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Background: We assessed the feasibility of implementing psychological counseling services (PCS) for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) integrated within special education settings in urban Bangladesh. Method: In two special education schools for ASD in Dhaka City, trained female psychologists screened mothers using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). PCS was administered to all the mothers irrespective of a diagnosis of depression. Mothers with a PHQ-9 score >4 who met criteria for a major depressive episode (MDE) based on the DSM-IV Structured Interview Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) were also administered skill-building training through monthly home visits to support ASD care. The level of depression was assessed by the Depression Measurement Scale (DMS), and quality of life (QoL) was measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of EQ5D5L scale before and after PCS. Result: Among 188 mothers enrolled in the study, 81 (43%) received PCS, and 27.1% (22) had MDE. In the first month, 73 sessions were scheduled and 60 completed (85%). In the last month, 53 sessions were scheduled and 52 completed (98%). The mean DMS score decreased from 79.5 ± 23 to 60 ± 20 (p = 0.004), and DMS scores were significantly higher among mothers with MDE (97.8 ± 12.1 v. 69.9 ± 22.1; p < 0.001) compared to those without MDE (72.7 ± 22.6 v. 56.1 ± 18.1; p = 0.003). The mean VAS score improved from 70.3 ± 14.1 to 80.2 ± 13.3 (p = 0.001) between the first and the last session. Changes in DMS were negatively correlated with changes in VAS scores (β: −0.213, 95% CI 0.370 to −0.056). Conclusion: Within special education schools for ASD in urban Bangladesh, it was feasible to administer an integrated program of PCS for mothers of children with ASD by trained psychologists who were able to screen and intervene to reduce their level of depression and improve their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This empirical test of an extended model of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) applies three dimensions of materialism (success, centrality, and happiness) to predict consumers’ attitudes and behavioral intentions toward credit card use in a developing, non-Western country. The data, from 373 Bangladeshi credit card users, confirm the applicability of the TPB for explaining the credit card attitudes and intentions among this consumer sample. Success is the most important materialism dimension, with significant positive relationships with attitudes and social norms. Happiness exhibits an unexpectedly positive and significant association with perceived behavioral control (PBC). Both attitude and PBC mediate the relationships of success and centrality with intentions, whereas social norms do not. In a double mediation effect of subjective norms, this relationship arises through attitude and PBC. These findings accordingly provide a more comprehensive view of materialism and the applicability of the TPB in a developing, non-Western country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with transmission dynamics of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus to understand the evolution of its epidemic in Bangladesh. For this purpose an SEIR model has been employed to study the dynamics of A (H1N1) virus relating to data of Bangladesh. To find threshold conditions, the equilibria and stability of the equilibria of the model have been determined and also analyzed. Basic Reproductive Number (R0) is determined relating to data of Bangladesh by which Herd Immunity Threshold has been estimated. Our numerical result suggests that vaccinating 12.69% population of Bangladesh can control spread of the pandemic novel A (H1N1) virus when outbreak occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors explore how distance and the communication climate perceived by exporters influence export performance both directly and as mediated by relationship quality. The ready-made garments industry in Bangladesh yielded 185 responses. A mediation model was tested using structural equation modeling, applying partial least squares techniques. The results show that distance is negatively related to communication climate and relationship quality; relationship quality mediates the distance–export performance relationship, whereas communication climate is positively associated with relationship quality and export performance, and a full mediating role of relationship quality is found in the communication climate–export performance relationship. A strong positive relationship between relationship quality and export performance is also identified. The managerial implication of the study includes that with better relationship strength, it is possible to neutralize the negative impact of distance on export performance. The implications and limitations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In response to the overwhelming need for mental health and psychosocial support as a result of the humanitarian crisis in Cox's Bazar, the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Bangladesh, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Neurosciences, implemented the World Health Organization's Mental Health Gap Action Programme in November 2017. Over the course of two trainings and supervision visits, general physicians, counsellors and other health professionals from both government facilities and nongovernmental organisations, working with both the host and Rohingya populations, have improved their capacity to assess and manage priority mental, neurological and substance use conditions using the Mental Health Gap Action Programme intervention guidelines. After the first training, over 75% of participants reported feeling confident to apply their learning to their work. Participants receiving the supervision visit valued this follow-up modality and demonstrated a high level of competency during an observed consultation. This was the first instance of the Mental Health Gap Action Programme implementation by the government of Bangladesh following a humanitarian crisis. Our findings suggest that trainees are providing better quality services to assess and manage mental health conditions and that mental health is being integrated into primary health care service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suicide is a public health problem too often neglected by researchers, health policy makers and the medical profession. In the year 2000, approximately one million people died of suicide which represents a global mortality rate of 16 per 100,000. According to WHO estimates for the year 2020 and based on current trends approximately 1.53 million people will die from suicide and 10-20 times more people will attempt suicide worldwide. This represents on average 1 death per 20 seconds and 1 attempt every 1-2 seconds. No nationwide survey on suicidal risk factors has yet been conducted in Bangladesh. Reports from police records, Media, court, hospitals and the focused study on selected population indicate that suicide is a public health problem in Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to unearth the potential risk factors of suicide or suicidal attempts and to assess psychiatric illness, non psychiatric co-morbidity, individual's behavioral and physical factor, familial risk factors and socio-demographic risk factors of suicide and its attempts. Study Design and Setting: A case control study was carried out by members of the Department of Medicine, Shaheed Suhrawardi Medical College and Hospital at Mominpur,Haowlee and Jibonnagar unions under three Upazilla of district Chuadanga,. