Rural Population Of Bangladesh Research Articles

Traditional use of medicinal plants in Bangladesh to treat urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases

The rural population of Bangladesh has traditionally depended on folk medicinal healers for cure of their ailments. These healers use medicinal plants as their primary source of medicinal formulations. Rural patients are more dependent on traditional or folk medicinal healers for cure of urinary tract infections (UTI) and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) for a number of reasons including lack of access to modern medical facilities, clinging to traditional approaches, and finally hesitancy to relate this form of illnesses in front of unknown doctors. Since the traditional healer usually resides in the same village or in an adjoining area, the patient is more comfortable in seeking their treatment. We conducted an ethnomedicinal survey amongst the traditional healers of various ethnic groups and in several regions of the country to obtain information on medicinal plants used to treat UTI and STD. Interviews were conducted in the local dialect or language and information gathered as to plant and plant parts used, ailments, formulations, and dosages. Plant specimens were photographed and identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. A total of 32 plants distributed into 23 families were reported by the traditional healers of several districts and tribes of Bangladesh as to their being used as remedy for UTIs, including leucorrhea, frequent or infrequent urination, cloudy urination and burning sensations during urination. A total of 10 plants divided into 9 families were reported to be used against STDs like syphilis and gonorrhea.

Economic Consequences of Maternal Illness in Rural Bangladesh

We use panel data on household consumption combined with information taken from the medical records of women who gave birth in health facilities to explore the economic consequences of maternal ill health, in the context of a rural population in Bangladesh. We find that households are able to fully insure consumption against maternal ill health, although confidence intervals are unable to rule out a small effect. There is a negative effect of maternal complications on the number of children the family has in school, suggesting that there may be consequences for the most vulnerable household members. Households in our study area are shown to have good access to informal credit (whether it be from local money lenders or family relatives) and this appears critical in helping to smooth consumption over the short term.

A survey of medicinal plants used by kavirajes of chalna area, Khulna district, Bangladesh

Kavirajes or traditional medicinal practitioners form the primary healthcare providers of the predominantly rural population of Bangladesh. Kavirajes use a variety of medicinal plants for treatment of different ailments. The formulations prepared from medicinal plants vary considerably between Kavirajes of different regions of the country. The objective of this study was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey amongst the Kavirajes of Chalna area, Khulna district, Bangladesh. That area is known to contain a diversity of medicinal plants. Information on 50 plant species was obtained. These medicinal plants belonged to 49 genera and 33 families. Twenty five plants were used to treat skin diseases and twenty three plants for treatment of intestinal tract disorders, which included constipation, indigestion, stomachache, diarrhea, and dysentery. Fourteen plants were also used by the Kavirajes to treat cancer or tumor. Nine plants were used as insecticide, eight for rheumatoid arthritis, and seven for wounds. Five plants were used to treat jaundice. Five plants were also utilized to treat animal and snake bites, which included tiger bites. Six plants were used to treat diabetes, and two each for the treatment of leprosy, and sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea. Five plants were used to treat impotency, while one plant was used as an abortifacient. Three plants were used to treat helminthiasis, which we found to be quite common amongst the population, while four plants were used to treat heart disorders. Taken together, these plant species offer considerable potential for discovery of novel compounds of pharmacological interest.

Spatial modelling of individual arsenic exposure via well water: evaluation of arsenic in urine, main water source and influence of neighbourhood water sources in rural Bangladesh

