This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among the chronic asthma patients attending three Institutes of Dhaka city namely National Asthma Center, The National Institute of Diseases of Chest and Hospital (NIDCH), Mohakhali, and Dhaka Medical College Hospital to assess the level of knowledge regarding inhaler use. Convenient sampling was adopted. Data were collected using one semi-structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview. The patients were aged from 18 to 75 years with mean age being 40.68 years and sd ± 11.659 years. The mean monthly income of the respondents found was 8278.52 taka with standard deviation ± 3523.315 taka. Mean duration of bronchial asthma was 9.44 years with sd±4.862 years. Out of the total 298 respondents 103(35.8%) possessed "excellent knowledge" on inhalers. Ninety one (31.6%) had "adequate knowledge", sixty nine (24.0%) had "poor knowledge" and thirty five (8.7%) respondents were found having "no knowledge" about inhalers. Males were seen having better knowledge than the females (χ 2 =66.582, df=3, p<0.001). The respondents receiving treatment from the indoor possessed better knowledge than those from the outdoors (p<0.001). Level of Knowledge was also found to be associated with the educational status of the respondents. Respondents with higher education possessed more than the respondents with lower education (p<0.001). Though most of the physicians now prescribe inhalers, but many of them do not explain the proper use of inhaler. This may be corrected through training and motivation of physicians at Medical Colleges and Hospitals and during various medical conferences and other programs. To reduce the extent of suffering and economic burden of asthma patients and their families, active education program for the patients and training program for the health care providers, regarding "inhaler use technique" demands early consideration.

Introduction: Bangladesh is facing many challenges in health care that are similar to other developing countries. In Bangladesh standard of paramedical, nursing, pharmacy and public health education are expanding rapidly which needs to call for assessment and evaluation to be up to date in the respective fields. Study aims to assess the expansion of Nursing, Paramedical & Public health Education in Govt. & non Govt. sectors & its implication on quality of education. Methods: This was a descriptive type of cross sectional explorative study, conducted among the teachers and student of different institutes. Questionnaire was developed and a FGD was done. Then the data was analyzed. Results: At present situation, the numbers of non govt. organizations are more than govt. organizations (127 vs. 85). SWOT analyses showed the overall strength of the institutions were the scope for further improvements and the political commitments for expansion. Weaknesses lie in the lack of adequate infrastructure, suboptimal technical and laboratory facilities and teaching staffs. Opportunities were, increasing demand and provision of jobs at home and abroad. Possible threats were loss of quality services, recognition and registration of the institutes. Regarding the overall organization of the courses, 43% of the students voted as good and 100% of the teachers showed positive opinion. Regarding the teaching-learning procedure, 41% of the teachers strongly agreed about the perfect selection of the students. 48.3% teachers agreed about the adequacy of the number of teachers. 47.8% students also agreed with the competency of the teachers. Nearly one third teachers as well as students agreed about the good physical environment of the institute. About 35% and 36% of the teachers and the students respectively agreed about the transparency of the assessment systems. Conclusions: Present Bangladesh Govt. has implemented various initiatives regarding health sector reform. Proper funding, management, monitoring and evaluation can improve present situation and thus help in the development of better institutional output. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/joim.v34i3.8912   Journal of Institute of Medicine, December, 2012; 34:21-27

Introduction: Bangladesh is facing many challenges in health care that are similar to other developing countries. In Bangladesh standard of paramedical, nursing, pharmacy and public health education are expanding rapidly which needs to call for assessment and evaluation to be up to date in the respective •elds.