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Infodemics, often including rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories, have been common during the COVID-19 pandemic. Monitoring social media data has been identified as the best method for tracking rumors in real time and as a possible way to dispel misinformation and reduce stigma. However, the detection, assessment, and response to rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories in real time are a challenge. Therefore, we followed and examined COVID-19–related rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories circulating on online platforms, including fact-checking agency websites, Facebook, Twitter, and online newspapers, and their impacts on public health. Information was extracted between December 31, 2019 and April 5, 2020, and descriptively analyzed. We performed a content analysis of the news articles to compare and contrast data collected from other sources. We identified 2,311 reports of rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories in 25 languages from 87 countries. Claims were related to illness, transmission and mortality (24%), control measures (21%), treatment and cure (19%), cause of disease including the origin (15%), violence (1%), and miscellaneous (20%). Of the 2,276 reports for which text ratings were available, 1,856 claims were false (82%). Misinformation fueled by rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories can have potentially serious implications on the individual and community if prioritized over evidence-based guidelines. Health agencies must track misinformation associated with the COVID-19 in real time, and engage local communities and government stakeholders to debunk misinformation.

Introduction Because of the large animal reservoirs and reassortment capacity of rotaviruses (RVs) that pose the possibilities of waning the effectiveness of RV-vaccines, it remains essential to monitor vaccine effectiveness (VE) regularly. Although reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) remains sensitive for RV detection, physicians, especially in Japan, frequently use immunochromatography (IC)-based kits for RV diagnosis. Recently, IC is being used to calculate VE also. Herein, we investigated the validity of VEs determined by IC compared to that by RT-PCR during an outbreak in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Methods RVs in the stool or rectal swabs from children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) were tested first by IC in the clinic and then by RT-PCR in the laboratory. A test-negative study design was used to examine VE. Results Although the specificity of IC assay revealed 100%, its sensitivity remained weaker (67%) than that of RT-PCR that increased up to 88% depending on disease severity. VE assessed by IC remained stronger than that by RT-PCR: 79% (95% CI: 39–93%) by IC, and 58% (95% CI: −20% to 90%) by RT-PCR. However, VEs by IC and RT-PCR appeared almost similar in higher disease severity: 81.5% (95% CI: 40–94%) by IC and 72% (95% CI: 7–92%) by RT-PCR at severity ≥7, while 97.5% (95% CI: 77–99.7%) by IC and 92% (95% CI: 58–98%) by RT-PCR at severity ≥11. We showed that RV-vaccinated children had 80% [OR = 0.192 (95% CI: 0.052–0.709) less chance to be detected by IC. Conclusion Although the sensitivity and specificity of IC differ by brand type, generally, IC is not as sensitive as RT-PCR. Despite the VEs remain higher by IC, it looks comparable with that of RT-PCR in severe cases implying that VEs evaluated by IC against severe illness remain useful for VE-monitoring.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Objective : Medicinal plants remain in vogue to treat some diseases in lower socio-economic communities, despite the availability of antimicrobials, often. Majority of rural Bangladeshi and tribal people being grossly illiterate and ignorant, use various herbs to treat a wide range of diseases. Of several medicinal-plants, neem is reported to have enormous impact in treating inflammation and infections. We, therefore, compared the antimicrobial effect of ethanolic neem leave extract (ENLE) on Escherichia coli ( E. coli ), with that of Ciprofloxacin. Materials & Methods : This experimental study compared the in vitro antimicrobial activity between ENLE and Ciprofloxacin on E. coli carried out in Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics of SS-Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Antimicrobial efficacy of ENLE and ciprofloxacin (5µg; Oxoid, UK) was determined against E. coli following minimum inhibitory concentration. By filtration and evaporation of Neem leaves ENLE was prepared. Antibiotic Sensitivity Test was performed on Muller-Hinton agar using a twofold serial dilution. Results : ENLE showed an inhibitory effect on the growth of E. coli at the concentration of 3.125 mg/ml. Antibacterial susceptibility of E. coli was performed on MHA and diameters of zone of inhibition by both ENLE and Ciprofloxacin were measured after overnight aerobic incubation at 37°C. Diameter of zone of inhibition against E. coli was 28 ± 0.16 mm with ENLE, 36 ± 0.07 mm with Ciprofloxacin (5µg/disk) (p

