Cohort profile: the BangladEsh Longitudinal Investigation of Emerging Vascular and nonvascular Events (BELIEVE) cohort study.

Purpose: Bangladesh has experienced a rapid epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in recent decades. There is, however, limited evidence about multidimensional determinants of NCDs in this population. The BangladEsh Longitudinal Investigation of Emerging Vascular and nonvascular Events (BELIEVE) study is a household-based prospective cohort study established to investigate biological, behavioural, environmental and broader determinants of NCDs.

Designing Front-of-Package Labels to Inform Consumers and Encourage Healthier Food Choices in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study.

Front-of-package labeling (FOPL) policies are a useful strategy to inform consumers about foods high in nutrients of concern, but little is known about what type of label works best in Bangladesh, a country with increasing levels of unhealthy food intake and diet-related diseases. We conducted 10 focus groups with men and women in rural and urban Bangladesh ( = 76). Using a semi-structured discussion guide, we asked consumers for their perceptions of the healthfulness of nutrients and foods, two common FOPLs (a color-coded guideline daily allowance [GDA] label and a warning label), and different visual elements of the warning label (e.

Global overview of government-endorsed nutrition labeling policies of packaged foods: a document review.

Introduction: Nutrition labeling provides nutritional information about nutrients present in a food product. It is commonly applied to packaged foods and beverages, where the information can be presented on the back or front of the pack as the nutrient declaration, nutrition and health claims, and supplementary nutrition information. Nutrition labeling is an important policy instrument for improving the nutritional quality of foods and promoting healthy diets, as it allows consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.

Association between alcohol intake and death from cardiovascular diseases and its subtypes stratified by dyslipidemia in Japanese men: 20-years follow-up of NIPPON DATA90.

Background: The association between alcohol consumption and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) was controversial, and no previous studies have shown the impact of dyslipidemia on the association. We aimed to clarify the association between alcohol consumption and death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its subtypes and the impact of dyslipidemia on the association.

Methods: We conducted a 20-year cohort study to clarify the association between alcohol intake and death from CVD and its subtypes in 2,909 Japanese men.

Text messaging to improve retention in hypertension care in Bangladesh.

Visit non-attendance is a common barrier to hypertension control in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile text messaging in improving visit attendance among patients with hypertension in primary healthcare facilities in Bangladesh. A randomized A/B testing study was conducted with two patient groups: (1) patients regularly attending visits (regular patients) and (2) patients overdue for their follow-up clinic visit (overdue patients).

May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Bangladesh.

Previous studies have shown that among Bangladeshi adults, one-fifth have hypertension. The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh participated in May Measurement Month (MMM) campaigns in 2017, 2018, 2019, as well as in 2021 as a part of a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of high blood pressure (BP) and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of nationwide screening programmes. This opportunistic screening of voluntary participants aged ≥18 years was carried out from May to July 2021.

Evaluation of the World Health Organization-HEARTS hypertension control package in Bangladesh: a quasi-experimental trial.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes the HEARTS technical package for improving hypertension control worldwide, but its effectiveness has not been rigorously evaluated.

Objective: To compare hypertension outcomes in clinics implementing HEARTS versus clinics continuing usual hypertension care in rural Bangladesh.

Methods: A matched-pair cluster quasi-experimental trial in Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs; primary healthcare facilities) was conducted in rural Bangladesh.

Availability of Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Care Services at Subdistrict Level in Bangladesh.

Background: In Bangladesh, the rapid rise of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has become a significant public health concern. This study assesses the readiness of hypertension (HTN)- and diabetes mellitus-related services at primary health-care facilities in Northeast Bangladesh.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured interview was conducted between April 2021 and May 2021 among 51 public primary health-care facility staff (upazila health complexes [UHCs]).

Salt intake across the hypertension care cascade in the Bangladeshi adult population: a nationally representative cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the distribution of daily salt intake across the hypertension care cascade and assess the proportional distribution of these care cascade categories across various salt consumption level.

Design: A population-based national cross-sectional study.

Settings: Data from the Bangladesh STEPS 2018 survey were used, encompassing both urban and rural strata within all eight divisions.

Health Literacy Among Non-Communicable Disease Service Seekers: A Nationwide Finding from Primary Health Care Settings of Bangladesh.

Background: Considering the health literacy status of service seekers is crucial while developing programs and policies to improve service delivery in primary health care settings.

Objective: Our aim was to assess health literacy among adults seeking non-communicable disease (NCD)-related services in primary health care centers (PHC) of Bangladesh and identify its contributing factors and its preventive effect on risky behaviors.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2,793 NCD service seekers were interviewed face-to-face from eight rural and three urban PHCs selected by a multi-stage random sampling method.

Salt Intake Estimation from Urine Samples in South Asian Population: Scoping Review.

The World Health Organization recommended reducing one's salt intake below 5 g/day to prevent disability and death from cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. This review aimed to identify salt estimation at the population level in South Asian countries, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. We searched electronic databases and government websites for the literature and reports published between January 2011 and October 2021 and also consulted key informants for unpublished reports.

Assessment of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis with preserved left ventricular systolic function by three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Objectives: Left ventricular dysfunction and remodeling can occur as a result of aortic valve stenosis (AS). Three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) can detect early left ventricular myocardial dysfunction even before ejection fraction declines. The purpose of this study was to look at the relationship between various myocardial strain parameters measured by 3D-STE in asymptomatic severe AS patients from Bangladesh.

