Service Holders Research Articles

Prevalence of COVID-19 Status among the People of Different Strata

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an irresistible illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most individuals who drop wiped out with COVID-19 will involvement gentle to direct side effects and recoup without uncommon treatment. Some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. However, it is preventable through obeying some measures of personal hygiene. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine COVID-19 status among people of different strata in Uttara and Savar. A total of 1200 conveniently selected respondents were interviewed face-to-face using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Mean age was 38.59 years with standard deviation ±14.117 years. Majority (63.33%) were male. Among them 20.7% were housewives, 11.5% were students, 15.3% were businessmen and 9.3% were service holders. Most (98.6%) of the respondents mentioned to know about pandemic situation of COVID-19. Among the respondents 207 (17.3%) suffered from COVID-19. Among those who suffered from COVID-19 (207), 157 performed test for COVID-19 and was positive. The other 50 did not perform test and only assumed to be suffering from COVID-19 as they had symptoms. On the other hand, 993 respondents mentioned of not suffering from COVID-19. Among them, 803 had no symptom and 190 underwent COVID-19 test and were negative. Proportion of suffering from COVID-19 was found high among the doctors (64.1%), service holders (22.5%), students (21.7%) and teachers (21.1%). Conclusion: Measures to be undertaken to create awareness among the people to abide by the health rules so that we can reduce the incidence of COVID 19. EWMCJ Vol. 12, No. 1&2, January-July 2024: 80-87

Evaluation of Surgical Reconstruction of Old Tendo Achilles Injury by Bosworth Technique

Background: Chronic Achilles tendon rupture in the watershed hypovascular region (zone II) makes end-to-end repair less feasible. Bosworth's technique, involving gastrocnemius-soleus turndown, was studied to determine its efficacy and functional outcome in repairing chronic tendon in zone II. Objective: To evaluate surgical reconstruction of old Tendo Achilles injury by Bosworth technique. Methods: This prospective study was carried out in Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) form July 2006 to December 2007. 20 cases were selected as non-randomized purposive sampling technique who came to the out patients department of DMCH. All cases were diagnosed as old neglected Tendo Achilles injury and treated by surgical reconstruction by Bosworth technique. Two cases were lost from follow up and discarded from the study. Finally the study was done on 18 patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was 31.7 years and the lowest and highest cases were 17 and 47 years respectively. The male female ratio was 5:1. One-third (33.3%) patients were day labourer, 22.2% service holders, 16.7% house wives and the rest 27.8% students. Two-Third of the patients (67%) had involvement of left Tendo Achilles and the rest (33%) had right Tendo Achilles. Nearly 40% of patients’ injury was caused by the overhanging edge of the toilet Pan, 27.8% by traumatic rupture, 11.1% assaulted by sharp weapon, another 11.1% by sharp edge of a metallic plate, 5.6% accidentally by sharp cutting knife and 5.5% by broken glass. The mediun level of injury was 3.5 cm above from the insertion of Tendo Achilles, while the lowest and highest level were 2.5 and 6 cm. Minimum delay from injury to operation was 6 weeks and maximum 32 weeks. 5 patients (27.8%) gained normal range of ankle movement, 6 patients (33.3%) decreased by 5° of unaffected side, 4 (22.2%) by 10° and 3 (16.7%) by more than 10⁰. Mean power of planter flexion, mean calf width and mean score to stand on tip toe on injured side relative ........

