Intimate partner violence among minority groups: A view from northern Bangladesh

This study investigates the prevalence, characteristics, and associated factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) among minority groups of Bangladesh. A mixed methods approach was employed, combining a survey of 128 participants from minority groups with 10 in-depth case studies. The survey collected quantitative data, while case studies provided qualitative insights. The study reveals a pervasive prevalence of IPV within marginalized communities, with 40.6% of females reporting experiences of IPV. Husbands were identified as the primary abusers (91.4%) of IPV. Various determinants were identified as contributing factors to IPV. These include poor mental health, substance abuse, exposure to childhood violence, patriarchal attitudes, financial pressures, conventional drug use, adherence to cultural and societal norms, and limited education regarding healthy relationships, communication, and conflict resolution skills. Surprisingly, the study highlights that IPV is bidirectional, with 33.6% of respondents admitting to physically harming their spouse during violent incidents. Gender inequality or rigidity was not the predominant determinant of IPV among minority communities in northern Bangladesh. The study underscores the necessity of culturally sensitive strategies to address IPV within marginalized communities. The findings underscore the need to address both sides of the IPV dynamic and advocate for holistic interventions that acknowledge and respect cultural norms and values

Treatment of open fracture of shaft of tibia-fibula Gustilo type III-B by SIGN interlocking nail and wound coverage by muscle flap within 72 hours of injury

Background: The open fracture of tibia-fibula Gustilo type III-B may threaten the survival of the injured leg. The objective of the study purpose was to see the effect of early coverage following fixation of open tibial shaft fracture.Methods: This clinical trial was carried out in National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), Dhaka from July 2004 to June 2006 for a period of two (2) years. Patients at age group of 18 years or above with both sexes presented with open fracture shaft of tibia-fibula Gustilo type III-B were selected as study population. The patients were surgically managed by SIGN Interlocking nail and wound coverage by muscle flap within 72 hours of injury. Bacteriological study of the wound was done in all cases. All fixation and coverage were performed within 72 hours of injury. Patients grading improved on subsequent follow up. Evaluation of results was done at every post-operative follow up.Results: A total number of 12 young patients with open fracture tibia-fibula Gustilo III-B were recruited for this study. Their age varies from 18 years to 48 years. A total number of 83.33% cases wound debridement was done within 12 hours of injury. Most of the soft tissue healed (91.67%) within 0 to 20 days.  There were no cases developed limb length discrepancy angulations or rotation. Superficial infections were occurred in 1(8.33%) case but no evidence of deep infection. In this study excellent result were obtained from 9 cases (75%), good results were found in 2 cases (16.67%), fair results from 1 case (8.33%). Conclusions: In conclusion early intramedullary fixation and exposed bone coverage by muscle flap is very important for prevention of infection, minimizing bone death simultaneously enhances bone healing

Forecasting dengue incidence in Dhaka, Bangladesh: A time series analysis

This article attempts to model the monthly number of dengue fever (DF) cases in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and forecast the dengue incidence using time series analysis. Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving. Average (SARIMA) models have been developed on the monthly data collected from January 2000 to October 2007 and validated using the data from September 2006 to October 2007. The results showed that the predicted values were consistent with the upturns and downturns of the observed series. The SARIMA (1,0,0)(1,1,1) model has been found as the most suitable model with least Normalized Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC) of 11.918 and Mean Absolute Percent Error (MAPE) of 595.346. The model was further validated by Ljung-Box test (Q18=15.266 and p>.10) with no significant autocorrelation between residuals at different lag times. Finally, a forecast for the period November 2007 to December 2008 was made, which showed a pick in the incidence of DF during July 2008, with estimated cases as 689

Status and health risk assessment of heavy metals in vegetables grown in industrial areas of Bangladesh

The presence of toxic heavy metals in vegetables is a matter of concern worldwide as they impose significant public health hazards. This study quantified heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in widely consumed vegetables such as red amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus), radish leaf (Raphanus sativus), brinjal (Solanum melongena), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), carrot (Daucus carota), and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) grown in Savar industrial areas of Bangladesh to assess human health risks. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used to determine heavy metals in vegetables (n = 96). Studied heavy metals were detected in most vegetable samples, whereas 59.38% and 40.62% of samples contained carcinogenic Pb and Cd higher than the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) maximum allowable concentration (MAC). Principle component analysis (PCA) revealed that wastewater irrigation due to anthropogenic activities is the main source of heavy metal contamination in vegetables of the study area. Human health risks were assessed in terms of estimated daily intake (EDI), incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI). EDI values of all heavy metals were lower than the corresponding maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI) values. The ILCR values of Pb in most samples (except fenugreek) for children were found above the threshold value (ILCR> 10−4), indicating carcinogenic health effects from lifetime consumption of these vegetables. The THQs of Pb in sample red amaranth and carrot were greater than 1.0, indicating potential non-carcinogenic risks of consuming contaminated vegetables. The HI values of all heavy metals in red amaranth and carrot >1.0 for adults and children, suggesting health hazards from these samples. This study might help policymakers and concerned authorities to implement a strategic plan for safe vegetable production and minimise the health risks of consuming heavy metal contaminated vegetables