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 16. Results: A total 230 subjects (113 cases and 117 controls) were interviewed. Mean age among cases was 29.6±12.8 years and controls were 29.7±12.9 years. Majority of the participants, 65.5% of cases and 63.2% of controls were aged between 20-39 years. Among cases 38.9% were male and among the controls 42.7% were male. Among cases 30.1% and among controls 27.4% had less than 4 family members. More than half of the participants, among cases (58.4%) and among controls (55.6%) had between 4- 6 members in the family. Economic status was also similar in two groups. Problem of love affair (OR 5.2), Personal problem (OR 11.9), Feeling of economic hardship (OR 2.4) appeared to have statistically significant association with suicidal attempt. Problem with relatives (OR 3.8), death of near relative (OR 0.9) and poor academic performance (OR 1.6) didn't appear to have any association with risk of suicidal attempt. History of chronic disease (OR 2.9) showed statistically significant association but long term physical disability (OR 4.4) and physical problems didn't appear to have any significant association with suicidal attempt. History of suicidal attempt by any relative (OR 4.2) and previous attempt to suicide (OR 7.4) appeared as highly significant factor for suicide. Not being reared by biological parents (OR 3.2), marital disharmony (OR 4.0), Conflict within the family (OR 6.9) appeared to be strongly associated with suicidal attempts. Suicidal attempts of participants were significantly associated with sleepingdisturbance (OR 2.3), uncertainty about future (7.2), impulsivity (OR 13.8), and history of criminal behavior (OR 2.1). Conclusion: Case control study on the risk factors of suicide in rural area of South-West Bangladesh revealed that the married female especially the younger age from unitary family of low income group are more vulnerable to commit suicide or parasuicide. Several emotional factors, presence of chronic diseases, familial suicidal predisposition, individual factor and mental state, premorbid persionality and psychiatric syndrome appeared to have significant association with suicidal attempts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The negative impact of COVID-19 on mental health has been reported by media throughout the world, although this role is not well-understood in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). We examined the reporting of mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh and initiatives undertaken to support mental health reported from the viewpoint of media. Methods: We reviewed articles published in 10 local newspapers, including seven Bangla and three English newspapers, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. News topics were identified through discussions among the team members, with searches across online newspapers and portals. Data extrapolated from newspapers were documented in an Excel spreadsheet. A mixed-method approach was used following a framework analysis for analyzing data. Recurring issues and commonly emerging topics were generated from the data. Descriptive statistics were applied for analyzing quantitative data. Results: Between March 2020 and March 2021, we have identified 201 reports on mental health issues including 45 reports (22.4%) focused on stress due to the associated financial crisis, unemployment and loneliness, 50 reports (24.9%) of 80 apparent suicides linked to family issues, disharmony in conjugal relationships, harassment, sexual violence, emotional breakdown, financial crisis, and stigma due to COVID-19.There were 77 reports (38.3%) concerning domestic violence during the pandemic. Twenty-nine reports (14.4%) referenced actions taken by different organizations to address mental health issues in response to the pandemic in Bangladesh. Conclusion: News coverage has the scope to highlight important issues that can emerge as a consequence of the COVID-pandemic, such as mental health, in a low resource setting. Capacity building of the media on the way to report mental health issues during emergency situations could be a useful strategy for more credible reporting on mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic for raising awareness of the public and policymakers about the negative consequences on mental health of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Adopting policies to support essential mental health care and promoting the local organizations to take timely public health measures will be imperative for averting the negative consequences of mental health due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Nabila Ashraf, Jennings, Chakma, Farzana, Islam, Maruf, Uddin, Uddin Ahmed, McDaid and Naheed.)

This cross-sectional study examined the burden of depression and quality of life (QoL) among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) attending six schools offering special educational services for children with ASD in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. All consenting mothers were 18 years of age and older and met criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) on the Structured Interview for DSM-V-TR Research Version-non patient edition administered by trained raters. QoL was assessed by the EuroQol five-dimensional standardized questionnaire. MDD was diagnosed in 45% of mothers and was proportionally higher among those who did not work outside the home, had no childcare support at home, expressed low level of satisfaction with the quality of providers when they had sought care for their children with ASD, and reported being recipient of negative attitudes from neighbors toward their children with ASD. QoL was negatively associated with MDD, mothers' illness, and low satisfaction with the health care providers for children with ASD, as well as experiencing a negative attitude by neighbors toward their children. QoL was positively associated with the reported family monthly income and improvement of the children with ASD on school attendance. The prevalence of MDD among mothers of children with ASD was high and associated with poor QoL. Integrating mental health services and supports for mothers in the ASD care of children is likely to address the high burden of depression they face, and improve their overall quality of life. Autism Res 2020, 13: 284-297. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: The levels of depression were assessed among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) attending six schools offering special educational services for children with ASD in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. Almost one in two mothers was found to have major depression. The quality of life of these mothers was generally poor. Integrating mental health services for mothers with ASD care in children is likely to address the burden of depression among the mothers of children with ASD and improve overall quality of life., (© 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Kikuchi Fujimoto Disease (KFD) can present with dysphasia, fever and lymphadenopathy. A young Bangladeshi girl presented with fever, cervical lymphadenopathy, dysphasia, weight loss and skin rash. Antitubercular drugs were given on clinical judgement, with no improvement after one month. Later, fine needle aspiration and histopathology of Lymph Node suggested KFD. Computerized Tomography (CT) scan of neck revealed enlarged retropharyngeal lymphnode (LN) causing pharyngeal narrowing. Oral Prednisolone was given showing improvement and no relapse was encountered. KFD may present with dysphasia uncommonly along with fever and lymphadenopathy. Awareness of this disorder by clinicians and pathologists will help prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.