Circadian Variation of Stroke in a Tertiary Level Hospital

Introduction: Stroke, a primary global health concern, is the fifth leading cause of death in Bangladesh, with a prevalence of 0.3%. While 85% of stroke cases globally are cerebral infarctions, Asian countries exhibit stroke patients on average 15 years younger than developed countries. Survival studies reveal strokes exceeding coronary events in hypertensive patients. Observational data suggests circadian, circaseptan, and circannual variations in stroke occurrence, with a morning peak. Circadian rhythm in ischemic stroke is higher in the early morning. Thrombotic strokes, influenced by platelet aggregation and fibrinolysis, often occur in the morning. Haemorrhagic strokes result from blood vessel ruptures. Population-specific circadian patterns remain unconfirmed.
 Aim of the Study: The study aims to find out the relation of circadian variation of stroke.
 Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh, analyzed 100 stroke patients over six months. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was taken. Inclusion criteria covered patients with clinical and imaging stroke diagnoses, while exclusion criteria excluded transient ischemic attack, previous stroke, head injury history, and refusal to participate. Stroke onset time was categorized into four six-hour intervals. Demographic data, risk factors, and comorbidities were recorded, and brain CT scans were performed. Data analysis used SPSS version 22, employing descriptive statistics, Chi-square Test, and Student's t-test. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results were presented in tables.
 Results: The study involves 100 participants, primarily aged 60-70 (50%), predominantly male (76%), residing 62% in urban and 38% in rural areas. Occupationally, 35% are businessmen, 24% are housewives, and 15% are service holders and laborers. Smoking status shows 58% smokers. Stroke types include 57% ischemic strokes and 39% hemorrhagic strokes. Hypertension (72%) is the significant risk factor. Stroke symptoms predominantly occur between 06:01 and 12:00 (46%). These insights comprehensively understand the study population's demographics, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics.
 Conclusion: The study established circadian patterns in stroke onset, with the highest frequency between 06:00-12:00 and the lowest between 18:01-24:00. Ischemic stroke was the most common subtype, followed by hemorrhagic stroke and fewer subarachnoid hemorrhages. Managing blood pressure and coagulation during peak onset times could aid stroke prevention, but further extensive studies are needed for validation.

Mental health status and the quality of life of infertile women receiving fertility treatment in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Infertility poses significant physical and psychological challenges for women of reproductive age. In low- and middle-income countries, the prevalence of depression among infertile women is alarmingly high, reaching 44.32%. Additionally, over 50% of infertile women worldwide experience varying degrees of decline in their quality of life. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of infertility on the mental health status and quality of life of infertile women in Bangladesh. Between December 2022 and March 2023, 375 infertile women in Dhaka, Bangladesh were selected using simple random sampling for this cross-sectional study. The participants’ mental health status was assessed using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), while their quality of life was evaluated by the Short Form-12 (SF-12) scale. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress were 59.7%, 55.0%, and 48.7%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression showed that infertile homemakers had 2.98 (95% CI: 1.30 to 6.80) times the odds of depression than government service holders. Aborted infertile women had 1.8 (95% CI: 1.10 to 3.26) times the odds of depression. Infertile women who married between 20 and 24 years old were 49% (95% CI: 0.27 to 0.98) less anxious than those who married earlier. Low-income infertile women (<30,000 BDT) were 2.29 (95% CI: 1.02 to 5.14) times more likely to be stressed than those with higher incomes (>60,000 BDT). Multiple linear regression analysis suggests that education and infertility diagnosis status significantly affect the Mental Component Summary (MCS-12) scores of the Short Form-12 (SF-12). In contrast, age, occupation, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were the significant predictors for the Physical Component Summary (PCS-12). Policymakers may use lessons learned from this study to incorporate appropriate counseling techniques, social awareness campaigns, and media involvement to control the added burden of infertility on women’s psychological health and quality of life.

Level of Satisfaction of Geriatric People about Services Provided by an Old Home at Gajipur, Bangladesh

