Risk factors for non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh: findings of the population-based cross-sectional national survey 2018

OBJECTIVES

To determine the national prevalence of risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCD) in the adult population of Bangladesh.

DESIGN

The study was a population-based national cross-sectional study.

SETTING

This study used 496 primary sampling units (PSUs) developed by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. The PSUs were equally allocated to each division and urban and rural stratum within each division.

PARTICIPANTS

The participants were adults aged 18 to 69 years, who were usual residents of the households for at least 6 months and stayed the night before the survey. Out of 9900 participants, 8185 (82.7%) completed STEP-1 and STEP-2, and 7208 took part in STEP-3.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME

The prevalence of behavioural, physical and biochemical risk factors of NCD. Data were weighted to generate national estimates.

RESULTS

Tobacco use was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the rural (45.2%) than the urban (38.8%) population. Inadequate fruit/vegetable intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the urban (92.1%) than in the rural (88.9%) population. The mean salt intake per day was higher in the rural (9.0 g) than urban (8.9 g) population. Among all, 3.0% had no, 70.9% had 1 to 2 and 26.2% had ≥3 NCD risk factors. The urban population was more likely to have insufficient physical activity (adjusted OR (AOR): 1.2, 95% CI: 1.2 to 1.2), obesity (AOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.5 to 1.5), hypertension (AOR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.3 to 1.3), diabetes (AOR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.6 to 1.6) and hyperglycaemia (AOR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the high prevalence of the behavioural, physical and biochemical risk factors, diverse population and high-risk group targeted interventions are essential to combat the rising burden of NCDs.

Nutritional evaluation of working Malay women in Kuala Lumpur as studied by total food duplicate method

Nutrient intake was surveyed by the total food duplicate method in 49 adult ethnically Malay women (at the ages of 18 to 47 years and mostly at 30-39 years) working in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Simultaneously, hematological examinations, serum biochemistry, anthropometry and clinical examination were conducted. Nutrient intakes were estimated in reference to the weight of each food item and the standard food composition tables. Lunch was the most substantial meal of the day with rice as a staple food. Compared with the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) values, daily intakes of energy (1,917 kcal as an arithmetic mean), protein (62.2 g), vitamin B1 (0.83 mg) and vitamin B2 (1.18 mg) were sufficient, but intakes of minerals [i.e., calcium (347.8 mg) and iron (12.5 mg)] and some vitamins [i.e., vitamin A (equivalent to 627 micrograms retinol) and niacin (7.84 mg)] were less than RDA. When evaluated on an individual basis, the prevalence of those who took less than 80% RDA was highest for iron (92%), followed by niacin (80%), calcium (57%) and vitamin A (57%). The presence of 7 hypohemoglobinemia cases may be related to the insufficient iron intake. Overweight cases (14 women) were also detected, the prevalence of which increased at advanced ages. Lipid intake was rather high (28% of total food on energy basis), for which the major source was plants with limited contribution from fish/shellfish.

Temperature-dependent development of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its larval parasitoid, Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): implications for species interactions

Habrobracon hebetor (Say) is a parasitoid of various Lepidoptera including Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), a key pest of different crops and vegetables. The development of both H. armigera and H. hebetor were simultaneously evaluated against a wide range of constant temperatures (10, 15, 17.5, 20, 25, 27.5, 30, 35, 37.5 and 40 °C). Helicoverpa armigera completed its development from egg to adult within a temperature range of 17.5-37.5 °C and H. hebetor completed its life cycle from egg to adult within a temperature range of 15-40 °C. Based on the Ikemoto and Takai model the developmental threshold (To) and thermal constant (K) to complete the immature stages, of H. armigera were calculated as 11.6 °C and 513.6 DD, respectively, and 13 °C and 148 DD, respectively, for H. hebetor. Analytis/Briere-2 and Analytis/Briere-1 were adjudged the best non-linear models for prediction of phenology of H. armigera and H. hebetor, respectively and enabled estimation of the optimum (Topt) and maximum temperature (Tmax) for development with values of 34.8, 38.7, 36.3, and 43 °C for host and the parasitoid, respectively. Parasitisation by H. hebetor was maximal at 25 °C but occurred even at 40 °C. This study suggests although high temperature is limiting to insects, our estimates of the upper thermal limits for both species are higher than previously estimated. Some biological control of H. armigera by H. hebetor may persist in tropical areas, even with increasing temperatures due to climate change.

Job satisfaction and performance among employed Bangladeshi women working from home during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aims

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the adoption of telework modalities by individuals in Bangladesh. The study's objective was to determine the job satisfaction and performance level of employed Bangladeshi women working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among women employees of different professions in Dhaka city. The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) was used to measure job satisfaction. Work arrangement satisfaction and self-reported performance were measured by two separate subscales which contain five items each. Responses from 118 employed women were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-square tests, Independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson Correlation tests through the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), version 26.

Results

The findings indicated that 51.7% of women reported a high degree of satisfaction on the MSQ scale; 61.9% expressed high satisfaction with their work arrangements at home and 66.9% reported a high level of performance. Job satisfaction was significantly associated with the number of children and the number of family members. A positive association was found between job satisfaction and total working experience and work arrangements. Work performance was strongly associated with higher educational qualifications. A statistically significant association between job satisfaction and performance was revealed.

Conclusions

The findings from this study indicated a high degree of job satisfaction and a high level of performance found in women employees who worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings encourage organizations to foster more policies for telework alternatives for employed women to help them keep a balance between work responsibilities and household chores.

EFFECTS OF PERIODIC SALINITY VARIATION ON THE EXPRESSION OF SOME PHENOTYPIC TRAITS IN STRIPPED DWARF CATFISH (Mystus vittatus)

Salinity fluctuations are known to have direct or indirect influence on phenotypes and thereby, evolve the subsequent life history traits in aquatic animals especially in fish. The present study was carried out to investigate whether periodic salinity fluctuations can influence the expression of some phenotypic traits (e.g. survival, standard length, tail length, body area, and body colour) in stripped dwarf catfish (Mystus vittatus). Ninety medium sized stripped dwarf catfish were collected and reared up to three months dividing into two treatments such as control treatment (CT) and salinity treatment (ST). The CT fish were reared at 0 ppt during the experimental period, while ST fish were reared at 10 ppt in first month, 0 ppt in second month and 10 ppt again in third month. There were significant effects of salinity on survival and the overall body colour of stripped dwarf catfish during the experiment. The results showed a significant difference in the tail length between the two treatments in which the average of tail length with the ST throughout the experimental period was significantly smaller than the CT. The study also found that the ST fish were significantly less bright and highly fade in appearance compared to the CT fish. The overall results have revealed an important role of periodic salinity fluctuation on the expression of some phenotypic traits in stripped dwarf catfish and thereby, underpinned the evolution of different phenotypic traits in many animals and also their plasticity as result of environmental stress in nature. Keywords: Catfish, salinity stress, fish phenotypes, fish colour.