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Background:The rising burden of diabetic complication associated with the diabetes mellitus (DM) pandemic. DM is a global public health problem. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the life-threatening and irreversible microvascular complications of DM. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2017 to April 2018 to characterize and associate of possible DN among people living with diabetes where 40 T1DM, 200 T2DM as cases group and 50 non diabetic as a control groupwere selected conveniently. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS-22. Stages of DN were classified according ‘Revised Classification of DN’ given by the ‘Joint Committee on Diabetic Nephropathy’, Japan, 2014. Results:The mean FBS was 6.81±0.87 mmol/L in T1DM, 7.98±3.25mmol/Lin T2DM and 4.55±0.58 mmol/L in controls. The prevalence of pre-nephropathy (PN), incipient nephropathy (IN) and overt nephropathy (ON) was 10%, 82.5% and 7.5% respectively in T1DM. Similarly, in T2DM the prevalence of PN, IN, ON and chronic kidney failure (CKF) was 5.5% 81%, 10%, and 3.5% respectively. One way ANOVA followed by post hoc-LSD suggested, in T1DM the mean FBS was significantly lower in PN group than IN (p=0.017) and ON (p=0.048) group. Further in T1DM and T2DM, the mean estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate was significantly (p=0.032) lower in IN group than PN and significantly (p=0.026, 0.006) lower in ON than PN and IN respectively. Irrespective of diabetic group, according to multivariate analysis, older age (adjusted OR =1.05, CI: 1.01-1.08; adjusted OR: 2.33, CI: 2.01-2.99), sCreatinine (adjusted OR: 7.73, CI: 2.26-22.47) and female sex (adjusted OR = 0.39, CI: 0.19-0.77) were independently associated with DN adjusting BMI, SBP, DBP and FBS level. Conclusion:This study showed the prevalence rate of DN was high among diabetic and mostly in type 2 diabetics with severe stage.

Background The world is facing a public health emergency situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological wellbeing among individuals worldwide has been negatively affected by the pandemic especially in low- and middle-income countries such as Bangladesh. The present study aimed to assess the estimate of depressive symptoms and investigated its associations with COVID-19 preventive practice measures, daily activities in home quarantine, and suicidal behaviors in a large-scale Bangladeshi online survey. Methods An online-based cross-sectional survey was widely distributed to Bangladeshi citizens. A total of 13,654 participants (61.0% male; mean age = 24.0 years [SD = 6.0]; age range 18–65 years) completed the survey between May and June (2020). The survey included socio-demographics and COVID-19-related questions, along with lifestyle, suicidal, and psychometric measures. Hierarchical regression was performed to determine significant associations between depression and examined variables. Results The estimate of depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic was 43.5%. Based on hierarchical regression analysis, depression was significantly associated with not engaging in COVID-19 preventive measures, daily activities in home quarantine (e.g., playing videogames), and suicidal behaviors. Conclusions Depressive symptoms appeared to be high during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. To fight against the pandemic, mental health issues as well as physical health issues need to be taken into consideration.

Background and Objective: The COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak has become a public health threat all over the world. From December 31, 2019 to March 19, 2020, 146 countries were affected. Evidence on the management approaches of current COVID-19 pandemic is still limited though the numbers of affected countries are increasing as the days go by. This study was aimed at determining the attack rate (AR) and case fatality rate (CFR) of Covid-19 in six different regions around the world in the first quarter of 2020. An attempt was also made to provide an overview of the ongoing situation of COVID-19. Methods: The design of the study was mixed approach where a retrospective analysis of surveillance data of six different regions around the world were collected from COVID-19 dashboard of World Health organization, between 31 December 2019 to 19 March 2020 (Time: 2:00 pm. BST [CET: 9 am]). Besides, other different validated sources (example: Worldometer, Center for Disease Control and Prevention) were used to assess the ongoing situation regarding COVID-19. A statistical software SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data. Results: There were a total of 207,860 confirmed cases and 8779 deaths across six different regions around the world from 31 December 2019 to 19 March 2020, with the highest AR of 9.92/100,000 population in Europe region, followed by Asia (2.7/ 100,000), Australia (1.75/100,000), North America (1.42/100,000), South America (0.23/100,000) and Africa (0.06/100,000) regions. Study results revealed statistically significant association between attack rates and the six regions of the world (p=0.002), meaning that AR varied in the regions around the world. The CFR was high in Europe region (4.81%), followed by Asia (4.06%), Africa (2.72%), South America (1.41%), Australia (1.12%), and North America (0.69%) regions. Data reviewed from different countries revealed that the highest number of cases was confirmed in the United States, followed by Spain and Italy. The findings revealed that the reported confirmed cases varied widely in different regions of the world. Conclusion: The severity and variation in -geographical distribution of COVID-19 cases and deaths suggest that urgent response from various government and public health authorities should be taken and research regarding underlying factors determining this severity should be sought for. IMC J Med Sci 2020; 14(2): 001. EPub date: 16 August 2020 *Correspondence: Most. Zannatul Ferdous, Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh. Email: m.zannatul.ferdous@juniv.edu