Arsenic concentrations in well water often vary even within limited geographic areas. This makes it difficult to obtain valid estimates of the actual exposure, as people may take their drinking water from different wells. We evaluated a spatial model for estimation of the influence of multiple neighbourhood water sources on the actual exposure, as assessed by concentrations in urine in a population in rural Bangladesh. In total 1307 individuals (one per bari, group of families) were randomly selected. Arsenic concentrations of urine and water were analysed. Simple average and inverse distance weighted average of arsenic concentrations in the five nearest water sources were calculated for each individual. Spatial autocorrelation was evaluated using Moran's I statistics, and spatial regression models were employed to account for spatial autocorrelation. The average distance from a household to the nearest tube-well was 32 metres (Inter-Quartile Range 1-49 metres). Water arsenic concentrations of the reported main water sources were significantly correlated with concentrations in urine (R(2) = 0.41, rho < 0.0001, R(2) for women = 0.45 and for men = 0.36). General model fit improved only slightly after spatial adjustment for neighbouring water sources (pseudo-R(2) = 0.53, spatial lag model), compared to covariate adjusted regression coefficient (R(2) = 0.46). Arsenic concentration in urine was higher than arsenic in main water source with an intercept of 57 microg L(-1), indicating exposure from food. A suitable way of estimating an individual's past exposure to arsenic in this rural setting, where influence of neighbouring water sources was minimal, was to consider the reported main source of drinking water.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in rural population of Bangladesh

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in rural population of Bangladesh

A prospective study of body mass index and mortality in Bangladesh

Body mass index (BMI) (kg/m(2)) has a U- or J-shaped relationship with all-cause mortality in Western and East Asian populations. However, this relationship is not well characterized in Bangladesh, where the BMI distribution is shifted towards lower values. Using data on 11,445 individuals (aged 18-75 years) participating in the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study (HEALS) in Araihazar, Bangladesh, we prospectively examined associations of BMI (measured at baseline) with all-cause mortality during approximately 6 years of follow-up. We also examined this relationship within strata of key covariates (sex, age, smoking, education and arsenic exposure). Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for these covariates and BMI-related illnesses were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for BMI categories defined by the World Health Organization. Low BMI was strongly associated with increased mortality in this cohort (P-trend < 0.0001). Severe underweight (BMI < 16 kg/m(2); HR 2.06, CI 1.53-2.77) and moderate underweight (16.0-16.9 kg/m(2); HR 1.39, CI 1.01-2.90) were associated with increased all-cause mortality compared with normal BMI (18.6-22.9 kg/m(2)). The highest BMI category (> or =23.0 kg/m(2)) did not show a clear association with mortality (HR 1.10, CI 0.77-1.53). The BMI-mortality association was stronger among individuals with <5 years of formal education (interaction P = 0.02). Underweight (presumably due to malnutrition) is a major determinant of mortality in the rural Bangladeshi population.

Willingness to pay for zinc treatment of childhood diarrhoea in a rural population of Bangladesh

Young children in the developing world continue to experience a median of between two and four episodes of diarrhoea each year. To better understand adherence to the WHO/UNICEF-recommended diarrhoea management guidelines, which now include zinc, this study aimed to determine how much caregivers were willing to pay for zinc treatment and to explore the characteristics of actual users of zinc in a rural community of Bangladesh. Initially we conducted a contingent valuation survey among primary caregivers of children aged 6-36 months. We assessed their willingness-to-pay (WTP) for 10 days of zinc treatment per diarrhoea episode at Tk.15 (US$0.26) and at Tk.20 (US$0.34), followed by an open question on the highest WTP amount. Next we conducted a cross-sectional survey in the same area to identify households with children who had received zinc during their most recent diarrhoea episode within the previous 3 months. Field workers interviewed 111 primary caregivers to explore WTP for zinc in childhood diarrhoea. Of these, 92% were willing to pay US$0.26 and 85% of these positive respondents were also willing to pay US$0.34. The mean WTP was US$0.50. We found that higher socio-economic status, better educated fathers and lower mother's age positively influenced the expressed WTP. Actual users, the 51 households whose child received zinc in their most recent diarrhoea episode, were more likely to have educated parents, higher socio-economic status and to have sought care from qualified providers for diarrhoeal illness. The expressed WTP results indicate a high demand for zinc in childhood diarrhoea management in this rural community of Bangladesh. Safety net measures and targeted communication activities specifically aimed at the poor and less educated population could be beneficial to achieve more equitable use of zinc as part of the standard treatment with oral rehydration solution in childhood diarrhoea management.

