A community based cross-sectional study among the geriatric people i.e. 60 years and above age group was carried out in the rural villages of Rangpur district with a view to find out their common health problems and the relationship between the health problems and some of their socio-economical factors. A total of 1000 geriatric people were interviewed. Among them 73.6% were male and 26.4% were female, majority of them (47.8%) were in the age group 60-64 years and about 30% of them were smokers. About 86% of the respondents were suffering from either a disease or diseases at the time of Interview. The most common diseases suffered by them were arthritis, diarrhoea, hyperacidity and peptic ulcerative diseases, bronchitis, asthma, hypertension, cataract, dental caries, skin disease, diabetes mellitus, hydrocele, etc.

Background: Tuberculosis is among the major causes of illness and death worldwide especially in Asia. Smoking is associated with recurrent tuberculosis and its related mortality. Also, it could affect clinical manifestations, bacteriological conversion and outcome of treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the pattern of tobacco smoking, history of previous quit attempts and attitude towards quitting in tuberculosis patients. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study done amongst tuberculosis patients presented to DOTS corner of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. 315 patients entered the study as "First Come First Serve". Selfreported questionnaires were designed according to the standard questionnaires of smoking pattern. Results: Sixty one percent (61%) patients (n=192) were smoker before the diagnosis of tuberculosis. 51.1% were current smokers at the time of interview and were continuing smoking after the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Only 10.2% discontinued smoking after diagnosis. 68.2% smokes less than 10 cigarettes per day. 53.1% was between 31-50 age group. 21-30 is the commonest age group (62%) to start smoking is and 66.1% smoked less than 10 years before diagnosis. To reduce stress was the most common cause to continue smoking (48.9%). 71.9% smokers showed keen interest to stop smoking. Conclusion: Considering the prevalence of smoking in tuberculosis patients, evaluation of tobacco smoking status in such patients and motivating them to quit smoking could be considered as important steps in their treatment process.

This cross sectional type of descriptive study was carried out among the mothers, who attended ORT corner of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for the treatment of diarrhoea of their children to assess their knowledge and practice of oral rehydration solution in diarrhoea. The sample size was 385, which was selected purposively. Data were collected from the respondents by face to face interview according to a partially structured questionnaire. Data were analysed by using SPSS software programme and interpretations were done using appropriate statistical tests like Chi Square Test. Ethical issues were considered throughout the study. Majority (62.5%) of the mothers were in the age group of 21 – 30 years and most (71%) of them were housewives. Most (95.12%) of the mothers knew the preparation of ORS correctly but only 42.82% of them used ORS properly during diarrhoea of their children. The relationship of correct knowledge on ORS preparation was direct with literacy level and monthly family income of the mothers, which were significant (p<0.05). Knowledge on ORS preparation was found significantly more among house wives in comparison to other professions (p<0.05) but there was no significant relationship between knowledge on ORS preparation and age group of the mothers (p>0.05). Correctly use of ORS during diarrhoea of the children was found significantly associated with family income (p<0.05) but was not found associated with age and literacy level of the mothers (p>0.05 each). This study provided some important information regarding knowledge and practice on ORS use of the mothers in Rajshahi region. TAJ 2020; 33(2): 32-38

Background & Objective: Non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes, hypertension and ischemic heart diseases have created an epidemic situation worldwide. Bangladesh is also in the grip of the menace. The only way to get rid of the menace is prevention of these diseases which demands awareness against the diseases. This study was undertaken to assess the level of knowledge of adult people of Puthia Upazila regarding prevention of the seclected non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Community Medicine Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi over a period of 2 months from April 2018 to May 2018. All adult people (18 years onwards) residing in the rural area of Puthia Upazila were the respondents (study population) in this study. The survey invited the adult individuals to participate in the study. A total of 1001 individuals voluntarily responded to participate in the study. Of them 648(64.7%) were free from the NCDs and were interviewed to assess their level of knowledge on prevention of selected NCDs. A self-administered questionnaire containing the variables of interest for evaluating knowledge was used. Result: Two-thirds (68.2%) of the respondents were 30–50 years old with mean age of the respondents being 44.3(range: 25-90) years. Males outnumbered females by 11:9. Over half (54%) informed that they had little knowledge and 10.7% were familiar with the NCDs. Around half held the view that diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart diseases and stroke were NCDs/chronic diseases. Approximately 70% told that the NCDs were on a rising trend. Regarding causes of chronic diseases, the respondents told excess intake of fat and sedentary life-style (67.9%), intake of excess CHO (54.2%), indulgence in smoking (68.2%), less intake of vegetables and fruits (57.4%), excess or additional salt intake (50.5%) and family history of NCD (44.1%). Regarding prevention of NCDs, around 70% were in favor of adopting healthy dietary behaviour and avoiding too much fatty food, followed by regular exercise (71.2%), avoiding or giving up smoking (70.8%) and avoiding or giving up taking extra salt (57.9%). Conclusion: The study concluded that the people of Puthia Upazilla are aware more or less about the selected NCDs (diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart diseases and stroke). They are also aware that these diseases are increasing. Around two-thirds of the people are aware about the risk factors of these non-communicable diseases and the ways to prevent them. Ibrahim Card Med J 2020; 10 (1&2): 27-32

It has been suggested that a birthweight limit of 2.5 kg should not be regarded as valid for all populations as the cut-off point of low-weight births because of demographic, genetic and environmental differences. Countries often choose alternative cut-off values for low birthweight for clinical purposes. Bangladesh also needs to choose a convenient cut-off value for low birthweight. A total of 770 live singleton full-term normal newborns were included in this study by stratified sampling; birthweight was measured using the Detecto-type baby weight machine. Newborns were followed up to the end of their first week of life. For data collection a pretested structured questionnaire and an Apgar Score estimating checklist were used. Chi-square test was applied to assess the association of different birthweight strata and neonatal health outcomes. Multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify the independent effects of different levels of birthweight on early neonatal health. The neonates having birthweight < or = 2 kg had a significantly higher risk of early neonatal mortality and morbidity than the higher level birthweight group. Birth asphyxia was the commonest cause of early neonatal mortality and morbidity. Borderline birthweight (>2 to <2.5 kg) neonates experienced the same mortality and morbidity rates as the normal birthweight neonates during their early neonatal life. Birthweight < or = 2 kg may be one of the criteria for admission to a neonatal intensive care unit whereas more than 2 kg may not require admission unless otherwise necessary.