Dhaka City Research Articles

Flower shape, size and color preferences of four pollinators (Insecta: Apidae) in selected areas of Dhaka city

Flower shape, size and color preferences of four pollinators (Insecta: Apidae) in selected areas of Dhaka city

Assessing English Language Proficiency: A Case Study of English Version Students of Higher Secondary Level of Bangladesh

Assessment is an integral part of language learning. Language proficiency can be judged by a well-organised evaluation procedure. A systematic assessment process paves the path of successful language learning. The main focus of this study is to explore the current English Language Assessment practice in Higher Secondary institutions located in Dhaka city. Five teachers and five students have been chosen for the investigation. Qualitative research method has been used to explore the assessment procedures the teachers use to assess class XI students’ English language skills such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening and what type of challenges teachers and students encounter during assessment. Though these institutions follow national curriculum of Bangladesh, their mode of instruction is English. Since curriculum plays a vital role in learning outcome, it should be based on learners’ needs and make them competent to cope up with the globalised world. The results of this study unveil the participants’ attitude, opinion and interest regarding the challenges, problems and opportunities of English Version Institutions. However, a remarkable number of researches have been conducted to change the language assessment system, its impact and possibilities in developed countries but there is rarely any research that focuses on the impact of such assessment system in the developing countries like Bangladesh.

Vulnerability of drinking water supply and respondent’s perception on the quality of water supply in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Vulnerability of drinking water supply and respondent’s perception on the quality of water supply in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

The ratio of Obesity and Associated Factors amongRamna Park Visitors of Dhaka City

Background: Obesity has become one of the major problems of developing countries. Weight is now increasing during this life stage of transition at a higher rate. The purpose of the study was to know the ratio of obesity and associated factors among visitors of Ramna Park, Dhaka city. Methodology: This descriptive type of cross-sectional study was carried out from January 2022 to December 2022 for a period of 1 year in Ramna Park, Dhaka City among 260 visitors. Pretested semi-structured questionnaires were used and BMI measurements were calculated as data collection instruments. Results: Out of all respondents, most of the study population were in the age group of 20 to 40 years which was 197(75.8%) respondents. Regarding BMI majority of the respondents were obese which was 104(40.0%) respondents. Among 104 obese respondents, most of them had said that they had taken three times meals per day which was 52(50.0%) respondents. Statistically significant (P<0.05) association was found among dietary habits, physical inactivity, and obesity. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study revealed that obesity is increasing significantly, So, such a high prevalence of obesity is a health concern for Bangladeshi adults. Therefore, to address these diseases, appropriate health intervention measures and public awareness are required.

Detection of Vibrio cholerae as a Potential Microbiological Hazard from Water Samples Used for Cleaning Purpose of Pani-puri Serving Plates in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Abstract BACKGROUND: Cholera remains a significant public health concern, particularly in endemic regions like Bangladesh. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of Vibrio cholerae contamination in pani-puri plate wash water in Dhaka city, employing biochemical, microscopic, and antibiotic resistance analyses. METHODS: A total of 20 pani-puri plate wash water samples were collected from various locations in Dhaka between August 2023 and October 2023. The samples were analyzed at the Department of Microbiology, Stamford University Bangladesh. RESULTS: V. cholerae was found to be highly prevalent, especially in crowded urban areas. Biochemical tests confirmed the identity of the isolates as V. cholerae. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed concerning resistance patterns, with 100% resistance to commonly used drugs such as meropenem and ampicillin. In addition, resistance to cefixime, nalidixic acid, and chloramphenicol was observed, emphasizing the need for alternative treatment options. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the significance of ongoing monitoring of V. cholerae populations for virulence factors and changes in antibiotic resistance to inform public health interventions and cholera control measures. The study underscores the importance of strict hygienic standards in the preparation of street food, particularly in endemic locations such as Dhaka, Bangladesh, to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases. Continuous surveillance for drug resistance and microbiological contamination is crucial for effective cholera treatment and prevention.

Assessment of meteorological parameters in predicting seasonal temperature of Dhaka city using ANN

In this study, an attempt has been made to investigate the possibility of a machine learning model, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for seasonal prediction of the temperature of Dhaka city. Prior knowledge of temperature is essential, especially in tropical regions like Dhaka, as it aids in forecasting heatwaves and implementing effective preparedness schemes. While various machine learning models have been employed for the prediction of hot weather across the world, research specially focused on Bangladesh is limited. Additionally, the application of machine learning models needs to be curated to suit the particular weather features of any region. Therefore, this study approaches ANN method for prediction of the temperature of Dhaka exploring the underlying role of related weather variables. Using the daily data for the months of February to July collected from the National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis data (0.25° × 0.25° global grid) for the years 2011–2020, this study focuses on finding the combination of weather variables in predicting temperatures. The densely populated city, Dhaka, has faced severe consequences due to extreme climate conditions in recent years, and this study will pave a new dimension for further research regarding the topic.

