Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease marked by airflow limitation, impairing functional capacity and quality of life. Education, exercise, and medication are key components of COPD management, yet evidence on their combined impact remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention, alongside exercise and medication, on respiratory symptoms, exercise capacity, lung function, and quality of life in COPD patients. Method A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Dhaka Medical College Hospital from December 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. A total of 52 COPD patients aged 40-80 years with mild to moderate disease were enrolled in this study. Patients were purposively allocated into two groups: group A received education, exercise, and medication; and group B received exercise and medication alone. Outcomes measured included dyspnea (mMRC), health status (CCQ), exercise capacity (six-minute walk test (6MWT)), oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and lung function (forced expiratory volume (FEV)₁/forced vital capacity (FVC)). Pre-post changes were analyzed using paired t-tests, and between-group comparisons were made using independent t-tests. Results Both groups showed significant improvements from baseline; however, group A demonstrated consistently superior outcomes. After 24 weeks, group A had significantly lower dyspnea scores (1.59 ± 0.50 vs 2.24 ± 0.83; p = 0.001) and better CCQ scores (3.04 ± 0.32 vs 3.31 ± 0.36; p = 0.006). Functional capacity improved more in group A (6MWT: 551.7 ± 32.7 m vs 526.8 ± 37 m; p = 0.01). Oxygen saturation was higher (97.2 ± 0.56% vs 96.2 ± 0.91%; p < 0.001), and pulmonary function improved more notably (FEV₁/FVC: 65.97 ± 2.65 vs 61.78 ± 4.17; p < 0.001) in group A compared to group B. Conclusion Educational intervention combined with exercise and medication significantly improved symptoms, functional capacity, oxygenation, and lung function in COPD patients. Structured education programs are recommended as an integral part of COPD management to enhance patient outcomes.
Background: Childhood obesity is becoming a significant health issue in Bangladesh, with dietary factors playing a major role in its rise among schoolchildren. This study aimed to assess the impact of dietary habits on the prevalence of childhood obesity in primary school children in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 primary school children aged 6 to 12 years selected from urban and rural schools. A purposive sampling was applied to take the sample. Dietary patterns, sociodemographic factors, and obesity status were assessed. SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis. Results: Among the 300 children, 33.3% were classified as obese. Of the obese children, 80% consumed high-calorie foods regularly, and 70% frequently drank sugary beverages. Parental education level was significantly associated with obesity risk, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.8. Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical role of dietary habits and socio-economic factors, such as parental education, in childhood obesity. Interventions targeting improved dietary behaviors and addressing socio-economic disparities are essential to combat obesity in Bangladesh. Eastern Med Coll J. July 2025; 10 (2): 89-94
This narrative review examines the influence of helmet use on safety, comfort, cognition, and batting performance during cricket match play, with a view to proposing recommendations for design evolution and policy revision. The review involved an extensive exploration of leading databases, including Medline, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and Scopus, covering the period from their inception to 30 December 2024. Findings confirm that helmets reduce head and facial injuries by attenuating impact forces, though visual obstruction and heat stress persist due to restricted airflow and faceguard design. Cognitive impacts vary: short-term use produces minimal effects on reaction time, whereas prolonged use may impair vigilance. Research on cardiovascular responses and repeated-sprint ability remains limited. The review concludes that helmets enhance safety but require better ventilation, fit, and adjustable faceguard gaps to balance protection and performance. Further studies on helmets' physiological and cognitive effects are needed to make cricket batting safer.
The menstrual cycle is considered one of the indicators of female reproductive health, while disturbances such as dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation are common among reproductive women. These conditions not only lead to anovulation and subfertility but also impair daily functioning and work productivity. Occupational characteristics, along with lifestyle, significantly impact menstrual health. We aimed to assess the prevalence and distribution of menstrual disorders and to identify associated lifestyle and occupational factors among nurses in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 373 female nurses of reproductive age with at least one year of clinical work experience. The study was conducted in seven hospitals across Dhaka, Bangladesh. Menstrual disorders were defined as the presence of one or more of the following: abnormal menstrual duration, irregular cycle length, cycle length variation, or dysmenorrhea. Data were collected via structured face-to-face interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression. More than four in five participants (80.7
