Efficacy of intervention towards blood donation to increase voluntary blood donation: a systematic review

Although blood is the essence of life, and is one of the most precious donations; blood transfusion services are facing shortage of blood all over the world. A significant percentage of people have false beliefs about blood donation. Increase in the level of knowledge and correction of false beliefs should be the top most priority. Therefore, studying factors contributing to their knowledge, attitude and practice of blood donation is essential. There are studies that investigated the effectiveness of interventions or procedure changes in blood donation settings on outcomes including donor deferral, disclosure of risk factors, and rates of errors and omissions. Researchers also identified several interventions to improve donor compliance that have been tested in blood donation settings and provided evidence for the effectiveness of computerized interviews in improving detection of risk factors. Interventions can utilize the processes of change (POC) measure to guide stage matched interventions to encourage use of relevant experiential and behavioral strategies to increase blood donation. Interventions to recruit and retain blood donors in the general population have been classified into five approaches: motivational, reminders/asking, measurement of cognitions, incentives, and preventing vasovagal reactions. Effective recruitment and retention are two different processes and may require different approaches. For example, retention may be influenced more by interventions that focus on actions during or after donation rather than interventions prior to the blood donation appointment

DESIGN, PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS AND EFFICIENCY OPTIMIZATION OF COPPER INDIUM GALLIUM SELENIDE (CIGS) SOLAR CELL

A comparative investigation of the cell performance of Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cell, fabricated using ZnO:Al/i-ZnO/CdS/CIGS layers, has been reported. ADEPT 2.0, a 1D simulation software, were used throughout the whole research for the simulation of light J-V characteristics for different designs. Energy conversion efficiency for each design was calculated from its corresponding light J-V characteristics curve. The efficiency variation were investigated under 1 sun, AM1.5G illumination and optimized layer parameters (thickness) for each layer of the device. The device has designed with an ntype ZnO window layer, an n-type CdS as buffer layer and a p-type CIGS as absorber layer. Molybdenum (Mo) substrate is used for the structure. A totalarea efficiency of 19·75% for ZnO:Al/i-ZnO/CdS/CIGS based thin-film solar cells had been found. Performance is improved due to higher fill factor. The device parameters are optimized separately for each layer. Based on these optimizations, the ultra-thin film solar cell design is proposed after careful consideration of lattice mismatch between two adjacent layers of the device

Sustainable Antibiotic-Free Broiler Meat Production: Current Trends, Challenges, and Possibilities in a Developing Country Perspective

Antibiotic-free broiler meat production is becoming increasingly popular worldwide due to consumer perception that it is superior to conventional broiler meat. Globally, broiler farming impacts the income generation of low-income households, helping to alleviate poverty and secure food in the countryside and in semi-municipal societies. For decades, antibiotics have been utilized in the poultry industry to prevent and treat diseases and promote growth. This practice contributes to the development of drug-resistant bacteria in livestock, including poultry, and humans through the food chain, posing a global public health threat. Additionally, consumer demand for antibiotic-free broiler meat is increasing. However, there are many challenges that need to be overcome by adopting suitable strategies to produce antibiotic-free broiler meat with regards to food safety and chicken welfare issues. Herein, we focus on the importance and current scenario of antibiotic use, prospects, and challenges in the production of sustainable antibiotic-free broiler meat, emphasizing broiler farming in the context of Bangladesh. Moreover, we also discuss the need for and challenges of antibiotic alternatives and provide a future outlook for antibiotic-free broiler meat production

Isolation, identification, and antibiogram studies of Salmonella species and Escherichia coli from boiler meat in some selected areas of Bangladesh

Background: The present study was carried out for the isolation, identification of Salmonella and Escherichia coli from broiler meat samples (leg muscle, breast muscle and drumstick) which were collected from different upazilla markets of Mymensingh, Gazipur, and Sherpur districts during the period of January 2015 to May 2015.Methods: A total of 60 samples were subjected to bacterial isolation and identification by using cultural, biochemical, and polymerase chain reaction assays.Results: Using standard bacteriological techniques E. coli was isolated from 50 (83.33%) samples and Salmonella spp. from 18 (31.66%) samples. Furthermore, the isolates were subjected to antibiogram studies by disk diffusion method using eight commonly used antibiotics. Antibiogram studies revealed that gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and norfloxacin were highly sensitive against all the isolated bacteria, whereas most of the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, erythromycin, and tetracycline. Out of all the isolates, 5 isolates of E. coli and 3 isolates of Salmonella were found multidrug resistant.Conclusions: The study revealed the presence of multidrug resistant Salmonella and E. coli in broiler meat sold in live bird market of different upazilla

