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Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) is crucial for mothers as well as children’s health, and also has the potential to prevent neonatal mortality. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with EIBF among mothers in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2019, based on a sample of 422 mothers of children aged under 6 months. Data were collected by in-person interviews from a hospital’s outdoor through a structured questionnaire consisted of demographic, reproductive, and healthcare utilization information. Association between variables was assessed by multiple logistic regression. The prevalence of EIBF among mothers was 48.3% [95% CI: 43.4–53.3]. Multiple logistic regression showed that being a housewife, having family income of > 10,000 BDT (Bangladeshi currency) per month, mothers education level, being multiparous, normal delivery, ANC (antenatal care) visits for ≥ 3 times, counseling prior to conception, and skin-to-skin contact after delivery significantly increased the likelihood of EIBF among mothers. Besides, mothers who gave birth to low-weight babies and provided pre-lacteal feeds to them were negatively associated with EIBF. EIBF has improved in Bangladesh during MDG era, but progress still remains slower. Key modifiable factors such as maternal education, normal delivery, ANC visits, skin-to-skin contact, and pre-lacteal feeding need to be improved to enhance the EIBF for reducing child malnutrition and mortality.

Diarrhea is a leading cause of death among under five children in developing countries. The burden of child diarrhea in Bangladesh is still significant. Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) can limit the events. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of WASH education of mothers or caregivers on child diarrhea. A community-based randomized control trial was conducted in the selected households of a rural community in Dumki Upazila, Patuakhali from March–June 2019. A total of 202 mothers/caregivers received intervention and 202 did not receive intervention. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to gather information on household WASH activities and diarrheal cases. Baseline data were collected first from the intervention group before providing education. WASH messages were given to the intervention group by face-to-face discussion. Both groups were followed up for diarrheal episodes for 3 months. Diarrheal prevalence of intervening group is compared with that of baseline and control. The results revealed that diarrheal prevalence was 11.4% (95% CI: 7.4–16.59%), 4.0% (95% CI: 1.7–7.65%), and 14.9% (95% CI: 10.25–20.52%) in baseline, intervention, and control group, respectively. Also, diarrhea was found lower in the intervention group than baseline (Z = − 2.524; P value = 0.012) and control (Z = − 1.85; P value = 0.04). WASH interventions were found effective to reduce the diarrheal episodes among under five children in rural community. Further investigation is necessary to assess the long-term effect of such intervention in other similar settings.

Healthcare-related expenditure for diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate all over the world, resulting in a huge burden on patients. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the healthcare cost incurred by patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study included 531 registered patients with diabetes of more than 1 year. All the treatment-related records of the last 12 months were collected from the patients’ guide books. Data were analyzed to determine the average cost (exchange rate: US$1 = Bangladeshi Taka 80) incurred by the diabetic patients in treating the disease and were calculated based on the total amount spent by them to that of total number of patients. The mean ± SD age of the patients (male 46.5 % and female 53.5 %) was 53.0 ± 10 years with duration of diabetes 9 ± 6.7 years. The average annual cost of care was US$314 (direct cost US$283 and indirect cost US$31). Drugs accounted for the largest share (68 %) of the direct cost, followed by laboratory investigations (12.5 %) and consultation fees (11.7 %). Results of bivariate analysis showed that the annual direct cost of care significantly increased with age, monthly household income, duration of diabetes, and the number of co-morbidities/complications. However, results of multivariable analysis showed that, except age, all other remained significant (p

A comprehensive, multiround survey of local food systems in a rickets-endemic area of Bangladesh was conducted to identify household-level risk factors for rickets.A household-level, case-control study was conducted in a rickets-endemic area, Chakaria, with planned comparisons between households with one or more rachitic child and neighboring households with no affected children.A rickets-endemic area of southeastern Bangladesh, Chakaria.An interview-based survey was conducted in six villages in Chakaria with 199 households with at least one child showing physical signs consistent with rickets and 281 households with no affected children.Households with rachitic children in Chakaria had more children, more pregnant or lactating women, and fewer adults than unaffected households in that community. Affected households tended to rely on farming for their livelihood and tended to have less economic activity as indicated by less outstanding debt than their neighbors. Households with rickets were at significantly greater risk of pneumonia than were other households. Calcium undernutrition was severe and widespread in Chakaria due to a food system that offered very little of the element in accessible forms. Household diets were based on cereals and starchy vegetables. Rice and fish constituted the major source of calcium for most households, although dairy products, when used, were very important calcium sources, particularly for young children. In fact, the use of dairy products was the only household choice that led to substantial increases in the calcium intakes of children, and households that used dairy products tended to show increased calcium intakes for all of their members.The risk of a Chakarian household having a child with rickets appeared to be related to its economic status. Although this might be expected to be manifest as limitations in food access and/or use, rickets households failed to show a dietary pattern associated with rickets. Calcium undernutrition was prevalent and, thus, would appear to be a predisposing factor for rickets; however, calcium undernutrition was prevalent in Chakarian households with and without rickets. Therefore, it is probable that another precipitating factor(s) play a role(s) in the etiology of rickets in Chakaria.