Background & objective: With increased life expectancy and an increased proportion of older people, the demand for old-age homes is increasing. A satisfactory quality of service provision from old age homes can enhance the overall quality of life of an old person. This study aims to assess the level of satisfaction of geriatric people, with the services provided by the Bayaska Punarbasan Kendroy (an old home), situated at Gajipur, Bangladesh. Methods: This descriptive study was designed to evaluate the level of satisfaction of the residents of the Bayaska Punarbasan Kendro about the services provided there. The study was carried out at the Department of Community Medicine, Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi over a period of 1 year from January 2019 to December 2019. A total of 200 respondents (residents) were consecutively included in the study based on predefined enrollment criteria. To determine the level of satisfaction of the residents of the Bayaska Punarbasan Kendro about the services provided there, the respondents’ opinion was sought about how well they were satisfied with each of those services. The responses given to each discrete question were scored from 0-4 using Likert Scale, where 0 meant “highly dissatisfied”, and 4 meant “highly satisfied”, with 1 “dissatisfied”, 2 “neither dissatisfied nor satisfied”, and 3 “satisfied” in between them. The scores obtained thus were then summed up to find an integrated score, which ranged from 0-32. The total score was then subdivided into five categories as scores 0-6 (highly dissatisfied), scores 7-12 (dissatisfied), scores13-18 (neutral), scores 19-25 (satisfied), and scores 26-32 (highly satisfied). Result: About two-thirds of the residents of the Bayaska Punarbasan Kendro were Muslim and in their 7th decade of life. More than 55% had already lost their spouses. Fifty percent of the residents came from rural regions. Half of the respondents did not have any income source and the rest half were facing economic hardship. About one-quarter (24.5%) of the respondents were illiterate, nearly two-fifths (37.5%) were primary-level educated and 9% were graduate-level educated. Day labourers comprised almost one-third followed by housewives and service holders. Residents of the old homes were invariably suffering from some sort of physical and mental illnesses concurrently with42% having multiple physical ailments. The major chronic disease was CHD followed by diabetes and osteoarthritis. Nearly half (47%) of the respondents were satisfied with the services provided by the old home, 25.5% were dissatisfied and the rest 27.5% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. Probing about the status of living of the old home residents revealed that over one-third (35.5%) had been residing there for < 1 year, 28.5% for 1-3 years, 30% for 3-5years, and only 5.5% for 5 years or more. More than one-third of the respondents had been residing there for < 1 year and only 5% for 5 years or more. Over three-quarters never communicated with their family members since they were admitted to the Bayaska Punarbasan Kendro. However, their children, spouses, or siblings communicated with the moccasionally. They passed their leisure time working (22%), gossiping (29%), watching TV (35.5%), and hangout orreading books (13.5%). Regarding the level of satisfaction, less than half (47%) of the respondents were satisfied with the overall services. The respondents’ level of dissatisfaction was highest with healthcare facilities (37%), followed by accommodation (28%), food service (21%), clothing (17.5%), and leisure time activities (10.5%). The majority (95%) of the respondents was satisfied with the security system and the social media services. Conclusion: The study concluded that the old-home residents time and again miss their family members and are not happy living there. Nearly one-third of the old-home residents are forced to stay there by their family members and half live there for none of their children or close relatives live in the country and one-quarter do not have any residence to live. None of them has any interest to live there. Almost half are satisfied with the services provided by the old home, over one-quarter are dissatisfied and another one-quarter are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. The respondents’ level of dissatisfaction is mostly with healthcare facilities. Ibrahim Card Med J 2022; 12 (2): 46-52

Hepatitis B Screening Program for patients attending out-patient department (OPD) at Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital, Dhaka – An Observational Study

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis of liver and hepatocellular carcinoma in Bangladesh. It is also the most common cause of death from liver disease in the country. The prevalence of hepatitis B is 5-6% in the general population. So the present status of the virus is considered as an important public health concern of Bangladesh. Objectives: To investigate hepatitis B prevalence among the persons attending the OPD and to increase awareness about hepatitis B. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out the at the Department of Hepatology, Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital, Dhaka on March 17&18, 2022 at Special Treatment Campaign on the occasion of celebration of the birth anniversary of the Father of Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A total of 190 people of both sexes from 18 years to 50 years of age group were enrolled in the study. These people were unaware of whether they were carrying hepatitis B virus or also was not aware of whether they are suffering from any kind of liver disease. Informed consent was taken and a pre-designed structured questionnaire was used. Screening was done by HBsAg detection using rapid diagnostic kit. Result: The mean age of respondents was 35.95±6.42 years with a male to female ratio of 0.83. Most of the respondents were married (72.63%) and Muslim (87.37%). Among them 47.36% of the respondents were service holders. Only 17.89% had a previous history of some types of hepatitis. 25.26% of respondents had history of different types of surgical procedure. 8 (4.2%) participants were found positive for HBsAg on the screening test in our study. Conclusion: This study shows 4.2 % of participants were screening positive among the respondents. This correlate with the intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B in Bangladesh as stated in World Health Organization data. Screening program increases knowledge and awareness among the population and thereby increase treatment seeking, which ultimately reduce incidence of disease and complications as well as death. Sir Salimullah Med Coll J 2023; 31: 3-8

