Bangladeshi Men Research Articles

Distribution and disparities of healthy lifestyles and noncommunicable diseases risk factors between men and women aged 20-59 years in Bangladesh: Evidence from a nationwide survey.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are public health threats globally and recognized impediments to socioeconomic development. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and clustering of NCDs risk factors among Bangladeshi men and women aged 20-59 years using nationally representative data. This study was conducted in 82 rural, nonslum urban, and slum clusters across all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh using multistage cluster sampling. A total of 4917 men and 4905 women aged 20-59 years were included in the study. Descriptive analyses were performed to report the prevalence and distribution of behavioral and clinical risk factors. Multivariable binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with the coexistence of three or more NCD risk factors. The prevalence of tobacco use (any form), insufficient physical activity, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, overweight and obesity, and central obesity were 38.3%, 13.6%, 87.1%, 42.3%, and 36.0%, respectively. Furthermore, 21.9% and 4.9% participants had hypertension and self-reported diabetes, respectively. Regarding the clustering of risk factors, 37.1% men and 50.8% women had at least three NCD risk factors. Only 3.0% men and 1.8% women reported no NCD risk factors. Age, place of residence, education, and wealth status were associated with the presence of at least three risk factors for both sexes. Since a large proportion of Bangladeshi 20-59 years old population had multiple risk factors, population-based programs with multisectoral approaches are essential to reduce NCDs among Bangladeshi women and men.

Evaluation of Basic Shirt and Pant Fit Using Analytic Hierarchy Process-AHP and 3D CLO for 20-25 Years Bangladeshi Men

Background: The proportion of a garment to its body is known as garment fit. To ensure comfort between the human body and clothing, fit is very important. At present, 3D simulation of garment fit has great potential for business purposes. However, in previous analyses, there were expert opinions on manual fit analysis, which is very popular in the industry. Objectives: The main objectives of this research are to ensure manual clothing fits with a live model with 3D CLO software evaluation. Method: In this study, up to 50 textile experts from industries have chosen to analyze the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to evaluate clothing fit. Findings: In this study, small, medium, and large-sized basic shirts and pants (20–25 years old) have been developed for live model fit evaluation. According to the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), among small, medium, and large-sized basic shirts and pants, one or two sizes of garments have been tested for garment fit evaluations. The results of these fit evaluations are satisfactory, according to 50 textile experts, and are the main output of the 3D CLO software. Novelty: The analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is fully adopted by the Bangladeshi newly developed size chart, which is enhanced by the 3D CLO software. Keywords: Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), 3D CLO, Shirts, Pant, Garments, Bangladesh

The Health and Safety Experiences of Precariously Employed Bangladeshi Immigrant Workers in Toronto During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Racialized immigrants in Canada have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our qualitative, community-based study with South Asian Women and Immigrants' Services examined the impact of the second and third waves of the pandemic on the work and health of precariously employed Bangladeshi immigrant women and men in Toronto. Our study is based on interviews and focus group discussions with 45 workers, all conducted in Bangla, and 11 key informants. Interviews reveal work transitions, an increase in precarity, work in essential sectors, exposures at work, home and in transit, workplace prevention and management gaps, and an inability to take time off, with significant impacts on workers' physical and mental health. We discuss the implications of our findings for prevention, preparedness, and response by workplaces and governments to decrease the risk and reduce the impact of infectious diseases emergencies in the precarious work sector.

Re-imagining the Ambivalent: The Political Trajectory of Lungi from Pre-Colonial East Bangla to Post-Independent Bangladesh

Lungi, Bangladeshi men’s most common informal clothing, occupies an ambivalent position in the country’s sartorial culture because of its inherent status of being anti-modern and anti-formal. Bangladeshi postcolonial poet Kaiser Haq’s (2007) ground-breaking poem, “Ode on the Lungi '' and the growing body of academic papers focusing on the poem have already constructed lungi as a discursive symbol to challenge and decentralise the colonial construction of cultural hierarchies that underpinned such a postcolonial legacy of sartorial discrimination. Important as they are, these studies do not engage with lungi’s actual historical trajectories of resistance and struggle where men in lungi participated as active agents to challenge authoritative power regimes. By investigating the key episodes of “politics of the people'' (Guha, 1988, p. 40) from pre-colonial east Bangla to present-day Bangladesh, the paper reclaims lungi’s active yet metaphorical performative at each stage of collective struggles that ultimately led to the 1971 War of Independence (Muktijuddho), where lungi was the main attire of the male freedom fighters (Muktijoddhas). This paper argues that the national/cultural ambivalence around lungi in Bangladesh is rooted in its simultaneous trope of being a clothing of people who are at the edges of political power, yet their collective resistance can be subversive. This is one of the reasons why a ban on lungi in contemporary Bangladesh, although more common than before, often becomes a topic of heated debates and discussions among the educated, middle-class communities. Spectrum, Volume 17, June 2022: 47-65

