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Our study aimed to examine the practices and knowledge of food handling and safety among 1534 university students in Bangladesh (mean age 22.09 ± 1.78), as well as the relationship between these factors and their academic and demographic backgrounds. Participants in this study were undergraduate and graduate students from four public universities in Bangladesh from different religions, income levels, years and majors of study, residential areas, living alone or not, and whose mothers are working or non-working. The questionnaire included 14 questions on food handling practices and 16 on knowledge. Questions were related to food preparation, hygiene, cross-contamination, and storage. The overall mean score for food handling practices was 34.9% (SD = 13.7), while that of knowledge was 41.8% (SD = 16.5). Female students, those from food-related majors, and those engaged in cooking activities scored significantly higher in the knowledge and practice sections (

Machinability of Ni-based aerospace alloy is considered to be difficult due to its numerous intrinsic properties. However, the machining performance of nickel-based alloys can be improved with the geometric alteration on the tool rake zone and by the proper cooling-lubrication mechanism. However, the complete consideration of the proper mechanisms is required. To fill this gap, the impact of cutting speed, machining time, and tool texturing was thoroughly inquired about along with cooling conditions on machinability indices such as tool wear, chip morphology, and cutting forces as well as surface finish. The machining tests were done with textured tools on Inconel 718 alloy at cutting speeds 80, 120, and 180 m/min respectively. Then, the comparison of machining characteristics with or without using solid lubrication mixed minimum quantity lubrication system were made. For that, the time of cutting was restricted to 10 min for comparison purposes. For machining at 80 and 180 m/min, the noteworthy reduction in flank and crater wear was observed, whereas at 120 m/min, small reduction is seen from 1 to 10 min under NFMQL condition. The surface roughness was found to be higher under a dry environment compared to a NFMQL environment due to the low coefficient of friction of MoS2 at a constant feed rate with an increase in cutting speed. The worst surface finish with maximum of 28.17% difference under dry machining condition was observed. It was clearly seen that the blend of canola oil mixed with MoS2 particles improved the cooling and friction at the cutting zone. In addition, analysis on the scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been done on the worn tools for better comprehension of tool wear during turning of Inconel 718 alloy. Finally, it has been reported that the performance of the textured tool under solid lubrication conditions is better to achieve a lower tool wear (Vb), surface roughness (Ra), cutting forces, and acceptable form of chips.

Background:Diet diversity of pregnant women is associated with nutrition sufficiency, micronutrient adequacy, and pregnancy outcomes. However, the sociodemographic determinants of diet diversity among pregnant women in low-income countries are not well studied.Objective:The analysis was undertaken to study the determinants of high dietary diversity and consumption of micronutrient-rich foods by pregnant women from rural Bangladesh.Methods:Pregnant women (508) were randomly selected from southwestern Bangladesh and interviewed to collect data about diet and sociodemographic characteristics. A 24-hour recall was used to collect information about diet. Diet diversity score was calculated for 9 major food groups. All analyses were conducted using STATA SE 12.Result:The overall mean diet diversity score was low at 4.28 and was significantly high among pregnant women who have higher educational achievement, whose husbands’ occupation was business, who live in households of 4 or more family members, and who were dwelling in a house with more than 1 room. Highest gap on knowledge and consumption was reported for 3 food groups including dairy foods, eggs, and dark green leafy vegetables. Consumption of dairy and eggs was lower among women from low socioeconomic status, but no significant association was found between sociodemographic characteristics and consumption of leafy vegetables.Conclusion:Our analysis has shown that diet quality of pregnant women was poor and intake of micronutrient-rich foods was low despite having knowledge about the importance of these foods, underscoring the need for promoting the diet quality in developing countries through behavior change communication programs.

Background: In Bangladesh, more than two-thirds of total food consumption is rice as main staple, especially for the poor, in addition to some vegetables, pulses and small quantities of fish, meat, egg, etc. if and when available. The similar dietary patte...