Public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotics use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Bangladesh

BackgroundAntibiotic resistance is a global public health concern that requires an understanding of public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards antibiotics. This study aimed to assess the KAP regarding antibiotic use and AMR among the general population in Bangladesh. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 656 respondents in Bangladesh. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotics use and AMR were collected through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and ordered logit regression analysis were performed to analyze the data. ResultsThe study involved participants, with 52.44 % aged 18 to 30, 77.29 % males, and 92.53 % having primary education or higher. Urban residents were 80 %, and students formed the largest occupational group (29.57 %), followed by businessmen (25 %), service holders (24.7 %), housewives (10.52 %), and day laborers (8.84 %). The majority of respondents demonstrated average knowledge (52.29 %), moderate attitudes (67.84 %), and good practices (50.61 %) regarding antibiotic use and AMR. Socioeconomic factors such as education, media exposure, and urban residence significantly (1 % level of significance) influenced KAP. The findings revealed knowledge gaps and misconceptions among the respondents, including incorrect beliefs about antibiotic resistance (42%), and inadequate awareness of the importance of completing full antibiotic courses (54.88 %). ConclusionThis study sheds light on the existing KAP related to antibiotic use and AMR within the general population of Bangladesh. The findings reveal varying levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices among the participants. The results underscore the importance of addressing knowledge gaps, and misconceptions for awareness building through educational campaigns utilizing social media platforms and newspapers. These insights provide a foundation for informed strategies to ensure the continued efficacy of antibiotics.

Perception about Less Physical Activity and its Effect among Service Holders in Dhaka City of Bangladesh

Introduction: Physical activity has been traditionally defined as any bodily movement produced by contraction of skeletal muscle that substantially increases energy expenditure, although the intensity and duration can vary substantially. Lack of physical activity is known to be one of the most important risk factors for leading to morbidity and mortality around the world leading to an estimated 3.2 million deaths globally. Objectives: To assess perception about less physical activity and its effect among service holders in Dhaka city of Bangladesh. Methods: The study was conducted in Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, Kurmitola; Janata Bank Limited, Satmasjid Road Branch; Rayerbazar Government Primary School, Rayerbazar and six gyms (training centers) of Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 15 government workers and 15 key informants purposefully (trainers of physical activities) selected for in-depth interview. Socio-demographic data were entered into SPSS version 21. Thematic area were identified and analyzed based on the themes. Result: Total 30 study participants (15 Government office worker and 15 Key Informant) were interviewed. All participants have good perception of physical activities. 7 of workers are moderately physically active (fulfill globally recommended physical activity rate) with 150 minutes of physical activity performance per week. The rest 3 workers have insufficient physical activities which is less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Factor like laziness, overloaded by office work, lack of self-confidence in doing physical activity, lack of awareness about physical activity, place factor, poor time management, lack of communication and economic status of workers were found as behaviors or factors affecting doing of physical activities among government office workers. Conclusion and recommendations: There is high number of physical activity insufficiency among workers and there are large numbers of factors that affect physical activity doing of workers. Therefore, the government should work on these factors to make worker healthy and productive.

Insights into lifestyles of COVID-19 patients during home and hospital treatment: Urban context of Bangladesh

Background: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) appeared with increased severity of COVID-19 due to the demographic and lifestyle factors are triggering immune system. Therefore, it is necessary to have insights on lifestyle pattern of patients. Objective: This study aimed to explore the insights of lifestyle among urban COVID-19 patients of Bangladesh during home and hospital treatment. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design in urban settings of Bangladesh. A total of 659 respondents were recruited using multistage stratified sampling. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from both hospital and community settings through face-to-face interview method. Analysis was done by using univariate, multivariate techniques followed by regression modeling. Results: More than half (59%) of the patients received treatment at hospital, whereas 41% positive cases got cured from out of hospital cares like family care support or other supports. As predictors, advanced (≥50 years) aged (AOR=2.43) and less (higher secondary) educated (AOR=1.80) patients who were housewives (AOR=2.02), service holders (AOR=1.89) or businessman (AOR=2.13) took more significant hospital support compared to other group. Respondents who didn’t maintain any physical exercise (AOR=1.37) and having sleeping disorder (AOR=1.10) found to have more healthcare support from hospital setting in corresponded to out of hospital. Conclusion: This study revealed a depressive scenario of the treatment management pattern for COVID-19 infected patients during pandemic. This study may guide the policymakers to plan and develop a sustainable health care facility which can support general population in any sudden and emerging health related disasters.