Due to lack of robust data on childhood cystic fibrosis (CF) in Bangladesh we sought to evaluate their clinico-epidemiology. A cross-sectional observation was conducted adopting CF-foundation consensus-panel-diagnostic criteria in 3 tertiary-care-hospitals in Bangladesh from 2000 to 2017. Clinically suspected 95 CF-cases were subjected to sweat-chloride testing using locally-developed a fast, cheap and effective indigenously body-wrapped sweating technique measured by US-Easy Lyte-automated microprocessor-controlled analyzer marking ≥60 mmol/L as positive. Mean-age of CF-cases at disease-onset was 16.9 ± 26.6 months that significantly differed with age-at-diagnosis ( P

Background and objectives Globally, coronary artery disease (CAD) remains one of the leading causes of death, both in developed and less economically developed countries (LEDC) including Bangladesh. Diet plays a key role in the pathogenesis processes of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of this study was to assess the dietary habit of heart disease cases that had CAD against matched controls. Methodology Complying Helsinki ethical norms, with written consent, this case-control study was performed among 210 subjects: 105 CAD-hospitalized patients (selected from Lab Aid Cardiac and Specialized Hospitals) and 105 healthy subjects from local urban communities having their body mass index (BMI: ranging between ≥18.5 and 27 socio-demographic status, detailed-dietary patterns and blood pressure levels were recorded, anthropometric indices measured, and serum biochemistry (complete lipid profile) tested/analyzed for both the cases and controls. All visually re-checked data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools (t test/conditional-logistic regressions) on SPS/Windows V.21.0. Result Almost half (45%) CAD patients had hypertriglyceridemia and higher levels of low-density lipoprotein, significantly higher BMA (p=0.001), waist circumference, and waist to hip ratio in male patients (p=0.005 and p=0.020, respectively) than their peer controls. Serum lipid profiles, sugar concentrations, and blood pressure levels of CAD patients revealed higher levels than clinically defined cut-off values as established risk factors for CAD. Odds ratios (CI 95%) as risk factors for consuming junk food {OR=5.49 (2.25–13.38)}, chicken {OR=4.54 (1.89–10.9) was the most, followed by beef {OR=2.68 (1.19–4.98)}, eggs {OR=2.38 (1.14–10.92)}, fish {OR=2.81 (1.31–6.04)}, and vegetables {0R=.968 (0.510–1.839)}. However, fat-free milk, ghee/butter oil, curd/yogurt, and fruits had lower ORs revealing no or less risks for CAD. Conclusion Food habits of CAD patients (with higher BMI level and biochemical indicators of the blood) statistically revealed that consuming junk food, meat, and eggs being riskier, fruits, fat-free milk, yogurt, and vegetable remains have protective effects on CAD.

Global burden of acute viral gastroenteritis remains high, particularly in developing countries including Bangladesh. Sewage water (SW) is an important node to monitor enteric pathogens both in the environment and among the population. Analysis of SW in Dhaka city deems crucially important because a large number of urban-city dwellers live in Dhaka city, the capital of Bangladesh, under a constant threat of precarious sewerage system. In this study, we collected raw SW from five locations of Dhaka city every month from June 2016 to May 2017. It was concentrated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and investigated for three major enteric viruses, rotavirus A (RVA), norovirus GII (NoV GII) and adenovirus (AdV) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Most of these SW samples collected from both hospitals and non-hospital areas yielded enteric viruses: 76% samples were positive for AdV, followed by 53% NoV GII and 38% RVA. Viral load was determined as much as 1 × 107 copies/ml for RVA and 3.5 × 103 copies/ml for NoV GII. Importantly, NoV GII and AdV that can affect people of all ages were predominated during monsoon also when SW overflows and spreads over a wide and crowded area. Genotypes G1, G2, G3, G8, and G9 for RVA, GII.4 for NoV, and type 41 for AdV were detected representing the current profile of circulating genotypes in the population. This study provides the first evidence of distribution of major diarrheal viruses in SW in Dhaka city which is alarming showing grave risk of impending outbreaks through exposure.