First Generation’s Language Attitudes in a Bilingual Context: A Study on the Bihari Community in Dhaka City

This study investigated language attitudes of the first generation of the Urdu-speaking Bihari Community in Dhaka city. In this paper, the term ‘first generation’ refers to persons who immigrated to erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) during the partition in 1947 and were born before the liberation warof 1971.Language attitudeis defined in this research as an individual or communal expression toward Urdu and Bangla, as well as language choices and use by the first generation. The purpose of this research was to investigate language attitudes of the first generation towards their mother tongue, Urdu, and the language of the dominant community, Bangla, in a bilingual situation in the Bihari community of Dhaka, and the present condition of Urdu in Bangladesh. The primary goal was to determine if they were positive, negative, or neutral to their own language, Urdu and to the dominant Bengali language. This study adopted a mixed-methods approach, and the data were obtained through a questionnaire and interviews with some respondents of the Bihari community of Geneva camp, Dhaka. The findings highlight the impact of their language attitudes on their language use and choice in bilingual situations and reveal that the first generation has a more positive attitude toward Urdu than Bangla. This study may serve as a specimen for future academics to assess how the language of a community shifts and how language attitudes of that particular community change over time. IUBAT Review—A Multidisciplinary Academic Journal, 7(1): 01-25

Implementing Digital Marketing Channels on BTHM Admission: Evidence from Dhaka City

This study analyzes the influence of digital marketing channels on BBA in Tourism and Hospitality Management (BTHM) admission at higher-degree educational institutions in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The research employed a simple random sampling approach to pick 200 prospective students who sought to be accepted to various academic institutions offering four years of degree in BTHM in Dhaka City. Data was obtained using a standardized questionnaire on students' exposure to digital marketing outlets and their admission choices to BTHM. We analyzed the data using Microsoft Excel. The research findings reveal that digital marketing channels of social media are powerful information sources for educational institutions. The results suggest that social media and user-friendly websites also play vital roles in decision-making for students who want to take BTHM admission as a higher study. Educational institutions should enhance their digital marketing, especially social media and user-friendly websites, to attract and engage potential students for BTHM admission. The study contributes technological insights to the field of both digital marketing and BTHM admission. The study provides practical recommendations for educational institutions to enhance their digital marketing strategies and optimize their outreach efforts for BTHM admissions in Dhaka, Bangladesh. IUBAT Review—A Multidisciplinary Academic Journal, 7(1)): 142-170

Evaluation of vitamin D status and its association with dietary patterns and sociodemographic factors among adolescents attending the outpatient department of selected hospitals in Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Objectives: The current study aims to evaluate the vitamin D status of adolescents undergoing treatment at selected tertiary hospitals’ outpatient departments (OPD) in Dhaka city and to look at the relationships between vitamin D levels and sociodemographic characteristics and dietary habits. Methods: The study followed a cross-sectional study design targeting adolescents (10–19 years old) who came to the OPD of selected tertiary hospitals. Following the convenience sampling procedure, a total of 384 adolescents were included in the study whose medical records were available with vitamin D status. Vitamin D status was evaluated based on medical reports. In addition, dietary habits were recorded using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). To ascertain the factors influencing the individual’s vitamin D status, a multinomial logistic regression model was constructed. Results: Approximately two-thirds of the respondents were female, and over 58% of the respondents were young adolescents (ages 10 to 14). It was discovered that 32% of the adolescents lacked enough vitamin D, while 36.7% of them had insufficient levels of this nutrient. The deficiency level was considerably higher in older adolescents (15–19 years old). Girls were inadequate by 36.2% as opposed to boys, who were lacking by 24.6%. Deficits in vitamin D were more prevalent in women with low-paying employment, mothers with primary/below or no institutional education, mothers from lower-income families, etc., in addition to other sociodemographic characteristics. In terms of eating patterns, the study suggested that participants who frequently ate foods strong in vitamin D, like dairy, meat, eggs, nuts, fatty fish, fruits, and vegetables, as well as Horlicks, showed a decreased incidence of vitamin D deficiency. The mother's occupation (service holder), the less frequent use of dairy, meat, fortified oil, and Horlicks were discovered to be highly predictive factors of vitamin D deficiency, according to a multinomial logistic regression study. Conclusion: According to the current study, eating foods high in vitamin D, such as dairy, beef, fortified oil, and Horlicks, may raise adolescents’ vitamin D levels. Therefore, if any awareness programs or campaigns could be conducted for both parents and adolescents, it might be beneficial for reducing vitamin D deficiency. Bioresearch Commu. 10(2): 1501-1515, 2024 (July)

