Impact and variability of social determinants of health on the transmission and outcomes of COVID-19 across the world: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated health inequalities across the globe, disproportionately affecting those with poor social determinants of health (SDOHs). It is imperative to understand how SDOH influences the transmission and outcomes (positive case, hospitalisation and mortality) of COVID-19. This systematic review will investigate the impact of a wide range of SDOHs across the globe on the transmission and outcomes of COVID-19.

Baseline prevalence of high blood pressure and its predictors in a rural adult population of Bangladesh: Outcome from the application of WHO PEN interventions.

This cross-sectional study estimated the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) and examined its predictors at baseline following protocol 1 (actions 1 and 2) of World Health Organization (WHO) Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease (PEN) Interventions in a selected rural area of Bangladesh. A total of 11 145 adults (both sex and age ≥ 18 years) completed both the questionnaire and clinical measurements at the household and community clinics, respectively. We defined high BP as systolic BP ≥ 120 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 80 mmHg, prehypertension (pre-HTN) as systolic BP 120-139 mmHg or diastolic BP 80-89 mmHg, and hypertension (HTN) as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg and/or anti-hypertensive drug intake for the raised BP.

Malnutrition in all its forms and associated factors affecting the nutritional status of adult rural population in Bangladesh: results from a cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: The burden of malnutrition is widely evaluated in Bangladesh in different contexts. However, most of them determine the influence of sociodemographic factors, which have limited scope for modification and design intervention. This study attempted to determine the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity and their modifiable lifestyle predictors in a rural population of Bangladesh.

Caring self-efficacy of direct care workers in residential aged care settings: A mixed methods scoping review.

The caring self-efficacy of direct care workers in residential aged care has been explored in the literature mostly as a predictor rather than the focus of interest. This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of the existing literature on aged care workers' caring self-efficacy and factors that influence it. A systematic search was performed in six electronic databases.

Developing and validating a modified enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method for detecting HEV IgG antibody from dried blood spot (DBS) samples in endemic settings.

Serological analysis is an integral part of laboratory practice nowadays. The present study was aimed to develop and validate a modified Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for determination of IgG antibody against Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) using dried blood spots (DBS) and corresponding plasma samples. A total of 65 samples (45 HEV patients, 20 healthy controls) were analyzed.

Associations between urinary heavy metal concentrations and blood pressure in residents of Asian countries.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that exposures to heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and selenium) may be associated with differences in blood pressure. However, the findings of these studies have been inconsistent. This study was performed to examine the associations between urinary heavy metal concentrations and blood pressure among residents of four Asian countries (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam).

COVID-19: Factors associated with psychological distress, fear, and coping strategies among community members across 17 countries.

Background: The current pandemic of COVID-19 impacted the psychological wellbeing of populations globally.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the extent and identify factors associated with psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study across 17 countries during Jun-2020 to Jan-2021.

Duration of intervals in the care seeking pathway for lung cancer in Bangladesh: A journey from symptoms triggering consultation to receipt of treatment.

Timeliness in seeking care is critical for lung cancer patients' survival and better prognosis. The care seeking trajectory of patients with lung cancer in Bangladesh has not been explored, despite the differences in health systems and structures compared to high income countries. This study investigated the symptoms triggering healthcare seeking, preferred healthcare providers (including informal healthcare providers such as pharmacy retailers, village doctors, and "traditional healers"), and the duration of intervals in the lung cancer care pathway of patients in Bangladesh.

Psychological distress, fear and coping among Malaysians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has enormously affected the psychological well-being, social and working life of millions of people across the world. This study aimed to investigate the psychological distress, fear and coping strategies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors among Malaysian residents.

Methods: Participants were invited to an online cross-sectional survey from Aug-Sep 2020.

Determinants of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection Among University Students in Central Bangladesh.

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and determinants of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among university students in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 614 students from five universities in central Bangladesh. Data were collected on demographic information, immunization history, medical and blood transfusion history through the face-to-face interview.

Health management during COVID-19 pandemic-contribution of women health informaticians, medical physicists and veterinarians from Bangladesh and Malaysia during the world crisis.

This article aims to highlight some of the contributions from Bangladeshi and Malaysian women scientists in the fields of health informatics, medical physics and biomedical engineering, and veterinary science in combating the COVID-19 world crisis. The status of COVID-19 situations in Bangladesh and Malaysia in respect to global scenario, some relevant government policies, lessons learnt from previous pandemics, socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, the impact on healthcare system and health management approaches taken by individual/institutional research group led by women scientists during the COVID-19 pandemic have been discussed and demonstrated in this article. These promising activities and initiatives will eventually motivate other women in science and extend their roles from laboratory to society in more aspects.

COVID-19 Related Psychological Distress, Fear and Coping: Identification of High-Risk Groups in Bangladesh.