BackgroundCOVID-19 is one of the most serious global public health threats creating an alarming situation. Therefore, there is an urgent need for investigating and predicting COVID-19 incidence to control its spread more effectively. This study aim to forecast the expected number of daily total confirmed cases, total confirmed new cases, total deaths and total new deaths of COVID-19 in Bangladesh for next 30 days.MethodsThe number of daily total confirmed cases, total confirmed new cases, total deaths and total new deaths of COVID-19 from 8 March 2020 to 16 October, 2020 was collected to fit an Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model to forecast the spread of COVID-19 in Bangladesh from 17th October 2020 to 15th November 2020. All statistical analyses were conducted using R-3.6.3 software with a significant level of p< 0.05.ResultsThe ARIMA (0,2,1) and ARIMA (0,1,1) model was adopted for forecasting the number of daily total confirmed cases, total deaths and total confirmed new cases, new deaths of COVID-19, respectively. The results showed that an upward trend for the total confirmed cases and total deaths, while total confirmed new cases and total new death, will become stable in the next 30 days if prevention measures are strictly followed to limit the spread of COVID-19.ConclusionsThe forecasting results of COVID-19 will not be dreadful for upcoming month in Bangladesh. However, the government and health authorities should take new approaches and keep strong monitoring of the existing strategies to control the further spread of this pandemic.

Highlights • Bangladeshi people were surveyed about anxiety early during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Estimates of panic and generalized anxiety were 79.6%, and 37.3%, respectively. • Panic was linked to older age, higher education, and being married and with family. • Generalized anxiety was linked to being female, married and older and other factors. • COVID-19-related response measures were not linked to panic or generalized anxiety., Background: Precisely how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mental health worldwide is currently poorly understood. The study aimed to assess panic and anxiety among individuals in the general Bangladesh population early in the COVID-19 outbreak. Methodology: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from March 29 to April 06, 2020, involving 1311 community-dwelling individuals aged between 13 and 63 years and residing in Bangladesh. After providing informed consent, participants completed an online survey assessing socio-demographic variables and using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) to assess panic and anxiety symptomatology, respectively. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: Estimates of panic and generalized anxiety were 79.6%, and 37.3%, respectively. Factors statistically predicting panic were being older (more than 30 years), having higher education (above bachelor), being married, and living with a joint family. Factors statistically predicting generalized anxiety were being female, being older (more than 30 years), having higher education (above bachelor), being married, being a non-governmental employee. Limitations: As this study employs the cross-sectional and self-reported measures, causal inferences cannot be indicated. Sampling biases may have influenced estimates of panic and generalized anxiety. Conclusion: Sizable proportions of respondents reported panic and generalized anxiety in the setting of COVID-19. The findings suggest the need for additional surveillance of panic and generalized anxiety through longitudinal assessments. Evidence-based intervention programs and supportive services to address panic and generalized anxiety appear important for Bangladeshi individuals during this stage (and likely later stages) of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused a slew of mental illnesses due to a lack of cures and vaccinations, as well as concerns about students’ well-being and satisfaction with life, resulting in psychological symptoms and dissatisfaction with their lives. As students are highly susceptible to mental health issues, researchers discovered that perceived SWL and MWB decreased. The present study investigated the prevalence and determinants of mental well-being and satisfaction with life among university students in Bangladesh.MethodsAn e-survey based cross-sectional study was carried out from February to April 2021 among 660 students. A purposive sampling technique was utilized in the study. Self-reported mental well-being and satisfaction with life psychological tools were also used. The e-questionnaire survey was conducted with informed consent and questions were related to socio-demographics, satisfaction with life, and mental well-being scales. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were performed. The data were rechecked and analyzed with the R programming languageResultsThe prevalence estimates of mental well-being and satisfaction with life were 27% and 13%, respectively. In a total of 660 participants, 58.2% of them were male and the rest of them were female (41.8%). Among the participants, 22.5% suffer the worst conditions regarding their financial conditions, and 16.5% badly seek a job for livelihood.ConclusionThe present findings revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic and longtime educational institution closure significantly affect the students mental health. Students’ mental well-being was in vulnerable conditions and their satisfaction with life was extremely poor. A comprehensive student psychological support service should be expanded to help students’ mental health.

