Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions toward Tuberculosis in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional mixed methods study

In Bangladesh, Tuberculosis (TB) is a key public health concern. In this study we assessed knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) towards TB among the general population. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted between March and August 2014, where a total of 400 adults were interviewed at Dhaka city in Bangladesh. The overall knowledge of TB was very limited despite 99.5% of the study respondents having heard of TB. About 99.0% stated correctly that cough was one of the major signs and symptoms of TB. About 39.0% mentioned that through airborne disease someone could get TB. With regard to curability of TB, 362 people replied that TB can be cured. About 77.0% informed that TB could be cured by taking medicines such as antibiotics or others. Sixty five percent of respondents knew someone who had have TB. The mean summary score for TB knowledge was 40 out of 100 (SD 0.5). Regression analysis shows that people with tertiary level of education were connected with higher TB knowledge and people having no income were related with lower TB knowledge. A lack of awareness was associated to delay in seeking treatment because people did not recognize the symptoms of tuberculosis. To improve knowledge of TB among people having no income or even lower income group more emphasis should be given and also more awareness is required to develop the individual’s perception amongst their neighbors in the study area. The alertness campaigns for TB knowledge should be a major concern countrywide in Bangladesh

Quantitative determination of artificial sweeteners and sucrose in energy drinks and mango juice available in Dhaka city

Energy drinks and mango juice are popular beverages. Apart from the natural ingredients and some additives present in these drinks, sugar is an important component of both. It has been established that, other than providing sweetness, sugars are potent to bring about health consequences for their consumers. Sweeteners, both artificial (aspartame, sodium cyclamate, and saccharin) and natural (sucrose), were our centers of interest. This study aimed to determine the presence and levels of these sweeteners in energy drinks and mango juice. Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine the concentration of the mentioned sugars. For this purpose, a total of 42 samples of 7 different brands were collected from different locations in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. The methods were found to be linear over the concentration range of 10-26 µg/mL (r2=0.9989), 137-320 µg/mL (r2=0.9891), 2.5-24 µg/mL (r2=0.9915) and 2354-2784 µg/mL (r2=0.9985) for aspartame, sodium cyclamate, saccharin, and sucrose, respectively. Mango juice contained a relatively lower amount of saccharin compared to energy drinks. In the case of aspartame, one brand of energy drinks had the least amount. Moreover, both energy drinks and mango juice had a similar content of sodium cyclamate, but one brand of mango juice had a relatively low content of sodium cyclamate

Design, Fabrication and Evaluation of Drug Release Kinetics from Aceclofenac Matrix Tablets using Hydroxypropyl Methyl

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to develop a sustained release matrix tablet of aceclofenac using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K15M and HPMC K100M CR) in various proportions as release controlling factor by direct compression method. The powders for tableting were evaluated for angle of repose, loose bulk density, tapped bulk density, compressibility index, total porosity and drug content etc. The tablets were subjected to thickness, weight variation test, drug content, hardness, friability and in vitro release studies. The in vitro dissolution study was carried out for 24 hours using United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) 22 paddle-type dissolution apparatus in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The granules showed satisfactory flow properties, compressibility index and drug content etc. All the tablets complied with pharmacopoeial specifications. The results of dissolution studies indicated that the formulations F-2 and F-3 could extend the drug release up to 24 hours. By comparing the dissolution profiles with the marketed product, it revealed that the formulations exhibited similar drug release profile. From this study, a decrease in release kinetics of the drug was observed when the polymer concentration was increased. Kinetic modeling of in vitro dissolution profiles revealed the drug release mechanism ranges from diffusion controlled or Fickian transport to anomalous type or non-Fickian transport, which was only dependent on the type and amount of polymer used. The drug release followed both diffusion and erosion mechanism in all cases. The drug release from these formulations was satisfactory after 3 months storage in 40 0 C and 75 % RH. Besides, this study explored the optimum concentration and effect of polymer(s) on acelofenac release pattern from the tablet matrix for 24 hour period. Key words: Aceclofenac, sustained release, hydrophillic matrix, HPMC, direct compression

Development and Validation of RP-HPLC Method for Quantitative Estimation of Vinpocetine in Pure and Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

A simple, precise, specific, and accurate reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was developed and validated for determination of vinpocetine in pure and pharmaceutical dosage forms. The different analytical performance parameters such as linearity, accuracy, specificity, precision, and sensitivity (limit of detection and limit of quantitation) were determined according to International Conference on Harmonization ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines. RP-HPLC was conducted on Zorbax C18 (150 mm length × 4.6 mm ID, 5 μm) column. The mobile phase was consisting of buffer (containing 1.54% w/v ammonium acetate solution) and acetonitrile in the ratio (40 : 60, v/v), and the flow rate was maintained at 1.0 mLmin−1. Vinpocetine was monitored using Agilent 1200 series equipped with photo diode array detector (λ = 280 nm). Linearity was observed in concentration range of 160–240 μgmL−1, and correlation coefficient was found excellent (R2 = 0.999). All the system suitability parameters were found within the range. The proposed method is rapid, cost-effective and can be used as a quality-control tool for routine quantitative analysis of vinpocetine in pure and pharmaceutical dosage forms

In vitro Release Kinetic Study of Esomeprazole Magnesium from Methocel K15M and Methocel K100 LVCR Matrix Tablets