Childcare Centre Facilities and their Impact on the Performance of Working Mothers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, it is common for working women to experience increased concerns about the safety and well-being of their children after childbirth. This study aims to examine the impact of childcare facilities on the occupational productivity of employed women in Bangladesh, specifically within Dhaka City. A quantitative research approach was utilized, with statistical analyses including frequency distribution, descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and a chi-square test. The results of the chi-square test (p<0.05) demonstrated a significant relationship between the availability of childcare center facilities and the job performance of working mothers. The study found that most participants believed that reliable childcare facilities positively influenced their work-life balance. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, highlighting the need for more reliable childcare facilities in Dhaka City to enhance the active participation of working mothers in the workforce and their ability to deliver high-quality performance. While the past decade has seen considerable research on women's empowerment and increasing female representation in the labor market, this study is the first to specifically address the impact of childcare center facilities on the workplace performance of working mothers.

Nutrient Composition of Nine Festival Dishes Obtained from A Recipe Survey Among Lower to Middle-Income Households in Selected Urban Areas

Background and Objectives: Estimation of nutrient content of a recipe by a recipe calculation method may be cost‐effective and alternative to the chemical analysis for a range of applications, laboratory analysis of standardized recipes is considered a more authentic and accurate source of recipe nutrient data. Food composition data (FCD) regarding festival foods and dishes is very scanty in local and global food composition tables (FCT). The present study, thus, conducted a recipe survey on the ingredient profile of festival recipes consumed by lower to middle-income households in Bangladesh followed by proximate analysis of standard recipes obtained by collapsing similar recipes. Unanalyzed nutrients were obtained by data compilation from local and global food composition databanks (FCDB). Methodology: A cross-sectional recipe survey was conducted sequentially on festival foods and dishes among purposefully selected housewives residing at different areas of Dinajpur district and Dhaka city. The study instrument was a structured pre-tested questionnaire. Nine homemade festival recipes out of 40 recipes cited viz., plain polao, beef bhuna, fish fry, chicken bhuna, payesh, beef biriyani, chinese vegetable, chicken roast and baked fish were selected and standardized according to the method established in our laboratory. The selected recipes were prepared and analyzed for proximate composition along with an estimation of the cooking yield factor. Content of moisture, ash, protein, total fat, total dietary fiber (TDF), available carbohydrates, and calorie values of nine selected dishes were determined using standard operating procedures (SOP) established on the basis of AOAC methods. Precision and accuracy of analytical values were checked as part of Quality Assurance Program (QAP). Data compilation of missing values for vitamins and minerals was conducted according to FAO data compilation toolkit. Result: Moisture content ranges from 30.42-70.75%, protein content ranges from 2.60-35.70%, fat content ranges from 2.61-22.53%, ash content ranges from 0.6241-8.8%, TDF ranges from 0.58-8.49%, carbohydrates ranges from 0.65-45.7% and energy content ranges 101.5-368.4 kcal/100g fresh sample. The cooking yield ranges from 40.96-96.82%, which is highest in plain polao and lowest in fish fry. Conclusion: The data generated from this study can be used as reliable data which will enrich the national food composition table. Bioresearch Commu. 10(2): 1516-1523, 2024 (July)

A MATHEMATICAL MODELING ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT BY TRAFFIC JAM: A CASE STUDY IN DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Traffic jams are a common incident in Bangladesh, particularly in major cities like Dhaka. Traffic jams not only cause significant delays and economic losses but also contribute to substantial environmental degradation. This study object to quantify the environmental impact of traffic jam in Bangladesh using mathematical modeling, a case study of Dhaka city is presented, focusing on air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The model analyzed by using stability theory of differential equations with equilibrium analysis by convincing stable or unstable equilibrium. Moreover, the analytical results are validated by numerical simulations for describing the complex behaviors of the model. Overall, the model represents an important tool for investigating environmental impact of traffic jam and this model can help inform policy decisions and promote more sustainable practices.

