Impacts of climate change-induced natural hazards on women and their human rights implications: A study in the southwest coast of Bangladesh

Women in coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts due to existing gender inequality and socio-cultural norms in Bangladesh. This research aims to explore the vulnerability of women to climate change-induced natural hazards, the challenges they face due to the chain impacts of climate change, and the resulting violation of women's rights. Quantitative and qualitative data were used in this study, where 260 structured questionnaire surveys and 15 Focus Group Discussions were performed at Mongla and Shyamnagar Upazilas in Bagerhat and Satkhira districts, respectively. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software, and qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The results disclose that most respondents in Mongla and Shyamnagar reported an increase in the occurrence rate of climate change-induced natural hazards, with cyclones, salinity, and riverbank erosion being the most devastating in Mongla and cyclones, salinity, and storm surges in Shyamnagar. It affects the lives and livelihoods of people, with women being particularly vulnerable due to limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and women's rights are violated in these areas. Half of the study area's population has been suffering from infections or inflammation in reproductive organs, especially among fisherwomen. The findings of this study recommend that provisions for alternative livelihoods should be made for women, and all women must be brought under the umbrella of fair social safety net programs.

Resistive Index of Intrarenal Artery in Evaluation of Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetes mellitus is one of the systemic diseases affecting the kidneys. Diabetic nephropathy is a serious microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus. It is the most important,cause of death in type I diabetic patients, of whom 30%-40% eventually develop end-stage renal failure and 40% of type II diabetics are at risk of developing diabetic nephropathy. So, diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy is paramount for the survivability of the diabetic patients not only because of the consequences of renal progression but also because of the strong association with the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A total number of 53 subjects were enrolled in this present cross sectional study in the department of Radiology and Imaging, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in collaboration of Nephrology and Medicine of the same institution during two years (2011-13) aim to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of renal resistive index (RI) by duplex Doppler ultrasonography for detection of renal dysfunction in diabetic patients. Clinically diagnosed diabetic patients having diabetic nephropathy referred to the department of Radiology and Imaging in BSMMU for ultrasonography of Kidneys, Ureters and Bladder (KUB) region or whole abdomen were selected as sample. Biochemical reports (Serum creatinine and Urinary albumin) and the RI value of intrarenal artery were correlated and analyzed. Only those patients biochemically were diagnosed as having diabetic nephropathy was included. Those with incomplete data, hydro nephrosis and renal calculus were excluded. Both the kidneys were visualized by commercially available real time scanner (GE Voluson) equipped with a curvilinear transducer operating at 3.5 MHz First Gray scale ultrasonography was done followed by Color Doppler of intra renal artery and then RI was measured. Majority (45.3%) patients were in 6th decade with the mean age was of 52.66±7.4 years and ranging from 38 to 65 years in patients. Male was found to be 54.7% of diabetic patients with male to female ratio 1.2:1. Resistive index of (≥ 0.7) was found in 73.6% patients with diabetes with the mean resistive index of 0.71±0.04. Positive correction between resistive index with serum creatinine (r=0.581, p<0.01) and albuminuria (r-0.725, p<0.01) were observed. It can be concluded that Resistive Index measured by duplex Doppler ultrasonography is useful diagnostic modality for detection of renal dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy patients. Resistive Index has value in identifying diabetic patients who are developing nephropathy and can be used as an additional diagnostic tool. Also it is well correlated with Serum Creatinine and Albuminuria which are the biochemical parameters to diagnose diabetic nephropathy.

Normal value of pulsatility index of umbilical artery in second and third trimester of pregnancy

This cross sectional study was carried out on 60 pregnant Bangladeshi women in the department of Radiology and Imaging, BIRDEM for measurement of Pulsatility Index (PI) of umbilical artery of their fetuses by duplex colour Doppler sonography during 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancies. Considering total 2nd and 3rd trimesters the mean PI value of umbilical artery was 1.24 (SD +/- 0.27). While considering the gestational in separate trimesters, study showed that the value of PI in 2nd trimester was 1.33 (SD +/- 0.29) and in 3rd trimester PI was 1.18 (SD +/- 0.25). Paired t test shows there was a highly significant (t = 35.79, df = 59, Level of significance = 0.001) difference between mean values of PI in different gestational ages. It was observed that there was gradual decrease of PI value with increase of gestational age (r = -0.207) but this decrease of PI was not statistically significant (p = 0.113). Regression analysis between dependent PI value and independent gestational age showed linear negative relationship but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.11). This study revealed that the Pulsatility index of umbilical artery was decreased with increase of gestational age from 2nd to 3rd trimester.