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Women entrepreneurs of Bangladesh face strict terms and conditions, high interest rate, and collateral requirements while requesting access to bank finance. This paper investigates the role of banks in promoting micro and small businesses owned by women in Bangladesh in terms of access to bank finance and collateral requirement. Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs were chosen as there are surge in women entrepreneurs in the nation. The study used a close‐ended questionnaire to collect data based on stratified sampling and data health was ensured using the Harman's single factor indicating no presence of common method bias. The sample consists of 60 respondents of pilot study and 150 respondents surveyed by trained enumerators resulting a final sample size of 210. The data were collected based on primary sources from the entire Bangladesh represented by the eight divisions of the country namely Dhaka, Barishal, Chittagong, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Sylhet. The data were analyzed based on the binary logistic regression model using the IBM SPSS Statistics. Empirical results indicate that women entrepreneurs can be granted bank finance only by the private commercial banks without pledging collateralized assets according to the rules of the central bank of Bangladesh provided they offer personal guarantee, social security and group guarantee and if they default on the loans, security will be used for loan repayment, and they will be deprived of further loan facilities. The findings of the study will help add value to the current literatures and the outcomes will be helpful to the concerned parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industrial development of a country plays a vital role in its overall progress and is closely tied to its capacity of electricity generation. However, the scarcity of natural resources and increasing costs of fuel in global markets pose significant challenges for developing countries like Bangladesh in managing the rising expenses of electricity generation. Consequently, the government of Bangladesh is exploring alternative energy resources such as solar, wind, hydroelectricity, biomass, and biogas to supplement fossil fuels and optimize electricity generation cost. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of natural resources, including gas, coal, and oil, which are conventionally used for electricity generation in Bangladesh. It highlights concerns about dwindling resource availability and their impact on the country's energy landscape. Through numerical analysis, it demonstrates the detrimental effects of relying heavily on gas‐based power plants, leading to electricity supply instability. To address the ongoing energy crisis, the paper proposes the adoption of renewable energy sources as a viable solution. Additionally, it also acknowledges the challenges associated with implementing large‐scale renewable projects in distinct areas of the country, such as limited infrastructure, technical constraints, and the need for significant investment. Overcoming these barriers is crucial for achieving widespread utilization of renewable resources. This paper concludes by offering recommendations to overcome these challenges and maximize the contributions of renewable energy in meeting future energy demands. The suggestions include developing robust infrastructure, implementing policy reforms to attract investment, emphasizing research and development, and promoting community engagement in renewable energy initiatives. It also highlights the potential of renewable energy resources in shaping a more secure and sustainable energy future for Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of electricity generation for socio‐economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refugees often face structural inequities, a disproportionate share of environmental challenges, and receive inadequate risk information. In most cases, the host country, United Nations, and other humanitarian organizations provide critical weather and climate information and disaster risk management support. This is equally true for the Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh, who fled their home country Myanmar as a response to political violence. To provide critical humanitarian services to the Rohingya population, the in‐country United Nations agencies formed the Inter‐Sector Coordination Group (ISCG). This paper investigates the effectiveness of the ISCG's strategies for communicating monsoon risks in the Rohingya context. Particularly, it measures ISCG communication effectiveness by both the increased formalization of ISCG communication and the number of Rohingya refugees affected during the monsoon seasons in the years 2021–2022. The paper highlights the importance of the ISCG's existence in this humanitarian context as an effective coordinating institution. The ISCG provides impoartant environmental risk information to partner organizations that benefit the Rohingya's overall physical well‐being. Even though the geographical focus of this paper is on the Rohingya populations in Cox's Bazar, the discussions and findings have important policy implications in other parts of the world facing similar social, environmental, political, and humanitarian challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural differences represent significant trade barriers between transitional economies and their trading partners, which has been overlooked in recent studies. This paper investigates the effect of cultural distance (CD) on bilateral trade from Bangladesh. We conceptualize a research model by employing the extended gravity model as a theoretical base, where we amplify the theory by proposing that linguistic distance (LD) as a part of cultural distance has a profound effect on bilateral trade based on bilateral trade data from 1995 to 2019 and Hofstede's culture indices between Bangladesh and 157 trading partner countries. Using a pseudo‐poisson maximum likelihood model, we find that cultural distance has a significant and negative impact on Bangladesh's trade, with a significance level of 1%. Our empirical results indicate that one unit increase in cultural distance decreases trade by 40.84% and cultural distance has a greater impact on Bangladesh's exports than on its imports. Findings also reveal that the effect is substantial with high‐income nations than with low‐income nations, and for manufacturing products than primary products trade. Further, this study suggests that in addition to cultural distance (CD), linguistic distance (LD) from trading partners has a tantamount effect on bilateral trade, which is significant at 1%. Theoretically, this study suggests that linguistic distance (LD) should be added on gravity model for analyzing effects of cultural distance on bilateral and multilateral trade. Practically, this study contributes by providing valuable insights to policymakers to pay attention to cultural differences, especially during these economic transition periods to increase bilateral trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the relationships between textile wastewater management and its impact on ecosystems and community livelihoods. Using the case of the wastewater management practices of the Bangladesh textile industry and thematic analysis of key informant interviews with industry representatives in the production value chain, the study illustrates perceptions of sustainability transformation regarding wastewater management, specifically by integrating sustainable water and energy practices. The findings reveal the adverse effects of textile wastewater on freshwater resources, such as the obstruction of socio‐economic development and environmental sustainability, and highlight the distinctions between compliant and non‐compliant textile industries regarding sustainability transformation. These results also indicate