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This study examines factors associated with low birthweight (LBW) in rural Bangladesh. Enrolled in early first trimester, 350 women were followed for duration of pregnancy and data gathered on maternal factors such as social, demographic, anthropometric, biochemical measures and newborn's birth weight within 48 hours of birth. Almost a quarter of babies (24%) were born with LBW and mean birth weight was 2961 g. Bivariate analysis found associations between LBW and mother's age, parity, weight and hemoglobin level at booking, weight gain and health problems during pregnancy, tobacco consumption, and gestational age. But no such association was seen for birth spacing, mother's height, economic status, educational level, body mass index, mid upper arm circumference and number of ANC visits. Multivariable analysis revealed gestational age, hemoglobin levels at first visit and weight gain during pregnancy as significant predictors of LBW in this rural setting. Although antenatal care provision is absolutely necessary, intervention approaches that go beyond clinical or primary care settings are also warranted for better nutrition of women. Concerted efforts in health and non-health sectors are necessary for improvement in health and social status of women in order to reduce low birthweight in Bangladesh.

The transfusion of whole blood derived platelets (WBDPs) or apheresis platelets (APs) is standard support for cancer patients. However, disputes remain about which type of platelets are ideal in terms of efficacy, cost, and the risk of adverse reactions. This cross sectional study included 141 cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy or hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation and received platelet transfusions at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between 2002 and 2003 were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 141 patients who did not differ significantly in terms of age or sex had a reaction to transfusions (WBDPs, n=123; APs, n=18), for a frequency of 0.66% in patients who received WBDPs and 0.45% in patients who received APs, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.13). More WBDP-related reactions occurred in patients transfused with older platelets (2 days old) than in patients transfused with fresh platelets, but the difference compared with AP-associated reactions was not statistically significant. However, the rate of reactions to WBDP may increase if WBDPs are stored for a prolonged time (2 days). Until evidence becomes available that clearly refutes this; the more fresh platelets as possible may be used.

This community-based study examines health care seeking strategies with respect to types of practitioners consulted by disabled persons in rural Bangladesh. A primary health care specialist collected the data through household surveys. The study found that 81% of the disabled people had sought some forms of care from various health practitioners. Unqualified practitioners were found to be strongly involved (96%) in providing health care in this area. Persons with learning difficulties, speech difficulties, fits and strange behavior were more likely to seek treatment from unqualified practitioners. Mean delay and cost of treatment were significantly higher among the qualified practitioners than the unqualified practitioners. Visits to universally free public or government health care facilities were characterized as frustrating, inconvenient, time-consuming and less rewarding for disabilities by 34% of the disabled people. Further examination of the plurality of providers and practitioners in rural Bangladesh is warranted to see how best they can be used or re-trained to respond to the health care needs of disabled persons.

This study was carried out in 1999–2000 in the northern part of Bangladesh to determine the impact of sanitary latrine use and of health education on intestinal parasites in school-aged children. The children were between 5 and 13 years of age and stool samples revealed that more than half (53%) of the study sample was still infected with one or more intestinal parasites even after 4 years of intervention. Ascariasis was found to have the highest prevalence rate (36.2%) and hookworm the lowest (10.7%). Intestinal parasite infection was significantly lower ( P

This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among the students of the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, to assess their knowledge and attitudinal variables towards voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation. Two hundred students were selected to participate in this study and were interviewed face to face on various aspects of blood donation using a structured questionnaire. Eighty two per cent of the participants showed a positive attitude towards blood donation, however, only 16 per cent of the respondents in this study had actually ever donated blood voluntarily. Among the non-donor respondents, physical harm and fear were found to be the common reasons for not donating blood. The results also showed that a high number of respondents (93%) had a negative attitude towards paid blood donation. We suggest that appropriate motivational campaign should be launched immediately among this young section of the population to convert this favourable "attitude" towards blood donation into a regular "practice" in order to increase the voluntary blood donation in Bangladesh.

For prevalence and pattern of disability as well as the socio-economic effects of disability, a community based study was carried out in a rural area of Bangladesh. A trained physician conducted a house to house survey in a population of 1906. An overall prevalence of disability of 8.5 percent was found. Major forms of disability were hearing disability (23%), visual disability (21%) and movement disability (15%). Disability was found to have considerable effects on educational attainment, employment and marriage. Many of these disabilities could be prevented by simple measures such as immunization, vitamin A supplementation and improving referral systems for early treatment. A substantial proportion could also benefit from relatively simple rehabilitatory measures.