Sociodemographic and Clinical Profile of Tubercular Meningitis Patients without Pulmonary Signs and Symptoms

Background: Among the different forms of CNS tuberculosis, tubercular meningitis (TBM) is the most frequent one. Early diagnosis and treatment of tubercular meningitis (TBM) can give an excellent outcome with minimal residual morbidity. Sociodemographic and clinical findings of patients with or without pulmonary signs and symptoms may be useful for the early diagnosis and treatment of suspected TBM patients. Aim of the study: This study aimed to make a sociodemographic and clinical profile of tubercular meningitis patients without pulmonary signs and symptoms. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from September 2020 to August 2021. A total of 77 diagnosed cases of tubercular meningitis without pulmonary signs and symptoms admitted to the mentioned hospital were included in this study as the study population. In sample selection, a purposive sampling technic was used. Along with the sociodemographic as well as clinical findings, all relevant information was recorded in a data collection sheet. After completion, data analysis was done by SPSS 23.0. Results: The mean age of our respondents was 37.93±11.8 years; 53.2% of them were male and 46.8% were female. The majority of the respondents were service holders (32.5%) and the majority (57.1%) of the patients had middle-family income. In this study, 61% of the study population had a family history of TB. As for the clinical features of TBM, we observed that all of the study subjects had a fever, 80.5% had a headache, 68.8% had altered sensation, 62.3% had anorexia and nausea, 55.8% had vomiting, 19.5% had convulsions and 15.6% had neck stiffness. The majority (46.8%) of the respondents had TBM Grade II. In total, 58.4% of the respondents had Mantoux test positive and 41.6%, whereas 36.4% showed chest X-ray positive for TB. Conclusion: The prevalence of tubercular meningitis without pulmonary signs and ........

Individual-level preventive measures during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic among Bangladeshi residents

COVID-19 causes mild to severe respiratory illness in humans. Government and non-government authorities along with telecommunication, print and electronic media undertook extensive advertising campaign regarding protective measures against COVID-19 to raise the public awareness. Therefore, this web-based cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate peoples' responses towards COVID-19 during the first wave of COVID-19 in Bangladesh. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to estimate the association between demographic characteristics, awareness, and individual preventive measures. The overall awareness level of the majority of the respondents (89%, n=920) was good, but the overall score for individual-level preventive measures during lockdown was poor to moderate. The relation between a good level of awareness and a higher level of educational status was found statistically significant (aOR 5.87, 95% CI: 1.58-21.86). Service holders were two times more likely to follow COVID-19 prevention practices than students (aOR 2.08, 95% CI: 1.24-3.51). Despite having adequate knowledge on awareness, many respondents were reluctant to follow preventive measures during the lockdown. The outcomes of this study highlight the requirement for stringent execution of preventative measures by law enforcement agencies to stop the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Socio-Demographic and Clinical Profile of Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis in A Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Worldwide, tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of mortality. It is caused by bacteria and most often affects the lungs resulting in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) spreads from person to person by coughing, spitting, and sneezing. Patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) can be asymptomatic. Prior conception regarding the socio-demographic and clinical profile of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis may be helpful in the management of such cases. Aim of the Study: This study aimed to assess the socio- demographic and clinical profile of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Dhaka Medical College Hospital for the period of March 2018 to September 2020. Of all the patients admitted to the medicine department with lung infiltrates, 100 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were selected as the study population. All the necessary diagnosis was performed in Dhaka medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh. All final data were collected in the semi-structured and pretested case record form. After data collection, data were checked for errors, and analysis was done. Results: In this study, male participants were dominant in number and the male-female ratio was 2.7:1. The mean age of the participants was 42.59±12.73 years. The majority of our participants were married (88%), about one-third (30%) of our participants were service holders and only 9% were unemployed. The majority (51%) of our participants were from middle-income status. As the most common symptom, cough was found among 100% of our patients. Besides this, sputum (81%) and fever (73%) were also found in more than 50% of cases. In most of the cases, ESR was found between 50-100 mm, CRP was found between 50-100 mg/L, and the MT test was positive in 67% of cases. In chest X-rays- patchy opacity, consolidation in different lobes, and upper lobe consolidation .....