Background The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5) is the most widely used screening tool in assessing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders (DSM-5) criteria. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the newly translated Bangla PCL-5. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 10,605 individuals (61.0% male; mean age: 23.6 ± 5.5 [13–71 years]) during May and June 2020, several months after the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh. The survey included the Bangla PCL-5 and the PHQ-9 depression scale. We used confirmatory factor analysis to test the four-factor DSM-5 model, the six-factor Anhedonia model, and the seven-factor hybrid model. Results The Bangla PCL-5 displayed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.90). The Bangla PCL-5 score was significantly correlated with scores of the PHQ-9 depression scale, confirming strong convergent validity. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated the models had a good fit to the data, including the four-factor DSM-5 model, the six-factor Anhedonia model, and the seven-factor hybrid model. Overall, the seven-factor hybrid model exhibited the best fit to the data. Conclusions The Bangla PCL-5 appears to be a valid and reliable psychometric screening tool that may be employed in the prospective evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disproportionately impacts individuals with medical conditions, including with respect to their mental health. The present study investigated depression and anxiety and their correlates among individuals with medical conditions in Bangladesh. METHODS: Subjects were recruited to participate in an internet-based survey. Data were collected from November 2020 to January 2021 using convenience sampling by a semi-structured questionnaire through online platforms. Multiple regression analyses were performed to determine associations applying Bonferroni correction (p

Background: Autism, one of the most widespread problems in the world, is rising alarmingly in Bangladesh day by day. Over the most decade autism has become one of the most visible and articulated social issues in Bangladesh. Besides, in our country, journey of a mother with a special child is a challenge. Objectives: To find out the experiences and challenges of mothers having children with ASDs. Materials and Methods: The study was based on case study method where 20 mothers were selected purposively from Dhaka division. Data was collected using an open ended questionnaire and in depth interviews. Results: In this study though majority of the mothers reported having a typical pregnancy with little or no complications. Majority of the mothers had no knowledge about autism before. The average age of children when they diagnosed was 2.9 years. In response to their initial reactions to diagnosis of their child, mothers reported the following emotional states: shock, depression, self-blamed, sadness. Prayer was a clear coping strategy for parents of an autistic child. Most of the mothers reported passing many days with depression and frustration. All the mothers were satisfied with the activities of the current special school. Conclusion: Mothers reported about their most challenging part of raising their autistic child were to manage their hyperactivity and social interaction. They realize a strong familial and social support are necessary as it was found as a key factor in adjusting and coping a mother to her challenging life with her autistic child. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.19(2) 2020 p.268-272