challenges that hinder the sustainability of textile effluent treatment, including the absence of techno‐ecology, pro‐environmental behaviour, stringent regulations, reliable surveillance, and collaborative actions. Recommendations include improving cooperation among community‐stakeholders and decision‐makers to promote sustainability transformation in textile wastewater management, prioritising water energy resources to advance environmental development, and fulfilling socio‐economic demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at the migration of women from Bangladesh to the Middle East as short‐term migrants, mainly for work in the domestic care sector as domestic workers, housekeepers, nannies, cooks, etc. This group accounts for about 15 per cent of the total short‐term migration cohort. They face particular challenges around not only the precarity of their employment but also in navigating a series of patriarchal norms in both Bangladesh and the destination countries in the Middle East. The paper will build on the work of Deniz Kandiyoti and her seminal work on patriarchal bargains. This paper will explore the challenges women face in migrating to the Middle East: in their decision to migrate, their experiences abroad, and on return and reintegration into Bangladesh society and their home life, and how these are determined by a series of patriarchal bargains both in Bangladesh and the destination country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inequalities in breastfeeding programmes and practices have slowed global progress in providing the life‐saving protection of breastfeeding for millions of infants despite well‐known life‐long impacts. As breastfeeding interventions are scaled up, inequalities in coverage and breastfeeding practices should be tracked, particularly in disadvantaged groups, who are likely to suffer the most serious health and developmental impacts of poor childhood nutrition. The literature provides evidence of inequalities in breastfeeding practices, but research is limited on socioeconomic disparities in the coverage of breastfeeding interventions. This paper (1) compares inequalities in breastfeeding practices in intervention and nonintervention areas and (2) documents inequalities in programme coverage by type of intervention. We disaggregated endline evaluation surveys in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso and Vietnam, where rigorous evaluations had documented significant overall improvements, and analysed whether inequalities in breastfeeding practices and programme coverage differed by treatment areas. We used Erreygers index to quantify inequalities and found that breastfeeding practices were largely pro‐poor; intervention coverage was not consistently pro‐poor. While counselling coverage often favoured women from the poorest quintile, public education/media coverage consistently favoured better‐off women. Inequalities favoured more educated mothers in the coverage of combined interventions. None of the programmes had explicit equality objectives. The results indicate the need for introducing specific actions to reduce inequalities in breastfeeding policies and programmes. This is a priority unfinished agenda for nutrition programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overlapping borrowing – i.e., the practice of taking new loans before old loans have been fully repaid – has become an important phenomenon in the microcredit sector in many developing countries, including Bangladesh. This paper examines the rationale for overlapping and investigates its short‐term and long‐term consequences by using a panel data set that is representative of Bangladesh as a whole. The study finds that it is useful to distinguish between two broad groups of overlapping borrowers who differ in terms of both the rationale of overlapping and its consequences. The first group – consisting of more than half of all overlapping borrowers – uses it as a promotional strategy, to improve their economic conditions without incurring a sharp discrete jump in debt burden. The other group uses it as a coping strategy, to deal with contingencies that compel them to take loans of a non‐productive nature, again by avoiding a sharp discrete jump in the debt burden. Econometric analysis, allowing for the possibility of endogeneity bias, shows that the first group is able to achieve stronger financial viability in the long run in comparison with non‐overlapping microcredit borrowers. The second group, in contrast, does not enjoy any significant improvement in their living conditions, but they are able to stave off any decline that otherwise might have befallen them in the face of shocks. Thus, both groups succeed in their respective goals, which are promotion for the first group and protection for the second. Microcredit has always had this duality of promotion and protection; overlapping borrowing serves to strengthen these functions of microcredit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This feminist research explores how superstition is used by in‐law's family to subordinate women business‐owners in a highly patriarchal developing context. Whereas the exploration of gender subordination regarding women's entrepreneurship is almost exclusively confined to developed nations, little is known regarding the way women are subjugated in managing their small businesses in a patriarchal developing nation. This research generates data by conducting a case study on a woman's business in Bangladesh. This study yields unique insights by unfolding a specific form of superstition that attempts to restrain a woman from continuing her small business. The paper reveals that the male relative caused a severe adverse impact on the personal life and business of the woman by employing superstition. With particular reference to superstition, this feminist study substantially extends the theoretical understanding of gender subordination within the context of small businesses of women in a highly patriarchal developing nation. The research strongly suggests policymakers to consider familial issues of women business‐owners in designing programmes to empower them effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in examining climate change adaptation has arisen in many disciplines in the past two decades; however to date, sociologists have given only sparse attention to the issue. This is both a missed opportunity for sociologists and a detriment to the study of adaptation. In this paper, we set out the following research agenda: bringing core concerns of sociology into the critically important conversation of how society will respond to climate change. We identify five broad themes in which sociologists can begin their work on adaptation: (1) structures and resource access, (2) social cohesion and future planning, (3) constraints of social stratifications, (4) power and agency in decision‐making, and (5) justice in process and outcomes. After summarizing existing sociological work on adaptation and detailing our research agenda, we draw examples from our own work in Bangladesh to illustrate how this agenda might be taken up. In doing so, we point to several places where sociological insights come into play in questions related to development, organizations, expertise, migration, gender, and labor. We believe a robust sociological analysis can produce a clarified, reparative, and just conceptualization of adaptation that will contribute to the growing global discourse on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines corporate governance's influence on corporate Sustainability in South Asian firms. Recent developments in social injustice, environmental issues and economic turmoil in South Asian countries have motivated the authors. The study used the GMM unbalanced panel data estimation on top South Asian listed firms. The time‐period of the sample taken is of ten years (2012–2022). This study reveals that among South