Identification of Bacteria Capable of Chromium Bioremediation from the Environment

With the increased urbanization and industrial development, the environment is getting polluted severely day by day. In Bangladesh, the capital city Dhaka is surrounded by a circular river system, most of which are highly polluted due to discharge of municipal and industrial untreated waste water that has been overloaded with different types of toxic heavy metals. Cr (VI) being used in various activities of industries and its improper treatment lead to contamination of the environment. This study aimed to isolate bacteria with chromium bioremediation potential from the environment. A total of 71 bacteria were isolated, of which all grew in the presence of 100 ppm, 93% in 200 ppm, 46% in 400 ppm, 6% in 600 and 4% in 1000 ppm chromium. Fourteen bacteria selected for chromium reduction by Diphenyl Carbazide Assay showed 23-89% reduction. Of these 14 isolates, 5 were tested for biosorption of chromium. Variable sorption of upto 69% was observed. The 16s rDNA of 6 candidate bacteria were sequenced. These isolates were identified as Kurthia gibsonii, Acinetobacter schindleri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Exigubacterium sp., Rhodococcus sp., and Bacillus sp. The reduction potential was found to be highest for Bacillus species (78%) and lowest for Kurthia gibsonii (4.8%). This study has successfully identified six potential bacterial candidates for the bioremediation of chromium (VI). Further research into the mechanisms adopted by these bacteria and genetic manipulation will help to formulate a single or mixture of isolates that can efficiently remove hexavalent chromium from polluted water. Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 34(1): 71-81, 2024 (June)

Gender, space, and resistance: street vendors of Dhaka city

Street vending is illegal in Dhaka city, and street vendors exercise various strategies to operate under these prohibitive regulations. In this study, we analyse how women and men vendors exercise different resistance strategies and how differences in spaces shape these strategies. Spaces also shape gender relations, which in turn influence the different forms of resistance used by street vendors. Drawing upon 32 in-depth interviews (16 women and 16 men) and 10 key informant interviews (all men) with street vendors in Dhaka city, we compare the resistance strategies in two vending locations: a long-established vending space and a newly established one. To capture the subtle forms of resistance that women tend to choose, we analyse both the overt and covert types of resistance. In the long-established vending area, the intersection between class and gender produces certain power relations and allows men to occupy a space and establish specific social and political linkages. Thereby, women are excluded not only from the space but also from information and opportunities. On the other hand, in the newly established public areas, men do not receive political support, and hence gender norms are more lenient and enable both women and men to adopt similar forms of resistance, making the vending area more vibrant.

Comparative study of machine learning algorithms for wind speed prediction in Dhaka, Bangladesh

This study evaluated the performance of multiple models that used machine learning to anticipate wind speed in the city of Dhaka. The NASA Power website provided the data set for this investigation. The models used for prediction included the decision tree regressor, support vector regressor, random forest, linear regression, neural network and polynomial regression. A hold-out check and k-fold cross-validation were used to assess how well these models performed. With the highest R2 scores and lowest RMSEs on both the validation and test sets, the results demonstrated that the polynomial regression model performed the best. With the lowest R2 scores and largest RMSEs on both sets, the decision tree model scored the poorest. High R2 scores and low RMSEs were achieved by the random forest model, which had comparable performance to the polynomial regression model but required a longer computation time. In addition, the neural network model demonstrated commendable predictive accuracy, yielding an R2 score of 0.67 and a low RMSE of 0.57. However, its application is contingent on the availability of substantial computational resources, given its extensive computation time of 457.93 s. The study concludes by highlighting the efficacy of the Polynomial Regression model as the optimal choice for wind speed prediction in Dhaka, offering a balance between superior performance and efficient computation. This insight provides valuable guidance for practitioners and researchers seeking effective models for similar applications.

A Structural Path Analysis Bangladeshi SMEs’ Sustainability through Social Media Marketing

Businesses use technological and social media marketing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aims to better understand the factors that impact the spread of new technologies, the effectiveness of social media advertising, and the longevity of businesses. The researcher used a quantitative strategy based on partial least squares structural equation modeling to learn about the phenomenon of interest as much as possible. Dhaka, Bangladesh, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) participated in the survey. According to the findings, the popularity of internet and e-business technologies may be attributed to their apparent usefulness and practical experience ease of use. It is connecting internet/e-business technology, social media marketing, and the long-term success of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Still, the expense factor was insufficient to prove that SMEs engage in social media advertising. The mediating effects between components may be better understood via internet/e-business technology and social media interactions, as shown in the study. This study is the first of its kind in Bangladesh and sheds light on the resilience of SMEs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, notwithstanding its focus on the capital city of Dhaka.