Supplementing iron and zinc: double blind, randomized evaluation of separate or combined delivery

Many children have diets deficient in both iron and zinc, but there has been some evidence of negative interactions when they are supplemented together. The optimal delivery approach would maximize clinical benefits of both nutrients. We studied the effectiveness of different iron and zinc supplement delivery approaches to improve diarrhea and anemia in a rural Bangladesh population. Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled factorial community trial. Iron supplementation alone increased diarrhea, but adding zinc, separately or together, attenuated these harmful effects. Combined zinc and iron was as effective as iron alone for iron outcomes. All supplements were vomited <1% of the time, but combined iron and zinc were vomited significantly more than any of the other supplements. Children receiving zinc and iron (together or separately) had fewer hospitalizations. Separating delivery of iron and zinc may have some additional benefit in stunted children. Separate and combined administration of iron and zinc are equally effective for reducing diarrhea, hospitalizations and improving iron outcomes. There may be some benefit in separate administration in stunted children.

Population Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Antibodies in Rural Bangladesh

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes a substantial burden of sporadic and epidemic disease worldwide. HEV infections result in serious morbidity and mortality, especially among pregnant women, and have significant economic costs. Few population-based studies have characterized the epidemiology of HEV. A rural Bangladeshi population was studied to determine the age- and gender- specific population seroprevalence of antibodies to HEV. Of 1,134 specimens tested from a representative, random population sample, 255 (22.5%) were anti-HEV IgG seropositive. Seroprevalence was lower among women (19.7%) than among men (25.8%). We found anti-HBc (hepatitis B core) in 380 of 1080(35.2%) tested, anti-HCV (hepatitis C) in 14 of 917(1.5%) tested, and anti-HAV (hepatitis A) in 116 of 124(93.5%) tested individuals. Our data suggest that viral hepatitis, especially HEV, remains an under-recognized and significant public health problem in rural Bangladeshi populations, warranting further attention.

Dyspnea reproducibility in a rural Bangladesh population.

Dyspnea may signal serious disease with increased morbidity/mortality. Dyspnea screening would only be valid if reproducible. The study aim was to determine the reliability (reproducibility) of assessing dyspnea through a simple questionnaire among a rural population. Participants were recruited from a Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study in Araihazar, Bangladesh. Dyspnea assessment used a questionnaire among 129 participants at two time points: at baseline and after 2 weeks to 9 months by trained physicians. All subjects were asked about the presence/absence of dyspnea in the last 6 months. At the second interview, a physician (blinded to questionnaire) conducted a clinical heart/lung examination and obtained a pulse oximeter reading. Dyspnea prevalence by baseline questionnaire was 2.4%. Overall dyspnea reliability was 94% (121 out of 129). If the initial response was 'yes' for the presence of dyspnea, reliability was 91% (49 out of 54). For an initial response of 'no' for the presence of dyspnea, reliability was 96% (72 out of 75). The pulmonary examination and pulse oximeter readings were significantly more likely to be abnormal in those with dyspnea (P < 0.01). The reliability of a simple question on dyspnea is very high when obtained by physicians. Although validity was not the primary outcome, the increased likelihood of an abnormal chest examination or low pulse oximeter saturation for those reporting 'yes' to the dyspnea question suggests more significant underlying cardiopulmonary disease in those reporting recent dyspnea.