Asian nations, companies listed in the Indian and Bangladesh stock markets have a high percentage of sustainability disclosure reporting. The study's findings show that Board size, independence, and qualification positively impact environmental sustainability reporting performance. In contrast, CEO Duality significantly negatively influences social, environmental, and economic sustainability. The study has implications for the companies and policymakers of South Asian countries and encouraged the firms to restructure the board to enhance its effectiveness to monitor better and support all aspects of corporate sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates international monetary spillovers to stock prices in Bangladesh, a frontier market that has been excluded from prior studies in the literature. Using daily stock price data for over 300 publicly traded firms in a high‐frequency event study framework, we find that contractionary monetary shocks originating from the US, euro area, and China lower stock prices, with Chinese monetary shocks having the largest impact. Contractionary shocks originating from India, on the other hand, lead to a statistically significant increase in stock returns. The positive response is driven by a small number of policy decisions. When these outlier decisions are removed from the sample, contractionary Indian monetary shocks lead to a decline in stock prices in line with spillovers from the other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, with low‐income countries being disproportionately impacted. However, these countries often face market frictions that hinder their ability to adopt effective adaptation strategies. In this paper, I explore the role of credit market failures in limiting adaptation. To achieve this, I collaborate with a large microfinance institution and offer a randomly selected group of farmers access to guaranteed credit through an "Emergency Loan" following a negative climate shock. I document three key results. First, farmers who have access to the emergency loan make less costly adaptation choices and are less severely affected when a flood occurs. Second, I find no evidence of adverse spillover effects on households that did not receive the Emergency Loan. Finally, I demonstrate that providing the Emergency Loan is profitable for the microfinance institution, making it a viable tool for the private sector to employ in similar circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the factors affecting the labour allocation decisions of rice‐producing households in Bangladesh. A farm‐household model has been used to explore the household decision‐making mechanism. We use a primary questionnaire survey, and a Generalised Ordered Logit model is used to identify the factors affecting the sample households' likelihood of choosing different labour regimes, assuming hiring‐in is the top ordered alternative, followed by self‐cultivator and smallholders. Results show that one more year of schooling of the household head increases the likelihood of choosing the hiring‐in category against the lower‐ordered choices by 25 per cent. Having more cultivated land substantially improves the propensity of a household to hire labour versus selling labour or self‐cultivation (odds ratio 11.68). If a household lives a kilometre further from the Upazila headquarter, it is 11 per cent more likely to hire labour than being either a smallholder or self‐cultivator, which might be a result of the larger availability of labour in those areas. Additionally, an increase in the number of visits by agricultural extension officers reduces the household's likelihood of hiring labour by almost 21 per cent while making the households more likely to be self‐cultivators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relatively little is known about micro‐ and macro‐level determinants of mobile phone ubiquitous system (MbUS) adoption by the manufacturing industry, such as is the case with the ready‐made garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh. This research closes this gap, by presenting the adoption factors of MbUS in RMGs through applying the Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory and technology, organization, environment framework, to explore individual, technological, organizational, and environmental determinants of MbUS adoption. The study also reports on critical country level‐factors, organizational success factors and obstacles in MbUS adoption in RMGs. A qualitative method using interviews with the ready‐made garment (RMG) factory owners, managers, employees, and IT experts, suggests technological readiness, easily understandable MbUS technology, RMG capability, government intervention, and a supportive regulatory environment, were found to be macro‐level determinants of successful MbUS adoption. A survey was also conducted to explore the micro‐level customer‐centric factors, which found the relative advantages of MbUS, cost, the age of user's (p < 0.000), and influence on intention to use MbUS. This paper also identifies MbUS as a technical solution for time‐critical information in RMGs, the competitive environment of RMGs, empowerment opportunities and countrywide demands to improve the RMG situation, are important adoption factors of MbUS rarely identified in prior literature. The findings will be of value to RMGs, government, and MbUS developers, to accelerate development of MbUS in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the findings have implications for other developing countries by improving the capacity of RMGs, while realizing their own development goals through mobile technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Antibiotic misuse represent a significant global health challenge, with medical students positioned as key figures in promoting responsible antibiotic usage. This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic use among medical students in Bangladesh, aiming to identify areas for targeted educational and policy interventions. Methods: This cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 501 medical students across various years of study in Bangladesh, collecting data over a 3‐month period. The survey assessed antibiotic knowledge, usage practices, and attitudes towards misuse, employing descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses to explore associations between students' demographic characteristics and their KAP towards antibiotics. Significance was assigned at p‐value < 0.05. Results: In our study involving 501 medical students from four medical colleges in Bangladesh, we achieved a 76% response rate. Among the participants, 78.24% correctly identified antibiotics' effectiveness against bacterial infections, but 45.71% were uncertain about their efficacy against viral infections. Notably, 21.20% reported self‐prescribing antibiotics, predominantly sourced from physician prescriptions (54.89%). The most common reason for antibiotic use was fever (19.02%). Senior students were less likely to have good knowledge compared to junior students, and urban students demonstrated a higher likelihood of good knowledge and positive attitude towards antibiotic resistance. Conclusion: This study highlights the critical need for educational reforms and antimicrobial stewardship among medical students in Bangladesh to combat antibiotic misuse and mitigate antimicrobial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Bangladesh has made significant progress in declining maternal mortality in recent decades. However, the available evidence on the various maternal mental disorders in the country has not been comprehensively and critically reviewed to date. This narrative review aimed to assess the mental disorders and associated factors during pregnancy and postpartum in Bangladesh. Methods: A thorough search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Google, Google Scholar, and BanglaJOL with search terms at the end