ORCID Profile
0000-0001-7143-2909
Current Organisations
Independent Universty, Bangladesh (IUB)
,
Biomedical Research Foundation
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Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 06-08-2020
DOI: 10.1101/2020.08.05.20168674
Abstract: South Asian countries including Bangladesh have been struggling to control the COVID-19 pandemic despite imposing months of lockdown and other public health measures (as of June 30, 2020). In-depth epidemiological information from these countries is lacking. From the perspective of Bangladesh, this study aims to understand the epidemiological features and gaps in public health preparedness. This study used publicly available data (8 March-30 June 2020) from the respective health departments of Bangladesh and Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Centre. Descriptive statistics was used to report the incidence, case fatality rates (CFR), and trend analysis. Spatial distribution maps were created using ArcGIS Desktop. Infection dynamics were analyzed via SIR models. In 66 days of nationwide lockdown and other public health efforts, a total of 47,153 cases and 650 deaths were reported. However, the incidence was increased by around 50% within a week after relaxing the lockdown. Males were disproportionately affected in terms of infections (71%) and deaths (77%) than females. The CFR for males was higher than females (1.38% vs 1.01%). Over 50% of infected cases were reported among young adults (20-40-year age group). Geospatial analysis between 7 June 2020 and 20 June 2020 showed that the incidences increased 4 to 10-fold in 12 administrative districts while it decreased in the epicenter. As compared to the EU and USA, trends of the cumulative incidence were slower in South Asia with lower mortality. Our findings on gaps in public health preparedness and epidemiological characteristics would contribute to facilitating better public health decisions for managing current and future pandemics like COVID-19 in the settings of developing countries.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 12-01-2019
Abstract: Childhood obesity is rapidly rising in many developing countries such as Bangladesh however, the factors responsible for this increase are not well understood. Being the primary caregivers of children, particularly in developing countries, maternal perceptions and knowledge could be important factors influencing the weight status of children. This study aimed to assess maternal perceptions of childhood obesity and associated socio-demographic factors in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study using stratified random s ling was conducted among 585 mothers whose children aged 4 to 7 years attended preschools in a district town. Body Mass Index of the children was calculated and weight status categorized according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria. Maternal perceptions were assessed using a self- or interviewer-administered questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was used to obtain crude and adjusted odds ratios. Fourteen percent of children were overweight or obese and approximately 30% were underweight. Only 3.1% of children were perceived as overweight/obese by their mothers. Over one-third (35%) of mothers perceived that childhood overweight/obesity could be a health problem and over two-thirds (68.6%) were not aware of any health consequences of childhood obesity. Maternal perceptions were significantly associated with maternal education, family income, and weight status of the child but were not associated with the sex of the child. We have identified knowledge gaps regarding maternal perception of childhood obesity and its contributing factors in a developing country. These findings can be used to develop and test parent-focused educational interventions for preventing childhood obesity in Bangladesh.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-09-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S13023-020-01543-0
Abstract: South Asia is the hotspot of beta-thalassemia, with an estimated 200,000 patients whose lives depend on regular blood transfusion. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have adopted unprecedented lockdown to minimize the spread of transmission. Restriction of nationwide human mobility and fear of COVID-19 infection has put thalassemia patients in a life-threatening situation because of an acute shortage of blood supply. As a public health preparedness strategy during a crisis like COVID-19 pandemic, the plights of thalassemia patients should be considered. Government-sponsored community blood-banks needs to be established or coverage expanded as a safety net for the thalassemia patients in lower- and middle-income countries.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 26-07-2023
Abstract: Child undernutrition is still a major public health concern in Bangladesh in spite of significant decline in the last few years. Climate change may impact the prevalence of undernutrition and its geographical variability through food security and recurring outbreaks of disease, as well as impede efforts to reduce the undernutrition burden. This study aims to evaluate rainfall and temperature associated with childhood malnutrition in Bangladesh. A spatial mixed effect logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between undernutrition (measured by the composite index of anthropometric failure) and residential area-level rainfall and temperatures, controlling for covariates and spatial effects of residential locations using national data from the 2017 to 2018 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. Our findings indicate that an increase in rainfall was associated with increased odds of undernutrition [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–1.24], whereas an increase in temperature was associated with decreased odds of undernutrition (AOR 0.86, 95% CI 0.80–0.93). We also found statistically significant structured and unstructured spatial variations in undernutrition, indicating locational effects. Investing in infrastructure and education could be potential strategies for mitigating the negative effects of climate change. High-risk regions in terms of climatic change and malnutrition could be given priority for intervention implementation.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-02-2016