An ethnomedicinal survey of several regions of Pabna district, Bangladesh

The predominantly rural population of Bangladesh relies on traditional medicinal practitioners (Kavirajes) for primary treatment of their various ailments. The medicinal plants used by the Kavirajes for treatment can vary considerably from region to region. We accordingly conducted an ethnomedicinal survey of several areas within Pabna district, Bangladesh to learn more about medicinal plants used by the Kavirajes. Interviews were conducted with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and plant specimens as pointed by the Kavirajes were collected and identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. Some of these plant species (with ailments treated given in parentheses) included Tecoma stans (pain, piles), Asteracantha longifolia (insomnia, kidney stones), Holarrhena antidysenterica (rheumatism), Trigonella foenum-graecum (to ease delivery pain, chicken pox), Lectuca sativa (rheumatism, sprain, asthma), Butea monosperma (to increase skin brightness), Bixa orellana (to stop menstruation), Brassica orellana (filariasis), Nigella sativa (helminthiasis), Uraria picta (coughs, pain), Mimosa pudica (waist pain), Fumaria indica (irregular menstruation), Cynodon dactylon (sex stimulant), Musa sapientum (irregular menstruation), Abrus precatorius (hair loss), Guizotia abyssinica (hair loss, skin infections), Thespesia populnea (skin infections, scabies, eczema), Piper cubeba (sex stimulant, asthma), Arachis hypogaea (diabetes, weakness), Pterocarpus santalinus (fever, blood in urine), Luffa cylindrica (headache, sinusitis), Rauwolfia serpentina (hypertension), Mucuna pruriens (erectile dysfunction, rheumatic pain), Acacia nilotica (to increase semen count, breast infections), Zingiber officinale (to increase memory, headache), Morinda citrifolia (snake bite), Azadirachta indica (skin diseases, chicken pox, strengthen gums and teeth), Artocarpus heterophyllus (to increase fetal safety), and Plumbago rosea (to increase memory).

An effective dietary survey framework for the assessment of total dietary arsenic intake in Bangladesh: Part-A—FFQ design

The accurate assessment of dietary intake patterns is important for the determination of total dietary arsenic (As) exposure in As-contaminated regions of Bangladesh. Food intake questionnaires are a common means of assessing food intake. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was designed to assess the daily intake of frequently consumed food items and was successfully implemented to assess dietary patterns and intake of the rural populations in 18 villages from three Districts of Bangladesh (Comilla, Manikganj Sadar, and Munshiganj). The FFQ presented in this paper comprises a complete set of tools which allowed not only collection of information on dietary patterns but also information on the spatial characteristics of the landscape, socio-demographic indicators, and geographic locations of the identified environmental media of the contaminants, which resulted in As exposure to humans. The FFQ was designed in three sections: (1) general household information, (2) household water and rice information, and (3) individual dietary intake of other foods. The dietary intake of other food was then further subdivided into five different food subgroups: (i) grain intake, (ii) protein intake, (iii) fruit intake (iv), vegetable intake, and (v) dal (pulse) intake. During the design and development of the FFQ, emphasis was given to the source of food, the frequency (day/week/month) of consumption, and the daily amount of food consumed by each adult male, adult female, and child to accurately determine the dietary pattern and intake of arsenic in the rural population of Bangladesh.

Implementation of food frequency questionnaire for the assessment of total dietary arsenic intake in Bangladesh: Part B, preliminary findings

Dietary intake of water and food has been identified as one of the major pathways for arsenic (As) exposure in the rural population of Bangladesh. Therefore, realistic assessment and measurement of dietary intake patterns are important for the development of an accurate estimate of As exposure and human health risk assessment. One important consideration is to identify an appropriate tool for measuring dietary intake. In this study an interviewer-administered Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was implemented to determine age and gender specific dietary intake. The developed FFQ was unique because it developed a synergy between field dietary assessment and As concentration measurements in various environmental media. The resulting integrated database provided an accurate framework for the process of As exposure and human health risk assessment. The preliminary results reported here from the FFQ demonstrated that this technique could be used in rural areas as a tool to assess As exposure and the associated human health risk.

Glucose tolerance in rural population of Bangladesh

Summary Background The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing in Bangladeshi population. However, the prevalence of glucose intolerance, i.e. type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose is considerably unknown in the population. Aim The main aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of different categories of glucose intolerance and their anthropometric and demographic characteristics. Subjects and methods This cross-sectional study was performed in a rural area of Bangladesh. A random sample of 5000 population aged ≥20 years was included in this study. Fasting blood glucose from 3981 individuals and 2-h blood glucose was measured on 3954 subjects, excluding known diabetic cases ( n = 27). Height, weight, waist and hip circumference and blood pressure were measured. Results The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes (DM) was 1.3%, 2.0% and 7.0%, respectively. IFG, IGT and IFG + IGT were more prevalent in females. Age showed significant positive relationship with increasing level of glucose intolerance. Body mass index, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio were higher in glucose-intolerant group than normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group. FBG and 2-h BG were correlated in NGT and DM subjects. Conclusion The FBG value identified more people with glucose intolerance compared to 2-h BG estimation. These findings demanded further studies in urban and rural populations for the development of preventive strategy for diabetes.

