Disaster-induced migration types and patterns, drivers, and impact: A union-level study in Bangladesh

Environmental shocks like disasters are reported to induce migration in different parts of the world. Bangladesh has been witnessing migration across the years, but the underlying mechanism of disaster-induced migration needs to be explored and understood with changing climate conditions. The main objective of this study is to evaluate disaster-induced migration types and patterns, the auxiliary drivers and the perceived impact of migration. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was carried out with 155 Union-level key persons from five districts of Bangladesh, and collected qualitative data were thematically analyzed using NVivo. Irrespective of the type of disaster, the major spatial-temporal pattern of migration was perceived to be temporary domestic migration from rural to urban areas. Comparing the auxiliary drivers of migration revealed some common economic drivers. The comparison diagram also identifies several other drivers which are disaster-specific. For e.g., social, demographic, and physical drivers are perceived to drive migration in cyclone-affected areas, while environmental drivers (land degradation, scarcity of safe drinking water, changes in soil condition, etc.) are the primary drivers behind migration in saline-affected areas. Regarding impacts, though household economic status is perceived to get better post-migration, loss of traditions and cultural value, loss of social ties, and loss of security are identified as some of the negative impacts of disaster-induced migration. The current study emphasizes that a migration policy as an umbrella policy may mask the local challenges and community requirements and argues for the need of a disaster-specific migration policy that addresses disaster-induced challenges encountered by local communities

Evaluation of Different Levels of Nitrogen and Zinc Fertilizer on Morphological Characters and Yield of Rapeseed

Abstract: The experiment was undertaken during rabi season, November 2011 to February 2012 to examine the effects of different levels of nitrogen and zinc fertilizer on morphology and yield of rapeseed Brassica campestris L. variety BARI sarisha 15. In this experiment, the treatment consisted of four different N levels viz. (N0: 0, N1: 60, N2:120, and N3:180 Kg N/ha) and three different levels of Zn viz. (Zn0:0, Zn1:1 and, Zn2:2 Kg/ha) using randomized complete block (RCBD) with three replications. Nitrogen showed significant variations on both morphological characters, yield contributing parameters and yield of rapeseed such as plant height, number of leaves, number of primary branches, length of inflorescence, seed yield and harvest index. Zinc did not show significant difference on morphological characters as nitrogen. But the significant differences were found on yield contributing characters and yield of rapeseed with zinc fertilization. The interaction between nitrogen and zinc showed statistical variations on all characters including morphological and yield contributing parameters and yield of rapeseed. The treatment combination, N2Zn2 (120 Kg N/ha along with 2 Kg Zn/ha) produced the highest seed yield (4.22 t/ha) whereas the lowest seed yield (0.37 t/ha) recorded from N0Zn0 treatment combination with nitrogen and zinc fertigation. Therefore, the experimental results suggested that both nitrogen and zinc have contribution to improve seed yield of rapeseed by altering reproductive characters

Factors determining the profitability of rice farming in Bangladesh

This study was conducted to analyze the profitability of rice farming in Bangladesh. In doing so, it utilized the multistage sampling technique to collect the cross-sectional data from seven rice producing districts in Bangladesh during 2016. A total of 140 samples were directly interviewed using a structured questionnaire for achieving the purpose. Apart from the descriptive analysis of the socioeconomic variables of the selected respondents, the benefit-cost and functional profitability analysis of rice were also performed. The log-linear form of Cobb-Douglas production function was chosen to determine the effects of various inputs on the profitability of rice. The finding of cost-benefit analysis reveals that rice farming is a profitable activity in Bangladesh as the estimated cost of production was lower than the return in the selected study areas. However, the profitability differs among different farmers? group and large farmers are more profitable in rice cultivation than small and medium farmers. In addition, the functional analysis identifies three inputs such as the cost of power tiller, fertilizer and hired labor as the significant determinants of profitability for all farmers in the study regions. Moreover, these factors also differ across the farmer's groups except the cost of fertilizer. Therefore, it is recommended in this study that the concerned authority of the government should ensure adequate and timely fertilizer use at a subsidized price which would be affordable by the farmers. Besides, a fair pricing policy should be set so that fluctuation in the price level can be controlled. Effective extension service may also help the farmers using a better combination of input that will generate higher productivity and return, thereby, will contribute to being food secure and self-sufficient in rice cultivation

