Behavioral Risk Factors of Noncommunicable Diseases Among Medical and Nonmedical Undergraduate Students of Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Background and aims: Behavioral risk factors of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are established during early age and continued into adulthood. In Bangladesh, the scenario of NCD risk factors among students was inadequately studied. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the prevalence of behavioral risk factors of NCDs between undergraduate medical and nonmedical students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 undergraduate students (equal number of students from medical and nonmedical backgrounds). Respondents were selected purposively from 5 purposively-selected institutions. Modified WHO STEPS instrument was used for data collection. Respondents were asked about their behavioral risk factors (tobacco use, insufficient fruit and vegetable intake, inadequate physical activity, and alcohol consumption) by face-to-face interviews. Results: Men students were more in both groups. The mean age of the medical and nonmedical students was 22.1±2.0 and 21.8±1.9 years, respectively. Tobacco use was more among nonmedical students than that among the counterpart (22.1% vs. 15.7%). Medical students were more used to take insufficient fruits and vegetables compared to nonmedical students (97.9% vs. 93.6%). Equal proportions (71.4%) of students in both groups were used to perform inadequate physical activity. Alcohol consumption was observed more among nonmedical students (12.9% vs. 8.6%). Conclusion: Behavioral risk factors of NCDs were remarkable among students of both groups, mainly among nonmedical students

Knowledge attitude and practices towards chronic kidney disease among type-2 diabetic patients in Bangladesh

INTRODUCTION: Having proper knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards chronic kidney disease (CKD) among type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients is very important to reduce the disease burden. However, the information about KAP towards CKD among Bangladeshi T2DM patients is unknown, based on the available literatures till the date. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the KAP towards CKD among T2DM patients attended a selected hospital in Dhaka city. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this cross-sectional study, we conveniently selected Aalok hospital and also its 224 T2DM patients who attended the outdoor. We excluded the already developed CKD patients and aged over 70 years. We adopted a questionnaire from a validated instrument consisted of a 10 itemed knowledge, 8 itemed attitude, and 7 itemed practice domains towards CKD (total 25 items). Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. Both descriptive and comparative (Independent Sample t-tests and One-way ANOVA tests) statistics were used for data analysis where appropriates. RESULTS: Women respondents were higher (69.6%). The mean age of the respondents was 49.8±11.3 years. Most of them had average level of knowledge (69.6%) and attitude (60.7%). Majority also reported a good hypothetical practices in general if they would find out to have CKD. Knowledge was significantly associated (p<0.05) with sex, level of education, occupation, and income, whereas attitude was with sex, occupation, and income. CONCLUSION: T2DM patients of our study reported mostly average level of knowledge and attitude, and a good hypothetical practices in general towards CKD. Proper health awareness programs are needed to increase the KAP towards CKD among T2DM patients in Bangladesh

Assessment of flood vulnerability of riverine island community using a composite flood vulnerability index

The devastating impact of flooding is gradually increasing worldwide including riverine islands of Bangladesh due to climate change issue. Riverine islands and coastal communities are the primary victims due to their geographical position. The riverine islands (char) of Bangladesh are frequently flooded, necessitating context-specific flood management policies and actions that require an in-depth investigation of household vulnerability level. Therefore, this study assesses the vulnerability level of riverine island dwellers to flooding. Data were collected from 384 household heads living in geographically isolated char areas. A context-specific composite flood vulnerability index was developed under the IPCC framework. The results reveal that all households are vulnerable to flooding and are poorly able to cope with its adverse effect. Households living near the mainland have a somewhat more adaptive capacity than distant households. Flood vulnerability is mainly determined by char households' flood perception, damage, and access to food, water and health resources during flooding. Riverbank erosion, recurrent floods, a lack of employment, and limited access to essential public services were also identified as the primary socio-economic and natural causes of flood vulnerability. To decrease the livelihood risk and promote char dwellers’ resilience, a char-based policy plan with both a short- and a long-term focus is required