Glucose tolerance in a rural population of Bangladesh.

CONTEXT:The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing in the Bangladeshi population. However, there is little information available on the prevalence of glucose intolerance, ie, type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and impaired fasting glucose.AIMS:The main aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of different categories of glucose intolerance and their relationship with different anthropometric and demographic characteristics.SETTINGS AND DESIGN:This cross-sectional study was performed in a rural area of Bangladesh.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A random sample of 5000 persons aged ≥ 20 years was included in this study. Fasting blood glucose was measured in 3981 individuals and 2-h post-glucose blood glucose was measured in 3954 subjects after the known cases of diabetes (n = 27) were excluded. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference, and blood pressure were measured.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:Pearson Chi-squared test and correlation test were used for analysis as appropriate.RESULTS:The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes (DM) were 1.3, 2.0, and 7.0%, respectively. IFG, IGT, and IFG + IGT were more prevalent in females. Age showed a significant positive relationship with increasing levels of glucose intolerance. Body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio were higher in the glucose-intolerant group than in the normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group. There was a positive correlation between FBG and 2-h BG in NGT and DM subjects.CONCLUSION:The FBG value identified more people with glucose intolerance than the 2-h BG. These findings will help developing diabetes preventive strategy in rural populations.

Linking Human Nutrition and Fisheries: Incorporating Micronutrient-Dense, Small Indigenous Fish Species in Carp Polyculture Production in Bangladesh

Fish and fisheries are important for the livelihoods, food, and income of the rural population in Bangladesh. Increased rice production and changing agricultural patterns have resulted in a large decline in inland fisheries. Implementation of carp pond polyculture has been very successful, whereas little focus has been given to the commonly consumed small indigenous fish species, some of which are rich in vitamin A and minerals, such as calcium, iron, and zinc, and are an integral part of the rural diet. The overall objective of the research and capacity-building activities described in this paper is to increase the production, accessibility, and intake of nutrient-dense small indigenous fish species, in particular mola (Amblypharyngodon mola), in order to combat micronutrient deficiencies. The large contribution from small indigenous fish species to recommended intakes of vitamin A and calcium and the perception that mola is good for or protects the eyes have been well documented. An integrated approach was conducted jointly by Bangladeshi and Danish institutions, linking human nutrition and fisheries. Activities included food-consumption surveys, laboratory analyses of commonly consumed fish species, production trials of carp-mola pond polyculture, teaching, training, and dissemination of the results. No decline in carp production and thus in income was found with the inclusion of mola, and increased intake of mola has the potential to combat micronutrient deficiencies. Teaching and training of graduates and field staff have led to increased awareness of the role of small indigenous fish species for good nutrition and resulted in the promotion of carp-mola pond polyculture and research in small indigenous fish species. The decline in accessibility, increase in price, and decrease in intake of small indigenous fish species by the rural poor, as well as the increased intake of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), the most commonly cultured fish species, which is poor in micronutrients and not preferred for consumption, are being addressed, and some measures taken by inland fisheries management have been discussed. The successful linking of human nutrition and fisheries to address micronutrient deficiencies has relevance for other countries with rich fisheries resources, such as Cambodia and countries in the Lake Victoria region of Africa.