Masculine borders as alienation of racialized, undocumented south Asian migrant workers in Greece

ABSTRACT Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani low-class male migrants in Greece are marked by migrant precarity due to their undocumented status and by a flattened South Asian racialised masculine identity. Collectively othered, they struggle with symbolic borders created by colonial and postcolonial encounters, national identities, religion, and masculine expectations. This article explores how ideologies of prejudice and divisiveness in Greece work in tandem with articulations of othering and national (un)belonging from the men’s home countries to define both their interpersonal relationships and labour outcomes in Greece. It proposes the concept of ‘masculine borders’ to describe processes through which culturally specific masculinities of South Asian men are (re)produced or reconfigured relationally and hierarchically to each other by the capitalist project with the aim of alienating and discipling workers. With such everyday bordering discourses, a novel articulation of Marxian alienation of workers from each other emerges. In this case, masculine norms mesh with Islamophobia and racism to thicken masculine borders between Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Indian men, assisting in the efficient accumulation of surplus by the capitalist class.

British-Bangladeshi Muslim men: removing barriers to mental health support and effectively supporting our community

Abstract In England, Bangladeshi men are amongst the lowest number of people referred to primary care NHS Talking Therapies services and amongst the most likely to have deteriorated (NHS Digital, 2020). Factors related to culture, religion and gender influence stigma and help-seeking (Robinson et al., 2011). Furthermore, a lack of knowledge from services and professionals on cultural understandings of mental distress facilitate a failure to fully understand the needs of individual populations (Faheem, 2023). The aim of this research study was to qualitatively explore stigma and help-seeking for mental health difficulties, within British-Bangladeshi Muslim men in London. Recruitment consisted of men aged 22–59 years, experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression but not accessing formal support. Ethical approval was obtained from Royal Holloway, University of London. After an online screening questionnaire, individual semi-structured video interviews were completed between May and October 2020. Reflexive thematic analysis presented six over-arching themes: ‘different understanding of mental health’, ‘traditional cultural expectations’, ‘fear and loss’, ‘coping resources’, ‘barriers to access’ and ‘community outreach and collaboration’. Many factors were highlighted as barriers accessing support, such as stigma and trust in services. Key practice implications are highlighted for services and practitioners. Professionals must understand the factors which impact the wellbeing of Bangladeshi men, how to better meet the needs of the community, and remove barriers to help. Participants also suggested initiatives to raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma, as an inclusive approach is needed with greater listening to communities and partnerships with local authorities. Key learning aims (1) To better understand the needs of the population and factors which impact wellbeing. (2) To consider the muti-faceted barriers to access mental health support, such as CBT, and how to address these. (3) To unpack what stigma means (internally and externally) for men in the population. (4) How to support low- and high-intensity CBT practitioners to better work therapeutically to support Bangladeshi men.

Investigation of garments fit for 20-30 aged Bangladeshi men’s

In this research the author tries to find out the traditional pattern making error comparing with 3D scanning measurement data to test fit and balance of make to order garments. At first the author select only men’s classic shirt to evaluate the traditional error for make to order item. After analyzing BG-WG and Bust/Chest typical body sizes are selected to develop block to test factor affecting on fit and balance on real body with garment scanning. Using pattern block of typical body shape the author tries to find out the fit for regular shirt in order to find balanced and fit garment for real bodies. After investigating the pattern block and shape evaluate the adaption fit and balance for each customer. All the resulted data can be implementing by any fashion designer and pattern maker to overcome the traditional error to ensure the fit criteria for the customer.

Ethnic density and area-deprivation effects on central obesity among ethnic minority people in England-A cross-sectional, multi-level analysis.