Perceived barriers to maintain physical activity and its association to mental health status of Bangladeshi adults: a quantile regression approach

Insufficient physical activity and unhealthy lifestyle preferences have been significant concerns for decades. This study aimed to determine the perceived barriers to maintaining physical activity among adults in three major cities of Bangladesh and their association with mental health status. This is a cross-sectional study where 400 participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Twenty municipal wards were randomly selected from three cities, followed by a convenient selection of the study participants from each ward. Questionnaires about perceived physical activity barriers were developed based on previously published literature. The DASS-21 scale assessed the mental health status of the study participants. Descriptive statistics were applied to narrate the baseline characteristics of the respondents. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to check the normality of the perceived physical activity scores. Quantile regression analysis was applied to model the physical activity barrier scores depending on several covariates. Five quantiles were used: the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant for hypothesis testing. Among the respondents, 68.50% were male, half of them were married, 68.0% belonged to nuclear families, 48.0% completed graduate level education, 34.25% were service holders, one-third of the respondent's working hours were 6–8 h, and 19.50% belongs to the overweight and obese groups. Poor traffic and construction work near the road (60.30%) was seen as the most significant barrier to physical activity. Over half of the respondents stated that lack of time, facilities, and expenses hinder physical activity. Mental health status reported mild to extremely severe levels of depression (32%), anxiety (47%), and stress (42.50%), respectively. Significant associations between the perceived physical activity scores and gender, family type, occupation, income, BMI, anxiety, and depression were obtained. Ensuring a safe environment, facilitating accessibility and availability of low-cost exercise facilities, improving road and traffic conditions, and providing appropriate mental health counseling may help to mitigate physical activity barriers.

Managerial Knowledge and Skills Transfer Practices in Bangladesh

Purpose: The favorable attitude of the trainees and a transfer-friendly climate are highly expected for effective training transfer. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of trainees and the work environment in transferring managerial knowledge and skills to the job. Theoretical framework: This study focuses on three factors considering both the characteristics of trainees and the role played by their peers and supervisors, in relation to the transfer of training based on the theories of training transfer. Methodology: Data was collected from service holders who completed an MBA degree from a weekend/evening program, using a structured questionnaire. The number of usable questionnaires was 302.The Garret ranking method and structural equation modeling (SEM) with Amos 23 was used to analyze the research data. Findings: This study found that peer and supervisor assistance for training transfer was not satisfactory. Lack of autonomy, shortage of the required materials in the workplace, as well as an excessive workload, were identified as noteworthy impediments in the transfer of training. Research, Practical and Social implication: This study could increase recognition among coworkers and managers about the significance of supporting fellow workers in applying their recently acquired knowledge and abilities on the job. Additionally, the authorities might receive advice on how to create a congenial environment for training transfer in their organization. Originality/Value: Assessment of training application and transfer practices would become helpful for Bangladesh to ensure progress and development as a developing country.

Navigating Digital Inequality: Examining Factors Affecting Rural Customers’ Internet Banking Adoption in Post-COVID Bangladesh

As the world continues to navigate the new normal brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, one issue that has come to the forefront is digital inequality. In Bangladesh, where a significant portion of the population resides in rural areas, the adoption of internet banking has been hindered by various factors. However, understanding these factors is crucial, especially now that digital transactions have become more important. This study aims to understand the factors influencing the adoption of internet banking services among rural customers in Bangladesh. To acquire data, a questionnaire was administered to 443 rural bank customers in the district of Barisal. The Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) revealed three primary factors: trust compatibility, service benefit, and access to consumer education. In addition, the research sought to determine if the identified factors, particularly access to consumer education, varied according to the occupation and income level of rural consumers. Using exhaustive Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) analysis, the findings revealed that access to consumer education differs significantly by occupation level, with business and service holders being more likely than farmers to have access to consumer education. This research contributes to the literature by providing insights into the adoption of internet banking by rural customers and informing policymakers about the special needs of this demographic.

