Consumption In Bangladesh Research Articles

Understanding public health risk from unsafe dry fish consumption in Bangladesh

Dried fish holds a significant place in the Bangladeshi diet particularly for people living in coastal regions. However, there is a growing concern regarding its adverse effects on human health, as it contains high levels of illegal preservatives, heavy metals, and other harmful substances. In this study, we aimed to explore the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding health hazards due to unsafe dried fish consumption among people across the country. We conducted a cross-sectional study among consumers to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the health risks associated with consuming hazardous dried fish. We interviewed a total of 415 participants, of whom 52.8% were male; the majority were students (55.9%), aged between 18 and 30 years (63.9%), and living in urban areas (81.7%). Most of the participants (60.7%) had less accurate knowledge of the health hazards of unsafe dry fish, 92.8% had more positive attitudes to buying safe dry fish, and 26.8% used unsafe dry fish more frequently. Many respondents were unaware of the presence of harmful substances in dried fish, such as illegal pesticides (66.5%), microplastics (77.6%), and heavy metals (67.4%). A significant number of participants (13%) reported that they had a history of cancer in any of their family members. Many individuals (57.4%) were not familiar with the proper storage and preparation methods of dry fish. The majority of participants (81.4%) strongly prefer packed dried fish. Most of the respondents (67.7%) agreed to participate in awareness programs. Female consumers were more likely to have more accurate knowledge (AOR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.03–2.29, p = 0.0.37) than males, and participants whose present residence were in rural were more likely to have accurate knowledge (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI = 1.30–5.36, p = 0.007) than those whose present residence were in urban or semi-urban areas. A targeted education campaign focused on improving awareness of the risks associated with eating unsafe dry fish is needed, particularly in coastal areas.

Consumers’ Attitudes Towards Prawn Consumption in Bangladesh: An Investigation on Perceived Value and Willingness-to-Pay

This study assessed consumer preferences and consumption patterns for prawns in Bangladesh, underscoring the economic and nutritional significance of prawns in the local diet. A total of 120 respondents were interviewed following a random sampling technique from four districts. The data analysis employed descriptive statistics alongside mathematical and statistical methods. The findings indicate a strong preference for fresh and large-sized prawns among the consumers. Income level substantially influenced the prawn purchases, with the high-income consumers more likely to buy premium prawn products, while the low-income consumers showed sensitivity to price changes. The primary concerns that significantly influenced the consumers’ purchasing decisions were found to be size, freshness, taste, price, market availability, and income. Additionally, the consumers’ perceived value and willingness-to-pay for prawns were significantly driven by size, freshness, environmental sustainability, and income levels. Policy recommendations include promoting sustainable prawn farming and improving accessibility for low-income consumers to enhance both nutritional intake and economic resilience. This research offers valuable insights for stakeholders in the prawn industry, facilitating the development of targeted marketing strategies and informed policymaking for sustainable industry growth.

Future Consumption Scenarios of Power Sector in Bangladesh

Future electricity demand is an essential prerequisite for planning the expansion of a power system. The purpose of this paper is to provide a forecast of electricity consumption in Bangladesh. Forecast is done here total as well as sector-wise consumption up to 2040 considering the base year 2009. The time series analysis to find the trend line by the method of Least Squares (LS) is applied in this study. We accumulated data from the annual reports of the Bangladesh Power Development Board for the years 2009 to 2023 and used that for forecasting purposes. For the convenient and policy purposes, the forecast is presented for every five years interval. The findings have significant implications with respect to energy conservation and economic development. As the study differentiated sector-wise projected growth of electricity consumption in Bangladesh, it has implications for the planners related to electricity distribution system. The findings can create awareness among the planners of power system expansion in Bangladesh to meet the continuous future development demand.