Introduction Getting in the dissection hall remains the first-hand experience toward medical training. It is considered as the fundamental part in medical curriculum for centuries, too. Notably, trend of dissection by medicos is often bypassed due to multifaceted reasons, with stress being the main one. We aim to elucidate if any adverse consequence remains on the very first exposure to cadaver dissection and to describe the need of pre-dissection session for newly admitted students. Methods This cross-sectionally designed, descriptive study was conducted at the Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Total 249 undergraduate medical students having at least six months of exposure on human anatomy were subjected to evaluate their primary perception on cadaver dissection employing a pre-tested self-administered, structured questionnaire. Recorded data were analyzed by using SPSS 16. Results Among all respondents, 229 (92%) found dissection exciting and 241 (96.8%) pretty interesting. However, certain negative feeling like agony was reported by 123 (49.4%) while 102 (41%) felt bit uncomfortable. Significantly more negative effect on day-to-day activities pertaining to cadaver dissection was reported by female students ( p Discussion To start the MBBS course, facing the cadaver suddenly may induce sort of negative reactions in student's mind. Since there is no substitute for cadaveric-lessons in medical education, the pre-dissection sessions should gradually be introduced to optimize the learning more productively.

Background In this study, we examined the effectiveness of RV1 and RV5 vaccines during an outbreak of G8P[8] rotavirus group A strain (G8P[8]-RVA). These vaccines were originally designed to provide protection against severe diseases caused by common circulating strains, whereas G8P[8]-RVA remains emerging strain and partially heterotypic to the vaccines. It is imperative to investigate vaccine effectiveness (VE) against G8P[8]-RVA because this strain appears to be predominant in recent years, particularly, in post-vaccine era. Methods RVA infection and genotypes were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequence-based genotyping. VE was determined during an outbreak of G8P[8]-RVA in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, in February-July 2017, retrospectively, by comparing vaccination status of children suffering from acute gastroenteritis (AGE) between ‘PCR-positive’ and ‘PCR-negative’ cases using conditional logistic regression adjusted for age. Results Among 80 AGE children, RVA was detected in 58 (73%), of which 53 (66%) was G8P[8]-RVA. The clinical characteristics of G8P[8]-RVA and other RVA strains were identically severe. Notably, the attack rates of G8P[8]-RVA in vaccinated (61.1%) and unvaccinated (65.5%) children were almost similar. Indeed, no substantial effectiveness were found against G8P[8]-RVA (VE, 14% [95% CI: −140% to 70%]) or other RVA strains (VE, 58% [95% CI: −20% to 90%]) for mild infections. However, these vaccines remained strongly effective against moderate (VE, 75% [95% CI: 1% to 40%]) and severe (VE, 92% [95% CI: 60% to 98%]) RVA infections. The disease severity including Vesikari score, duration and frequency of diarrhea, and body temperature were significantly lower in vaccinated children. Conclusions This study demonstrates the effectiveness of current RV vaccines against moderate and severe, but not against the mild infections during an outbreak caused by unusual G8P[8]-RVA, which was virtually not targeted in the vaccines.

The postnatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from mothers to children occurs through breastfeeding. Although heat treatment of expressed breast milk is a promising approach to make breastfeeding safer, it is still not popular, mainly because the recommended procedures are difficult to follow, or time-consuming, or because mothers do not know which temperature is sufficient to inactivate HIV without destroying the nutritional elements of milk. To overcome these drawbacks, a simple and rapid method of heat treatment that a mother could perform with regular household materials applying her day-to-day art of cooking was examined. This structured experiment has demonstrated that both cell-free and cell-associated HIV type 1 (HIV-1) in expressed breast milk could be inactivated once the temperature of milk reached 65°C. Furthermore, a heating method as simple as heating the milk in a pan over a stove to 65°C inhibited HIV-1 transmission retaining milk's nutritional key elements, for example, total protein, IgG, IgA, and vitamin B12. This study has highlighted a simple, handy, and cost-effective method of heat treatment of expressed breast milk that mothers infected with HIV could apply easily and with more confidence. J. Med. Virol. 85:187–193, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Background: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common contagious disease among children under 5 years, particularly in the Asia-Pacific-region. We report a localized outbreak of childhood HFMD for the first time from Bangladesh, diagnosed only based on clinical features due to lack in laboratory-diagnostic facilities. Methods: Following the World Health Organization’s case-definition, we conducted a rapid-appraisal of HFMD among all of the 143 children attending Pabna Medical College and General Hospital with fever, mouth ulcers and extremity rash. Data were collected between September and November 2017 using a preset syndromic approach and stringent differential diagnostic-protocols. Results: The mean age of children was 2.9±2.3 years. There was a significant difference among the age and sex of children (P=0.98), first sibling being more belonging to middle-income families (62%). Younger children ( Conclusions: Our findings highlight potential usefulness in diagnosing HFMD based on clinical parameters, although stringent differential diagnosis remains indispensable, which is particularly applicable for resource-constrained countries lacking appropriate virology/essential laboratories. Since no specific treatment or effective vaccination is available for HFMD, supportive therapy and preventive measures remain the primary methods to circumvent disease-transmission augmented by climate-related factors. Standardized virology laboratory warrants appropriate diagnosis and globally representative multivalent-vaccine deem essential towards preventing HFMD.

Objective: To ascertain that antibiotics have no role in the management of bronchiolitis. Design: Multicentre randomized control trial (RCT). Setting: Five purposively selected teaching hospitals in Bangladesh. Patient: Children under 24 months old with bronchiolitis. Interventions: Children were randomized into three groups of therapeutic interventions: parenteral ampicillin (P-Ab), oral erythromycin (O-Ab) and no antibiotic (N-Ab) in adjunct to supportive measures. Main outcome measures: Clinical improvement was assessed using 18 symptoms/signs which were graded on a two-point recovery scale of ‘rapid’ and ‘gradual’, indicating improvement within ‘four days’ and ‘beyond four days’, respectively. Results: Each intervention group consisted of 98 ± 1 children having comparable clinico-epidemiological characteristics at the baseline. The trial revealed that most chesty features (features appearing to arise from chest, i.e. cough, breathing difficulty, wheeze, chest indrawing, tachypnoea, tachycardia, rhonchi and crepitation) demonstrated a gradual recovery, beyond 4th admission day and, not differing among the three intervention groups (p > 0.23, p 0.98, respectively). Most non-chesty features (features appearing to arise away from chest, i.e. feeding/sleeping difficulties, social smile, restlessness, inconsolable crying, nasal flaring, fever and hypoxaemia) demonstrated a rapid recovery, within 4 days, remaining comparable among the three intervention groups (p

Poultry is a rampantly expanding agro-industry in Bangladesh like other developing countries. Several studies have detected multidrug resistance (MDR) Proteus mirabilis from poultry meat globally; however, no similar data was available for poultry samples in Bangladesh. P. mirabilis is a zoonotic human pathogen of urinary tract infection (UTI), nosocomial infection and wound infection, therefore, a potential threat to public health. We isolated P. mirabilis from chicken droppings collected from local commercial poultry farms and examined their antimicrobials susceptibilities. Chicken droppings were streak-cultured onto xylose lysine deoxycholate agar plates after enriching in buffered peptone water. Selective colonies were identified by biochemical test and API20E kits. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were tested by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Total 36 P. mirabilis were isolated from 39% (27 of 70) chicken droppings. Tetracycline evidenced as the highest individually-resistant (94%, 34/36) antibiotic (AB) while ciprofloxacin was the lowest (17%, 6/36). Hazard lies when 83% P. mirabilis were proved to be MDR (30/36), being resistant to three or more AB. Findings provide a baseline data on MDR P. mirabilis circulating around these PFs, it would assist the veterinarian in rational treatment and biosafety planning. More detail studies will be required to clarify their antimicrobial resistance and clinical relevance.

Strongyloides stercoralis infections were shown to be aggregated in households in an urban slum community in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Parasitological data on 880 residents living in 280 households were analysed statistically using 3 different tests, each of which yielded significant evidence of household aggregation of S. stercoralis infection. One test was applied to the data after stratification for 4 variables which were previously shown to be independently associated with infection. Evidence of household aggregation of infection remained after stratification, suggesting that aggregation is due not only to shared risk factors, but also to either familial genetic predisposition to infection or close contact person to person transmission of infection within households.