Etiology of Hoarseness of Voice Based on FOL

Background: Hoarseness (dysphonia) is the reason for about 1% of all consultations in primary care. Numerous conditions can cause hoarseness, ranging from simple inflammatory processes to more serious systemic, neurologic, or cancerous conditions involving the larynx. Evaluation of a patient with hoarseness includes a careful history, physical examination, and in many cases, laryngoscopy. This study aimed to analyze the etiology of hoarseness of voice based on a fiberoptic laryngoscope (FOL). Material Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of ENT, in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital, Faridpur for 2 years; from January 2017 to December 2018. A total of 75 subjects fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled as study subjects. Data were processed and analyzed using the software SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 11.5. Results: In this study, most of the patients (18, 24.0%) belonged to the age group of 41-50 years, followed by 16 (21.33%) patients in the 61-70 years of age group, and then 15 (20.0%) patients were in 21-30 years of age group. None was from 0-10 years and only 2 (2.66%) patients belonged to the 11-20 years age group. Concerning the sex of the patients, 62 (83.0%) patients were male and the rest 13 (17.0%) were female indicating male predominance. 40 (53.33%) respondents had a smoking habit, and the rest 35 (46.66%) patients did not have a smoking habit. Regarding occupation, most of the patients (24, 32.0%) were farmers, followed by 19 (25.33%) were businessmen, and 10 (13.33%) patients were service holders. Concerning the findings, most of the patients (20, 26.66%) had growth of larynx, followed by 11 (14.66%) patients had polyp/cyst, 10 (13.33%) patients had paresis, 8 (10.66%) patients had nodule, 6 (8.0%) patients had edema, 4 (5.33%) patients had chronic laryngitis, 3 (4.0%) patients had keratosis/leukoplakia and another 3 (4.0%) patients had a phonatory gap. Conclusion: Hoarseness of voice is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and therefore warrants a careful determination of the underlying cause in every case. Fiber optic laryngoscopy was an excellent tool for the diagnosis of hoarseness. Causes of hoarseness included growth in the larynx, polyp/cyst, nodules, edema, chronic laryngitis, keratosis/leukoplakia, and phonatory gaps in this study.

Outcome of treatment of Unstable Intertrochanteric Fracture by Proximal Femoral Nail (PFN)

Background: Proximal Femoral Nail (PFN) is a surgical technique used to treat unstable intertrochanteric fractures, which are fractures that occur in the upper portion of the thigh bone (femur). The procedure involves using a nail-like device that is inserted into the femur and secured in place with screws to stabilize the fracture and promote healing. It is a commonly used treatment option for this type of fracture and can lead to good outcomes in most cases. The aim of the study was to observe the outcome of Unstable Intertrochanteric fracture by Proximal Femoral Nail (PFN). Material Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study duration was 2 years, from July 2017 to June 2019. A total of 34 cases were included in the study sing purposive sampling (non-randomized) according to availability of the patients and considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The participants’ age range was 16-90, with a mean of 56.91 ± 17.76. Most (35.29%) were 61-75 years old. 61.76% were female and 38.24% were male. 50% were housewives, 14.71% ex-service holders, 14.71% service holders, 11.76% businessmen, 5.88% students, and 2.94% farmers. The leading cause of injury was falls on slippery ground (55.88%), followed by motor vehicle injuries (44.12%). 70.59% of injuries occurred on the right side and 29.41% on the left. 76% had Kyle Type III fractures, 24% had type IV. 85.29% had open reduction, 14.71% had closed reduction. The mean duration of injury to operation was 15.59 days and the mean hospital stay was 19.15 days. 70.59% had no complications and 55.88% reported no pain at last follow-up. 58.82% had a good Harris hip score and 58.82% had excellent outcomes by final follow-up. Conclusion: The majority of patients in this study were in the 61-75 age range and female, with the most common cause of injury being falls on slippery ground. The most common fracture type was Kyle type IV, with a major portion of cases requiring open reduction. The rate of complications was relatively low, and the functional outcomes were acceptable and comparable to other studies. The duration of injury to operation and hospital stay were slightly longer than other studies, likely due to the busy nature of the study location. Overall, the Proximal Femoral Nail is a safe and effective treatment option for unstable proximal femoral fractures.