Lack of Knowledge Is the Leading Key for the Growing Cervical Cancer Incidents in Bangladesh: A Population Based, Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Cervical cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer in Bangladesh. Lack of awareness of screening methods, risk factors, and symptoms may lead to presenting most cervical cancers at an advanced stage. We investigated knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer (CCa) among females at the Sheikh Hasina Medical College (SHMC) of Tangail district in Bangladesh. Methods A cross sectional survey was conducted to collect data via a structured questionnaire from SHMC during the period of February 2019 to January 2020. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge of cervical cancer were collected. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with having heard and knowledge of cervical cancer. A p-value \u3c 0.05 was considered significant. Result Of all the interviews conducted, only 45.2% (493/1090) had heard of cervical cancer as a disease. Women were more likely to be aware of CCa if they were lived in urban areas, had higher education (university level education) and belong to high income families. The study revealed evidence of significant association between marital, literacy, residence and socio-economic status with women’s knowledge on cervical cancer (p\u3c 0.05). Conclusion This study serves to highlight that there was impoverished knowledge about cervical cancer among Bangladeshi women. Hence, this indicates the government should take proper steps to raise awareness and knowledge levels via educational programs and health counseling

Serum lipid profile and its association with hypertension in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and dyslipidemia are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, accounting for the highest morbidity and mortality among the Bangladeshi population. The objective of this study was to determine the association between serum lipid profiles in hypertensive patients with normotensive control subjects in Bangladesh. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 234 participants including 159 hypertensive patients and 75 normotensive controls from January to December 2012 in the National Centre for Control of Rheumatic Fever and Heart Disease in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected on sociodemographic factors, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and lipid profile including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL). RESULTS: The mean (± standard deviation) systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of the participants were 137.94±9.58 and 94.42±8.81, respectively, which were higher in the hypertensive patients (P<0.001). The serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL were higher while HDL levels were lower in hypertensive subjects compared to normotensives, which was statistically significant (P<0.001). Age, waist circumference, and body mass index showed significant association with hypertensive patients (P<0.001) but not with normotensives. The logistic regression analysis showed that hypertensive patients had 1.1 times higher TC and TG, 1.2 times higher LDL, and 1.1 times lower HDL than normotensives, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypertensive patients in Bangladesh have a close association with dyslipidemia and need measurement of blood pressure and lipid profile at regular intervals to prevent cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other comorbidities

Foliar supplementation of phosphorus and zinc enhanced the yield of Boro rice

Supplying phosphorus and zinc through foliar supplementation can be beneficial for crops experiencing higher demand compared to supply from soil. Phosphorus and zinc, an important micronutrient significantly influence various yield components of Boro rice production. A research investigation was conducted to evaluate the impact of foliar application of phosphorus and zinc on the Boro rice yield. The research included two varieties cv. BRRI dhan28 and BRRI dhan89 and five treatments of phosphorus and zinc fertilizer management viz. F1 (Recommended dose of fertilizers, RDF), F2 (RDF + foliar supplementation of 1% P at panicle initiation stage), F3 (RDF + foliar supplementation of 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O at panicle initiation stage), F4 (RDF + foliar supplementation of both 1% P and 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O at panicle initiation stage) and F5 (75% RDF + foliar supplementation of both 1% P and 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O at panicle initiation stage). The study was conducted employing a randomized complete block design and it was replicated thrice. The application of phosphorus and zinc fertilizer through foliar supplementation significantly impacted the yield components of Boro rice. The highest plant height (96.60 cm), total tillers hill-1 (11.80), effective tillers hill-1 (11.50), panicle length (24.10 cm), grains panicle-1 (129.43), 1000-grain weight (25.12 g), grain yields (8.01 t ha-1), straw yields (8.04 t ha-1), biological yield (16.05) and harvest index (49.90 %) were resulted with BRRI dhan89 when applied with RDF + foliar application of both 1% P and 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O at panicle initiation stage. Based on the findings, it can be inferred that BRRI dhan89 resulted in superior performance compared to BRRI dhan28 and RDF with a foliar application of both 1% P and 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O at the panicle initiation stage performed best for BRRI dhan89

Mortality causes in goldsmiths of Bangladesh: Findings from verbal autopsy

Background: Information on the mortality causes of goldsmiths in Bangladesh is limited. This study aimed to find out the mortality causes in a selected group of goldsmiths. Methods: A World Health Organization recommended questionnaire was adapted to conduct verbal autopsy of 20 deceased goldsmiths. Death-related information was gathered from the family members present during deceased’s illness preceding death. The mortality causes were determined by the interview outcomes and medical records-review. Results: The mean age of the goldsmiths at death was 59.2± 9.3 years. Among then, 70.0% were smokers and 50.0% were alcohol consumers. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were the most common immediate and underlying cause of death (60.0% and 45.0%, respectively). Conclusion: The life expectancy of goldsmiths was much lower than the average life expectancy of Bangladeshi population, where CVD was the primary cause of death. Smoking and alcohol consumption were prevalent among them. Awareness about healthy lifestyles should be prioritized for highly CVD prevention among the goldsmiths.  Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Journal 2023;16(2): 87-9