Estimation of Consolidation and Settlement Characteristics of Madhupur Clay Formation from Dhaka City and Adjacent Area (Savar), Bangladesh

Pleistocene Madhupur Clay covers mostly the investigated region including Dhaka and the surrounding area (Savar). Without knowing the consolidation characteristics and settlement of this Clay, it is difficult for any construction sites to build infrastructure. In Bangladesh, the research on this parameter is limited hence for better understanding the consolidation and settlement behavior of Madhupur Clay samples in this area, a detail investigation is carried out by conducting one dimensional consolidation test. The undisturbed samples, Pleistocene Madhupur Clay and the fill materials which are also partly composed of the Madhupur Clay, are collected from 2.4 m to 4.11 m depths of many distinct points. The compression index Cc and coefficient of compressibility, av of the samples are range from 0.073 to 0.23 and from 0.059 to 0.14m2/mn respectively. The values recommend that both types of specimens are medium plastic clay. The Madhupur Clay are stiff consolidated clay and slightly compressible in nature whereas the Madhupur Clay fill samples are less stiff over consolidated and moderately compressible in nature. Fill samples are settled more with time and are not suitable for Shallow foundation of light or heavy infrastructure. However, the Madhupur Clay samples are only appropriate for light infrastructure foundation. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 12(2), 2023, P 27-39

Mapping Environmental Quality Indices of Dhaka City by Using Geospatial Techniques

Dhaka, the city of over 10 million people is one of the most polluted cities due to rapid urbanization, commercial development and population pressure. The present study assessed an overall environmental quality of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) using an Environmental Quality Index (EQI) based on five indices: Air Quality Index (AQI), Water Quality Index (WQI), Soil Quality Index (SQI), Noise Quality Index (NQI), and Vegetation Index (VI). The final EQI was determined through selecting components from background literature and an overlay analysis using predefined weights for each distinct indices. The study reveals that the west and west-central part of DSCC have experienced the most severe environmental degradation, affecting noise levels, vegetation cover, air, soil, and water quality. However, the air is less polluted especially in the peripheral zones of the city corporations. Overall, the study indicates that the environmental quality of DNCC is comparatively better than DSCC. The results of the study provides an insight on environmental quality of the city for legislators, urban planners, environmentalists, and researchers to monitor and preserve environmental quality in making the city livable, healthy and sustainable. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 12(2), 2023, P 41-53

Geospatial Assessment of Wetland Changes in the Fringe Area of Dhaka City: Past, Present and Future Scenarios

This study examines the changes in wetlands in the fringe area of Dhaka city using geospatial assessment techniques. The wetland in the area is crucial as they serve as a buffer zone for the Dhaka Metropolitan Area (DMA) and play a significant role in maintaining the region's ecological balance. Thirty-meter NASA Landsat 4-5TM and Landsat 8 OLI satellite imagery were used to extract wetland features in the fringe area of Dhaka city. The Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) was applied to delineate wetland features. Finally, ArcGIS geometric computing was used to detect yearly changes, and a Cellular Automaton (CA) Markov Model was applied to predict future transitions. The research findings reveal that wetlands in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area are declining at a rate of 1.1% between 1991 and 2016, indicating the urgency of addressing this issue to ensure the sustainability of the region's natural resources. The percentage of wetlands in the fringe area has been decreasing significantly over the years, with wetlands making up only 12.98% of the fringe area in 2022, down from 28.22% in 1989. This trend is predicted to continue, with wetlands accounting for only 8.02% of the total area by 2034. The strong negative correlation coefficient between the year and wetland area suggests that the trend of decreasing wetland is likely to continue unless significant measures are taken to protect wetlands. The study highlights the importance of conserving and restoring wetlands in Dhaka's fringe areas to maintain the ecological balance of the region and support the well-being of both humans and wildlife. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 12(2), 2023, P 97-117

Prehypertension and hypertension among the medical students of public medical colleges in Dhaka, Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Background: Prehypertension and hypertension are the leading risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and are increasingly prevalent among young adults. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension among medical students of public medical colleges in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done among 293 medical students of four public medical colleges in Dhaka city. Data on age, sex, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, height, weight, and blood pressure were obtained. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 120–139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80–89 mmHg was considered prehypertensive, while SBP ≥140 mmHg or DBP ≥90 mmHg was classified as hypertensive. Results: The average age was 21.6 years. More than one-fourth (28.0%) were prehypertensive, and 4.8% were hypertensive. Multinomial logistic regression identified male sex (adjusted odds ratio, 4.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.5–8.3) and overweight (aOR 2.0; 95% CI 1.1–3.5) as the risk factors of prehypertension. For hypertension, the risk factors were male sex (aOR 9.7; 95% CI 2.3–42.0), ever alcohol consumption (aOR 18.0; 95% CI 1.3–249.8), and overweight (aOR 6.6; 95% CI 1.3–32.6). Conclusion: We report that one-third of the medical students have prehypertension and hypertension. Overweight and alcohol consumers should be considered for targeted intervention.