Background Human cutaneous anthrax results from skin exposure to B. anthracis, primarily due to occupational exposure. Bangladesh has experienced a number of outbreaks of cutaneous anthrax in recent years. The last episode occurred from April to August, 2011 and created mass havoc due to its dreadful clinical outcome and socio-cultural consequences. We report here the clinico-demographic profile and treatment outcome of 15 cutaneous anthrax cases attended at the Dermatology Outpatient Department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh between April and August, 2011 with an aim to create awareness for early case detection and management. Findings Anthrax was suspected primarily based on cutaneous manifestations of typical non-tender ulcer with black eschar, with or without oedema, and a history of butchering, or dressing/washing of cattle/goat or their meat. Diagnosis was established by demonstration of large gram-positive rods, typically resembling B. anthracis under light microscope where possible and also by ascertaining therapeutic success. The mean age of cases was 21.4 years (ranging from 3 to 46 years), 7 (46.7%) being males and 8 (53.3%) females. The majority of cases were from lower middle socioeconomic status. Types of exposures included butchering (20%), contact with raw meat (46.7%), and live animals (33.3%). Malignant pustule was present in upper extremity, both extremities, face, and trunk at frequencies of 11 (73.3%), 2 (13.3%), 1 (6.7%) and 1 (6.7%) respectively. Eight (53.3%) patients presented with fever, 7 (46.7%) had localized oedema and 5 (33.3%) had regional lymphadenopathy. Anthrax was confirmed in 13 (86.7%) cases by demonstration of gram-positive rods. All cases were cured with 2 months oral ciprofloxacin combined with flucoxacillin for 2 weeks. Conclusions We present the findings from this series of cases to reinforce the criteria for clinical diagnosis and to urge prompt therapeutic measures to treat cutaneous anthrax successfully to eliminate the unnecessary panic of anthrax.

Stool samples from 880 residents in an urban slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh, were collected on 3 occasions over one year, and examined for intestinal parasites. Information on many potential risk factors for infection was obtained by questionnaire from a respondent in each household studied. In a crude univariate analysis of the data, several of the factors were found to be significantly associated with Strongyloides stercoralis infection. Most of these factors were co-variate with one another, and with poverty generally. Using Mantel-Haenszel χ 2 tests to control for confounding effects of each variable individually, the following 4 factors remained independently associated with S. stercoralis infection: respondent's use of a community latrine rather than a private latrine, living in a house with an earth floor rather than a cement floor, being of Bihari ethnicity, and being 7–10 years of age. Implications of these results for the epidemiology and control of strongyloidiasis are briefly discussed.

Objective: Since the underlying mechanisms of febrile seizure (FS) having multi-factorial aetiology yet remains unclear, we conducted this prospectively designed cross-sectional study to determine if there was any simultaneous change in zinc (Zn) concentration (conc.) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) among the FS children in comparison to their matched non-seizure febrile (NSF) peers. Methods: Zn concentration (level) in both serum (intravenous blood) and CSF (lumber puncture: LP) of 50 children with FS and 30 NSF peers (serving as control) were measured employing graphite furnace atomic absorbance spectrophotometer. Data were analysed to compare Zn level between two groups using appropriate statistical tools employing SPSS/Windows 12.0. Results: Mean Zn conc. in both serum and CSF was less in FS children (464.60 ± 64.57 and 46.28 ± 7.46, respectively) than their matched NSF peers (749.33 ± 73.19 μg/L and 111.28 ± 19.11 μg/L, respectively) showing significant differences both in serum (p < 0.001) and CSF (p < 0.001). None of serum or CSF-Zn differed significantly with age, degree and duration of fever between FS and NSF peers. CSF-Zn among these children showed an upward trend in LP specimen taken beyond 12 h following FS episodes. Conclusion and recommendation: Serum and CSF-Zn simultaneously decreased in FS children in comparison to their matched NSF peers. Further prospectively designed multicentral studies are recommended to conduct in geographically diverse regions involving larger sample to confirm or refute our findings. It remains crucial in standardizing/strengthening national seizure prevention protocol with adequate Zn supplementation.