ABSTRACT: In the present study esomeprazole sustained release tablet matrix was prepared by utilizing different grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) polymers such as Methocel K15M & Methocel K100 LVCR by direct compression method. Different amount of Methocel K15M was used to develop matrix builder in the seven proposed formulations (F1-F7) for the study of release rate retardant effect at 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45 % and 50 % of total weight of tablet matrix respectively. The dissolution study of Methocel K15M based tablet matrices of those proposed formulations were carried out in the simulated gastric medium (pH 1.3) for first two hours and then in the simulated intestinal medium (pH 6.8) for 8 hours using USP dissolution apparatus II. The formulation F-5 (40%) and F-6 (45%) met the optimum release rate of esomeprazole for 10h period of in vitro dissolution study. The release kinetics of formulation F-5 and F-6 very closely followed Higuchi kinetic order than first order and zero order kinetics. Similarly Methocel K100 LVCR was used to develop matrix builder in another seven proposed formulations (F8-F14). It was found that formulations F-11 (35%), F-12 (40%) and F-13 (45%) met the desired release rate of esomeprazole for 10h period. The release kinetics of formulation F-11, F-12 and F-13 followed Higuchi kinetic order. Between these two polymers, Methocel K100 LVCR showed better release retardant effect than Methocel K15M

In-vitro Release Study of Carvedilol Phosphate Matrix Tablets Prepared with Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of two molecular weight grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose on the release characteristics of carvedilol phosphate matrix tablets. Methods: Matrix tablets containing carvedilol phosphate were prepared from 27 formulations in three batch series coded A, B and C, each containing 9 formulations. Each batch incorporated different ratios of two molecular weight grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Methocel® K4M CR and K15M CR) used as release retarding agents. Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH 101), starch (Sta-Rx 1500) and lactose monohydrate were used as diluents in the formulations while the effect of sodium lauryl sulphate (wetting agent) was studied for some of the formulations. The tablets were characterized for carvedilol phosphate release in both simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. The data were subjected to different models in order to determine their release kinetics and mechanisms. Results: All the batches released more than 50 % of their carvedilol content in 12 h when Methocel® K4M CR and K15M CR constituted 18 % and 15 % of the matrix, respectively. Avicel® PH 101 decreased while Starch 1500 and lactose monohydrate increased drug release. Drug release mechanism was predominantly diffusion. Conclusion: By using varying combinations of two molecular weight grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose as the matrix, controlled or sustained release carvedilol tablets of varying release characteristics can be prepare

Design and Formulation of Once Daily Naproxen SustainedRelease Tablet Matrix from Methocel K 15M CR and Methocel K 100M CR: Formulation of naproxen SR tablet matrix

The purpose of this work was to develop once daily sustained release (SR) matrix tablets of naproxen, an anti-inflammatory agent. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation method along with hydrophilic matrix materials like Methocel K 15M CR and Methocel K 100M CR. The granules were evaluated for bulk density, angle of repose, compressibility index, total porosity and drug content. The tablets subjected to thickness, diameter, weight variation test, drug content, hardness,friability, and in vitrorelease studies in buffer medium (pH, 7.4). The granules prepared either by Methocel K 15M CR or Methocel K 100M CR did not show satisfactory flow properties and compressibility, and had difficulty in sieving and individual in drug release. On the other hand, tablet matrix prepared along with Methocel K 15M CR and Mehtocel K 100 LVCR polymers of the proposed formulation F-8 showed desired drug release up to 24 h. All the formulations followed first order release kinetics (except F-2 and F-4), exhibited diffusion dominated drug release when data plotted into Korsmeyer Peppas equation. The matrix tablet of naproxen using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose derivatives controls the drug release effectively for 24 h; hence, the formulation can be considered as once daily sustained release tablet of naproxen in order to improve patient compliance

Adolescent Male Reproductive Health Knowledge and Practices in Bangladesh

Abstract: Opinions on reproductive health education at the onset of puberty at present were studied by using a structured questionnaire consisting of 13 questions with a view to know their conception about it. A total of 800 male students were randomly selected of which 400 were from two public and the rest 400 from private universities situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least half of the university students (384, 48%) did not understand much about puberty and remained confused. A large number of adolescents felt shy (208, 26%), scared (56, 7%), least bothered (112, 14%) and were not at all aware (40, 5%) of their onset of puberty. The respondents reported to have discussion their pubertal changes mainly with their male peers (672, 84%) and a very little access to parents (16, 2%) and elder brothers (16, 2%). A few respondents talked with their teachers (40, 5%). Their shared feelings were not informative and rather incorrect for maintaining good reproductive health at a growing time. On the contrary, they were rather warned by the persons not to disclose it to others. Most of the respondents (672, 84%) felt sex education is essential for better reproductive health management, a few of them (88, 11%) opposed this idea and some of them remained silent (40, 5%). Half of the respondents (760, 50%) preferred reproductive health education should be included in secondary and higher secondary levels (375, 25%), in the university level (166, 11%) and very few wanted it to be included in primary level (93, 6%). A few number of respondents (92, 6%) preferred non-formal reproductive health education. Some of the respondents (785, 23%) wanted to learn through curriculum and discussion with partners o