Northern Region Of Bangladesh Research Articles

Fishers access to the common property waterbodies In the northern region of Bangladesh

The study was designed to explore the status of fishers’ access to the common property waterbodies (CPW) and associated problems of using CPW. Three upazillas (administrative units) of the Northern region of Bangladesh were selected for the empirical study. Data were collected from fishers, non-fishers and other stakeholders through structured interview schedules, physical observation, and participatory rural appraisal (PRA). The access of poor fishers group to the CPW was very limited in the study area. The government policy of revenue collection through leasing system badly affected the fishers group as they do not have required level of capital, unity, leadership and education. A revenue oriented fisheries management system with short lease periods was found to encourage over-fishing and destructive fishing by lessees, where the lessees were noted to sweep away all the fish stock as soon as their contract ended without considering the sustainable use of resource and biodiversity. Consequently, the productivity of the CPW is declining gradually. To ensure the effective access of fishers’ group to CPW and their sustainable use, an advised long-term community based management (CBM) plan needs to be developed with the effective participation of the fishers’ groups and other stakeholders.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(1): 125-133, April 2015

‘Monga’ in northern region of Bangladesh: a study on people’s survival strategies and coping capacities

The objective of this paper is to explore people’s survival strategies and coping capacities to combat monga at household level in the northern region of Bangladesh. The agriculture based rural economy, extreme poverty, highpercentage of landless, lack of sufficient caloric intake, unemployment of vast agricultural labour force etc. are the root causes of vulnerability to monga in the northern regions specifically few districts of greater Rangpur. Moreover, geographically this region is vulnerable to natural hazards such as floods and droughts. The past records of food shortages and famine reveal that the trend is still continuing in the monga-prone areas. The present study found that the most vulnerable groups in the monga-prone areas were agricultural wage labourers, landless and marginal farmers, female headed households, children, pregnant women and aged people. The present study also found that with a view to cope with the monga, various coping strategies such as selling of labour with advance payment at cheap rate, borrowing of money, selling of assets, looking for work in other areas, dependency on relief, selling of field crops in advance at cheap rate etc. were adopted by the affected households. The present study also found that coping capacity was associated with household head’s socio-economic status e.g. level of education, monthly income, types of occupation, etc. Vulnerability to monga was higher for the illiterate and low income groups than the educated andhigh income groups. The present study argues that the policy makers ofGovernment and NGOs should emphasize on enhancing of coping capacities of poor and marginalized groups through rural centric development, ruralemployment generation, maximum utilization of agricultural land, proper credit support and agro-based industrialisation in the northern Bangladesh.

Availability of and Accessibility to Maternal Healthcare Services in the Northern Bangladesh

Poor women, in both rural and urban areas in the northern region of Bangladesh, suffer from high maternal mortality rates, and compared to other regions, this group also has a low proportion of up-taking ante natal care (ANC) and of births assisted by skilled attendants. This endeavour therefore took an attempt to critically examine the availability of and accessibility to maternal health care (MHC) services, provided by government and non-government organisations (NGOs) in the northern part of Bangladesh, with the specific objective of finding out how far poor women had the availability of and accessibility to MHC services. The study used both primary and secondary data to meet its objectives. Triangulation of methods (questionnaire interviews of service users and providers, and observations) were employed to collect primary data. A large number (160) of mothers who were pregnant or delivered at least one baby during the last ten years and the heads of relevant health centres were interviewed. An assortment of articles, reports, theses and books were consulted in complementing and substantiating the arguments in this study. The main findings of the study suggest that there has been an increase in the availability of and accessibility to MHC services. However, the increment varies across regions and social groups. Lastly, it concludes that rural, poor and less educated mothers have less availability of and access to MHC services compared to urban, non-poor and better educated women.

Amebic liver abscess in northern region of Bangladesh: sociodemographic determinants and clinical outcomes

BackgroundAmebic liver abscess (ALA) is endemic in Bangladesh since historical age but its epidemiology and sociodemographic determinants are not well described in the literatures. This paper focuses on the endemicity, sociodemographic determinants and clinical outcomes of ALA patients from certain northern districts in Bangladesh. Ninety hospitalized ALA patients enrolled from 6 northern districts of Bangladesh during July 2008 to June 2010 were analyzed.FindingsClinical presentations of ALA was initially substantiated by ultrasound imaging and later confirmed by detection of small subunit rRNA gene of E. histolytica using a Real Time PCR. Structured questionnaire and data sheet were used to record sociodemographic characteristics, clinical presentations and outcomes. Patients were followed for immediate and late treatment outcomes up to 2 years since diagnosis. Northern districts those situated on the Ganges basin were noted as endemic areas. Male significantly outnumbered the female with a male to female ratio of 21:1 and majority of patients (58%) were in their 3rd and 4th decades. A significant (21%) number of patients were aborigines despite their ethnic minority as population under investigation and overall 68% belonged to low socioeconomic group. Habit of indigenous alcohol consumption was very high (78%) among ALA patients with overwhelming majority was illiterate (74.44%) and from rural population (70%). Fever with right hypochondriac pain of variable duration was the principal presenting complains. Gross fluid derangements including pleural effusion, edema and ascities were observed in 39% cases and 6% had rupture of abscess. All patients were treated with standard antimicrobial regimen and discharged with initial recovery. Recurrent attack was observed in 6% cases and 3 (3.33%) patients died during 2 years follow-up period. Complicated (37.78%) ALA patients showed significant Odds ratio (P < 0.05) for major sociodemographic determinants in comparison to non-complicated patients.ConclusionsAmebic liver abscess is endemic in certain northern districts of Bangladesh especially on the Ganges basin with relatively high prevalence among aborigines. Rural habitat, ethnicity (Aborigine) and habit of indigenous alcohol consumption were found to be strong determinants, especially for complicated ALA, which were associated with different grades of morbidity and a few mortalities.