Central obesity is a risk factor for many health conditions, and it disproportionately affects some ethnic minority groups. Research has shown that there is an association between area environments and obesity, but no studies have explored the association between co-ethnic density and central obesity in the UK (United Kingdom). This paper addresses the following research question: Does the relationship between co-ethnic density/area deprivation and waist circumference differ by ethnic group in England? Data come from 4 years of the cross-sectional Health Survey for England (1998, 1999, 2003, 2004) and linked area-level data from the 2001 Census. More recent data on objectively measured central obesity for a nationally representative sample of ethnic minorities does not exist. Multi-level modeling methods account for individual-level and area-level factors. Interaction models test the effect of area deprivation and co-ethnic density for each ethnic group compared with the White reference group. For women, the relationship between area deprivation and waist circumference does not vary by ethnic group. For Indian and Bangladeshi men there is a decrease in waist circumference as area deprivation increases. There is an increase in waist circumference as co-ethnic density increases for Black Caribbean women. For Indian men there is a decrease in waist circumference as co-ethnic density increases. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms through which (1) increasing area-deprivation is protective for Indian and Bangladeshi men and (2) increasing co-ethnic density is associated with an increase in waist circumference for Black Caribbean women but a decrease in waist circumference among Indian men. Each of these results are important because (1) Indian and Bangladeshi men have an increased risk of the metabolic syndrome, which is linked to central obesity, and (2) Black Caribbean women have a higher risk of central obesity than the general population in England.

Somatic loss of the Y chromosome is associated with arsenic exposure among Bangladeshi men.

Arsenic exposure increases the risk of several cancers in humans and contributes to genomic instability. Somatic loss of the Y chromosome (LoY) is a potential biomarker of genomic instability and cancer risk. Smoking is associated with LoY, but few other carcinogens have been investigated. We tested the cross-sectional association between arsenic exposure and LoY in leukocytes among genotyped Bangladeshi men (age 20-70 years) from the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study. We extracted the median of logR-ratios from probes on the Y chromosome (mLRR-chrY) from genotyping arrays (n = 1364) and estimated the percentage of cells with LoY (% LoY) from mLRR-chrY. We evaluated the association between arsenic exposure (measured in drinking water and urine) and LoY using multivariable linear and logistic regression models. The association between LoY and incident arsenic-induced skin lesions was also examined. Ten percent of genotyped men had LoY in at least 5% of cells and % LoY increased with age. Among men randomly selected for genotyping (n = 778), higher arsenic in drinking water, arsenic consumed and urinary arsenic were associated with increased % LoY (P = 0.006, P = 0.06 and P = 0.13, respectively). LoY was associated with increased risk of incident skin lesions (P = 0.008). Arsenic exposure was associated with increased LoY, providing additional evidence that arsenic contributes to genomic instability. LoY was associated with developing skin lesions, a risk factor for cancer, suggesting that LoY may be a biomarker of susceptibility in arsenic-exposed populations. The effect of arsenic on somatic events should be further explored in cancer-prone tissue types.

Confined, Controlled, and Violated: The Rohingya Women in Bangladesh Refugee Camps

Encampment of the Rohingyas in the camps in Bangladesh has reinforced the continuum of male dominance and violence carried out on women’s bodies. This article employs Judith Butler’s concepts of precarious life and frames of recognition to analyse three layers of violence against Rohingya refugee women: the violence carried out by the humanitarian regime, by Rohingya men as spaces to express their anger and frustrations, and by local Bangladeshi men as sites to demonstrate their superiority over the Rohingya intruders into the national space. The article draws on secondary literature on Rohingya refugees’ lived experiences in camps and semi-structured interviews conducted with humanitarian service providers.

Comparative Study on Pulmonary Function Tests and Electrocardiographic Alterations in Smokers and Non-Smokers

Background: Tobacco consumption is the most common cause of the preventable deaths globally. Tobacco is often consumed in the form of cigarettes. Deleterious effects of tobacco are seen in all body systems but most markedly on respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Smoking is responsible for 25% of all death in Bangladeshi men aged 25-69 years. Cardiovascular diseases are on the progressive rise in developing countries. Objective: To compare the variation in ECG waves and pulmonary function tests values in smokers and nonsmokers. Method: In this study, changes in ECG and pulmonary function tests were evaluated in apparently healthy adult male smokers and nonsmokers. This comparative cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Physiology, Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi from January 2018 to December 2018. Result: A total number of 184 healthy subject aged between 20 to 45 years were divided into two groups – Group A considered of 92 adult male nonsmokers and Group B considered of 92 apparently healthy adult male smokers. Group B are subdivided into light smokers (1-10 stick/day), moderate smokers (11-20 stick/day), and heavy smokers (>20 stick/day). Analysis of data was done with the help of computer by SPSS 12.0 programmer and significant tests were done by unpaired student’s “t” test. PFT parameters FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FEV1 and FVC ratio were significantly reduced in smokers compared to nonsmokers (P< 0.001). The values of FVC, FEV1, PEFR were significantly reduced with increase number of cigarette smoke per day (P < 0.001) while FEV1/FVC ratio did not show much difference (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that pulmonary function tests and ECG abnormalities indicate pulmonary and cardiovascular risk in term of COPD, Cardiac arrhythmia, pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart blocks in such subjects. This might be used by physicians as a tool for counseling the smokers to stop smoking as early as possible.