Landscape of team-based care to manage hypertension: results from two surveys in low/middle-income countries.

Objectives: Team-based care is essential for improving hypertension outcomes in low-resource settings. We assessed perceptions of country representatives and healthcare workers (HCWs) on team-based hypertension care in low/middle-income countries.

Design: Two cross-sectional surveys.

Keep it simple: designing a user-centred digital information system to support chronic disease management in low/middle-income countries.

Objective: Implement a user-centred digital health information system to facilitate rapidly and substantially increasing the number of patients treated for hypertension in low/middle-income countries.

Methods: User-centred design of Simple, an offline-first app for mobile devices to record patient clinical visits and a web-based dashboard to monitor programme performance.

Results: The Simple mobile application scaled rapidly over the past 4 years to reach more than 11 400 primary care facilities in four countries with over 3 million patients enrolled.

Comparison of three spot urine formulae and their validation using 24-hour urine sodium for estimation of daily salt intake: a cross-sectional study among Bangladeshi adults.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the validity of three commonly used (Tanaka, Kawasaki, INTERSALT) methods based on spot urinary sodium excretion against the 24-hour urinary sodium excretion to estimate the dietary salt intake in Bangladesh.

Design: A population-based cross-sectional survey.

Setting: A cross-sectional survey was done in an urban and a rural area of Bangladesh in 2012-2013.

Building the health-economic case for scaling up the WHO-HEARTS hypertension control package in low- and middle-income countries.

Generally, hypertension control programs are cost-effective, including in low- and middle-income countries, but country governments and civil society are not likely to support hypertension control programs unless value is demonstrated in terms of public health benefits, budget impact, and value-for-investment for the individual country context. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) established a standard, simplified Global HEARTS approach to hypertension control, including preferred antihypertensive medicines and blood pressure measurement devices. The objective of this study is to report on health economic studies of HEARTS hypertension control package cost (especially medication costs), cost-effectiveness, and budget impact and describe mathematical models designed to translate hypertension control program data into the optimal approach to hypertension care service delivery and financing, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Cost of primary care approaches for hypertension management and risk-based cardiovascular disease prevention in Bangladesh: a HEARTS costing tool application.

Objective: To estimate the costs of scaling up the HEARTS pilot project for hypertension management and risk-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention at the full population level in the four subdistricts (upazilas) in Bangladesh.

Settings: Two intervention scenarios in subdistrict health complexes: hypertension management only, and risk-based integrated hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol management.

Design: Data obtained during July-August 2020 from subdistrict health complexes on the cost of medications, diagnostic materials, staff salaries and other programme components.

Age and sex differences in factors associated with hypertension among an urban poor population in Bangladesh.

This study explores the differences in factors associated with hypertension between younger and older subjects in an urban slum community in Bangladesh. We analyzed the data of 1,008 men and 1,001 women obtained from a cross-sectional survey conducted between October 2015 and April 2016. Multivariable logistic regression models were stratified by age (18 to 44 and 45 to 64 years) in men and women separately.

Policy priorities for strengthening smokeless tobacco control in Bangladesh: A mixed-methods analysis.

Introduction: Smokeless tobacco (ST) remains poorly regulated in Bangladesh. This study describes the prevalence and trends of ST use in Bangladesh, presents ST-related disease burden, identifies relevant policy gaps, and highlights key implications for future policy and practice for effective ST control in Bangladesh.

Methods: We analyzed secondary data from the two rounds (2009 and 2017) of The Global Adult Tobacco Survey, estimated ST-related disease burden, and conducted a review to assess differences in combustible tobacco and ST policies.

Dietary salt intake and its correlates among adults in a slum area in Dhaka, Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study.

High dietary salt intake increases the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are increasing among the urban poor in Bangladesh, but the data of their dietary salt intake are yet scarce. This study aimed to explore the amount of dietary salt intake among adults in an urban slum area in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Fruit and vegetables consumption among school-going adolescents: Findings from the baseline survey of an intervention program in a semi-urban area of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Introduction: Interventions aimed at promoting healthy eating habits in adolescence can help prevent chronic diseases and promote healthy ageing. The aim of this paper is to describe the fruit and vegetables consumption habits of adolescents in Dhaka, Bangladesh as well as to identify the socio-environmental, personal, and behavioral factors that influence these habits.

Materials And Methods: The baseline data from an intervention study involving 823 grade ten students from two randomly selected secondary schools in a semi-urban area of Dhaka were analyzed.

May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Bangladesh.

According to the Non-communicable disease Risk Factors Survey of 2018, more than one-fifth (21.0%) of adults aged 25 years or older have hypertension and one-third of the adults did not have their blood pressure (BP) measured in their lifetime in Bangladesh. The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh participated in May Measurement Month (MMM) 2017 and 2018 as well as this 2019 as a part of a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programmes worldwide.

Prevalence and associated factors of hypertension in selected urban and rural areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh: findings from SHASTO baseline survey.

Objective: We implemented this study to report the prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension among adult men and women aged >30 years residing in selected urban and rural areas of Dhaka division, Bangladesh.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Two urban (Dhaka city north and Dhaka city south) and two rural (Narsinghdi and Gazipur district) areas of the Dhaka division.