Typhus Fever: An uncommon childhood infection—Report of a Case from Northern Region of Bangladesh

Typhus fever is not a common problem in childhood and mostly it is misdiagnosed. In this child, the clinical diagnosis was typhoid fever. On admission the child was presented with long standing fever with splenomegaly supported by significant widal test. Despite appropriate treatment, the patient was not responding. Later, most common differential diagnoses were thought to be tuberculosis and typhus fever. Finally, a co-infection of typhoid and typhus fever was discovered. This uncommon presentation should be taken into consideration in difficult to treat prolonged fever in children. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11566/cmoshmcj.v12i2.40 Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J 2013; 12(2): 49-51

Environmental Impact Assessment of Fish Diseases on Fish Production

The present research work was conducted from July 2008 to June 2009 to investigate intensity of infestation of parasites in freshwater fishes and the impact of fish diseases on fish production in northern region of Bangladesh. Possibility of out break of diseases due to deterioration of environmental factors of water bodies was included in this study. The diseases identified were ulcer diseases, EUS (Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome), Ichthyophthiriasis, Trichodiniasis, Chilodoneliasis, Myxoboliasis, Dactylogyrosis, Gyrodactylosis, Argulosis, Pernicious anaemia, Red spot disease, Red Pest of freshwater eel, Mouth fungus, Branchiomysis, Abdominal dropsy and whirling disease. The infestation more occurred in young fishes than in adult fishes. The overall water qualities of water bodies fluctuated from July 2008 to June 2009. Physicochemical parameters have more or less significant combined effect on the deterioration of water quality as well as fish diseases. Gills were the most affected sites and parasites damaged gill filaments by rupturing blood capillaries, causing necrosis, coagulation and hemorrhage. The present study revealed the prevalence of different organisms in fishes, which are potential pathogen for them. Fishes were infested by parasites and other pathogens. From overall study it was observed that the parasites, bacteria and fungus were most important pathogen for outbreak of diseases. It was also observed that there was a direct relation between disease outbreak among fishes and environmental factors. Low alkalinity reduces the buffer capacity of water and badly affects the pond ecosystem, which in turn cause stress to the fish and become more susceptible to diseases. In case of low aquatic environmental temperature fish reduces metabolic activities, which in turn makes the fish more susceptible during the winter period towards parasitic infection. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v9i1-2.14655 J. Sci. Foundation, 9(1&amp;2): 125-131, June-December 2011

Caesarean Risk Factors in Northern Region of Bangladesh: A Statistical Analysis

Purpose: To explore the measurement of a scale of caesarean (C-section) risk factors and degree of risk contribution in different health facilities and to determine a suitable graphical representation (image) of caesarean cases.Methods: Based on seventeen indicators, a composite index was computed for each respondent and classified into three groups using Beta distribution of first kind. For the analysis of contribution of risk factors between private and public patients, principal component analysis (PCA) was also used. An attempt was made to visualise a suitable graphical representation of caesarean cases by independent component analysis (ICA).Results: The selected risk factors were more contributory to public hospital patients than to those in private hospitals on the basis of higher estimated value of range (R = 0.134) but a higher proportion of C-section occurred in private (93.4 %) than in public hospitals (30.3 %). On the other hand, PCAshowed that the contribution of selected risk factors accounts for approximately 60.0 % and 68.5 % in private and public hospitals, respectively. Furthermore, from the various graphical representation, thenumbers of private patients were more interlinked by ICA but not of the other graphical representations of PCA.Conclusion: We had expected the rate of C-section would be higher among public hospital patients than private hospital patients but the results obtained indicate the reverse. It seems that the combination of the propensity of private practice doctors to carry out C-section and the financial benefits on the part of private hospitals may be contributory factors to the caesarean section rates in private health facilities.Keywords: Caesarean risk factors, Composite index, Principal component analysis (PCA), Independent component analysis (ICA).

Ethno-Medicinal Investigation on Ethnic Community in the Northern Region of Bangladesh

The present ethno-medicinal investigation has been carried out into ethnic communities of 12 Upazillas under six districts in the northern region of Bangladesh. A total of 24 species under 13 genera of the family Cucurbitaceae collected and recorded for their use in various ailments. For each species botanical name, local name, parts used, name of the diseases and mode of uses have been mentioned.