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every individual’s life. It has been shown that mortality in people with underlying diseases including diabetes has been very high. The present study aimed to measure diabetes related worries (outcome) and their associations with social support and lifestyle (exposures) amongst people with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was completed by 928 respondents (>18 years) between 15-11-2020 and 12-12-2020. The questionnaire comprised four sections: socio-demographic details, diabetic-related worries, social support, and behavioral changes due to COVID-19. Descriptive statistics, correlations and hierarchical regression analysis were performed in the study. Results Data from 928 respondents (51.61% male; mean age = 52.48 [SD = 11.76]; age range = 18–86 years) were analyzed. The mean score for COVID-19 specific diabetes worries was 3.13 out of 8. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that the mean COVID-19-specific diabetes worries score was significantly associated with lower age, cigarette smoking, perceived poor health status, presence of other diabetic complications. Lack of social support from family, friends, work colleagues and diabetes care team and also eating more than usual were also significantly associated with COVID-19 specific diabetes worry. Conclusions Diabetes related worries were strongly associated with a lack of social support during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest the need of social support as well as improving knowledge and guidelines is important for people with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Smartphone and social media use are an integral part of our daily life. Currently, the impact of excessive smartphone and social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic is poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate problematic smartphone use (PSPU) and problematic social media use (PSMU) among Bangladeshi college and university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 5,511 Bangladeshi college and university students (male: 58.9%; mean age: 21.2 years [SD = 1.7]; age range: 18–25) during the social-distancing in the COVID-19 pandemic (July 2020). A self-reported survey containing questions regarding socio-demographic, lifestyle, and home quarantine activities along with four psychometric scales was completed by participants.Results: The mean scores of PSPU and PSMU were 20.8 ± 6.8 (out of 36) and 14.7 ± 4.8 (out of 30). Based on a hierarchical regression analysis, PSPU and PSMU were positively associated with lower age, poor sleep, social media use, watching television, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, PSMU was linked to being female, living with nuclear family, having urban residence, irregular physical exercise, poor engagement with academic studies, and avoiding earning activities, whilst being male, being married, living with lower-income family, and alcohol consumption were linked to PSMU.Conclusions: The findings indicate that PSPU and PSMU were linked to poor psychological well-being (i.e., anxiety and depression) and other factors (especially lower age, poor sleep) during the pandemic, further suggesting the need for interventions including virtual awareness programs among college and university students.

The most important global cause of mortality is suicide. It is often neglected by researchers, health professionals, health policymakers, and the medical profession. This review was aimed to provide a narrative understanding of the present situation of suicide in Bangladesh based on the existing literature. We conducted a review combining articles and abstracts with full HTML and PDF format. We searched PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and BanglaJOL, google using multiple terms related to suicide without any date boundary and without any basis of types of studies, that is, all types of studies were scrutinized. Finally, 16 articles were selected for review. Report suggested that every day almost 32 people commit suicide in 2019 which was 29 and 30 in 2015 and 2017 respectively. The mortality rate of suicide found 39.6 per 100,000 in Bangladesh. The most common method is hanging followed by poisoning and jumping under the train. The most prevalent age group is age under 40 years. The rate of suicide in children is also increasing. In contrast to most Asian countries, more Bangladeshi women commit suicide than men. The mean age of male and female were 28.86 ± 11.27 years and 25.31 ± 7.70 years respectively. The most common associated factors of suicide are younger age, lower education, students, nuclear family, family history of suicide, use substance, problem in workplace, financial constraints, affair, domestic violence, divorce, and physical illness. Most of the suicidal event occurred at night, followed by morning (6 am–12 am), and evening. It’s a criminal offence in Bangladesh. The source of information is mainly police, forensic reports, media and courts. Till now there is no nationwide survey of suicide is conducted. Besides, suicide surveillance strategy is yet to be established. Suicide is a neglected and under attended public health problem in Bangladesh with few research and paucity of literature. Now nationwide survey conduction and establishment of national suicide surveillance are a time demanded step.

Background: The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5) is the most widely used screening tool in assessing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders (DSM-5) criteria. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the newly translated Bangla PCL-5. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 10,605 individuals (61.0% male; mean age: 23.6±5.5 [13-71 years]) during May and June 2020, several months after the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh. The survey included Bangla PCL-5 and PHQ-9 depression scale. We used confirmatory factor analysis to test the four-factor DSM-5 model, the six-factor Anhedonia model, and the seven-factor Hybrid model. Results: Bangla PCL-5 displayed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.90). The Bangla PCL-5 score was significantly correlated with scores of the PHQ-9 depression scale. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated the models had a good fit to the data, including the four-factor DSM-5 model, the six-factor Anhedonia model, and the seven-factor Hybrid model.Conclusions: The Bangla PCL-5 appears to be a valid and reliable psychometric screening tool that may be employed in the prospective evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder in Bangladesh.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has affected people’s lives globally. While important research has been conducted, much remains to be known. In Bangladesh, initial treatment (self-administered, hospitalized), persistent COVID-19 symptoms (“long COVID-19”), and whether COVID-19 leads to changes in mental state, such as depressive symptoms, of people are not known. This study aimed to examine treatment, persistent symptoms, and depression in people who had been infected with COVID-19 in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1002 individuals infected with COVID-19 (60% male, mean age = 34.7 ± 13.9, age range = 18–81 years), with data taken over a one-month period (11 September 2020 to 13 October 2020). A self-reported online questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographics, lifestyle, COVID-19 symptoms (during and beyond COVID-19), medication (over-the-counter or doctor-prescribed), and depression (assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)). Results: Twenty-four percent of participants self-medicated with over-the-counter medicine when they were first diagnosed with COVID-19. Self-medication was higher among female vs. male respondents (29.6% vs. 20.2%, respectively, p = 0.002). A minority (20%) reported that they experienced persistent COVID-like symptoms after recovering from COVID-19. The most reported persistent symptoms were diarrhea (12.7%) and fatigue (11.5%). Forty-eight percent of participants were categorized as having moderate to severe depression. Based on multivariate regression analysis, depression during COVID-19 was positively associated with lower family income, poor health status, sleep disturbance, lack of physical activity, hypertension, asthma/respiratory problems, fear of COVID-19 re-infection, and persistent COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusions: The findings suggest a need for appropriate interventions for COVID-19 patients to promote physical and mental wellbeing.