Outbreaks of scabies in institutions and the socio-economic consequences have not been reported from overpopulated countries such as Bangladesh.A community-based study among children from six residential Islamic education institutes (madrashas) in Dhaka. Multistage random sampling was used.To study the socio-economic profile, water-sanitation facilities, personal hygiene and living conditions of these children.Direct interviews were used to collect the data and clinical check up was performed in all children.In total, 492 children received clinical check-ups; 92.5% were boys (mean age: 11.2+/-2.4 years). 63.4% of fathers and 98.5% of mothers were either illiterate or had only received primary education, 55.1% of fathers were in low-paid labouring jobs, and 99% of mothers were housewives. Of the 98% of children who had scabies, 71% had been re-infected (96% during the winter). Randomly assigned anti-scabies drugs revealed an average cure rate of 85.5%. Seventy-four percent of children were living in poorly ventilated buildings with overcrowded sleeping arrangements. They had poor personal hygiene: 21% shared towels; 8% shared undergarments; 30% shared bed linen; and 81% kept their used clothes on a communal line or shelf. Sanitation was also poor: 39% bathed infrequently, although 97% carried out mandatory ablution. Most children (61%) washed their clothes (including undergarments) two or three times a fortnight, 35% did so every 2-3 days, and 3.7% washed their clothes on alternative days. Disease severity and re-infection were associated with infrequent washing of clothes (P0.001) and bed linen (P0.001), overcrowded sleeping arrangements (P0.001) and infrequent bathing (P0.001) with soap (P0.001). This was further related to household income (P0.001 for both).The study findings have potentially dangerous implications for public health. Immediate attention should be given to developing a sustainable long-term intervention programme to combat scabies hyperendemicity, and to save thousands of children from impending complications.

Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) remain a major global public health problem and a challenge to transfusion services worldwide particularly in developing countries in managing transfusion-dependent children especially the thalassaemics. However developed countries are not exempt from TTIs despite multiple layers of protection in their advanced blood collection centres. The magnitude of this problem is directly related to the prevalence of TTIs among blood donors. To assess the global burden of TTIs the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 3% of the world’s population (.170 million people) are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The global prevalence of HCV reported by the WHO ranges from 10 to 15% to as little as 0.04%. HCV in blood donors varies from 0.4 to 19% including 0.9% among Namibian first-time blood donors. The overall prevalence of HCV in Bangladesh as documented in the WHO’s records ranges between 1 and 2.5% whereas it was observed in 2.4% of professional donors (poor people who sell their own blood to make a living and who have had no evident disease) in Bangladesh. However in voluntary donors (healthy adults who only donate blood in emergencies) in India the prevalence of HCV ranged from 0.8 to 1.78%. In Japan and Germany figures of 0.6% and 0.2–0.8% respectively have been reported. (excerpt)

Background The UN-Resolution defines violence against women-VAW as any-act of gender-based violence resulting in physical/sexual/psychological-harm/threat to women, coercion or arbitrary-deprivation of liberty, in her life. Despite several national/global initiatives (Nairobi-Strategy'85,Beijing-Platform'95),promoting/enforcing women's-rights remains slower. In Asia, prevalence/magnitude of VAW is being-rampant. Here, we present preliminary-findings on family-violence (FV) from Bangladesh and its' negative-impact on child's health and psycho-social state. Purpose Study occurrences of husband-perpetuated FV and assess its effect on child's health and psycho-social state (school-performances). Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 72 married-women living-in 64 households in randomly-selected three rural-villages. Adopting a 2-tier-methodology we interviewed all women using a pre-tested structured-questionnaire, and assessed their perception on-VAW, qualitatively (using FGDs, In-depth-Interview/IDIs). Outcome Of 72 women, 94% were less/ill-literate, 53% poor, majority being 1st wives. Of 68% (n=49) with some-degree of family-violence, 45% tolerated mild-form(mostly verbal and rarely physical abusing/slapping), 37% endured moderate-form (verbal/physical-abusing 3-4 times/year) and 18% sustained severe-form(physical torturing every1-2 weeks-apart) of VAW. While verbal-abusing was confined in rebuking/reprimand; physical-abuse ranged from scolding to battering: fist-hitting/hand-twisting, beating, punching, kicking/knocking. Few severe-cases sustained throat-grabbing/knife-charging/burnt-off body-parts/forced-sex and suicidal attempts. Attesting these findings, post-FGD/IDI-transcript analysis revealed dowry-demand, gross-poverty and/or husband-dependency was prime-causes of FV. But, FV-victims never raised voice to avoid social-chaos/gossip and/or pro-male(husband)-biased unfair-judgment(s). Severity of FV-cases was associated with child's health(pre-set-parameters), (p Significance/Contribution Occurrence of FV in rural-Bangladesh (breeching women-right) and exerting negative-impact on child's health/psycho-social state(violating child-right) remains imperative for immediate intervention towards stopping male-driven socio-cultural-epidemics right now if not possible to combat it instantly. This is an abstract of a presentation at Safety 2012, the 11th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, 1-4 October 2012, Michael Fowler Center, Wellington, New Zealand. Full text does not seem to be available for this abstract.