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 06-02-2019
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 20-08-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-09-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S40814-021-00912-1
Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) released guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep for children under 5 years of age in 2019. In response to these guidelines, this pilot study aimed to (i) determine the proportion of preschool children (ages 3-4 years) who met the WHO guidelines (ii) examine the feasibility of the proposed protocol for the SUNRISE study and (iii) assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on movement behaviors of preschool children in Bangladesh. Time spent in physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep were objectively measured using two types of accelerometers (ActiGraph wGT3x-BT and ActivPAL4). Screen time and sleep quality were assessed via parent questionnaire. Fine and gross motor skills were measured using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (3rd edition). Three executive functions were assessed using the Early Years Toolbox. Focus groups were conducted with parents and childcare staff to determine the feasibility of the protocol. Follow-up data during COVID-19 pandemic was collected from parents over phone. Data from 63 preschool-aged children and their parents was analyzed in this pilot study. Only three children (4.7%) met all components of the WHO guidelines. Separately, children meeting physical activity, sedentary screen time and sleep guidelines were 71.9%, 17.5%, and 59.7% respectively. The proportion of all children who were developmentally on-track for the gross and fine motor skills was 58.7% and 50.8%, respectively. Parents and educators reported that the protocol was feasible except for the activPAL-4 accelerometer. Approximately, 39% of children (14 out of 37) who wore this device developed itchy skin and rashes resulting in the suspension of using this device mid-way through data collection. During COVID-19, there was a significant decrease in children’s total physical activity (− 193 min/day), and time spent outside on weekdays (− 75 min/day) and weekend days (− 131 min/day) and a significant increase in sedentary screen time (+85 min/day). Only a low proportion of children met the WHO guidelines. Methods and devices (except ActivPAL4) used in this pilot study proved to be feasible and this has paved the way to conduct the main SUNRISE study in Bangladesh. Future measures should be taken to address the issue of movement behaviors of children during the time of pandemics like COVID-19.
Publisher: Biomedical Research Foundation
Date: 03-05-2020
DOI: 10.30577/JBA.V3I2.40
Abstract: Our brief commentary on the threat and potential impact of the public’s “panic” to the COVID-19 outbreak. As stated, Bangladesh is in a very precarious situation with the imminent threat of disease spreading throughout a densely populated country of over 160 million. We can make parallels to our recent experience with the devastating Dengue virus outbreak. We believe it is essential to share this report with other public health agencies and especially those from low-and-middle-income countries.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-02-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S13023-020-1323-Y
Abstract: Thalassaemia is a potentially life-threatening yet preventable inherited hemoglobin disorder. Understanding local socio-cultural context and level of public awareness about thalassaemia is pivotal for selecting effective prevention strategies. This study attempted to assess knowledge and perceptions about thalassaemia among college students in Bangladesh. A supervised cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1578 college students using a self-administered structured questionnaire. The survey took place from 15 February 2018 to 17 March 2018 in the Jamalpur district in Bangladesh. Besides the attitude-related questions, the study asked a total of 12 knowledge-related questions, which were scored on a scale of 0–12 points. Over two-thirds (67%) of the college students had never heard of thalassaemia. The urban-rural dichotomy was observed among those familiar with the term (46.4% from urban vs. 25.8% from rural colleges). A similar pattern was observed for knowledge score 5.07 ± 1.87 for students from the urban colleges compared to 3.69 ± 2.23 for rural colleges. Students from the science background had the highest knowledge score (5.03 ± 1.85), while those from arts and humanities background scored lowest (3.66 ± 2.3). Nearly 40% of the students were not sure or did not want to be a friend of a thalassaemia patient. Whereas 39% either declined or remained hesitant about helping thalassaemia patients by donating blood. However, most of the respondents (88%) showed a positive attitude towards ‘premarital’ screening to prevent thalassaemia. This study has identified critical knowledge gaps and societal misperceptions about thalassaemia. A better understanding of these aspects will be pivotal for disseminating thalassaemia related information. As the first study of this kind in Bangladesh, findings from this study has generated baseline data that would contribute to developing effective intervention strategies in Bangladesh and other countries with a comparable socio-cultural setting.
Location: Bangladesh
No related grants have been discovered for Mohammad Sorowar Hossain.