BackgroundLike many other countries around the world, Bangladesh adopts Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as a national aspiration. The central theme of its providing quality and affordable health services which is a significant element of social protection. This paper was aimed to provide a narrative understanding of the perspectives of UHC in Bangladesh towards COVID-19 based on the existing literature.MethodsWe conducted a review combining articles and abstracts with full HTML and PDF format. We searched Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and Google using multiple terms related to UHC, COVID-19 and Bangladesh without any date boundary and without any basis of types of studies, that is, all types of studies were scrutinized.ResultsThis short description highlights that the current pandemic COVID-19 holds lessons that health systems and economies in several countries like Bangladesh are not in enough preparation to tackle a massive public health crisis. It reports the shortage of health workers, scarcity of personal protective equipment, limited and ineffective diagnostic facilities, inadequate infrastructure of health care facilities, scarcity of drugs, and underfunded health services. Further, COVID-19 pandemic highlights the country’s health system needs an ongoing rehab post-COVID-19 with strong coordination in governance, in health economics, in health systems, in information systems, as well as in community participation in health to achieve UHC.ConclusionsAddressing the needs for UHC achievement, it is important to break down the access barriers and keeping up to date all the activities addressing public health crisis like COVID-19.

Highlights • Largescale data of problematic internet use (PIU) during the pandemic are lacking. • PIU was examined among a sample of 13,525 Bangladeshi participants. • PIU was associated with being younger and having a higher education level. • PIU was also associated with cigarette smoking, more sleep, and less physical exercise. • PIU was associated with specific online activities (gaming, social media use)., Background Although internet use can boost individuals’ quality of life in various aspects, activities on the internet (e.g., gambling, video gaming, social media use, pornography use, etc.) can be used as coping strategy to deal with psychological stressors and mood states (e.g., fear, anxiety, depression) particularly during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives The present study assessed problematic internet use (PIU) among Bangladeshi youth and adults in Bangladesh and examined its correlation with lifestyle and online activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was utilized between May and June 2020 comprising 13,525 Bangladeshi individuals (61.3% male; age range 18–50 years; mean age 23.7 years) recruited from various online platforms. The self-report survey included questions concerning socio-demographics, lifestyle, and online activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as psychometric scales such as the nine-item Internet Disorder Scale-Short Form (IDS9-SF). Results Utilizing hierarchical regression analysis, problematic internet use was significantly and positively associated with those who were younger, having a higher level of education, living with a nuclear family, engaging in less physical exercise, avoiding household chores, playing online videogames, social media use, and engaging in recreational online activities. Conclusions Excessive internet use appears to have been commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic period and young adults were most vulnerable to problematic internet use.