Background Parents often possess unrealistic expectation on the ability of school-bound children in crossing roads safely. Little is known about mothers9 understanding of such unwise-behaviour plunging them into serious road-traffic/RT-injuries. Here, we report mothers9 perception on RT-regulations with certain plausible-factor(s) predisposing reckless-attempts of fatal-RTAs. Purpose Study perception of such mothers9 accompanying school-bound children on RT-regulations/laws; and, examine if mothers9 education/knowledge remains plausible-predisposing factor(s) in taking such deadly-attempts of road-crossings. Methods We conducted this study among 148 mothers accompanying school-bound-pedestrian children crossing busy city-roads adjacent to nine randomly-selected school-fringes in Dhaka city. Two-tier-methodology was used: assessed mothers9 knowledge (using structured-questionnaire), quantitatively and determined perception, qualitatively (Focus Group Discussion-FGDs). Outcome Lower-maternal-education (Lo-Mat-Ed) was associated with running-off roads (p Significance/Contribution Parental-education, a primary determinant of health-related-behaviour, requires RT-safety adaptation. Since knowledge alone is not sufficient to institute RT-safety, developing instructive/environment strategies remains imperative, but mother9s proficiency on road-safety must be assessed prior to confer responsibility of pedestrian-school-bound-children, as our findings suggest along with imparting intensive-training/education on road-safety.

Background: Outbreaks of scabies in residential institutions is not reported so far particularly on socio-economic consequences. Study design: Community-based clinico-epidemiological study in children from randomly selected 6 institutions in Dhaka. Objectives: Study socio-economic profile, water-sanitation facilities, personal hygiene and living conditions of these children. Methodology: Prospective study (clinical Check up & direct interviews). Results: Of 492 scabies-infested-children, 92.5% were boys (mean age:11.2±2.4 years), 63% of fathers and 98% mothers of whom were illiterate/had primary education. While 55% of their fathers were low-paid workers, 99% mothers were housewives. Of 98% children with scabies, 71% had been re-infected (96% during winter), randomly assigned anti-scabies drugs revealing a cure rate of 85.5%. Majority(74%) used to live in poorly-ventilated damp rooms with bizarre/overcrowded sleeping arrangements and had poor personal hygiene:21% shared towels; 8% shared undergarments; 30% shared bed linen; and 81% kept their used clothes on same communal string/shelf. Sanitation was poor too:39% bathed infrequently, although 97% used to do mandatory ablution. Most children(61%) washed their clothes(including undergarments) 2-3times a fortnight, 35% did so every 2-3 days and 3.7% washed their clothes on alternative days. Disease severity and re-infection were associated with infrequent washing of clothes (P< 0.001) and bed linen(P< 0.001), overcrowded sleeping arrangements(P< 0.001) and infrequent bathing without(P< 0.001) & with soap(P< 0.001)-which was related to family income(P< 0.001, both). Conclusion: These findings having potentially dangerous implications for public health, demands immediate attention to developing sustainable long-term intervention programs to combat scabies hyperendemicity (?silent epidemics) to save thousands of children from impending serious complications.

DOI: 10.3329/jbcps.v27i1.4236 J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2009; 27: 1-3