This study evaluated nutritional knowledge, daily caloric intake, and BMI among tea garden workers in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Using a cross-sectional design, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 410 workers (final sample: 390) from January to May 2023. Data included socio-demographics, anthropometric measurements, and dietary assessments. The final sample included 390 participants with a mean age of 35.78 years. Results revealed a mean BMI of 19.64 (SD=3.27), with 39.2% underweight and 7.2% overweight/obese. Nutritional knowledge was poor (79.7%), and mean daily caloric intake (1795.58 kcal) fell significantly below optimal levels. Young adults were less likely to be underweight than older adults. Income level was a significant factor, as workers earning <4000 BDT were more likely to be underweight or overweight. Lack of formal education was associated with a higher likelihood of being overweight, while poor nutritional knowledge was linked to underweight status. Gender and family size also influenced caloric intake, with females and larger families at greater risk of malnutrition. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions addressing education, income, and dietary awareness to improve nutritional health in this marginalized workforce.

Obesity and metabolic complications are closely linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a simple and accurate measure of overall obesity and risk of metabolic disease. This cross-sectional study attempted to determine gender-based differences within a Bangladeshi population and assess the association between WHR and metabolic complications among NAFLD patients. 200 NAFLD patients in all were enrolled, with 71% being female and 29% being male. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters including body mass index (BMI), fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride levels, and WHR were analyzed. The prevalence of obesity was 89.5%, with males having a higher WHR (0.89±0.026) and females having a higher mean BMI (32.92±2.55 kg/m²). Females experienced metabolic complications at a higher rate (65%) than males (11%). Triglyceride level (p=0.028) was significantly linked to the severity of NAFLD, whereas WHR (p=0.001), BMI (p=0.015), and FBS (p=0.007) were significant predictors of metabolic complications based on logistic regression. According to the results, the main predictors of metabolic disorders in NAFLD patients are increased WHR, BMI, and impaired glucose levels. Early screening and management of central obesity and glycemic control may help reduce disease burden and prevent progression of metabolic complications.

Microcredentials are emerging as a transformative tool in higher education, particularly in the field of public health. They are offering flexible, competency-based learning to meet the demands of the skilled workforces and cope with the rapidly advanced technologies. These short, targeted certifications confirm specific skills, enhancing employability and bridging gaps in areas like epidemiology, health informatics, and disaster management. Initiatives like the European Commission's recommendations and Australia's National Microcredentials Framework demonstrate their potential to promote equitable access and lifelong learning on a global scale. But problems still exist, such as digital disparities in settings with limited resources, employer acceptance, and a lack of standardization specially for the low- and middle-income countries. Significant benefits of microcredentials include enhanced access for underserved and rural populations, as well as quick upskilling during public health emergencies. To optimize their impact, future integration with formal education, developments in blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), and strong policy frameworks are essential. Collaborative efforts among governments, academia, and industry can ensure scalability and alignment with global health priorities. This review underscores the role of microcredentials in fostering a resilient, skilled public health workforce while demanding for further research and consistent practices to overcome existing barriers.

Dengue fever presents with a broad spectrum of symptoms, ranging from mild to life-threatening complications. Understanding the clinical symptoms based on demographic and biochemical predictors of severity is vital for early intervention. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 375 dengue patients. Clinical symptoms, demographic profiles, platelet counts, and infection history were analyzed. Then the level of severity has been categorized as Dengue Fever (DF), Dengue Fever with Warning Signs (DFWS), and Severe Dengue (SD), emphasizing warning signs like abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, and hemorrhage as indicators of severity. Results show males were more affected, while females exhibited more severe symptoms, including hypotension, and hemorrhage. Pediatric patients showed higher prevalence of warning signs, such as abdominal pain and poor appetite, suggesting increased severity risk. Among occupations, homemakers had the highest incidence of warning signs, potentially due to delayed healthcare access and domestic mosquito exposure. Severe thrombocytopenia (<20k/μL) was associated with low blood pressure and hemorrhage. Secondary infections showed a strong association with severe manifestations, supporting the role of antibody-dependent enhancement. Female gender, younger age, homemaker occupation, low platelet counts, and secondary infections were strongly linked with severe dengue. These findings highlight the need for early detection of the severity level of dengue infections and management strategies to prevent disease progression in high-risk groups.

Health care professionals (HCPs) play a critical role in promoting public confidence in vaccination programs. However, vaccine hesitancy among HCPs during the initial rollout of COVID-19 vaccines could undermine national immunization efforts. This study assessed early acceptance and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination among doctors and nurses in a tertiary hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021 among 732 HCPs recruited through purposive sampling and using a semi-structured questionnaire. Among the respondents, 76.28% were female and 79% were aged 18-50 years. Only 37.64% expressed willingness to receive the vaccine at the starting period, while 52.71% preferred to wait for post-vaccination reviews and 9.65% refused vaccination. Although 67.26% agreed or strongly agreed that vaccination is essential for COVID-19 prevention, there are concerns about safety (40.53% neutral or negative). Overall, 45.65% demonstrated satisfactory attitudes, whereas 32.06% showed dissatisfactory attitudes. Vaccine acceptance was significantly associated with sex (p = 0.032), having children (p = 0.016), and diabetes status (p = 0.041). Despite generally positive attitudes toward the importance of vaccination, more than half of HCPs exhibited hesitancy during the early phase of the vaccination program. Concerns about vaccine safety and side effects were major contributors to delayed acceptance. By revealing the factors influencing early vaccine acceptance among frontline workers, this study offers valuable insights to strengthen preparedness and enhance the effectiveness of future immunization programs such as typhoid vaccination in children.