Prevalence of depression and diabetes: a population‐based study from rural Bangladesh

To determine the extent of depressive symptoms in a rural community of Bangladesh and its association with newly recognized diabetes. Depressive symptoms were assessed in 184 newly diagnosed diabetic subjects and 768 randomly selected individuals without diabetes. The Montogomery and Aasberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was used to assess depressive symptoms. A structured interview was performed to obtain socio-demographic and economic information and anthropometric measures were collected. Fasting plasma glucose was measured by the HemoCue glucose analyser. Twenty-nine percent of male and 30.5% of female participants with diabetes and 6.0% of male and 14.6% of female subjects without diabetes had depressive symptoms rating > or = 20 on the MADRS. An association between depressive symptoms and diabetes was found (P < 0.01). After controlling for potential confounding factors including age, gender, fasting plasma glucose > 7.0 mmol/l and waist-hip ratio, the association of depression with diabetes remained significant. An unexpectedly high level of unrecognized depressive symptoms was found in the general rural population of Bangladesh. These are among the first data to suggest that depressive symptoms in this culture are common, especially in women. Depression is particularly common in those with diabetes. Psychiatric intervention may be necessary in addition to lifestyle changes to prevent the exponential increase in the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes. In addition, a common approach including psychiatric treatment in diabetes care may be necessary to achieve improved glycaemic control in this population.

Rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes in rural Bangladesh: A population based study

The aim of the study was to determine the temporal changes in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its associated risk factors in a rural population of Bangladesh. A total of 4757 subjects age ≥20 years both male and female were enrolled randomly in a cross-sectional study in 1999. The same area and population was reinvestigated in 2004 following the same selection procedure, on a sample of 3981 individuals. Structural and economical changes were noted for the last 5 years in the locality. An increased prevalence of diabetes was found with 6.8% in the present survey compared with 2.3% in the earlier survey ( p < 0.05). Age, BMI and systolic blood pressure were found to be significant risk factors following both for FBG and for OGTT. WHR was found to be a significant risk factor for men only. A substantial agreement was observed between FBG and OGTT (kappa 0.63) compared to the previous investigation in 1999 (kappa 0.40). Differences in the indices of obesity, that is BMI, WHR and waist girth, may in part explain the increased prevalence, which in turn may explain due to fast-expanded urbanization. The state of affairs warrants immediate measures necessary to prevent the epidemic particularly in the localities that are in the transition phase from rural to semi-urban facilities.

Water consumption patterns in rural Bangladesh: are we underestimating total arsenic load?

Risk related to the ingestion of any water contaminants depends on many factors, including the daily per capita amount of consumed water relative to body weight. This study explored the water consumption pattern of a rural arsenic-affected population in Bangladesh. The study findings are likely to contribute to the risk estimation attributable to ingestion of arsenic and other drinking water contaminants. A total of 640 individuals participated in this cross-sectional study carried out in an arsenic-affected rural population in Bangladesh. In this study daily per capita water consumption for drinking purposes was found to be 73.04 ml/kg/d (range = 71.24–74.84 ml/kg/d), which is higher than for both the US and Taiwan populations. This difference in per capita drinking water consumption might contribute to much higher lifetime cancer mortality and other morbidity risks from arsenic among the Bangladesh population compared to either the US or Taiwan populations. Arsenic is also ingested through cooking water which, if considered, might increase the risk further. The findings of this study highlight the urgent need for a holistic water supply programme for Bangladesh, with special emphasis on the arsenic-affected population.

Plasma lipids in a rural population of Bangladesh

Plasma lipids are associated with cardiovascular diseases. Population-based data on plasma lipids are scarce in Bangladesh. We investigated plasma lipid levels in a rural population of Bangladesh in 2001. Fasting blood was collected in 447 adults (157 men and 290 women) aged 20-79 years (mean+/-standard deviation 40+/-11 years in men, and 39+/-10 in women). The mean total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio levels were 182+/-56, 39+/-10, 115+/-53, 139+/-72 mg/dl and 4.8+/-1.8, respectively. The prevalence of abnormal lipid levels were as follows: hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol > or =240 mg/dl) 16.1%, high LDL cholesterol (> or =160 mg/dl) 20.4%, low HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dl) 66.4%, hypertriglyceridemia (> or =200 mg/dl) 15.0% and total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (>5.5) 32.7%. The prevalence of dyslipidemias, especially in the case of low HDL cholesterol, appears to be high even in this rural population of Bangladesh.