Unveiling the determinants of online shopping: Insights from a developing nation

This study examined the factors influencing online purchases among consumers in Bangladesh, employing a modified version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Data from 353 individuals in Bangladesh revealed that perceived ease of use, social influence, security, convenience, trust, emotional experience, and functional experience significantly positively affect the intention to purchase online. Additionally, results show that the intention to purchase online significantly positively affects actual online purchases. Findings further highlighted that intention to make online purchases mediated the influence of perceived ease of use, social influence, security, convenience, trust, emotional experience, and functional experience over online purchases. The study provides significant practical recommendations to help businesses and consumers support online purchasing with diverse advantages.

Assessment of potentially toxic element contents in chickens and poultry feeds from Bangladesh markets: Implications for human health risk

Chicken (Gallus domesticus) is a significant source of animal protein for the people of Bangladesh. However, anthropogenic activity may contaminate chicken meat with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) despite the nutritional benefits. Current work aims to determine the accumulated content of PTEs (Pb, Cd, Cr, As, and Hg) in chickens and poultry feeds commercially sold in Bangladesh markets and compare with WHO, FAO, EU, EC, FSANZ standards. Three different chicken varieties, native (local variety, freehand raised), poultry (raised for meat only), and layer chicken (commercially raised for eggs and later used for meat), were investigated, and commercial poultry feeds were used to raise the latter two varieties. The Pb, Cd, Cr, As, and Hg contents (mg kg–1 fresh weight (f.w.) were 0.481–1.067, 0.025–0.118, 0.069–0.319, 0.007–0.071, 0.002–0.019, respectively. In addition, associated health risks due to the PTEs in different varieties of chicken organs, e.g., meat, liver, and kidney, were evaluated. The study suggests that the poultry feeds should be carefully monitored regarding PTEs content to avoid potential human health risks due to chicken consumption in Bangladesh.

Unveiling brand loyalty in emerging markets: Analyzing smartphone user preferences: Robustness of structural equation modeling (SEM) and simultaneous equation modeling (SEMs)

This study aims to examine the determinants of brand loyalty in emerging markets, focusing on smartphone consumers in Bangladesh. The study focuses on identifying the key elements that contribute to brand loyalty and the extent of their impact on customers' commitment to their preferred smartphone manufacturers. A theoretical framework will be employed to establish the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Data for the study was collected from 390 participants through a Google form explicitly designed for this purpose. In this study Simultaneous Regression Analysis has been used to synchronize the findings of the Structural Equation Models (SEM) and also is used to emphasize the robustness of the study. The data analysis used PSS to calculate the mean and standard deviation. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), reliability, and convergent validity were accomplished using Amos. The findings indicate that consumer attitudes, service quality, public self-consciousness, and behavioural brand experience all significantly influence brand loyalty. Furthermore, brand trust plays a crucial and favourable mediating role between consumer perceptions, brand loyalty, and service excellence. The model suggested in this study has a big effect, and Bangladesh policymakers should consider this model when planning new factors affecting brand loyalty. The results of this research can be valuable for Bangladeshi smartphone companies as they gain insights into the factors affecting brand loyalty among consumers. The study discusses the limitations of its generalizability and provides practical implications for businesses and their market offerings.

Foodborne bacteria in milk and milk products along the water buffalo milk chain in Bangladesh

Controlling foodborne pathogens in buffalo milk is crucial for ensuring food safety. This study estimated the prevalence of nine target genes representing seven critical foodborne bacteria in milk and milk products, and identified factors associated with their presence in buffalo milk chain nodes in Bangladesh. One hundred and forty-three milk samples from bulk tank milk (n = 34), middlemen (n = 37), milk collection centers (n = 37), and milk product shops (n = 35) were collected and analyzed using RT-PCR. Escherichia (E.) coli, represented through yccT genes, was the most prevalent throughout the milk chain (81–97%). Chi-squared tests were performed to identify the potential risk factors associated with the presence of foodborne bacteria encoded for different genes. At the middleman level, the prevalence of E. coli was associated with the Mymensingh, Noakhali, and Bhola districts (P = 0.01). The prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes, represented through inlA genes, and Yersinia (Y.) enterocolitica, represented through yst genes, were the highest at the farm level (65–79%). The prevalence of both bacteria in bulk milk was associated with the Noakhali and Bhola districts (P < 0.05). The prevalence of Y. enterocolitica in bulk milk was also associated with late autumn and spring (P = 0.01) and was higher in buffalo-cow mixed milk than in pure buffalo milk at the milk collection center level (P < 0.01). The gene stx2 encoding for Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) E. coli was detected in 74% of the milk products. At the middleman level, the prevalence of STEC E. coli was associated with the use of cloths or tissues when drying milk containers (P = 0.01). Salmonella enterica, represented through the presence of invA gene, was most commonly detected (14%) at the milk collection center. The use of plastic milk containers was associated with a higher prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, represented through htrA genes, at milk product shops (P < 0.05). These results suggest that raw milk consumers in Bangladesh are at risk if they purchase and consume unpasteurized milk.