This cross-sectional study investigated vitamin D level and knowledge among 235 participants, examining the influence of occupational and demographic factors. Data were collected on estimated vitamin D levels from clinical diagnostic reports, sociodemographic characteristics, sunlight exposure, and knowledge about vitamin D. Results revealed significant gender-based differences in vitamin D levels, with females exhibiting a higher prevalence of deficiency (56.9%) compared to males (50.7%), whereas males exhibited higher mean levels than females across age groups, particularly in the 36–45 and 46–55 age ranges (p < 0.05). Outdoor workers had the highest vitamin D levels (males: 43.02 ± 14.81 ng/mL; females: 36.84 ± 11.28 ng/mL), while indoor workers had the lowest (males: 18.06 ± 5.43 ng/mL; females: 14.35 ± 4.67 ng/mL). Sunlight exposure positively correlated with vitamin D levels, with significant differences for exposure durations of 30–180 minutes (p < 0.05). Knowledge about vitamin D was higher among students (68.4%) and those with higher education (85.2% among graduates), while it was lower among homemakers (25.7%) and those with no education (38.5%). These findings underscore the impact of occupation, sunlight exposure, and education on vitamin D status and knowledge, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address deficiencies.

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and its subvariants have posed significant challenges to global public health since their emergence in late 2021. This comprehensive review examines the epidemiological trends, clinical impacts, and public health challenges associated with Omicron subvariants, with a focus on high-density populations such as Bangladesh. The review highlights the evolution of Omicron subvariants, including BA.1, BA.2, BA.4/BA.5, XBB, BQ.1, EG.5, and JN.1, emphasizing their increased transmissibility, immune evasion, and varying severity. Despite lower intrinsic severity compared to Delta, Omicron's rapid spread has strained healthcare systems, particularly in regions with limited resources. In Bangladesh, Omicron subvariants such as XFG, XFC, and NB.1.8.1 have driven recent surges, with test positivity rates peaking at 20% in June 2025. The review underscores the persistent threat of these subvariants, especially among vulnerable populations like the elderly, and the critical need for enhanced genomic surveillance, vaccination campaigns, and adaptive public health strategies. Some of the key challenges include vaccine hesitancy, healthcare infrastructure limitations, and socioeconomic barriers. The findings advocate for robust global cooperation, updated vaccines, and targeted interventions to mitigate the ongoing impact of Omicron subvariants in high-risk settings.

This cross-sectional study examined the disparities in food security and nutritional status among 500 children and adolescents (aged 5-17 years) in urban slums of Bangladesh. Data were collected from April to June 2024, assessing sociodemographic factors, food security using the Food Consumption Score (FCS), and nutritional status via Body Mass Index (BMI). Results revealed alarming levels of undernutrition, with 56.4% underweight (BMI <18.5) and 47.4% exhibiting borderline food consumption. Severe food insecurity affected 49% of participants, while only 21% achieved acceptable FCS levels. Significant associations were found between food security and parental education, family income, and employment (p < 0.001). Higher maternal education and income correlated with improved FCS, whereas larger family sizes and unemployment were linked to poorer outcomes. School attendance also positively influenced nutritional status. The study highlights a critical double burden of malnutrition, with undernutrition predominant and emerging overweight concerns. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing socioeconomic determinants, such as enhancing parental education, income-generating opportunities, and school-based nutrition programs, to improve food security and health outcomes in urban slums.

Myopia is projected to affect nearly five billion people globally by 2050 and is a leading cause of distance visual impairment, posing a major socio-economic burden. Lifestyle factors, particularly increased use of electronic devices, are significant contributors to myopia development in school-going children. This mixed-method study included 390 school-going children aged 5–12 years diagnosed with myopia. The study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2022. Parents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and children's daily screen time was collected through 24-hour recalls. Clinical data were retrieved from diagnostic reports following comprehensive eye examinations, including distance visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and both non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic refraction tests. To observe the effect of screen time and outdoor activities, the study divided the follow-up period into three phases: before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. During lockdowns, children's average screen time increased from 2.1 to 5.6 hours per day, correlating with a significant worsening of refractive errors from -2.4 D to -4.6 D. After the pandemic, as daily screen time reduced to 2.7 hours and outdoor activity increased from 19% to 71%, the progression of myopia slowed notably. Home confinement during COVID-19 markedly accelerated myopia progression in children. Post-pandemic, lifestyle adjustments involving reduced screen time and increased outdoor activities led to stabilization. These findings emphasize the need for balanced digital device use and promoting outdoor exposure to manage and potentially prevent childhood myopia.

Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei), the etiological agent of melioidosis, is present in the water and soil of equatorial and subtropical climates worldwide. Melioidosis occurs after environmental exposure to B. pseudomallei and is linked to comorbidities that impair the immune response, including diabetes, as well as socioeconomic hardship. This study aims to characterize and describe the functional annotation of the hypothetical protein of B. pseudomallei. The physicochemical properties determined the protein’s theoretical pI, estimated half-life in different media, and the negative hydropathicity of the selected protein. The subcellular identification determined that the protein was in the extracellular location with no transmembrane helices. The protein contained a functional domain associated with the aldose 1-epimerase superfamily that is related to carbohydrate metabolism. The protein-protein interaction network identified the protein’s correlation with 10 interacting proteins. The secondary structural documentation revealed that the protein contains mostly random coils, followed by extended strands and alpha helices. The tertiary structure modeling and assessment uncovered that the protein’s structural properties were a significant number of residues in the most favored regions compared to other regions. This functional protein can be targeted for further study on potential drug and vaccine candidates against the protein of B. pseudomallei.