of January 2024 to identify the original articles published on psychiatric morbidities during pregnancy and postpartum. Results: This review included 28 empirical studies published between 2007 and 2023 with a sample size ranging from 100 to 39,434. Two studies were published before 2010, 16 studies were published between 2011 and 2020, and 10 studies were published between 2021 and 2023. No countrywide study was noted, the Bangla Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS‐B) was used in 57% of studies, suicidal behavior was assessed in three studies, postpartum depression (PPD) was featured in 16 studies, and three qualitative studies were noted. The prevalence of PPD ranged from 9% to 51.7%. About 46% of mothers had positive scores for common mental disorders. The prevalence of mental disorders was 14.2%; among them mood disorders were present at 6.1% and psychoses were noted at 4.5%. Conclusions: There are wide variations in the prevalence of maternal mental disorders in Bangladesh from study to study; a lower prevalence was noted when diagnostic tools were used even though no nationwide study with confirmatory diagnostic tools was noted. Studies with nationwide distribution and diagnostic tools are warranted to understand the problem precisely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression, anxiety, and stress are the commonly encountered mental health conditions among medical students. Overseas environment may add additional burden to the existing environment. However, comparison of the rate and associated factors of depression, anxiety, stress among domestic and overseas students has not been attempted in Bangladesh. We aimed to assess the rate and associated factors of depression, anxiety, stress among domestic and overseas medical students in the country. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted among 360 undergraduate medical students in 2021. Data were collected by self‐reporting instruments by a stratified random sampling method by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale‐21 scale. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were done by computing crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval to identify the associated factors. Results: Among the 360 undergraduate medical students, 181 were domestic and 179 overseas ones. 44.8% of domestic students reported depressive symptoms, 45.3% reported anxiety symptoms, and 33.1% reported stress. On the other hand, half of overseas students experienced depression (50.3%) and anxiety (52.5%), and 41.3% experienced stress. Female medical students were found vulnerable for developing depression, anxiety, and stress than males. Conclusions: The study revealed higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among overseas undergraduate medical students enrolled in a private medical school of Bangladesh. Private medical college authorities could consider special services for overseas students to ensure adequate psychosocial support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the motivating factors behind the formalization of small informal enterprises in Bangladesh, an emerging economy, employing the lens of institutional theory. It emphasizes how regulatory structures, normative pressures, and cognitive understandings shape the decisions of SME owners in emerging economies like Bangladesh. A significant portion of small enterprises in Bangladesh remain informal, leading to concerns over economic development, productivity, and efficiency. Informal enterprises often face challenges such as limited access to finance, market entry barriers, and regulatory hurdles. Recognizing the need for formalization, this research aims to understand the drivers behind this transition. A questionnaire survey of 304 informal enterprises reveals that streamlined regulatory systems, particularly one‐stop solutions and simplified registration processes, are primary motivators for formalization. Additionally, flexible collateral requirements for financing and lower levels of technological adoption also significantly influence this transition. These findings contribute to the academic discourse on informal businesses in emerging economies and provide key policy implications for fostering formalization through targeted strategies and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain (BCn) revolution across the world leads the global transformation by altering the existing structure and introducing the accessible and decentralized paradigm. This technology facilitates access to resources and redefines conventional frameworks, empowering people and communities globally. Motivated by these attention‐seeking potentiality of BCn features, in this article, we examine the challenges, advancements, and emerging prospects of the BCn revolution in Bangladesh. With a specific focus on BCn implications for sustainability and smart development, this study addresses the urgent need to understand how BCn can facilitate sustainable development in rapidly evolving countries like Bangladesh. The goal of this research is to draw attention to the successful revolution of BCn in the world and use this knowledge to extract best practices and cutting‐edge strategies for sustainable transformation of Bangladesh. The contribution of this study covers the underlying concepts of the BCn technology, showing the revolutionary state of BCn across the world, applications of BCn for sustainability, assessment of its current usage, and highlighting the BCn implementation problems. Furthermore, this study serves as a gateway to a transparent, decentralized future that fosters inclusive national progress and aligns with sustainable development goals. This study also strives to inspire individuals to use this transformational technology for the collective benefit of society by highlighting BCn's potential to empower communities while driving positive change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In an increasingly digital age, students rely heavily on web resources to access health information. However, evaluating the reliability and relevance of such information is crucial for informed decision‐making. This study examines the importance of students' health information literacy skills (HILS) as mediators, particularly their ability to utilize web resources and successfully evaluate health information. Objectives: This research investigates the mediating role of students' HILS in the relationship between their utilization of web resources and their proficiency in evaluating health information. Method: An online survey was distributed to current students at a public university in Bangladesh as part of the data collection process for this study. Using Google Forms, the authors created a structured questionnaire. The survey was distributed through Messenger groups, Facebook pages and email invitations to reach the target audience effectively. The researchers thoroughly analysed the gathered data using structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques and SmartPLS‐4 software to look for correlations between the variables. Result: The study revealed that among the 122 participants, a significant number (N = 47) accessed internet health information on an occasional basis, whereas 30 individuals reported using it infrequently. The data revealed that 58 individuals, accounting for 47.5% of the sample, possessed the necessary abilities to access and assess online health information. Additionally, 57 participants, representing 46.7% of the sample, demonstrated proficiency in conducting online health information searches. The measurement model demonstrated good convergent validity, as evidenced by composite reliability (CR) scores and Cronbach's ⍺ values over 0.700 and an average extracted variance (AVE) of 0.500. The structural model demonstrated R2 values exceeding 0.1, thus validating its dependable forecasting capability. Notable effects were seen, with f2 values of 0.335 and 