Evaluation of the Current Situation of Tea Production and Consumption in Bangladesh Through Different Statistical Models

Evaluation of the Current Situation of Tea Production and Consumption in Bangladesh Through Different Statistical Models

Relationship between socio-economic status and online buying habits of consumers in Bangladesh

This research mainly focuses on examination of the digital marketing buyer’s perspective with reference to select e-commerce companies. The consumer behavior is always changing in nature which is evident from various studies that have been conducted in the field of marketing. The digital marketing provides the consumer with lot of information about product, price ranges, alternatives and substitutes and other core dimensions of the product. The main objective of this research is to determine the factors that are influencing the consumers and their perception towards buying the products that are marketed digitally. Dhaka is one of the developing cities to investigate the online buyer’s expectation level and their perceptions towards digital marketing. Semi structured interviews for qualitative data and e-commerce websites, magazines, digital marketing books, periodicals and Internet were approached for secondary data. The primary data were collected from 692 online buyers from 4 revenue divisions in Dhaka district through non-probability sampling technique. Structural equation modeling has been used in this research for the data analysis. It is found that the frequency of online purchases has been increasing among the buyer of Dhaka district, which is evident from the response of the consumers, involved in the study. The results stated that the e-commerce company Amazon is performing well in the study area as per the opinions of the consumers involved in study. The future growth of the digital marketing is depending on the expansion strategies of companies which aim to provide consumers with constructive promotional offers, promising after sales services and protecting the financial information of the consumers of online platforms.

Estimating own-price and cross-price elasticity of cigarette consumption by price tiers in Bangladesh

ObjectivesThe overall price elasticity of cigarette consumption in Bangladesh has been studied extensively. The estimates of price elasticity by price tiers are not available in the existing literature.MethodsUsing cohort data...

Harvest to basket: understanding drivers of organic food purchase behaviour through interpretive structural modelling and MICMAC approach

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the determinants impacting consumer behaviour in organic food consumption in Bangladesh. This study aims to identify the key factors facilitating organic food consumption and establish a framework by analysing their contextual relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe study used interpretive structural modelling (ISM), relying on expert perspectives from experienced academicians and marketing professionals. A Matrice d'Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliqués à un Classement (MICMAC) analysis was performed to assess the driving forces and interdependencies among these determinants.FindingsThe MICMAC analysis grouped determinants influencing organic food purchases into four categories. The dependent factors, like attitude and food safety, showed moderate driving forces and high dependence. Linkage determinants, such as environmental concern and price, exerted considerable influence with moderate dependence. Independent variables, especially knowledge about organic food, had a strong impact with relatively low dependence.Practical implicationsThis study’s insights offer valuable guidance for managers in the organic food industry, providing strategies to address consumer behaviour. Prioritising education on environmental benefits, transparent pricing, collaborating on policies, ensuring food safety and understanding determinants impacting purchase intent can aid in designing effective marketing strategies and product offerings aligned with consumer needs, ultimately promoting sustainability.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the interconnections and relative significance of determinants influencing organic food purchases, using the ISM approach and MICMAC analysis. It delves into the previously unexplored territory of understanding the relationships and hierarchical significance of these determinants in shaping consumer behaviour towards organic food purchases.

