The majority of the population in Bangladesh is employed in manual handling tasks, but adequate protections for these workers do not exist. Conditions at a boulder handling site, saw mill, rice packaging plant and construction site show the need for comprehensive reforms in occupational safety and health legislation and practice in Bangladesh. New policies on training, industrial hygiene, safety equipment, and risk assessment are necessary to protect workers in a rapidly developing economy.

Aims: There is scarcity of research on the health and disease status of primary school children in Bangladesh. This study aimed at assessing prevalence of medical diseases and surgical conditions among rural primary school children. Materials and Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in 2018 on 2 public and 2 private primary school children in Bakila and Gogra village of Chandpur district. History of immunization, deworming, major current or previous illness, allergy, trauma, surgery and drug history were recorded. Anthropometric measurements, milestones of development, body build and nutritional status; and other general and systemic examinations were carried out. Comparison was made between the public and private primary school students. Results: 227 primary school children (99 public school students and 128 private school students), were evaluated. Median age was 7 years and male to female ratio was 1.39:1. At least one medical disease or surgical condition was present in 146 (64.3%) students. Medical disease was present in 114 (50.2%) and surgical condition was present in 40 (17.6%) children. About 96.48% children completed immunization and 76.65% children were having regular deworming. Overall, 19.38% children were underweighted and 24.23% children were stunted. Bronchial asthma was the most common medical disease (11.89%), followed by rhinitis (8.37%) and food allergy (5.73%). Dental caries was the most common surgical condition, followed by tonsillitis (4.41%) and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), 2.64%. Conclusion: A diverse medical diseases and surgical conditions were prevalent among primary school children and most of these are preventable. These did not vary significantly between public and private schools.

Objective: Although Bangladesh is rapidly gaining economic development, education and health related indices are not equally developed in all parts of the country. The objective of the study was to compare the socio-economic and health status of students in public and private primary schools. Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 99 public and 128 private primary school children during 2018. Two public and two private primary schools were selected purposively from 2 villages of Chandpur. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: public primary school students and private primary school students. During a ‘free health check-up and treatment program’, guardians were asked to participate in the study. After taking informed written consent, students and guardians were asked about demographic, socioeconomic (such as, education, occupation, monthly income), and health related factors (such as, antenatal checkup, mode of delivery, immunization, deworming); then, anthropometric measurements (height, weight) and physical examinations of the children were done. Comparison was done between groups. Results: On socioeconomic status, monthly family income was more and paternal education was higher in private-school students than the public-school students. On health indices, antenatal care (ANC), Caesarian section (CS), living standard, use of sanitary latrine, and nutritional status of private school students were significantly better than public-school students. However, Public school students had higher deworming rate. Conclusion: Students in private schools had better socio-economic and health status in Bangladesh. Health-related indices are comparable to national parameters. It is recommended that socio-economic and education status needs further improvements for sustainable health and well-being.