Background Anemia is a significant wide spread public health threat especially among the adolescent girls who are more vulnerable towards low level of hemoglobin particularly of low and middle income countries (LMICs). We investigated the prevalence of anemia among the adolescent girls (10–19 years) in Bangladesh and its socio-demographics distribution. Methods We collected data digitally in ODK platform from a sub-sample of a nationwide cross-sectional survey of 1314 adolescent girls in 2015. Capillary blood hemoglobin level was estimated using HemoCue®; anthropometric measurements through standardized procedure and details socio-demographic information were captured and analyzed. Malnutrition was defined as BMI-for-age Z-score below -2SD (BAZ

Background: Maternal undernutrition is a major concern globally, contributing to poor birth outcomes. Limited evidence exists on delivering multiple interventions for maternal nutrition simultaneously. Alive & Thrive addressed this gap by integrating nutrition-focused interpersonal counseling, community mobilization, distribution of free micronutrient supplements, and weight-gain monitoring through an existing Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (MNCH) program in Bangladesh. Objectives: We evaluated the effect of providing nutrition-focused MNCH compared with standard MNCH (antenatal care with standard nutrition counseling) on coverage of nutrition interventions, maternal dietary diversity, micronutrient supplement intake, and early breastfeeding practices. Methods: We used a cluster-randomized design with cross-sectional surveys at baseline (2015) and endline (2016) (n ∼ 300 and 1000 pregnant or recently delivered women, respectively, per survey round). We derived difference-in-difference effect estimates, adjusted for geographic clustering and infant age and sex. Results: Coverage of interpersonal counseling was high; >90% of women in the nutrition-focused MNCH group were visited at home by health workers for maternal nutrition and breastfeeding counseling. The coverage of community mobilization activities was ∼50%. Improvements were significantly greater in the nutrition-focused MNCH group than in the standard MNCH group for consumption of iron and folic acid [effect: 9.8 percentage points (pp); 46 tablets] and calcium supplements (effect: 12.8 pp; 50 tablets). Significant impacts were observed for the number of food groups consumed (effect: 1.6 food groups), percentage of women who consumed ≥5 food groups/d (effect: 30.0 pp), and daily intakes of several micronutrients. A significant impact was also observed for exclusive breastfeeding (EBF; effect: 31 pp) but not for early initiation of breastfeeding. Conclusions: Addressing nutrition during pregnancy by delivering interpersonal counseling and community mobilization, providing free supplements, and ensuring weight-gain monitoring through an existing MNCH program improved maternal dietary diversity, micronutrient supplement consumption, and EBF practices. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02745249.

An effective delivery strategy coupled with relevant social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) have been identified as central to the implementation of micronutrient powders (MNP) interventions, but there has been limited documentation of what works. Under the auspices of “The Micronutrient Powders Consultation: Lessons Learned for Operational Guidance,” three working groups were formed to summarize experiences and lessons across countries regarding MNP interventions for young children. This paper focuses on programmatic experiences related to MNP delivery (models, platforms, and channels), SBCC, and training. Methods included a review of published and grey literature, interviews with key informants, and deliberations throughout the consultation process. We found that most countries distributed MNP free of charge via the health sector, although distribution through other platforms and using subsidized fee for product or mixed payment models have also been used. Community‐based distribution channels have generally shown higher coverage and when part of an infant and young child feeding approach, may provide additional benefit given their complementarity. SBCC for MNP has worked best when focused on meeting the MNP behavioural objectives (appropriate use, intake adherence, and related infant and young child feeding behaviours). Programmers have learned that reincorporating SBCC and training throughout the intervention life cycle has allowed for much needed adaptations. Diverse experiences delivering MNP exist, and although no one‐size‐fits‐all approach emerged, well‐established delivery platforms, community involvement, and SBCC‐centred designs tended to have more success. Much still needs to be learned on MNP delivery, and we propose a set of implementation research questions that require further investigation.

Bangladesh is one of the countries with a high rate of infant malnutrition and the major cause is inappropriate breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. To improve the situation, both GO/NGO organizations are working intensively on the issue. I...