Individualistic or collectivistic: which consideration motivates purchasing intention of organic foods? A developing country perspective

PurposeThis paper investigates the impact of individualistic (health) and collectivistic considerations (environmental) on the purchasing intention of organic foods.Design/methodology/approachThe study collected 391 responses from service holders of diversified tiers from Bangladesh. It considers two-step structural equation model (SEM), as well as the Ordinal Logistic regression to analyze the fact.FindingsSEM analysis explores that, both the individualistic and collectivistic considerations affect purchasing intention of organic foods. The regression result finds that income, the number of earning members, occupation, age and BMI are influential determinants of weekly purchasing frequency of organic foods. This research suggests, along with consumer's economic solvency an organized market with dissemination of health and environmental benefits of organic foods acts as a catalyst for purchasing intention of those products.Research limitations/implicationsHowever, there is still scope of investigating intention-behavior gap between the actual purchasing behavior and purchasing intention, which is not addressed in this study.Originality/valueTo understand the perception of comparatively educated and solvent people toward purchasing intention of organic foods, this research is one of the pioneering attempts in the context of an unorganized organic food market.

Participation of Women in the Workforce: A Comparative Study between Central and Western Plains of West Bengal

The population of women contributes nearly half of the total count but it counts for only a quarter of total workforce participation in India. The participation of women in different workforces is not only limited to the financial need of the family but is also related to the social system, the education level of the women, and the availability of work opportunities for them. The present study aims to compare the sector-specific women's work participation level and associated social factors of the women workforce. Two regions out of five regions in West Bengal specified by NSSO were considered to be study regions. Incorporating the necessary variables, a structured interview schedule was prepared and data were collected from randomly selected 160 working women from two districts from two regions under study. The collected data has been finalized for analysis after a validity check. Necessary frequency analysis and non-parametric tests have been performed to get the results.
 Most of the respondents of central regions were service holders. Education has a signification effect on income level in both the regions under study. Service holders were at significantly higher income levels than other occupational groups. The respondents from the central regions were more educated and empowered than the women of the western region. A large scale of variety in occupational involvement has been found in both regions in the present study. The income level is directly related to occupation and education. The educated women of both regions preferred service as their occupation and earn more than other categories. Specific policies or programs that enhance institutional involvement of all occupational categories may cater to our developmental goal.

Clinical practice pattern of managing low back pain among physiotherapists in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Low back pain (LBP) is the top global cause of disability, and physiotherapy interventions are used to manage it. However, understanding of the practice pattern of physiotherapists dealing with LBP patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited. This study aimed to explore the LBP practice pattern of LMIC’s (i. e., Bangladesh) physiotherapists by their demographic and professional factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study sent a survey to randomly selected physiotherapists via email. RESULTS: Data of 423 illegible physiotherapist were analyzed. The majority of the physiotherapists (54.8%) were nongovernment service holders, and 87.7% worked in an urban setting. Recommended interventions were frequently used by only 12.3%, occasionally used by 66.2%, and 21.5% did not offer those interventions. Partially recommended interventions were frequently used by 33.3%, occasionally used by 43.7%, and never used by 23% of physiotherapists. For not recommended interventions, 69.3% occasionally, 13.5% frequently, and 17.3% never used such interventions. CONCLUSION: The study explored the practice pattern of physiotherapists of an LMIC by comparing available evidence-based practice guidelines for LBP. The findings of this study may provide an LMIC database to inform future research, clinical practice and education to ensure adherence to evidence-based LBP physiotherapy management.