Green marketing impact on youth purchasing: Bangladesh district-wise study on consumer intentions

Purpose: In this comprehensive project, the primary objectives revolve around crafting an intricate model and delving into the intricate dynamics among key elements: green product (GPR), green price (GPI), green place (GPL), green promotion (GPO), and green perceived value (GPV), and their impact on customer purchase intention (CPI). Research Methodology: This study was descriptive, and a convenience sampling technique was used to collect data. Primary and secondary data were used in this study. The empirical foundation is grounded in data collected from a robust sample of 235 young consumers. Rigorous analysis, employing SPSS version 26's descriptive, reliability, correlation, and multiple regression tools, was performed to extract meaningful insights. Results: The findings reveal a positive correlation between green product (GPR), green price (GPI), green place (GPL), green promotion (GPO), and green perceived value (GPV) and customer purchase intention. Limitations: It is worth noting that the study's demographic concentration in the Cumilla, Dhaka, and Chittagong districts may limit its generalizability to young consumers in Bangladesh. Contribution: This study offers valuable recommendations for businesses, NGOs, governments, and other stakeholders to bolster their competitive positions and contribute to a sustainable environment. Novelty: These insights underscore the need for nuanced strategies tailored to the diverse landscape of consumer behavior in Bangladesh.

Data-driven review on gender and rice varietal trait preferences in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, farmers adapt to changing conditions through the adoption of improved varieties containing new or combined traits. The diverse varietal adoption decisions among farmers stem from gender-based differences in trait preferences. This review synthesizes existing knowledge to assess the nature, extent, and causes of gendered disparities in rice varietal trait preferences among farmers and consumers in Bangladesh. To enhance the data-driven nature of this review, we not only scrutinized secondary articles (45 documents) and databases but also incorporated and analyzed primary data on varietal adoption and trait preferences. The analysis revealed a pronounced need for rice breeding programs in Bangladesh to integrate both market and climate-smart traits, aligning with gender-specific needs in developing optimal rice product profiles. Analysis of primary data unveiled substantial variations in women and men farmers’ varietal trait preferences, influenced by factors like income, access to farming information, household size, land size, and decision-making. Consequently, addressing gender-differentiated trait preferences in the development of improved rice varieties is crucial to curtail farmers’ varietal adoption lag in Bangladesh. The findings underscore the necessity of systematic identification and integration of gender-differentiated varietal trait preferences into rice breeding programs. Failure to account for such preferences may disadvantage the gender-responsiveness of developed varieties and limit the anticipated impact. Therefore, understanding the biophysical, social, and cultural dynamics of diverse farmer groups from a gender perspective is imperative for achieving gender-responsive rice variety development in the context of Bangladesh. This process involves identifying key gender concerns for integration into rice breeding programs, ensuring a comprehensive approach to sustainable agriculture.

The Effect of Trade Development on Fossil Fuel Consumption in South Asian Countries

Utilizing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) framework for cointegration, this study performs a comprehensive long and short-run analysis of the connection between trade development and fossil fuel consumption using data from 1980 to 2020. Fossil fuel consumption in Bangladesh and Pakistan is influenced by exports, based on co-integration among the variables. Trade openness is positively significant in Nepal. This is in contrast to Bangladesh, where it is negatively significant. Additionally, the exchange rate employs a positive significance in Bangladesh and India while negative in Nepal. The short-run analysis reveals similar relational dynamics, whereas the exchange rate positively influences Pakistan.