In Bangladesh, an array of measures have been adopted to control the rapid spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. Such general population control measures could significantly influence perception, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19. Here, we assessed KAP towards COVID-19 immediately after the lock-down measures were implemented and during the rapid rise period of the outbreak. Online-based cross-sectional study conducted from March 29 to April 19, 2020, involving Bangladeshi residents aged 12–64 years, recruited via social media. After consenting, participants completed an online survey assessing socio-demographic variables, perception, and KAP towards COVID-19. Of the 2017 survey participants, 59.8% were male, the majority were students (71.2%), aged 21–30 years (57.9%), having a bachelor's degree (61.0%), having family income >30,000 BDT (50.0%), and living in urban areas (69.8). The survey revealed that 48.3% of participants had more accurate knowledge, 62.3% had more positive attitudes, and 55.1% had more frequent practices regarding COVID-19 prevention. Majority (96.7%) of the participants agreed ‘COVID-19 is a dangerous disease’, almost all (98.7%) participants wore a face mask in crowded places, 98.8% agreed to report a suspected case to health authorities, and 93.8% implemented washing hands with soap and water. In multiple logistic regression analyses, COVID-19 more accurate knowledge was associated with age and residence. Sociodemographic factors such as being older, higher education, employment, monthly family income >30,000 BDT, and having more frequent prevention practices were the more positive attitude factors. More frequent prevention practice factors were associated with female sex, older age, higher education, family income > 30,000 BDT, urban area residence, and having more positive attitudes. To improve KAP of general populations is crucial during the rapid rise period of a pandemic outbreak such as COVID-19. Therefore, development of effective health education programs that incorporate considerations of KAP-modifying factors is needed.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between microalbuminuria and hypertension in type 2 diabetic patients. Study Design: It was a descriptive type of cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in collaboration at a diabetic clinic and Hypertension and Research Centre, Rangpur, Bangladesh from January to March 2018. Methodology: A total of 180 diabetic patients were selected purposively age ranges 30-75 years. Anthropometric as well as biochemical measurement was done. Data was collected by a semi-structured questionnaire through face to face interview and analyzed by SPSS-20. Results: Study subjects were separated into two groups. Group 1, those with normoalbuminuria (n=49) and Group 2, those having microalbuminuria (n=131). The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 72.8%. Group 2 or microalbuminuric patients showed higher blood pressure values (113.50±8.90 mm of Hg) as compared to Group 1 (101.88±9.80 mm of Hg). The results were statistically significant (P≤0.05). Further this study showed fasting blood sugar, duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure and high level of sCreatinine were independently associated with microalbuminuria in the study subjects. The results were also statistically significant (P≤0.05). Conclusion: Our study revealed high prevalence of microalbuminuria in diabetic patients and has an optimistic association with blood pressure. This study suggests the need to screen for microalbuminuria early and the active management of modifiable risk factors in particular fasting blood sugar, sCreatinine, hypertension for intervention and prevention of further complications like end stage renal disease and cardiovascular diseases.

Objectives: In Bangladesh, remarkable measures have been adopted to control the rapid spread of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic. Adherence to control measures in general populations significantly influences on their perception, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate KAP towards COVID-19 immediately after the locked down and during the rapid rise period of the outbreak. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This online-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 29 to April 19, 2020, involving 2017 Bangladeshi residents aged (12-64) years. The sample was successfully recruited via the social media. After consenting, participants completed an online survey assessing socio-demographic variables, perception, and KAP towards COVD-19. Results: Of the 2017 survey participants, 59.8% and 40.2% were male and female, respectively. A majority of the participants were students (71.2%), aged 21-30 years (57.9%), having a bachelor9s degree (61.0%), having family income >30000 in BDT (50.0%), and living urban area (69.8). The findings revealed that 48.3% of participants had more accurate knowledge, 62.3% had more positive attitudes, and 55.1% had more frequent practices for COVID-19 prevention. Majority (96.7%) of the participants agreed COVID-19 is a dangerous disease and almost all (98.7%) of the participants wore a face mask in the crowded place, (98.8%) agreed to report a suspected case to health authorities, and (93.8%) good practicing of washing hands with soap and water. In multiple logistic regression analyses, the COVID-19 more accurate knowledge was associated with age, and residence. Whereas, the results reported that sociodemographic factors such as being older, having higher education, being unemployment, having a joint family, having monthly family income >30,000 BDT, and having more frequent prevention practices were the more positive attitudes factors; and the more frequent prevention practices factors were associated to being female, being older, having higher education, having monthly family income more than 30,000 BDT, urban area and having more positive attitudes. Conclusion: To improve the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of general populations are crucial during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, an effective health education program must be initiated.