0.317 for the challenges in accessing and evaluating health information (CAEHI) to health information evaluation (HIE) and CAEHI to HILS relationships, respectively. The mediation analysis found that HILS act as a mediator between types of web resources (TWRs) and HIE, with TWR having an indirect impact on HIE through HILS. Discussion: The result supports all hypotheses. Therefore, it is evident that students' HILS mediate the relationship between utilization of web resources and their proficiency in evaluating health information. Conclusion: This study's findings could significantly impact instructional practices meant to raise students' health information literacy. This initiative seeks to enable students to make informed decisions about their health by providing them with the necessary tools to analyse and evaluate health‐related information. Patient or Public Contribution: Research on health information literacy can assist patients and the general public by instructing them on how to assess trustworthy online health resources. Students gave insightful feedback that assisted in shaping the study and guaranteeing its relevancy. If they better comprehend health information literacy, patients and the general public can use web‐based resources and critically evaluate health information more accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat contributes one‐fifth of the global food supply with an estimated 29% of global production in low and lower‐middle income countries. As production expands across southern Asia, yields are often negatively impacted by outbreaks of fungal rust diseases. A wheat rust early warning and advisory system comprising surveillance, near real‐time disease risk forecasts and advisory dissemination has been established in two target countries in South Asia, including Nepal and Bangladesh. However, as wheat rust spores can be aerially transmitted over long distances, near real‐time estimates of disease incidence are required from sources of infection in neighbouring regions. To address this challenge, we developed and tested a novel algorithm to generate proxy observations of infection sources using online media reports in two neighbouring countries, India and Pakistan. Media sampling could provide an effective alternative where data from ground surveys are not readily available in near real‐time. Our results show that west Nepal was exposed to a substantial inoculum pressure from aerially dispersed stripe rust spores originating from India and Pakistan. There were no outbreaks of stripe rust disease in Bangladesh with only very low levels of cross‐border dispersion and generally unfavourable environmental conditions for infection. We further describe how proxy observations informed farmer decision‐making in near real‐time in Nepal and filled a knowledge gap in identifying early sources of infection for a major outbreak of stripe rust during 2020 in Nepal. Our results highlight the importance of international cooperation in mitigating transboundary plant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The emergence of the COVID‐19 pandemic led to the adoption of telework modalities by individuals in Bangladesh. The study's objective was to determine the job satisfaction and performance level of employed Bangladeshi women working from home during the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted among women employees of different professions in Dhaka city. The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) was used to measure job satisfaction. Work arrangement satisfaction and self‐reported performance were measured by two separate subscales which contain five items each. Responses from 118 employed women were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi‐square tests, Independent t‐tests, one‐way analysis of variance, and Pearson Correlation tests through the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), version 26. Results: The findings indicated that 51.7% of women reported a high degree of satisfaction on the MSQ scale; 61.9% expressed high satisfaction with their work arrangements at home and 66.9% reported a high level of performance. Job satisfaction was significantly associated with the number of children and the number of family members. A positive association was found between job satisfaction and total working experience and work arrangements. Work performance was strongly associated with higher educational qualifications. A statistically significant association between job satisfaction and performance was revealed. Conclusions: The findings from this study indicated a high degree of job satisfaction and a high level of performance found in women employees who worked from home during the COVID‐19 pandemic. These findings encourage organizations to foster more policies for telework alternatives for employed women to help them keep a balance between work responsibilities and household chores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Given the significance of addressing neonatal mortality in pursuing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal on child health, research focus on this area is crucial. Despite the persistent high rates of neonatal mortality rate (NMR) in Bangladesh, there remains a notable lack of robust evidence addressing inequalities in NMR in the country. Therefore, this study aims to fill the knowledge gap by comprehensively investigating inequalities in NMR in Bangladesh. Methods: The Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) data from 2000 to 2017 were analyzed. The equity stratifiers used to measure the inequalities were wealth status, mother's education, place of residence, and subnational region. Difference (D) and population attributable fraction (PAF) were absolute measures, whereas population attributable risk (PAR) and ratio (R) were relative measures of inequality. Statistical significance was considered by estimating 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each estimate. Results: A declining trend in NMR was found in Bangladesh, from 50.2 in 2000 to 31.9 deaths per 1000 live births in 2017. This study detected significant wealth‐driven (PAF: −20.6, 95% CI: −24.9, −16.3; PAR: −6.6, 95% CI: −7.9, −5.2), education‐related (PAF: −11.6, 95% CI: −13.4, −9.7; PAR: −3.7, 95% CI: −4.3, −3.1), and regional (PAF: −20.6, 95% CI: −27.0, −14.3; PAR: −6.6, 95% CI: −8.6, −4.6) disparities in NMR in all survey points. We also found a significant urban–rural inequality from 2000 to 2014, except in 2017. Both absolute and relative inequalities in NMR were observed; however, these inequalities decreased over time. Conclusion: Significant variations in NMR across subgroups in Bangladesh highlight the need for comprehensive, and targeted interventions. Empowering women through improved access to economic resources and education may help address disparities in NMR in Bangladesh. Future research and policies should focus on developing strategies to address these disparities and promote equitable health outcomes for all newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Effective communication skill of physicians is an important component of high‐quality healthcare delivery and safe patient care. Communication is embedded in the social and cultural contexts where it takes place. An understanding of medical students' attitudes and learning communication skills would help to design and deliver culturally appropriate medical education. The Communication Skills Attitude Scale (CSAS) is a widely used and validated tool to measure the attitude of medical students toward learning communication skills in different populations, settings, and countries. However, there is no culturally adapted and validated scale in Bangla in the Bangladesh context. This study aims to culturally adapt the CSAS into Bangla, and validate it in a cohort of medical students in Bangladesh. Methods: This study used a cross‐sectional survey design to collect data from purposively