Scrutinizing Local Probiotic Supplements and Drinks Available in the Bangladesh Market

The host's health may benefit from the probiotic microorganisms found in many products available on the market. In addition to food, these products include dietary supplements, food for special medical purposes, medicines, cosmetics, and medical devices. These products have anywhere from one to a dozen strains of bacteria from the same or different species, and sometimes they also have strains of fungi. Since the health benefits of probiotics depend on the strain, the number of cells in a dose, and the absence of pathogenic microorganisms, it is crucial to regulate the quality of probiotics. Depending on how a product is classified, how it looks, and how many microorganisms it has, it is very important to count and identify the microorganisms correctly. We investigated nine probiotic products in this study: five commercially available probiotic supplements and four probiotic drinks. The majority of commercial products did not contain all of the labeled lactic acid bacteria, nor did they contain any possibly harmful microorganisms. To ensure that consumers in Bangladesh obtain good products, probiotic-containing product rules and regulations should be developed. Furthermore, it should be the duty of probiotics-containing product manufacturers to provide consumers with information that is accurate, reliable, and compliant with legal and scientific requirements.

Dealing with food safety concerns among urban poor when eating out: social practices in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The article explores eating-out practices among poor urban consumers in Bangladesh and their strategies to cope with food safety concerns. Using social practice theory, we implemented interviews and a household survey to analyse the eating-out practices of adult slum dwellers in Dhaka, Bangladesh and their food safety coping strategies. We identified two different dominant eating out practices: ‘snacking’ and ‘having a complete meal’. By reviewing the food safety concerns and coping strategies, we found that despite varying concerns, coping strategies are broadly similar across these two practices. The concerns include food presentation, unhygienic conditions, and unknown processing, while searching for information, using heuristic tools, and avoidance are the main coping strategies. These strategies are applied in both practices and do not exhibit significant differences in socioeconomic considerations and safety concerns. This indicates that the urban poor lack the resource and competencies to manage their concerns. The conclusion section presents a conceptual framework for future research on food safety coping strategies in urban eating-out practices. We also underline the need for context-specific policy interventions to ensure food safety in the urban food system of the global south.

Antibiotic sensitivity of the bacteria isolated from pangas (Pangasius hypophthalmus) fish of the retail fish market of Gazipur, Bangladesh

Food safety associated with microbiological quality has become a critical issue worldwide. The current study was undertaken to detect the health hazard microbes (Total plate count, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and other pathogenic bacteria) in pangas fish and their sensitivity against the antibiotic. Fresh pangas fish were collected from different fish markets in Gazipur (Chowrasta, Shimultoli and Joydebpur fish market) district of Bangladesh. Total plate count (TPC) of bacteria, E. coli, other pathogenic bacteria and presence/absence test of Salmonella and V. cholerae were tested and the antibiotic resistance pattern of isolated bacteria was observed. The highest TPC was 5.22 log10 CFU/g from Chowrasta fish market and the lowest was 4.795 log10 CFU/g from Shimultoli fish market. Escherichia coli ranged from 2 log10 CFU/g (Chowrasta fish market) to 2.698 log10 CFU/g (Shimultoli fish market). No Salmonella and V. cholerae were found, E. coli was found in eight samples, Leclercia adecarboxylata (accession no. MN625850, MN625851) was found in five samples, and Aeromonas caviae (accession no.MN625853) were found in eight samples. Escherichia coli was found in pangas fish collected from all markets, ranges were 2 log10 CFU/g (Chowrasta fish market) to 2.698 log10 CFU/g (Shimultoli fish market) and all of them were within the range of acceptable limit. Seven antibiotics, namely ampicillin (25 µg/disc), gentamycin (10 µg/disc), chloramphenicol (10 µg/disc), oxytetracycline (30 µg/ disc), nitrofurantoin (300 µg/ disc), levofloxacin (5 µg/ disc), and ciprofloxacin (5 µg/disc) were used for antibiotic resistance testing. Isolated bacteria mostly showed resistance toward ampicillin, and only two isolates showed resistance to nitrofurantoin and oxytetracycline. The highest sensitivity showed for ciprofloxacin. The results of the study indicated that pathogenic bacteria present in retail pangas fish, and some are resistant to antibiotics and consumers in Bangladesh are at risk for food safety. If proper handling is not followed, fish farmers and people could face additional disease challenges due to the development of resistant bacterial strains.