Mapping pathways of how interventions are implemented and utilized enables contextually grounded interpretation of results, differentiates poor design from poor implementation, and identifies factors that might influence the utilization of interventions. Few studies in nutrition have comprehensively examined the steps of implementation and utilization in behavior change communication (BCC) interventions, thus limiting the interpretation of variable impacts of BCC interventions. A program impact pathway (PIP) analysis was used to study a BCC intervention implemented in Bangladesh to improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. The PIP was developed through an iterative process with the program implementation team; the PIP then guided the choice of methods and tools. Using mixed methods, we reviewed the content of training materials for implementation staff, measured their IYCF knowledge (n = 100), observed their communication with mothers (n = 37), and examined factors influencing promotion of IYCF practices and their trial and adoption by mothers (n = 64). Implementation staff demonstrated good knowledge and maintained fidelity to the intervention to a large extent. Mothers identified them as their primary sources of information, and a majority of mothers tried recommended IYCF practices. Key facilitators included family support and availability of resources, whereas lack of time, maternal and family perceptions of age-appropriate feeding, and lack of resources were salient barriers to adopting recommended practices. Using a PIP analysis identified critical issues pertaining to implementation (e.g., the role of paid and volunteer staff) and utilization (e.g., resource and time constraints that require complementary interventions) and the need for further research and programmatic attention. J. Nutr. doi: 10.3945/jn.113.179085.

Promoting adequate nutrition through interventions to improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF) has the potential to contribute to child development.We examined whether an intensive intervention package that was aimed at improving IYCF at scale through the AliveThrive initiative in Bangladesh also advanced language and gross motor development, and whether advancements in language and gross motor development were explained through improved complementary feeding.A cluster-randomized design compared 2 intervention packages: intensive interpersonal counseling on IYCF, mass media campaign, and community mobilization (intensive) compared with usual nutrition counseling and mass media campaign (nonintensive). Twenty subdistricts were randomly assigned to receive either the intensive or the nonintensive intervention. Household surveys were conducted at baseline (2010) and at endline (2014) in the same communities (n = ∼4000 children aged 0-47.9 mo for each round). Child development was measured by asking mothers if their child had reached each of multiple milestones, with some observed. Linear regression accounting for clustering was used to derive difference-in-differences (DID) impact estimates, and path analysis was used to examine developmental advancement through indicators of improved IYCF and other factors.The DID in language development between intensive and nonintensive groups was 1.05 milestones (P = 0.001) among children aged 6-23.9 mo and 0.76 milestones (P = 0.038) among children aged 24-47.9 mo. For gross motor development, the DID was 0.85 milestones (P = 0.035) among children aged 6-23.9 mo. The differences observed corresponded to age- and sex-adjusted effect sizes of 0.35 for language and 0.23 for gross motor development. Developmental advancement at 6-23.9 mo was partially explained through improved minimum dietary diversity and the consumption of iron-rich food.Intensive IYCF intervention differentially advanced language and gross motor development, which was partially explained through improved complementary feeding. Measuring a diverse set of child outcomes, including functional outcomes such as child development, is important when evaluating integrated nutrition programs. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01678716.

The demand of digital video with higher resolution is increasing everyday and in amodern world the videos are consumed in all kinds of multimedia devices. The transmissionof higher quality videos over the internet require higher bandwidth, which isnot an acceptable option. So, it is necessary to compress the video to a compact file byremoving redundancies and detail information. The process of compressing a video file requires a lot of complex calculations,which is a time consuming process, specially for live telecasting or real-time videoconferencing. In addition videos with higher quality such as higher number of Frameper Second (FPS) or higher resolution like HD and 4k video requires huge redundantdata processing. Hence, this operation causes delays during the video playback. Tominimize the time delay for the video coding, there are coding methods such as losslessand lossy coding which has been around for a long time. However, the idea to increasethe number of processing unit like CPUs and memory for video coding software is anarea that require further research to improve coding techniques. Distributed system uses available resources in the network to achieve a commongoal. It explores the available infrastructure so that the task can be done in parallel. Cloud computing is a great example of distributed system which has fully dedicatedresources for such complex jobs. This thesis deals with these areas in real-time to lower the video coding delaythrough investigating distributed resources as well as the parallelization in video codingstandards such as AVC and HEVC. It has been carried out with a collaborationwith Ericsson Research in Stockholm.