A tightly clustered hepatitis E virus genotype 1a is associated with endemic and outbreak infections in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is endemic in Bangladesh and there are occasional outbreaks. The molecular characteristics and pathogenesis of endemic and outbreak HEV strains are poorly understood. We compared the genetic relatedness and virulence associated mutations of endemic HEV strains with outbreak strains. METHODS: We analyzed systematically collected serum samples from HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) positive patients attended at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from August 2013 to June 2015. HEV RNA positive samples were subjected to whole genome sequencing. Genotype and subtype of the strains were determined by phylogenetic analysis. Virulence associated mutations e.g. acute viral hepatitis (AVH), fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), chronic hepatitis, ribavirin treatment failure (RTF), B and T cell neutralization epitopes were determined. RESULTS: 92 HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody positive plasma samples (43 in 2013-2014 and 49 in 2014-2015) were studied. 77.1% (70/92) of the samples were HEV RNA positive. A 279 bp open reading frame (ORF) 2 and ORF 3 sequence was obtained from 54.2% (38/70) of the strains. Of these 38 strains, whole genome sequence (WGS) was obtained from 21 strains. In phylogenetic analysis of 38 (279 bp) sequence all HEV sequences belonged to genotype 1 and subtype 1a. Further phylogenetic analysis of 21 HEV WGS, Bangladeshi HEV sequences clustered with genotype 1a sequences from neighboring countries. Within genotype 1a cluster, Bangladesh HEV strains formed a separate cluster with the 2010 HEV outbreak strains from northern Bangladesh. 80.9 to 100% of the strains had A317T, T735I, L1120I, L1110F, P259S, V1479I, G1634K mutations associates AVH, FHF and RTF. Mutations in T cell recognition epitope T3, T5, T7 was observed in 76.1%, 100% and 100% of the strains respectively. CONCLUSION: Strains of HEV genotype 1a are dominant in Bangladesh and are associated with endemic and outbreak of HEV infection. HEV isolates in Bangladesh have high prevalence of virulence associated mutations and mutation which alters antigenicity to B and T cell epitopes

Vaccination following the expanded programme on immunization schedule could help to reduce deaths in children under five hospitalized for pneumonia and severe pneumonia in a developing country

BackgroundWorldwide, pneumonia is the leading cause of mortality in children under the age of five. An expanded program on immunization (EPI) is one kind of evidence-based tool for controlling and even eradicating infectious diseases.ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the impact of EPI vaccination, including BCG, DPT-Hib-Hep B, OPV, IPV, and PCV-10, among children from the age of 4 to 59 months hospitalized for pneumonia and severe pneumonia. Additionally, we evaluated the role of 10 valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines alone on clinical outcomes in such children.MethodsIn this retrospective chart review, children from the age of 4 to 59 months with WHO-defined pneumonia and severe pneumonia admitted to the Dhaka Hospital of the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) between August 2013 and December 2017 who had the information on immunization as per EPI schedule by 4 months of age were included in the analysis. A comparison was made between the children who were fully immunized (immunization with BCG, DPT-Hib-Hep B, OPV, and IPV from 2013 to 2015 and PCV-10 from 2015 to 2017) and who were not immunized (consisting of partial immunization and no immunization) during the study period.ResultsA total of 4,625 children had pneumonia and severe pneumonia during the study period. Among them, 2,605 (56.3%) had received the information on immunization; 2,195 (84.3%) were fully immunized by 4 months of age according to the EPI schedule and 410 were not immunized. In the log-linear binomial regression analysis, immunization of children from 4 to 59 months of age was found to be associated with a lower risk of diarrhea (p = 0.033), severe pneumonia (p = 0.001), anemia (p = 0.026), and deaths (p = 0.035). Importantly, the risk of developing severe pneumonia (1054/1,570 [67%] vs. 202/257 [79%], p < 0.001) and case-fatality rate (57/1,570 [3.6%] vs. 19/257 [7.4%], p = 0.005) was still significantly lower among those who were immunized with PCV-10 than those who were not.ConclusionChildren immunized as per the EPI schedule were at a lower risk of diarrhea, severe pneumonia, anemia, and death, compared to unvaccinated children. In addition, PCV-10 was found to be protective against severe pneumonia and deaths in vaccinated children. The overall results underscored the importance of the continuation of immunization, scrupulously adhering to the EPI schedule to reduce the risk of morbidities and mortalities in children, especially in resource-limited settings

