Background Parent-adolescent reproductive health (RH) communication is one of the potential sources of information for adolescents on the topic. Given that female adolescents in Bangladesh are faced with increasing RH-related risks, it is important to understand how parents communicate about RH to their adolescents from the adolescents’ perspectives. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the status of mother-adolescent daughter communication on reproductive health in Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional study targeting female students was conducted in five high schools in Chittagong based on a self-administered questionnaire survey. A description method was used to describe the characteristics of mother-adolescent daughters’ communication on RH including the frequency, type and the quantity of topics. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the factors influencing mother-adolescent daughter communication. Results In the study, 1174 female students aged from 13 to 19 years old were included. The main source of knowledge on RH was from their mother (62%), and the mother was the person who communicated first on RH with adolescent students. The topics of mother-daughter communication were mainly focused on menstruation issues (> 80%). Multivariate logistic regressions showed that Hindu students, students with good RH knowledge, adolescents’ mothers having good RH knowledge, mothers with high media use, good mother-daughter relationship, daughters’ regular general communication with mothers, and students’ perceiving comfort in RH communication with their mothers were reported as significant predictors for a good RH communication status. On the contrary, students having family members numbering more than four, whose primary source of reproductive health information was friends/classmates as well as media were less likely to have better RH communication with mothers. Conclusions The overall communication on reproductive health between adolescent daughters and their mothers was not good. This study suggests for conducting qualitative research investigating the socio-cultural context within which the RH communications happen. and how to address the obstacles that might hinder this communication.

Improving the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of adolescent girls is one of the primary aims of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adequate and accurate knowledge, a favorable attitude, safe behavior, and regular practice contribute to adolescent girls’ SRH, maternal health, and child health. Considering this, this study aims to explore the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of SRH among college-going older adolescent girls in Chittagong district, Bangladesh. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four colleges among the older adolescent girl age group of 16–17 years old (N = 792) attending a higher secondary grade in Chittagong district. Data were collected using a structured and self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analyses were used to summarize the SRH-related KAP and identify the associated factors, respectively. The level of knowledge about puberty, family planning, maternal health, and HIV/AIDS was not satisfactory among the older adolescent girls. Different myths are common in the rural area with regards to menstruation, which impose several restrictions on adolescent girls and adult women. Standardized coefficients of beta (β) and p value < 0.05 in linear regression analyses demonstrated that being a student of the science group (β = 0.29, p < 0.001) and reading about or watching SRH issues on media (β = 0.21, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with older adolescent girls’ high level of knowledge in this regard. Furthermore, being a student of the science group (β = 0.17, p < 0.001), urban residence (β = 0.20, p < 0.001), regular SRH communication (at least once a month) with a mother/sister/friend (β = 0.10, p = 0.003), and reading or watching any SRH content on media (β = 0.22, p < 0.001) appeared as predictors of adolescent girls’ positive attitude towards SRH issues. Moreover, being a student of the science group (β = 0.07, p = 0.048), urban residence (β = 0.22, p < 0.001), regular SRH discussions with a mother/sister/friend (β = 0.09, p = 0.005), pre-knowledge on periods before menarche (β = 0.12, p < 0.001), and reading or watching any SRH content on media (β = 0.18, p < 0.001) are the most important factors influencing a regular hygienic practice of SRH. This study suggests strengthening SRH-related comprehensive education programs incorporated into the curriculum, the effective use of mass media, and supplying behavioral change communication materials.

Pharmacy workers in Bangladesh need to be trained on legal time limits for MR services provision, on providing accurate information on disbursed medicine, and on proper referral mechanisms. A strong monitoring and regulatory system for pharmacy provision of MRM in pharmacies should be established.

Abstract:Background: Now-a-days dental problem is one of the most common diseases in the world.Proper oral hygiene practicingin a regular basis are great ways to prevention of dental disease. Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out with a view to assess the oral hygiene awareness among the primary school children of a rural area under Dhaka division of Bangladesh. Data about oral hygiene related knowledge and practices were collected by face to face interview of the children. Oral examination was done by disposable dental mirror and probe under sufficient light. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: Among the 114 respondents 53.51% are male and rest are female. Age range of the respondents were 6 to 11 years.Oral hygiene related knowledge: Among the respondents 78.07% told that regularteeth cleaning is important,60.52% respondents told that teeth should be cleaned once daily,62.29% told that teeth should be cleaned by tooth brush and tooth paste,70.17% told that teeth should be cleaned before breakfast. Oral hygienerelated practice: Among 114 respondents 64.04% cleaned their teeth everyday,51.75%used tooth paste and toothbrush to clean their teeth, 38.60%respondents cleaned their teeth in their convenient time. Among the tooth brush users, most of them changed their toothbrush when it was damaged or lost. All the respondents used match stick or coconut leaf stick if food was deposited in between their teeth. Oral hygiene status: Among the respondents 68.32 % had caries in their mouth. About 53.42% caries found in the lower jaw. Caries were more prevalent in molar teeth. About 69.34% respondents had plaque or calculus, 46.54% experienced gingival bleeding. Conclusion: Oral hygiene awareness among the respondents were very low.

This study aims at assessing the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning reproductive health (RH) among adolescent college-going girls in the urban and rural areas of Chittagong District, Bangladesh. A college-based cross-sectional study was conducted among college-going girls (N = 792) of four colleges attending Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) classes (eleven/twelve classes) in Chittagong District. Data were collected using a structured and self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square (χ2) and independent-samples t-test were conducted to make the comparison between urban and rural participants. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 24.0. The authors’ interpretation of the findings was also informed by anthropological as well as qualitative considerations. Mothers were reported to be the key informants of reproductive health for the adolescent girls of both urban and rural areas. Besides, urban respondents were more likely than rural respondents (p < .001) to feel comfortable during the discussion on RH with mother/sister/relative; to communicate frequently with their mothers; to discuss RH issues regularly; to have prior knowledge on menstruation. Moreover, this study also found significant differences (p < .05) regarding most of the items addressing RH knowledge, attitude, and practice between adolescent girls in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh due to the existing socio-cultural disparities between the areas of residence.