selected 566 undergraduate medical students from the Rajshahi division. The survey was conducted from January to December 2023. Descriptive statistics like frequency distribution and measures of central tendency were used to measure perception regarding communication skills. The sample adequacy was measured through the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin test. The internal consistency of the items was identified using Cronbach's alpha (α) coefficients. Result: The results of the study show that the Bangla version of the scale is feasible, valid, and internally consistent in the context of a developing country, Bangladesh. The overall internal consistency of the Bangla version is good since the value of Cronbach's alpha (α) is 0.882. For PAS, the internal consistency is 0.933. While, for NAS, the value is 0.719. The item‐wise average scores in the PAS indicate that female medical students are more willing to learn communication skills compared with male students (α = 0.933). While, the scores in the NAS indicate that the male students tend to have more negative attitude toward learning communication skills compared with female students (α = 0.719). Conclusion: The CSAS‐Bangla is a valid and reliable tool for assessing communication skill attitudes among Bangla speaking medical students. This scale can be used in future studies to measure the attitude of students, designing and evaluating communication skills training programs in medical colleges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Regulations response to COVID‐19 has increased internet addiction (IA), depression, and pornography addiction (PA) among adolescents worldwide. The objective of this nationwide study was to assess the current prevalence rate of IA, depression, and PA after the post‐COVID‐19 period among school‐going adolescents in Bangladesh. Methods: A total of 8832 male and female adolescents participated in this research. The cross‐sectional study was conducted online using a simple random sampling method. Including the sociodemographic variables, Young's IA Test (IAT‐20) Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9), and Pornography Craving Questionnaire (PCQ‐12) were used to measure IA, depression, and PA. By SPSS version 25.0, the prevalence and correlation between IA, depression, and PA were analyzed using the Chi‐square test, binary logistic regression, and a bivariate co‐relation matrix. Results: Sixty‐three percent, 76.6%, and 62.9% of the students were suffering from IA, depression, and PA respectively. Depressive and anxious symptoms were significantly associated with IA. Female students were more depressed than males. Males were more addicted to pornography than females. Students who utilized social media but didn't exercise had greater depression and PA. IA, depression, and PA were correlated. Conclusion: The research emphasizes the need for comprehensive mental health treatments, digital literacy programs, and family and teacher participation to reduce IA, depression, and PA among adolescents post‐COVID‐19. Promotion of physical exercise and supporting policies to build safer online settings for adolescents are also encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aspires to identify the factors conditioning the adaptation of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) within the manufacturing industries in Bangladesh, embracing Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technology led by the technology‐organizational‐environment (TOE) framework that links a number of conditioning variables in the manufacturing industries of Bangladesh. I4.0 is going to drastically change the landscape of the extended TOE framework to relate demographics with research variables for implementing I4.0 technology in a developing country. The findings of the study are analyzed using SMART PLS SEM 4.0 and SPSS 29 in order to diagnose technological contexts (IT resource availability, technology readiness, and relative advantage), organizational contexts (strategy and leadership, organizational capabilities, and technology infrastructure), and environmental contexts (market pressure, government support, and technology innovation decision making). The study's data, which were collected with a bootstrap confidence range of 95%, offered evidence in favor of both proposed mediating effects. A statistically significant indirect effect of adaptation of I4.0 technology on manufacturing/industry performance was seen in the analysis. This study is conducted to examine the mediating function of manufacturing performance, which enhances the comprehensiveness of the study. Through the application of the TOE framework, this study investigates the impact of I4.0 technology adoption on manufacturing performance. The theoretical framework of the study has been validated by the TOE model, which aims to heighten manufacturing performance by integrating I4.0. The practical implications of this study, organizations, governments, and practitioners engaged in the implementation of I4.0 technologies within developing nation contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroforestry systems have grown significantly in popularity in Bangladesh during recent years due to their favorable effects on the environment and human health. These systems are essential for supporting sustainable agriculture because they increase diversity, improve food security, and provide revenue. This study's main objective is to show how agroforestry is a widely used ecological and climate‐resilient practice in Bangladesh. The research explores investment analysis, adoption‐influencing factors, and a strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of agroforestry practices. A total of 340 respondents were chosen for this extensive study using a multistage random selection technique. The results showed a discrepancy in practice, with farmers exhibiting a high degree of awareness but limited application. Financial analysis employing metrics such as benefit‐cost ratio, net present value, and internal rate of return favored agroforestry, indicating its economic viability and potential benefits for adopters. Additionally, the adoption of agroforestry was found to be significantly influenced by a binary logistic regression model that highlighted several important features, including larger farm sizes, younger age groups, greater education levels, training experiences, frequent extension visits, and enhanced market access. The study also identified barriers to adoption, such as a lack of trained labor, poor technical assistance, and education. This thorough analysis clarifies the opportunities and constraints for agroforestry implementation in Bangladesh. It suggests broad adoption by means of focused training initiatives that empower farmers, provide observable advantages, and promote nationwide acceptance. Core Ideas: This study explores how agroforestry is a widely used ecological and climate‐resilient practice in Bangladesh.Important features such as age, education, farm size, and training as key factors for agroforestry are highlighted.Barriers of agroforestry, such as a lack of trained labor, poor technical assistance, and so on are identified.This study suggests broad adoption by means of focused training initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite being preventable, cervical cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among Bangladeshi women. This article addresses the trends in Bangladesh's response to the World Health Organization's (WHO) request for the eradication of cervical cancer within the nation. Discussion: When it comes to cervical cancer, healthcare institutions need to be concerned in terms of protocols for diagnosis and treatment, staff education, and available resources. More than a quarter of all female cancers in Bangladesh are caused by cervical cancer, which can be prevented through better healthcare infrastructure, earlier diagnosis, more