Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or hyperglycemia in pregnancy is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes such as large for gestational age (LGA), excess fetal adiposity and cesarean delivery. This study addressed the prevalence of diabetes in pregnancy and to compare the perinatal outcomes between GDM and non-GDM in a rural pregnancy cohort of Bangladesh. Ten villages were purposively selected in a rural area about 100 km off Dhaka City. A population census was conducted. A randomized sample of married women of age 15-45y was drawn from the census data. These women having either regular menstruation (non-regnant) or cessation of menstruation for ≥24weeks (pregnant) were considered eligible. Both the pregnant and non-pregnant women were invited to volunteer the study. Weight, height, waist-and hip-girth and blood pressure were taken. Fasting blood sample was collected for the estimation of plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (chol), high-density lipoprotein (HDL). FPG >5.1 mmol/L was taken as cut-off for hyperglycemia in non-pregnant and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) for the pregnant women. The biophysical characteristics were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant; and then GDM and non-GDM. Only the pregnant women were taken as a pregnancy cohort. The cohort had followup from 24wks of pregnancy through 28 post-natal days. Results The census yielded 23545 (m / f=11896 / 11649) people of all ages. The married women of age 15-45y were 4526. Of them, 2100 were randomly selected for investigation and 1585 (75.5%) volunteered. The overall prevalence (95% CI) of hyperglycemia (FPG >5.1 mmol/L) was 18.5% (16.7 -20.3). The prevalence of GDM was 8.9% (7.0 -10.8) and non-GDM was 19. 8% (18.8 -20.8). The BMI and WHR were significantly higher in the pregnant than non-pregnant women; whereas, there was no significant difference between GDM and non-GDM group. The prevalence rates of abortions, stillbirths, hospital delivery, cesarean delivery, hospital stay ≥7days, puerperal sepsis and neonatal death did not differ between GDM and non-GDM subjects significantly. The prevalence of GDM in rural Bangladesh is comparable with any other population with higher prevalence of GDM. The prevalence of hyperglycemia was found significantly higher in the non-pregnant than the pregnant women. The anthropometric measures did not differ significantly between GDM and non-GDM though FPG was found significantly higher in the former. Compared with the non-GDM the GDM subjects had no significantly higher fetomaternal morbidity and mortality possibly due to non-sedentary habit, non-obesity, non-dyslipidemia or may be due to inherent genetic makeup. A well designed study in a larger sample may explain our findings.Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2013; 7(2): 21-27

Backgrounds and Aims: Several epidemiological investigations revealed that the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has been increasing in the adult population of Bangladesh. But the prevalence of diabetes among the children and adolescents in Bangladesh has not been reported. This study addressed the prevalence of diabetes among the younger people in Bangladesh. Subjects and Methods: We investigated school children of age group 10 -18 years in rural, suburban and urban communities. Investigations included socio-demographic information, height, weight, mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC), blood pressure (SBP, DBP) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). We used WHO criteria (1999) for impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Results: A total of 2152 students (boys/girls: 1064/1088) volunteered the study. Their mean (SD) age was 13.3 (2.0) y, BMI was 18.5 (3.1) and MUAC was 21.2 (3.4) cm. The mean (SD) of FPG was 4.6 (0.87) mmol/l. The prevalence of IFG (95% CI) was 3.4% (2.63 -4.17) and T2DM was 1.8% (1.23 -2.37). BMI showed no association with FPG in either sex. In assessing risk for hyperglycemia (FPG > = 5.6 mmol/l), logistic regression showed [odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI] that compared with lower age (<12 vs >16 y) higher age had excess risk (OR 5.2, 2.92 -9.23). Compared with the rural the urban children had higher risk (OR 14.7, 6.41 -33.78). Higher family income was also found to have higher risk (BDT <5000 vs >8000: OR 2.03, 1.30 -3.18); whereas, higher BMI and MUAC were proved to be not significant. Conclusions: The prevalence of IFG and T2DM in Bangladeshi children and adolescents appears to be high. The urban children from the higher family income are the most vulnerable for developing

Background and objective -Disaster prone coastal population has least accessibility to health care and very little is known about the prevalence of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy (DR) and visual impairment. This study addressed the prevalence of visual impairment and DR and risk factors related to DR among population residing in disaster prone areas of Bangladesh.

Background and objectives: Helminthic infestation is one of the commonest health problems in a developing country like Bangladesh. The objectives of the current study were to determine the prevalence of helminthic infestations, associated risk factors and its effects among the rural children in Bangladesh. The trend of helminthic infestation rate over time was also analyzed. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the rural primary school children of Sreepur Upazilla of Gazipur District. The area is located about 40 km north-east of capital Dhaka. A total of 593 students aged 5-13 years were enrolled from 5 primary schools. Out of 593 children, 204 agreed to provide fecal samples. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data by face to face interview method and several anthropometric measurements along with clinical examinations were also carried out. Helminth ova were detected by direct microscopy of fecal smear and floatation concentration methods. Data were analyzed using the software IBM SPSS (Version 20). Result: Out of 204, 80 (39.2%) children were infested with at least one species of helminth. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and mixed infection was 23%, 12.8% and 3.4% respectively. Overall prevalence of infection was higher among female students compared to male students (p<0.05). Living in mud-floor and thatch walled houses were significantly (p<0.05) associated with increased helminthic infestation. The risk behaviors commonly related to helminthic infestation revealed no difference between infected and non- infected groups of children. Height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), skin fold thickness, and waist and hip circumference of worm infested children were not significantly different from those without worm infestation. Conclusion: The results reflect that the deworming program of Sreepur Upazilla was not fully successful. Poor socio-economic condition and lack of awareness of personal hygiene played an important role in prevalence of parasite infestation. IMC J Med Sci 2019; 13(1): 004

The prevalence of hypertension was reported higher in the coastal areas in different populations of the world. There was no study on the prevalence of hypertension among the coastal people in Bangladesh. This study addressed the prevalence and risk of hypertension among people living in the coastal areas of Bangladesh.Total 32 different coastal communities were selected purposively in the six coastal districts (Barisal, Borguna, Vola, Pirojpur, Potuakhali and Jhalukathi) of Bangladesh. All people over 18 years were considered eligible. Social, clinical and family histories were taken. Height, weight, waist-and hip-girths were measured including systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP). Fasting blood glucose and lipids were also estimated. The accepted cut offs for systolic hypertension (sHTN) was ≥135mmHg and diastolic hypertension (dHTN) was ≥85 mmHg.