Antimicrobial Residues in Chicken and Fish, Chittagong, Bangladesh

A cross-sectional observation and an intervention study were conducted in Chittagong, Bangladesh in 2015 to assess the status of antimicrobial residues in chicken and fish. The samples were tested for selected antimicrobials (amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin) using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The TLC-based overall prevalence of residues was 87.9% in chicken (N = 182) and 56.9% in fish (N = 153). The prevalences in chicken in June (N = 91) and in October (N = 91), respectively, were 91.2% and 83.5% (amoxicillin), 1.1% and 1.1% (enrofloxacin), 1.1% and 0% (ciprofloxacin), and 0% and 6.6% (oxytetracycline). In fish, the prevalence in September (N = 74) and in October (N = 79) was 52.7% and 44.3% (amoxicillin) and 1.4% and 27.8% (oxytetracycline), respectively. The mean concentration of amoxicillin residue was evaluated by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography to be 508.4 mg/kg (chicken) and 515.4 mg/kg (fish). The random effect model identified market (Chawkbazar vs. Boalkhali: OR 5.7; Steelmill bazar vs. Boalkhali: OR 5.6) as significant factors for amoxicillin residue in chicken. Amoxicillin concentration was significantly reduced in chicken of Kazirhat (β= − 1.3) and Chawkbazar (β= − 1.1) and increased in October (β= 0.77) based on a generalized linear model (GLM). Climbing perch fish had significantly more risk of having amoxicillin residue than that of Bombay duck (OR = 0.05). All samples were treated by washing, boiling and cooking with spices, and then, TLC-based screening of amoxicillin residues was done. A subset of each treated group was evaluated by UHPLC. Treatment reduced amoxicillin residue levels significantly

Seroprevalence and risk factors of bluetongue virus in sheep of Chattogram, Bangladesh

Background and Aim: Bluetongue (BT) is a non-contagious, infectious disease of wild and domestic ruminant animals caused by the BT virus (BTV). Bangladesh having a border with a BTV-endemic country, India and a substantial number of susceptible animals. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate BTV seroprevalence and potential risk factors. Materials and Methods: We collected 150 serum samples from indigenous sheep from Chattogram, Bangladesh. We screened the serum samples using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting BTV-specific immunoglobulin. Results: We detected antibodies against BTV in 39.3% (59/150; 95% confidence interval: 31.5-47.6) of all sampled sheep. Factors like sampling site, sheep rearing location, rearing sheep with other farm species, and body condition score had a significant (p < 0.05) influence on the seroprevalence of BTV. Conclusion: The findings show that indigenous sheep have a higher BTV seroprevalence, necessitating sustained surveillance for early diagnosis and a better understanding of virus epidemiology in Bangladesh

Intriguing type-II g-GeC/AlN bilayer heterostructure for photocatalytic water decomposition and hydrogen production

Abstract Adapting two-dimensional (2D) van der Walls bilayer heterostructure is an efficient technique for realizing fascinating properties and playing a key role in solar energy-driven water decomposition schemes. By means of first-principles calculations, this study reveals the intriguing potential of a novel 2D van der Walls hetero-bilayer consisting of GeC and AlN layer in the photocatalytic water splitting method to generate hydrogen. The GeC/AlN heterostructure has an appropriate band gap of 2.05 eV, wherein the band edges are in proper energetic positions to provoke the water redox reaction to generate hydrogen and oxygen. The type-II band alignment of the bilayer facilitates the real-space spontaneous separation of the photogenerated electrons and holes in the different layers, improving the photocatalytic activity significantly. Analysis of the electrostatic potential and the charge density difference unravels the build-up of an inherent electric field at the interface, preventing electron–hole recombination. The ample absorption spectrum of the bilayer from the ultra-violet to the near-infrared region, reaching up to 8.71 × 105/cm, combined with the resiliency to the biaxial strain, points out the excellent photocatalytic performance of the bilayer heterostructure. On top of rendering useful information on the key features of the GeC/AlN hetero-bilayer, the study offers informative details on the experimental design of the van der Walls bilayer heterostructure for solar-to-hydrogen conversion applications