Systematic Studies on Asteraceae in the Northern Region of Bangladesh

Systematic investigation on the family Asteraceae (Compositae) growing throughout in the northern region of Bangladesh was carried out. A total of 36 species under 29 genera of the family Asteraceae were collected and identified. A complete taxonomic account of each species has been given along with their current name, local name, brief description, phenology, basic chromosome number, anatomy and voucher number. Among the recorded species, both anomocytic and anisocytic stomata were found in 21 species; anomocytic stomata in 10 species; anisocytic stomata in 3 species; anomocytic and paracytic stomata were found in 1 species; anomocytic, anisocytic and paracytic stomata were found in 1 species. Out of the 36 species, stomata were found to be present both on the upper and lower surface in 33 species and only on lower surface in 3 species. Three types of trichomes, i.e. non-glandular multicellular, non-glandular unicellular and glandular multicellular trichomes were recorded. Non-glandular multicellular trichome was found in 25 species, non-glandular unicellular in 1 species and glandular multicellular trichome was found in 1 species. Trichomes were absent in rest of the species. Finally, a new system of classification of the family Asteraceae has been proposed on the basis of morphological, anatomical, cytological and floral characters.

Pattern of glomerular diseases among adults in Rajshahi, the Northern Region of Bangladesh

To obtain a recent and comprehensive insight into the pattern of glomerular diseases in the Bangladeshi population, we studied 95 adequate renal biopsies done during July 2008 to June 2009, by light and direct immunofluorescence microscopy in the Department of Pathology, Rajshahi Medical College, Northern Region of Bangladesh. Of these, 38 (40%) were males and 57 (60%) were females, with a male to female ratio of 1:1.5. The most frequent clinical presentation was nephrotic syndrome (67.37%). Primary glomerular disease accounted for 91.25% of all glomerular disease and, of them, focal and segmental mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis was the most common histological lesion in 29.47%. Diffuse mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN) was the second most common lesion (15.79%), followed by focal segmental GN (11.58%), minimal change disease (10.53%), membranous GN (7.37%), IgA nephropathy (6.85%), chronic sclerosing GN (2.11%) and crescentic GN (2.11%). Lupus nephritis was the most prevalent among secondary GN.

Volume Table of Raintree (Samanea Saman) in Bangladesh by Regression Technique

Raintree (Samanea saman) is a multipurpose village tree species grown in abundance at southern and northern regions of Bangladesh. Village people need to know estimation procedure for timber inventory of this useful tree species. Data on diameter at breast height (diameter) and total height (height) of 205 standing sample trees were collected by Spiegel relascope for the purpose. The sample trees with diameter ranging 21 cm - 91 cm and height ranging 10 m - 20 m were considered for measurement. Volumes (m3) of individual trees were computed by Smalian formula. A total of 10 linear models of volume on diameter and volume (V) on diameter (D) and height (H) were examined with the sample trees. A few statistics of F, t, mean square error, multiple correlation coefficient and Furnivall Index was computed and tested for investigation of best fitted models. The two models of In(V) = 8.3023 + 2.1746 In(D) and In(V) = –9.1864 + 1.85502 In(D) + 0.8234 In(H) were found to be best fitted models. They have been recommended to estimate volume of large scale standing Raintree trees.

Response of Mustard as Influenced by Boron Fertilization in Non-Calcareous Dark Grey Floodplain Soil at Northern Region of Bangladesh

Response of Mustard as Influenced by Boron Fertilization in Non-Calcareous Dark Grey Floodplain Soil at Northern Region of Bangladesh

Nutrients, Vitamins and Minerals Content in Common Citrus Fruits in the Northern Region of Bangladesh

Nutrients, Vitamins and Minerals Content in Common Citrus Fruits in the Northern Region of Bangladesh

Antibacterial Activities of Different Brands of Unifloral Honey Available at the Northern Region of Bangladesh

Antibacterial Activities of Different Brands of Unifloral Honey Available at the Northern Region of Bangladesh

Biochemical Analysis of Different Brands of Unifloral Honey Available at the Northern Region of Bangladesh

Biochemical Analysis of Different Brands of Unifloral Honey Available at the Northern Region of Bangladesh

Serum Lipid Profile of Hypertensive Patients in the Northern Region of Bangladesh

A prospective study was conducted in the Northern region of Bangladesh, to investigate the serum lipid profile viz the level of total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol of hypertensive patients and compares them with levels of control subjects. The results revealed that serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol were significantly markedly raised (p&gt;0.001) whereas the level of HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower (p&gt;0.001) in hypertensive patients as compared to control subjects. No significant changes of serum lipid profile were found between male and female hypertensive patients, but in control subjects, markedly higher levels of serum lipid profile was observed in male compared to that of female. It was concluded that hypercholesterolaemia, hypertrigyceridaemia and low density lipoprotein are the main lipid abnormalities on the incidence of hypertension in the study area. &#x0D; &#x0D; Key words: Hypertension, Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL- cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. &#x0D; &#x0D; J. bio-sci. 14: 93-98, 2006