice. This project funded by City of Parramatta Council and Western Sydney University, aims to understand how to define and identify dowry abuse and address this type of domestic and family violence within the South Asian community of Western Sydney

Dowry Abuse and South Asian Populations in Australia: Identifying Core Features, Exploring Community Narratives and Developing Resources for Prevention and Intervention

Dowry abuse is defined as ‘any act of violence or harassment associated with the giving or receiving of dowry at any time before, during or after the marriage’ (United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women, 2009). It is not a uniquely religious practice and affects women and families of various backgrounds (Jopson, 2017). The issue of dowry abuse is of particular concern to the City of Parramatta Council. The Council recognises that their community is diverse; and therefore, uniquely affected by dowry abuse. Through their relationships with local domestic and family violence services, the Council has recognised that dowry abuse is a significant issue with the newly arrived and established migrant communities. Currently, there is a dearth of research and best practice models about dowry abuse in Australia and how it manifests in communities and services. This project, therefore, seeks to fill in this gap in knowledge by exploring case files related to dowry abuse as well as engaging with the perspectives of South Asian women and service providers to better understand how to define, identify and address this significant issue of domestic and family violence. The South Asian community is defined as communities of people who have settled in Australia but whose ancestors originate from countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Research Aims and Objectives This research, funded by both Western Sydney University and the City of Parramatta Council, aimed to develop data and evidence about the incidence, rate and impact of dowry abuse within the South Asian community of Western Sydney. The objectives of this project were: 1. To develop and run a community-led, culturally competent research project that captures community voices and strengths. 2. To create high quality data that can be utilised in advocacy initiatives and training programs for communities and front-line professionals. 3. To build the capacity of community and service providers to prevent and address dowry abuse

Nutritional status, dietary diversity, and food security of adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh

AbstractBackground: Childhood malnutrition is widespread in South Asia like many other underdeveloped and developing countries and it continues throughout adolescent age. Poor nutrition of adolescents could lead to various complications later in life. Objective: The objectives of this study are to assess the nutritional status, dietary diversity, and food security of adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh, as well as to assess the factors that influence them.Methods: A cross-sectional study among 422 participants was conducted in two selective areas in the Narayanganj district of Bangladesh. BMI (Body Mass Index)-for-age (z-score) and Height-for-age (z-score) were considered in evaluating the nutritional status of the study participants. Food and Agricultural Organization guidelines 2011 were used to calculate Individual Dietary Diversity Score. Food insecurity was assessed by using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale version 3.Results: The findings revealed that the prevalence of underweight and stunting were 9.5% and 12.1% respectively. In addition, 13.2% and 4.3% of the respondents were found to be overweight and obese. The height-for-age (z score) was associated with the age of adolescents (p=0.037). Mother’s (p=0.005) education were also correlated with their nutritional status. Outcomes of the Individual Dietary Diversity Score showed that 25.6%, 42.9%, and 31.5% of the adolescents had low, medium, and higher dietary diversity scores respectively, while 7.3% had different degrees of food insecurity.Conclusion: Compared to underweight, overweight and obesity were shown to be more prevalent. However, a small percentage of the individuals reported various levels of food insecurity in this study. To attain an optimal level of nutrition, it is essential to ensure expanded food availability for the rural community. Proper nutrition education at primary and secondary education levels will enable teens to have diversified foods as well as assists in gaining healthy weight. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2021; 35(3):194-199]Keywords: Nutritional status, Dietary diversity, Food security, Adolescents, Rural Banglades

Evaluation of Some Tomato Genotypes against Tomato Fruit Borer Infestation, Growth Parameters and Some Chemical Constituents

A field experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) Farm, Mymensingh from October 2007 to March 2008 with a view to evaluate the physical and chemical properties, nutrient content and infestation rate of tomato fruit borer of different mutants and varieties. The treatments consisted of six mutants viz; TM-13, TM-105, TM-110, TM-133, TM-152, TM-155 and two varieties BARI tomato-7 and BINA tomato-5. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The infestation of tomato fruit borer varied significantly among the mutants/varieties. The number of fruit borer was 2.15-5.98. The following growth parameters, yield contributing characters and chemical composition of the tomato mutants/varieties were studied which were 1.03-1.40 cm stem diameter, 14.9-19.5 cm2 leaf area, 10.08-20.10 mm-2 leaf hair, 36.7-52.0 number of leaves plant-1, 13.86-24.67 number of fruits plant-1, 24.1- 60.2 g single fruit weight, 3.69-4.0 pH, 17.1 -25.2 mg 100 g-1 vitamin-C, 0.307-0.408% TA, 2.34-2.75% reducing sugar, 0.93-1.20% non-reducing sugar. Tomato fruit borer infestation was negatively correlated with leaf hair and number of fruit plant-1 but positively correlated with stem diameter, leaf area, leaf number plant-1 single fruit weight, non-reducing sugar, pH and titrable acidity. It is concluded that TM-133 and TM-13 mutants were the best among the tested verities respectively

Menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent schoolgirls in the rural area of Bangladesh

Adolescence is a time of tremendous opportunity. However, inadequate menstrual hygiene habits are related to lower academic achievement and enrollment at school, with possible effects on longer-term socio-economic status and impaired overall quality of life. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 adolescent schoolgirls in Bangladesh between July 2019 and February 2020 with the aim of examining menstrual hygiene practices. Data indicated that the mean age of menarche in 422 adolescents was 12.71±0.97. According to the data, 47% had well and 53% had poor hygiene practices. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the educational status of respondents’ mothers at the secondary level [AOR=2.023, 95% CI: 1.159-3.532], fathers at the graduate and above level [AOR=3.150, 95% CI: 0.883-11.238], high level of household income [AOR=2.580, 95% CI: 1.480-4.495], and knowledge about the complication of poor hygiene practice among girls [AOR=2.286, 95% CI: 1.160-4.504] were significantly associated with the level of hygiene practices. Poor menstrual hygiene practice was found among more than half of girls. Attitude toward safe menstrual materials should initiate to improve good hygiene practices. Awareness campaigns for parents and teachers to assist their children would be a vital strategy to ensure good hygiene practice

Renoprotection of Selected Antioxidant-Rich Foods (Water Spinach and Red Grape) and Probiotics in Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Objectives: The current study investigated the curative effects of two selected antioxidant-rich foods (water spinach and red grape) and probiotics on the kidney exposed to nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin. Methods: A total of 30 Wistar Albino female rats equally divided into six groups were studied for seven days. Except for the normal control (NC) group, all groups received 80 mg/kg/day gentamicin (GEN) injection intra-peritoneally for seven days. NC and GEN groups received only regular diet. In the water spinach group (GEN + WS) and red grape (GEN + RG) groups, rats were provided with 20 g/rat/day of boiled water spinach and 5 mL/rat/day of red grape juice, respectively. The probiotic (GEN + P4) and (GEN + P8) groups received 4 × 109 and 8 × 109 viable bacteria, respectively. On the 8th day, all the rats were sacrificed to collect blood and kidney. Serum creatinine, urea, uric acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were analyzed. In addition, kidney histopathology was taken for final observation. Results: Both antioxidant-rich foods and probiotic (P4) significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated the GEN-induced oxidative and nitrosative stress and improved kidney function by lowering uremic toxin (serum creatinine, and uric acid) levels. Histopathological findings of kidney tissues of all groups were consistent with the biochemical findings. Conclusion: The current preclinical study suggests that the consumption of antioxidant-rich foods might be a promising fighting option against gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress. However, extensive studies and clinical monitoring are immediately required to determine the appropriate probiotic doses and mechanism of action for such effects