The Alive & Thrive programme scaled up infant and young child feeding interventions in Bangladesh from 2010 to 2014. In all, 8.5 million mothers benefited. Approaches – including improved counselling by frontline health workers during home visits; community mobilization; mass media campaigns reaching mothers, fathers and opinion leaders; and policy advocacy – led to rapid and significant improvements in key practices related to breastfeeding and complementary feeding. (Evaluation results are forthcoming.) Intervention design was based on extensive formative research and behaviour change theory and principles and was tailored to the local context. The programme focused on small, achievable actions for key audience segments identified through rigorous testing. Promotion strategies took into account underlying behavioural determinants and reached a high per cent of the priority groups through repeated contacts. Community volunteers received monetary incentives for mothers in their areas who practised recommended behaviours. Programme monitoring, midterm surveys and additional small studies to answer questions led to ongoing adjustments. Scale‐up was achieved through streamlining of tools and strategies, government branding, phased expansion through BRAC – a local non‐governmental implementing partner with an extensive community‐based platform – and nationwide mainstreaming through multiple non‐governmental organization and government programmes. Key messages Well‐designed and well‐implemented large‐scale interventions that combine interpersonal counselling, community mobilization, advocacy, mass communication and strategic use of data have great potential to improve IYCF practices rapidly.Formative research and ongoing studies are essential to tailor strategies to the local context and to the perspectives of mothers, family members, influential community members and policymakers. Continued use of data to adjust programme elements is also central to the process.Scale‐up can be facilitated through strategic selection of partners with existing community‐based platforms and through mass media, where a high proportion of the target audience can be reached through communication channels such as broadcast media.Sustaining the impacts will involve commitments from government and capacity building. The next step for capacity building would involve understanding barriers and constraints and then coming up with appropriate strategies to address them. One of the limitations we experienced was rapid transition of staff in key positions of implementing agencies, in government leadership, donors and other stakeholders. There was a need for continued advocacy, orientation and teaching related to strategic programme design, behaviour change, effective implementation and use of data.

Background Multiple micronutrient powder (MMNP) can be sprinkled onto any semisolid food and can be given to young children to address iron deficiency anemia. The female community health volunteers of BRAC (an NGO) known as Shasthya Shebikas (SS) sell MMNP sachets during their regular household visits. Currently there are no data on adherence or real uptake of MMNP by children. The objective of the study was to assess adherence to MMNP and associated factors among children aged 6–59 months in rural Bangladesh. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted in Saturia Sub-district among 78 children aged 6–59 months who were fed MMNP supplied by BRAC SS in the past 60 days. A one stage cluster sampling technique was used to select mothers with eligible children. Semi-structured questionnaire was used for interviews. A logistic regression model was developed to obtain adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% CI. Results Sample mean adherence was calculated to be 70%. In multivariate analysis, age of mother in years (AOR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61-0.88), households belonging to poorer (AOR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00-0.68), middle (AOR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.00-0.35) and richer (AOR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01-0.84) wealth quintiles and mothers who prefer to feed flexibly (AOR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.00-0.26) were significantly associated with high adherence. Further, for every one unit increase in visit by BRAC SS in the past 60 days, the odds of having high adherence significantly increased by 55% (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.09-2.20). Conclusions SS are the key to improving adherence through regular visits to households of MMNP users. However, expanding coverage beyond the vicinity of the SS’s household is a challenge. Perception of families whose children have low adherence should be studied.

