National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine

Health insurance is essential for providing access to healthcare, particularly for older individuals. Disparities in awareness and understanding among elderly individuals in urban and rural areas may impact their ability to effectively utilize these services. This study aimed to compare knowledge of health insurance among urban and rural elderly populations. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 208 respondents in Dhaka and Chittagong. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, graphs, Chi-squared tests, and a multivariable logistic regression model. Most participants were male (60.6

Diabetic foot complications represent one of the most severe consequences of diabetes mellitus, with substantial global prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers. In Bangladesh, a significant proportion of type 2 diabetes patients are at risk of diabetic foot ulcers, yet patients’ foot care knowledge and practice remain largely unsatisfactory. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a foot care education session among rural diabetic patients in Bangladesh. A single-group pre-post study design was employed to develop and apply a footcare education module among 51 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at Shailkupa Diabetic Hospital, Jhenaidah, Bangladesh, from August to December 2023. It included two sessions involving a slide presentation with video demonstrations, and hands-on practice with take-home booklets. Evaluation of the knowledge and practice score was done before and four weeks after the intervention. Knowledge was assessed using a validated 15-item questionnaire, while practice was evaluated using the 29-item Nottingham Assessment of Functional Foot Care (NAFF). Participants had a mean age of 52 (± 12) years (± SD), with 64.7

Globally, undergraduate students exhibit a higher tendency towards tobacco and other substance use. Although there are almost 50,000 undergraduate medical students studying in Bangladesh currently, evidence regarding the prevalence of tobacco other substance use among them is very limited, let alone the predictors. This research aims to investigate the prevalence of tobacco or other substance use among medical students in Bangladesh and to investigate the factors associated with tobacco or other substance use. This cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2023 and August 2024 in sixteen medical colleges in Bangladesh. A total of 1,129 medical students were selected by convenience sampling, and data were collected using an online self-reported semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-test, and multiple logistic regression model were used to report the study findings. The mean age of the students was 22.3 (± 2) years, with slightly higher female preponderance (52.3

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) that are multi-drug resistant (MDR) represent a significant source of illness and death in intensive care units (ICUs), especially in low- and middle-income nations where antimicrobial resistance is escalating quickly. Ongoing monitoring of causative agents and their resistance patterns is crucial for directing empirical antibiotic treatment and updating hospital antibiotic guidelines. Objective: To determine the bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bloodstream isolates among ICU patientsadmitted to Gazi Medical College Hospital, Khulna, Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the ICU of Gazi Medical CollegeHospital from July 2025 to April 2026. Blood samples from clinically suspected cases of infection were collected and processed using standard microbiological methods, including culture, isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by the disc diffusion method. Interpretation was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 and expressed as frequencies and percentages. Results: A total of 200 blood samples were analyzed, of which 81(40.5%) yielded microbial growth. Gram-negative bacteria predominated, with Escherichia coli being the most common isolate (31, 15.5%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (24, 12.0%) and Klebsiella spp. (15, 7.5%). Among S. aureus, high resistance to cefoxitin (70.8%) and cloxacillin (66.7%) suggested a high prevalence of MRSA, while linezolid (70.9%) and vancomycin (75.0%) remained the most effective agents. Among Gram-negative isolates, E. coli showed the highest susceptibility to colistin (100.0%), amikacin (83.9%), and gentamicin (80.6%), but high resistance to nalidixic acid (96.8%), ceftazidime (93.5%), and ceftriaxone (83.9%), indicating probable ESBL production. Klebsiella spp. demonstrated 100% resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and low susceptibility to meropenem (20.0%). Colistin remained the most effective drug across Gram-negative organisms. Conclusion: The study revealed a high burden of bloodstream infections in ICU patients with predominance of MDR Gram-negative bacteria and a substantial prevalence of MRSA. Due to the startlingly high level of resistance to carbapenems and third-generation cephalosporins, colistin and a small number of other drugs were the only viable treatments. Strict infection control procedures, antimicrobial stewardship, and routine ICU antibiogram updates are desperately needed to stop the spread of resistant microorganisms and enhance clinical results. Mediscope 2026;13(2): 89-96

Severe undernutrition in early childhood remains a major public health challenge in Bangladesh. The Composite Index of Severe Anthropometric Failure (CISAF) provides a more comprehensive metric of undernutrition. The study examined the prevalence, trends, and socioeconomic disparities in CISAF among children under five in Bangladesh using three nationally representative surveys. Data were extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017-18, Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019, and BDHS 2022. The study scope was restricted to the most recent survey rounds to reflect current conditions and to maintain consistency with the programme period now used in national planning. Descriptive, regression, and inequality analyses (slope index of inequality [SII], relative index of inequality [RII]) were performed to assess trends and predictors. The Approximate test of homogeneity of odds ratios was used to examine the homogeneity of odds across survey years. Among 33452 children under five, CISAF prevalence significantly declined from 10.3% in 2017-18 to 10.1% in 2019 and finally, 7.6% in 2022. Higher odds of CISAF were observed among older age groups compared with younger groups across all the surveys (aOR: 1.03, 1.10 and 1.02, respectively). However, lower odds were linked to wealthier families and higher education of the mother. SII declined from -0.12 (2017-18) to -0.09 (2022), while RII ranged from 1.41 to 1.54, indicating persistent inequality despite national improvements in severe undernutrition. Severe undernutrition among children under five has declined, but clear socioeconomic gaps remain. Children from poorer households and those with less educated mothers continue to face higher levels of severe anthropometric failure. Equity-focused approaches, including targeted community services, social protection support, and wider access to maternal health information, may help narrow these gaps. Integrating CISAF into routine surveillance could improve identification of high-risk groups and support stronger programme planning.