Evaluation of Lung Function Test (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEFR) among Smokers and Nonsmokers

Background: Cigarette smoking and its health consequences represents one of the most serious public health problems and represents an important health challenge, it carries major health risks with the most cause specific mortalities being those of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Tobacco consumption is the most common cause of the preventable deaths globally. Tobacco is often consumed in the form of cigarettes. Deleterious effects of tobacco are seen in all body systems but most markedly on respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Smoking is responsible for 25% of all death in Bangladeshi men aged 25-69 years. Cardiovascular diseases are on the progressive rise in developing countries. Objective: To measure lung function test (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEFR) among smokers and nonsmokers. Method: In this study, changes in ECG and pulmonary function tests were evaluated in apparently healthy adult male smokers and nonsmokers. This comparative cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Physiology, Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi from January 2018 to December 2018. Result: A total number of 184 healthy subject aged between 20 to 45 years were divided into two groups – Group A considered of 92 adult male nonsmokers and Group B considered of 92 apparently healthy adult male smokers. Group B are subdivided into light smokers (1-10 stick/day), moderate smokers (11-20 stick/day), and heavy smokers (>20 stick/day). Analysis of data was done with the help of computer by SPSS 12.0 programmer and significant tests were done by unpaired student’s “t” test. PFT parameters FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FEV1 and FVC ratio were significantly reduced in smokers compared to nonsmokers (P< 0.001). The values of FVC, FEV1, PEFR were significantly reduced with increase number of cigarette smoke per day (P < 0.001) while FEV1/FVC ratio did not show much difference (P>0.05). Conclusion: In this study it was found that the actual values of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/ FVC %, PEFR were ....

Early impact of COVID-19 pandemic on childbearing plan in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has already had many consequences for social life. This paper focused on the early impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pandemic-period childbearing plan that was made before the onset of the pandemic. Data were collected by posting survey questionnaire on social networks in Bangladesh. A total of 384 Bangladeshi men and women of reproductive age were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses after adjusting the data by applying sampling weights. One out of every five respondents was found to cancel their pandemic-period pregnancy plan by considering potential crises related to COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings showed that in canceling pandemic-period pregnancy, factors related to the potential crises of the pandemic emerged as more important than some persistent determinants of fertility, fertility intention and non-realization of fertility intention. Infection of COVID-19 to the acquaintance, being teenager, complete stopping and decline in income, and acquaintance’s suggestion not to get pregnant during the pandemic played key role in canceling the pandemic-period pregnancy plan. Although it is uncertain if the impact of COVID-19 will substantially be reflected in the future fertility estimates of Bangladesh, the pandemic showed negative impact on pandemic-period childbearing plan during the early months.

Arsenic Biotransformation: It is a complex process

Arsenic Biotransformation: It is a complex process

Labor migration is associated with lower rates of underweight and higher rates of obesity among left-behind wives in rural Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAmong Bangladeshi men, international labor migration has increased ten-fold since 1990 and rural to urban labor migration rates have steadily increased. Labor migration of husbands has increased household wealth and redefined women’s roles, which have both positively and negatively impacted the health of wives “left behind”. We examined the direct and indirect effects of husband labor migration on chronic disease indicators and outcomes among wives of labor migrants.MethodsWe collected survey, anthropometric, and biomarker data from a random sample of women in Matlab, Bangladesh, in 2018. We assessed associations between husband’s migration and indicators of adiposity and chronic disease. We used structural equation modeling to assess the direct effect of labor migration on chronic disease, undernutrition, and adiposity, and the mediating roles of income, food security, and proportion of food purchased from the bazaar. Qualitative interviews and participant observation were used to help provide context for the associations we found in our quantitative results.FindingsAmong study participants, 9.0% were underweight, 50.9% were iron deficient, 48.3% were anemic, 39.6% were obese, 27.3% had a waist circumference over 35 in., 33.1% had a high whole-body fat percentage, 32.8% were diabetic, and 32.9% had hypertension. Slightly more women in the sample (55.3%) had a husband who never migrated than had a husband who had ever migrated (44.9%). Of those whose husband had ever migrated, 25.8% had a husband who was a current international migrant. Wives of migrants were less likely to be underweight, and more likely to have indicators of excess adiposity, than wives of non-migrants. Protection against undernutrition was attributable primarily to increased food security among wives of migrants, while increased adiposity was attributable primarily to purchasing a higher proportion of food from the bazaar; however, there was a separate path through income, which qualitative findings suggest may be related to reduced physical activity.ConclusionsLabor migration, and particularly international labor migration, intensifies the nutrition transition in Bangladesh through increasing wealth, changing how foods are purchased, and reducing physical activity, which both decreases risk for undernutrition and increases risk for excess adiposity.