Despite progress in health status and achievements in Millennium Development Indicators, Bangladesh presents a gloomy scenario for nutrition. In 2009, BRAC (formerly known as Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee) has begun to implement a community-based approach of AliveThrive with Family Health International 360, aiming to reduce undernutrition among children under two by promoting exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding practices. To address anemia and other micronutrient deficiencies, home-fortification with micronutrient powders (MNP) has been promoted among under-fives across Bangladesh along with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). BRAC's frontline community health workers play a critical role in promoting micronutrient powders with better feeding practices. Over the years, improvements have been observed in the intervention areas: exclusive breastfeeding rose from 49% to 83% of children (0-6 months), 86% of children received complementary feeding at 6-8 months with about two/thirds being fed the recommended number of times; and 70% of children (6-59 months) adhered to MNP use, ie consumption of 1 sachet per day in the past 60 days. However, many challenges are still observed in traditional feeding practices, along with limited skills of community health workers and households' poor access to quality food, necessitating constant interactions between caregivers, mothers-in-law and fathers with the frontline workers. Maintaining the supply chain of micronutrient powders and a visible and convincing change in nutritional status of children are key success factors. The partnerships between BRAC, GAIN and Renata, the producer of MNP in Bangladesh, have given birth to a home-fortification model that can deliver impact at scale.儘管健康狀況的進步及千禧年發展指標的成就，孟加拉對於營養仍呈現悲觀的 情境。從2009 年，孟加拉農村發展委員會（BRAC）開始執行一個社區型的 AliveThrive with Family Health International 360 計畫，旨在藉由推廣全母乳 哺育及餵食適當的副食品，進而降低兩歲以下兒童的營養不良。為了解決貧血 及其他微量營養素缺乏，針對有五歲以下兒童的家庭，整個孟加拉與全球營養 改善聯盟（GAIN）採用家庭強化微量營養素粉（MNP）。在推動微量營養素 粉以達更佳的餵食方法，BRAC 的第一線社區健康工作人員扮演重要的角色。 多年來，在介入地區已可看到改善：兒童（0-6 個月）的全母乳哺育由49%上 升至83%；86%的兒童在6-8 個月時開始吃副食品，其中約有2/3 餵食達建議 次數；70%的兒童（6-59 個月）遵守MNP 的使用，意即在過去60 天，每天攝 取一包。然而，由於社區健康工作人員的技巧有限，加上家戶難以獲得有品質 的食物，傳統餵食方法仍然面臨許多挑戰。因此照護者、婆婆/岳母和公公/岳 父和第一線工作者間需要持續的互動。維持微量營養素粉的供應鏈，以及兒童 營養狀況有看得見且具說服力的改變，將會是成功的關鍵。BRAC、GAIN 及 孟加拉微量營養素粉的生產者Renata 間的伙伴關係，讓家庭強化模式得以產 生並發揮巨大的影響力。

Background Systems strengthening is essential for implementation of large-scale nutrition interventions, including infant and young child feeding (IYCF), since rapid geographic expansion places additional burdens on service delivery systems. Objective To document approaches for building capacity and supporting programs to scale up IYCF counseling in three different country contexts. Methods Situational assessments, stakeholder consultations, formative research, household and frontline health worker surveys, other related studies, and program monitoring in three countries identified gaps and opportunities for strengthening IYCF service delivery. Results Variations in program platforms, level and roles of service providers, places of service delivery, community factors, and the needs of managers and frontline workers influenced the intervention mix used for strengthening IYCF services. The programs ranged from a highly structured and standardized package of IYCF counseling services in Vietnam delivered through government health facilities to counseling delivered at the doorstep by incentivized nongovernmental organization volunteers in Bangladesh. In Ethiopia, government health extension workers based at health posts conducted outreach visits with support from volunteers. Conclusions Guidelines and standards of care, training, job aids, supportive supervision, incentives, and monitoring data can enhance performance and strengthen systems for delivering IYCF counseling services in the community or at health facilities. Leadership, financing, partnerships, and logistics support are essential to support large-scale implementation of the IYCF counseling package in diverse service delivery environments.

We assessed the effects of combining a mass media campaign with BCC by FHW on CF practices in Bangladesh. Survey data were collected from randomly sampled households with children 6–23 mo in 2010 (...

Youths, aged 15-24 years, comprise a large fragment of the total population in Thailand, and unsafe sexual behaviours are increasing, nowadays, among young people. The study was conducted to explore the characteristics of youths and other conducive, facilitating and reinforcing factors associated with risk perception of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the study population. Data employed in this study were derived from the site of the Kanchanaburi Demographic Surveillance System of Thailand 2004 using a stratified systemic design. The study population was mainly young current condom-users aged 15-24 years, and cross-sectional analysis was done on this populace. The findings revealed that youths who fell into the single (unmarried) category having temporary partners were more likely to perceive the risks associated with STIs in relation to using condom. A greater proportion of unmarried youths was engaged in sexual activity before the age of 20 years and that condom-use was also inconsistent. Youths having temporary partners were more likely to perceive risk and reason for using a condom than when with their regular partner. Education played a significant role in risk perception of STIs. Risk perception was increasing with the increasing level of education. Other conducive and facilitating factors, such as household wealth, living in urban or semi-urban areas, and access to mass media such as television, also had a positive influence on risk perception. The odds ratio showed that condom-users who had indulgence in liquor were less likely to perceive the risk of STIs. Overall, socioeconomic status had a great influence on risk perception of STIs. Finally, youths exhibiting high-risk sexual behaviour need realistic risk assessments and positive ways of incorporating condom into their sexual lives.