We studied a group of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) who were chronically exposed to arsenic through drinking water to identify the pregnancy outcomes in terms of live birth, stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, and preterm birth. We compared pregnancy outcomes of exposed respondents with pregnancy outcomes of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) who were not exposed to arsenic-contaminated water. In a cross-sectional study, we matched the women in both exposed and nonexposed groups for age, socioeconomic status, education, and age at marriage. The total sample size was 192, with 96 women in each group (i.e., exposed and nonexposed). Of the respondents in the exposed group, 98% had been drinking water containing [Greater and equal to] 0.10 mg/L arsenic and 43.8% had been drinking arsenic-contaminated water for 5-10 years. Skin manifestation due to chronic arsenic exposure was present in 22.9% of the respondents. Adverse pregnancy outcomes in terms of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, and preterm birth rates were significantly higher in the exposed group than those in the nonexposed group (p = 0.008, p = 0.046, and p = 0.018, respectively).

A study on 6492 new cancer patients was done at

Abstract:A study was conducted to find out the descriptive epidemiological and pathological characteristics among the incidental cases of cervical cancer patients attending National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH), Dhaka, Bangladesh, during January to December, 2012 However, marital status (OR=1.97, age at marriage (OR=2.57,

The enormous financial burden of cancer treatment due to lack of any structured financing mechanism results in catastrophic health expenditures as well as impoverishment to many households in Bangladesh. This study attempts to design an alternative mechanism for providing financial protection to cancer patients for receiving necessary procedures (e.g., screening, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical procedures) based on imposing some levy on mobile phone subscribers using primary and secondary data. The study finds that a monthly fixed levy of BDT 21.5 (USD 0.26) on each active mobile phone subscriber can provide annual financial protection of BDT500,000 (USD 5,882) to each of 60,000 cancer patients currently seeking treatment from domestic facilities. A fixed levy is always regressive and therefore burdensome for poverty-stricken subscribers. Allocation of the monthly fixed levy on the mobile phone call rate can generate similar worth more equitably. Successful transformation of this idea into action may increase access to cancer care and reduce financial burden as well as disease burden in Bangladesh. Contribution/ Originality:The paper is the first logical analysis of the alternative financing mechanisms of cancer treatments in Bangladesh. This study shows how a small contribution of a large group of people leads to mobilize resources for cancer treatment. This idea can also be used for financing the treatment of other NCDs.

Inadequate knowledge about health, illiteracy, cultural and religious issues, poverty, chronic infection, and malnutrition are continuously adding additional threat on the huge burden of cancers in Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to determine the trends and distributions of cancers in Bangladesh. Retrospective analysis was done on the cancer patients registered in the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH) in Dhaka, Bangladesh during January, 2008 to December, 2010. Of total 27,281 cancer patients, 56.2% were male and majority were from 45-54 years age group. There was an increasing trend of cancers during the study period (P <0.05). According to International Classification of Diseases for Oncology 3 rd edition), most frequent cancers were respiratory system and intrathoracic organs (23.1%) followed by digestive organs (18.5%), female genital organs (11.9%), breast (11.7%), and lip, oral cavity and pharynx (11.6%). Overall, lung cancer was the leading cancer followed by breast, cervical, lymph node and lymphatics, and esophageal cancer. Lung cancer was the leading cancer among male followed by lymph node and lymphatics, and esophagus. However, top of the list was occupied by the breast cancer among females followed by cervical cancer, and lung cancer. In conclusion, an increasing trend of cancer was observed in Bangladesh. Lung and breast cancer was the leading cancer in male and female, respectively; and most frequent cancer was observed among illiterate and middle aged population. We recommend exerting proper emphasis on anti-tobacco campaign and breast self-examination for the females in addition to increasing overall awareness against cancers in Bangladesh.