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed psychological distress and fear across the globe; however, factors associated with those issues or the ways people cope may vary by country or context. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with psychological distress, fear, and coping strategies for people living in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study conducted in August-September 2020 using online platforms in Bangladesh.

Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Fear of COVID-19: an Online-Based Cross-cultural Study.

Unlabelled: The study aimed to measure Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) and fear level towards COVID-19 and explore its cross-cultural variances in knowledge by sociodemographic factors among the general population of 8 different countries over 5 continents. It was a cross-sectional online survey. This survey was conducted in April 2020 among 1296 participants using the "Google Form" platform.

Health-related quality of life among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus - A multicentre study in Bangladesh.

Aims: This study aimed to explore the health-related quality of life and the various demographics and clinical characteristics associated with it among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Bangladesh.

Methods: A total of 1253 participants with type 2 diabetes were recruited from a cross-sectional and retrospective study conducted in Bangladesh in 2017. Participants were recruited from six rural and urban diabetes hospitals.

Physicians' knowledge about palliative care in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study using digital social media platforms.

Introduction: Palliative care is still a new concept in many developing countries like Bangladesh. Basic knowledge about palliative care is needed for all physicians to identify and provide this care. This study aims to assess the preliminary knowledge level and the misconceptions about this field among physicians.

Association between daily commute and subjective health complaints among the office workers in an urban community.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of subjective health complaints (SHC) among metropolitan office commuters and to investigate the relationship between SHC and socio-demographic, commuting, and work-related factors.

Methods: The participants in this cross-sectional study were 628 full-time bank employees in Dhaka. One-month prevalence was determined using the SHC inventory scale.

Cardiovascular risk assessment among type-2 diabetic subjects in selected areas of Bangladesh: concordance among without cholesterol-based WHO/ISH, Globorisk, and Framingham risk prediction tools.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is higher among the subjects with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in low- and middle-income countries, like Bangladesh. However, there is no relevant available online published data for this country. We aimed at assessing the 10-year CVD risk among T2DM subjects in selected areas of Bangladesh using the without cholesterol-based joint World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH), Globorisk, and Framingham Risk Score (FRS) risk prediction tools, and also evaluating the concordance among these tools.

Proportion and predictors of SMBG use among type 2 diabetic subjects in three tertiary care hospitals in Dhaka City.

Aims: The aim was to find out the proportion of Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) Users and factors affecting the nonuse in three large hospitals of Dhaka city.

Methods: Under an observational cross-sectional design 598 type 2 diabetic subjects were recruited (convenient sampling) from the OPDs of 3 large tertiary care hospitals [one public hospital (PUBH), one Not-for-profit Hospital (NFPPH), and one For-profit private hospital (FPPH)] in Dhaka City. Data were analyzed by both univariate and multivariate analysis as appropriate.

COVID-19 Transmission due to Mass Mobility Before and After the Largest Festival in Bangladesh: An Epidemiologic Study.

Festivals traditionally result in mass public mobility from large cities to rural or semi-urban areas in low- and middle-Income Countries (LMIC), which are inadequately prepared for tackling the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore the trend of COVID-19 infection in a peripheral region of Bangladesh during one of the largest festivals to develop an evidence-based hypothesis for its influence on the transmission rate of COVID-19. This study conducted a quantitative analysis of secondary data on COVID-19 collected from the Directorate General of Health Services Bangladesh (DGHS) and divisional director's office in the Mymensingh division.

Molecular Epidemiology, Evolution and Reemergence of Chikungunya Virus in South Asia.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a vector (mosquito)-transmitted alphavirus (family ). CHIKV can cause fever and febrile illness associated with severe arthralgia and rash. Genotypic and phylogenetic analysis are important to understand the spread of CHIKV during epidemics and the diversity of circulating strains for the prediction of effective control measures.

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 of mental health symptoms and its effect on insomnia among healthcare workers who attended hospitals during COVID-19 pandemic: A survey in Dhaka city.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the high workload, risk of infection, and safety issues for family members may pose a threat to the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) working in hospital settings. The study aimed to find out the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and insomnia symptoms were among HCWs, as well as the factors related to these mental health issues.

Methods: We conducted an online survey of HCWs employed in Dhaka city from June 6 to July 6, 2020.

Associated Factors for Dropout of First Vs Third Doses of Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (DPT) Vaccination in Nepal.

Background: Immunization acts as a key intervention to reduce under-five mortality and morbidity. Despite global progress on vaccination, difficulties in the utilization of this service in developing countries have been observed. According to Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2016, only 78% of children received a complete dose of vaccine among which the first-dose receiver of DPT is 98%, whereas only 83% received a third dose.

Detection of Salmonella genes in stool samples of children aged 5 years and younger in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh.

Introduction: Typhoid incidence in children is higher in urban areas than in rural areas of Bangladesh. This study examined whether healthy urban children harboured higher levels of Salmonella genes than healthy rural children.

Methodology: Stool samples from 140 children were studied: 70 from rural areas and 70 from urban metropolitan areas.