qualified healthcare professionals, improved urban and rural hospital infrastructure, community‐based clinics, expanded affordable vaccinations, school‐based delivery systems, adoption of single‐dose vaccine schedules, raising awareness, and compiling a registry of previously affected results. WHO applauds Bangladesh's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for its efforts to develop the National Strategy for cervical cancer prevention and control, which will guide and strengthen the country's activities to prevent and treat cervical cancer. Conclusion: The endeavor to eradicate this global disease burden should not be limited to Bangladesh; all nations should participate collectively to prevent the malignancy from returning and threatening human civilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epidemics of the dengue virus can trigger widespread morbidity and mortality along with no specific treatment. Examining the spatial autocorrelation and variability of dengue prevalence throughout Bangladesh's 64 districts was the focus of this study. Methods: The spatial autocorrelation is evaluated with the help of Moran I $I$ and Geary C $C$. Local Moran I $I$ was used to detect hotspots and cold spots, whereas local Getis Ord G was used to identify only spatial hotspots. The spatial heterogeneity has been detected using various conventional and spatial models, including the Poisson‐Gamma model, the Poisson‐Lognormal Model, the Conditional Autoregressive (CAR) model, the Convolution model, and the BYM2 model, respectively. These models are implemented using Gibbs sampling and other Bayesian hierarchical approaches to analyze the posterior distribution effectively, enabling inference within a Bayesian context. Results: The study's findings show that Moran I $I$and Geary C $C$analysis provides a substantial clustering pattern of positive spatial autocorrelation of dengue fever (DF) rates between surrounding districts at a 90% confidence interval. The Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation cluster mapped spatial clusters and outliers based on prevalence rates, while the local Getis‐Ord G displayed a thorough breakdown of high or low rates, omitting outliers. Although Chattogram had the most dengue cases (15,752), Khulna district had a higher prevalence rate (133.636) than Chattogram (104.796). The BYM2 model, determined to be well‐fitted based on the lowest Deviance Information Criterion value (527.340), explains a significant association between spatial heterogeneity and prevalence rates. Conclusion: This research pinpoints the district with the highest prevalence rate for dengue and the neighboring districts that also have high risk, allowing government agencies and communities to take the necessary precautions to mollify the risk effect of DF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice genetic diversity is regulated by multiple genes and is largely dependent on various environmental factors. Uncovering the genetic variations associated with the diversity in rice populations is the key to breed stable and high yielding rice varieties. We performed genome wide association studies (GWASs) on seven rice yielding traits (grain length, grain width, grain weight, panicle length, leaf length, leaf width, and leaf angle) based on a population of 183 rice landraces of Bangladesh. Our GWASs reveal various chromosomal regions and candidate genes that are associated with different traits in Bangladeshi rice varieties. Noteworthy was the recurrent implication of chromosome 10 in all three grain‐shape‐related traits (grain length, grain width, and grain weight), indicating its pivotal role in shaping rice grain morphology. Our study also underscores the involvement of transposon gene families across these three traits. For leaf related traits, chromosome 10 was found to harbor regions that are significantly associated with leaf length and leaf width. The results of these association studies support previous findings as well as provide additional insights into the genetic diversity of rice. This is the first known GWAS study on various yield‐related traits in the varieties of Oryza sativa available in Bangladesh—the fourth largest rice‐producing country. We believe this study will accelerate rice genetics research and breeding stable high‐yielding rice in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing literature on women's empowerment (aligned with SDG 5) overlooks the diverse experiences and obstacles faced by women from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This lack of intersectionality within women's empowerment studies hinders our understanding of the unique challenges encountered by marginalized women and limits the effectiveness of policies and interventions aimed at fostering their empowerment. To address this gap, this study delves into the challenges and processes of empowering women in Bangladesh. Qualitative data were gathered through semi‐structured interviews with 12 working women. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data revealed that women face numerous challenges, including lack of education, family support, and economic freedom, as well as complicated processes to access government support and adapt to technological changes. Furthermore, the study identified several potential processes for empowering women, including free education, and training, government support, awareness development, technological support, and mentorship. The study concludes with discussions, policy implications, limitations, and future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industry of Islamic banking and finance (IBF) has undergone rapid expansion over the past forty years. However, it's imperative that this sector continues to evolve—making sure it aligns with contemporary market trends while staying abreast with modern financial practices. With financial offerings becoming more complex than ever before, adhering closely to shari'ah principles certainly poses a newer level of daunting challenges that need urgent attention in this burgeoning field. Moreover, the infamous products and current shari'ah governance of Islamic banks have been widely debated following the publication of an article titled "Terrible November for Islamic banks" in a reputable newspaper, Prothom Alo, 2022. In order to bridge the gap this study investigates drivers, enablers, and inhibitors of shari'ah‐compliant products and the successful implementation of shari'ah governance for sustainable Islamic banks in Bangladesh. The qualitative data have been collected through in‐depth personal interviews and focus group discussions with 41 well‐known scholars. The analysis shows shari'ah board and research division are required to collaborate to develop shari'ah‐compliant products as outlined in the Qur'an and Hadith. Additionally, a strong legislative framework for shari'ah‐compliant product development and shari'ah governance is essential to promote a sustainable Islamic banking industry. Good shari'ah governance and compliance in a banking institution are significantly dependent on the good intentions of its board members and operational managers. The study offers a legal framework and core value‐based banking that develops unique and fully shari'ah‐compliant products to uphold sustainable development goals (SDGs). Important policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of antibiotic‐resistant pathogens in food is a serious public health concern nowadays. This study focuses on the isolation and characterization of potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli and antimicrobial‐resistant pathogens in chicken curry and potato smash samples collected from the canteens and cafeteria of Dhaka University in Bangladesh. Isolates were identified by their cultural, morphological, and biochemical tests (motility indole urease test, Kliger's iron agar test, catalase test, oxidase test, methyl red and Voges‐Proskauer tests). The antibiotic susceptibility test was done by the disk diffusion method. The range of total bacterial count in the potato smash and chicken curry samples was from 1.4 × 104 to 1.6 × 108 CFU/g and from 2.4 × 103 to 2.6 × 106 CFU/g, respectively. Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Vibrio, Klebsiella, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Proteus, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Micrococcus, Bacillus, and Sarcina strains were isolated in both samples. Isolates were highly resistant to ampicillin (90.90%) followed by colistin (52.27%), azithromycin (27.27%), and tetracycline 25%. Proteus species had the highest rate of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR; 62.5%), followed by Citrobacter species (50%). The isolated E. coli strains were further analyzed through PCR assay to detect virulent genes (EPEC: eaeA 229 bp, bfpA 450 bp, ETEC elt 322 bp, EHEC hylA 534 bp, and EIEC ial 320 bp). One E. coli isolate had the eaeA target gene under EPEC pathotypes. Escherichia coli, as a fecal indicator, may indicate fecal contamination or poor and unhygienic food handling. The findings recommend further investigations to identify potential mechanisms of contamination and preventive measures to improve the food safety level in the canteens and restaurants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In context, the dengue virus causes dengue fever, which is spread by mosquito bites. About 22,000 people every year lose their lives as a direct result of it. Dengue fever has been on the rise recently, and its spread has alarmed health officials throughout the world. Discussion: Vaccination is essential for the prevention and management of dengue cases because there is currently no particular cure against dengue virus. The current dengue epidemic calls for urgent action in the form of immunization. However, there are serious drawbacks to using existing vaccines like Dengvaxia. Besides, the Qdenga vaccine has not yet been approved by the FDA in the United States. On the other hand, positive results from a phase II randomized and controlled clinical study of the TV005 tetravalent live‐attenuated dengue vaccine were recently reported in Bangladesh. Only an effective vaccination can drastically lower dengue infection and mortality rates. Conclusion: The development of safe and effective vaccination, as well as their correct dissemination, is an essential requirement for the people of Bangladesh and the rest of the globe, and we concentrated on this critical problem in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being a deltaic country and for its geographic location, Bangladesh faces devastating damages every year. In a new global index, Bangladesh has been ranked 7th among the countries most affected by extreme weather events in 20 years since 1998. The ability of a community to recover from a disaster is very much associated with strong social connections. For this research, both secondary and primary data sources have been considered. Socio‐demographic characteristics have been identified from a community‐based general questionnaire and BBS. Also, a newly developed integrated method has been used to measure the social capital of the community. Several statistical methods were used to analyse the data, such as factor analysis (PCA), ROC curve analysis and several GIS techniques, throughout the research. Results show that significant socio‐demographic variables help to develop a specific type of social capital. Consequently, social capital indirectly works as a key for recovering from any disaster impact and could build resilience to hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary diversity is an indicator of nutrition that has been found positively associated with diet quality, micronutrient adequacy, and improved maternal health and child growth. Due to the cultural responsibility of women in providing food at the household level, their status is very important to perform this role. Hence, this study has been conducted on the status of dietary diversity of the mother and child to understand how it relates to various factors of women in urban settings. Data were obtained from 1978 mother–child pairs living in different cities in Bangladesh. The foods taken by the women and children were categorized into 10 and 7 groups to measure women's dietary diversity (WDD) and children's dietary diversity (CDD), respectively. The study found that more than three‐fourths of the mothers and half of the children had low dietary diversity. The household wealth holdings and access to resources by the women were found inadequate, while two‐thirds of them had the lowest to medium level of nutritional knowledge. The binomial logistic regression model was used to measure the factors influencing WDD and CDD. The findings also indicated that children's dietary diversity was influenced by the mother's age, education, supportive attitude and behavior of husband, and access to and control over resources. While the household wealth index can enhance both child and mother's dietary variety, nutrition knowledge, dietary counseling, and access to and control over resources can improve maternal dietary diversity. This study recommends improving women's socioeconomic status by increasing their wealth and access to resources and enhancing their nutrition knowledge by providing food and nutrition counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, Bangladesh has seen significant environmental degradation and the loss of its GDP, which has had a detrimental effect on public health, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, industrial development, and environmental services. The unusually high temperatures, humidity, and unpredicted rainfall gave rise to disease like dengue and affecting peoples mental health. However, the government, as well as public and private groups, are undertaking some phenomenal efforts to help reduce environmental degradation and raise the number of green footprints. The objective of this article is to examine the green initiatives, strategies, and policies of Bangladeshi organizations in enhancing green footprints in the socio‐economic spaces, through comprehensive content analysis of various newspapers, journal articles, government reports, and company annual reports. The aim of this article is to trace out the evidences of change in the socio‐economic fabric of the society. The primary focus of the article on the environment friendly business activities, which eventually bring social changes. The article found that green HRM, green business, MFS, green corporate culture is increasingly been seen in the society, which indicate silent changes. Bangladesh has put regulations and programs into place to lessen carbon emissions and safeguard sensitive coastal areas. It is noteworthy for demonstrating a strong dedication to improving sustainable development and environmental preservation. Many organizations in Bangladesh have also received the prestigious Asia's Corporate Excellence and Sustainability Awards for their outstanding zeal to ensure positive environmental changes in the society. Moreover, large proportion of Bangladesh's energy mix comes from renewable energy sources, leading to the installed renewable energy capacity of 579 MW. Additionally, the government has announced plans on replacing traditional transport methods with electric or hybrid vehicles. Bangladesh has further solidified its position as the global leader in green garments factories, as the country has 176 such facilities that have received the USGBC's LEED accreditation. The article placed a strong emphasis on particular policy proposals, including the adoption of the circular economy, the digital economy, sustainable finance, car‐sharing systems, renewable energy sources in manufacturing and workplaces, and environmentally friendly practices in both public and private organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]