MEASURING THE IMPACT OF THE CUSTOMER-BASED BRAND EQUITY (CBBE) DIMENSION ON BRAND LOYALTY: A STUDY ON SELECTED SMARTPHONES IN BANGLADESH

One of the most vital issues in brand building is Customer-based brand equity. Any brand can measure its brand equity grounded on some proportions like salience, performance, imagination, judgment, feelings, and resonance. This study aims to measure the effect of the customer-based brand equity dimension on brand loyalty and investigate the effects of those dimensions on their purchasing intentions. Both online and offline surveys were conducted through a self-structured questionnaire that was distributed randomly and conveniently among young consumers in Bangladesh, and data were collected from 220 respondents, whereas 200 completed final questionnaires were considered for the final study. All of the needed reliability and validity have been tested. Structured Equation Modeling (SEM) has been applied to examine the proposed hypothesis of the study with the help of SPSS (version 21). The results of this study show that, in the case of a few selected Smartphone categories, the salience, judgment, and feelings dimensions of customer-based brand equity have direct positive influences on enhancing customer loyalty, while performance and imagination have a negative impact. The study's findings will aid Smartphone marketers in developing effective marketing strategies to capitalize on market opportunities. This study was limited in sample size and geographically focused. End

Nexus between FDI, Financial Development, Capital Formation and Renewable Energy Consumption; evidence from Bangladesh

This paper examines the interplay among foreign direct investment (FDI), financial development, capital formation, and renewable energy consumption in the context of Bangladesh. The study uses empirical evidence to shed light on the nexus between these variables. Panel data analysis techniques investigate the relationship over a specific period. This research provides insights into Bangladesh's dynamic interactions among FDI, financial development, capital formation, and renewable energy consumption. The study reveals significant positive associations between FDI and renewable energy consumption, indicating that FDI inflows contribute to the growth and utilization of renewable energy sources. Moreover, the analysis uncovers a positive relationship between financial development and renewable energy consumption, suggesting that a well-developed financial sector facilitates the financing and implementation of renewable energy projects. Additionally, the study highlights the role of capital formation in promoting renewable energy consumption. The positive relationship between capital formation and renewable energy consumption indicates that investment in physical infrastructure and productive assets supports the expansion and utilization of renewable energy sources. This analysis provides empirical evidence of the interdependencies among FDI, financial development, capital formation, and renewable energy consumption in Bangladesh. Overall, the findings suggest that fostering FDI, improving financial sector development, and promoting capital formation are crucial for enhancing renewable energy consumption in Bangladesh. The study's conclusions have implications for policymakers and stakeholders in designing and implementing strategies to promote sustainable and renewable energy sources in the country.

Hygiene Awareness Among Fuchka Vendors and Consumers in Bangladesh: A Study on Social Determinants of Health

The article, "Hygiene Awareness Among Fuchka Vendors and Consumers in Bangladesh: A Study on Social Determinants of Health," delves into the intricate relationships between social determinants of health (SDH) and hygiene practices in the context of street food culture in Bangladesh, with a particular emphasis on the popular snack, Fuchka. Drawing from extensive fieldwork, including focus group discussions with consumers and in-depth interviews with Fuchka vendors, the study seeks to understand the health implications of Fuchka consumption, the reasons behind its widespread appeal, and the lived experiences of both vendors and consumers. Results reveal a substantial impact of factors like income, education, occupation, and gender norms on hygiene awareness and practices. This is particularly evident when assessing the quality and safety of street foods, with issues like lack of sanitation, use of contaminated water, and exposure to environmental contaminants coming to the fore. The study also highlights the varied experiences of consuming Fuchka across socio-economic strata, emphasizing the disparities in hygiene standards between upscale restaurants and street vendors. Moreover, the paper underscores the critical role of city corporations in regulating street food vending and the urgent need for comprehensive policies that address these SDH to improve public health. Through this lens, the article provides a holistic understanding of the interplay between social determinants, hygiene practices, and health outcomes in the vibrant street food scene of Bangladesh.