Selenium (Se) as well as mercury (Hg) may influence the methylation and toxicity of inorganic arsenic, but further research is needed with combination of Inorg-arsenic, Se, and Hg

Selenium (Se) as well as mercury (Hg) may influence the methylation and toxicity of inorganic arsenic, but further research is needed with combination of Inorg-arsenic, Se, and Hg

Burden of cardiovascular risk factors and disease in five Asian groups in Catalonia: a disaggregated, population-based analysis of 121000 first-generation Asian immigrants.

To evaluate the burden of cardiovascular risk factors and disease (CVD) among five Asian groups living in Catalonia (Spain): Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Filipino, and Chinese. Retrospective cohort study using the Catalan Health Surveillance System database including 42488 Pakistanis, 40745 Chinese, 21705 Indians, 9544 Filipinos, and 6907 Bangladeshis; and 5.3 million native individuals ('locals'). We estimated the age-adjusted prevalence (as of 31 December 2019) and incidence (during 2019) of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, obesity, tobacco use, coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure (HF). Bangladeshis had the highest prevalence of diabetes (17.4% men, 22.6% women) followed by Pakistanis. Bangladeshis also had the highest prevalence of hyperlipidaemia (23.6% men, 18.3% women), hypertension among women (24%), and incident tobacco use among men. Pakistani women had the highest prevalence of obesity (28%). For CHD, Bangladeshi men had the highest prevalence (7.3%), followed by Pakistanis (6.3%); and Pakistanis had the highest prevalence among women (3.2%). For HF, the prevalence in Pakistani and Bangladeshi women was more than twice that of locals. Indians had the lowest prevalence of diabetes across South Asians, and of CHD across South Asian men, while the prevalence of CHD among Indian women was twice that of local women (2.6% vs. 1.3%). Filipinos had the highest prevalence of hypertension among men (21.8%). Chinese men and women had the lowest prevalence of risk factors and CVD. In Catalonia, preventive interventions adapted to the risk profile of different Asian immigrant groups are needed, particularly for Bangladeshis and Pakistanis.

Recouping masculinity: Understanding the links between macho masculinity and self-exploitation among undocumented South Asian male migrants in Greece

The article situates, centre stage, the process by which temporary labour regimes utilize culturally specific masculine norms of undocumented migrant men to enforce labour docility and accumulate greater capital. It draws upon the example of undocumented Pakistani and Bangladeshi men working in orange orchards and strawberry fields in Greece, who pit their masculinity against one another through fruit-picking contests. South Asian male migrants, emasculated and marginalised by their illegality and precarity of work, attempt to rework their masculine status through such self-exploitative contests. These competitions, predicated on the neoliberal individualizing of workers and their success, displace exploitation by linking piece-rate earnings to muscular masculinity and individual capacity. Fruit-picking contests are an efficient and creative labour management practice wherein fluid masculine subjectivities are harnessed to weed out “inefficient” workers, subdue labour unrest, erode worker solidarity, and maximise labour extraction without adopting overt labour disciplinary mechanisms.

Urinary tract infection among the outpatients of a diagnostic center in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the common bacterial infections occurring in the community and in hospitals of Bangladesh. A total of 300 urine samples were tested for UTI among which 100 were from children (age 1-15 years), 100 from adult female (16-75 years) and 100 from adult male (16-75 years). Out of 300, 126 samples were found positive for UTI (42%). The highest prevalence was observed among adult female (64%) followed by male and children (31% each). According to age groups, the highest prevalence was observed in female aged 16-35 years (70.73%) followed by female of 36-55 years (62.5%) and 56-75 years (52.63%). The highest prevalence for children was observed in age group 11-15 years (33.33%) and for adult male, it was 16-35 years (34.88%). The highest prevalence for adult female and male was observed in summer (66.67% and 38% respectively). The current study confirmed that Bangladeshi women and children are more vulnerable to UTI than Bangladeshi men. Regardless of age, women were more prone to UTI and the prevalence was highest in summer.
 Bangladesh J. Zool. 48(2): 347-356, 2020

Sexual violence and rapes' increment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.

Sexual violence and rapes' increment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.