Toxoplasma gondii Infection Is Associated with Low Birth Weight: Findings from an Observational Study among Rural Bangladeshi Women

Gestational Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection may cause substantial adverse effects on developing fetuses, newborns and also mothers. This study aims to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii among rural Bangladeshi pregnant women and determine the risk of a low birth weight (LBW). We followed a longitudinal design where 208 pregnant women were followed until the birth of their infants. Levels of IgG and IgM of T. gondii were assessed using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted associations and multiple regression analysis was performed to understand the confounding and modifying effects of the variables. Thirty-nine (19%) children were born with LBW, among whom 15 (39%) mothers were positive for T. gondii IgG during pregnancy. After adjusting for several confounders and modifiers, pregnant women with T. gondii IgG or IgM seropositivity were significantly associated with LBW of infants (aRR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.17-3.42). The strength of this association increased after adjusting for maternal education (aRR: 4.88, 95% CI: 1.74-13.69). The final model had an AROC of 0.84 with a sensitivity of 36% and specificity of 97%. Although causality is yet to be established, the study observed an association between T. gondii infection during pregnancy among rural Bangladeshi women and LBW of newborns

Effect of 3 Days of Oral Azithromycin on Young Children With Acute Diarrhea in Low-Resource Settings A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance: World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines do not recommend routine antibiotic use for children with acute watery diarrhea. However, recent studies suggest that a significant proportion of such episodes have a bacterial cause and are associated with mortality and growth impairment, especially among children at high risk of diarrhea-associated mortality. Expanding antibiotic use among dehydrated or undernourished children may reduce diarrhea-associated mortality and improve growth. Objective: To determine whether the addition of azithromycin to standard case management of acute nonbloody watery diarrhea for children aged 2 to 23 months who are dehydrated or undernourished could reduce mortality and improve linear growth. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Antibiotics for Children with Diarrhea (ABCD) trial was a multicountry, randomized, double-blind, clinical trial among 8266 high-risk children aged 2 to 23 months presenting with acute nonbloody diarrhea. Participants were recruited between July 1, 2017, and July 10, 2019, from 36 outpatient hospital departments or community health centers in a mixture of urban and rural settings in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Pakistan, and Tanzania. Each participant was followed up for 180 days. Primary analysis included all randomized participants by intention to treat. Interventions: Enrolled children were randomly assigned to receive either oral azithromycin, 10 mg/kg, or placebo once daily for 3 days in addition to standard WHO case management protocols for the management of acute watery diarrhea. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes included all-cause mortality up to 180 days after enrollment and linear growth faltering 90 days after enrollment. Results: A total of 8266 children (4463 boys [54.0%]; mean [SD] age, 11.6 [5.3] months) were randomized. A total of 20 of 4133 children in the azithromycin group (0.5%) and 28 of 4135 children in the placebo group (0.7%) died (relative risk, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.40-1.27). The mean (SD) change in length-for-age z scores 90 days after enrollment was -0.16 (0.59) in the azithromycin group and -0.19 (0.60) in the placebo group (risk difference, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.06). Overall mortality was much lower than anticipated, and the trial was stopped for futility at the prespecified interim analysis. Conclusions and Relevance: The study did not detect a survival benefit for children from the addition of azithromycin to standard WHO case management of acute watery diarrhea in low-resource settings. There was a small reduction in linear growth faltering in the azithromycin group, although the magnitude of this effect was not likely to be clinically significant. In low-resource settings, expansion of antibiotic use is not warranted. Adherence to current WHO case management protocols for watery diarrhea remains appropriate and should be encouraged. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03130114.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Evidence Café 2: Report

This report describes an evidence café held with key stakeholders in Bangladesh as part of the 3MPower project, a collaboration between the Open University and the University of Dhaka. 3MPower is generating evidence on technology use for Teacher Professional Development (TPD) in low- and middle-income countries, with a particular focus on children’s foundation numeracy skills in schools serving marginalised, low-income, rural communities