The current cross-sectional study was conducted among 864 older adults aged ≥ 60 years residing in Rohingya refugee camp through face-to-face interviews during November–December 2021. COVID-19-related anxiety was measured using the five-point Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and perceived stress using the 10-point Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The linear regression model identified the factors associated with COVID-19-related anxiety and perceived stress. The prevalence of COVID-19-related anxiety and perceived stress was 68% and 93%, respectively. The average COVID-19-related anxiety score expected to be significantly higher among those who were physically inactive, concerned about COVID-19, had a close friend/family member diagnosed with COVID-19, and had some difficulty in getting food and routine medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the average perceived stress score was expected to be significantly higher among those without partners, who were feeling overwhelmed by COVID-19, and who experienced COVID-19-related anxiety during the pandemic. The findings suggest providing immediate psychosocial support to older Rohingya adults.

Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the authorities made a change in the classification of malnutrition and concomitant service delivery protocol among the Rohingya children, residing in world’s largest refugee camp, located in Bangladesh. In this paper, we discussed the potential implications of this updated protocol on the malnutrition status among children from the Rohingya camp. Design: This paper reviewed relevant literature and authors’ own experience to provide a perspective of the updated protocol for the classification of malnutrition among the children in the Rohingya camps and its implication from a broader perspective. Setting: Rohingya refugee camps, Bangladesh Participants: Children aged less than five years residing in the Rohingya camps. Results: Major adaptation during this COVID-19 was discontinuation of using weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) and use of only MUAC and presence of edema for admission, follow up and discharge of malnourished children in camps. However, evidence suggest that use of MUAC only can underestimate the prevalence of malnutrition among the children in Rohingya camps. These apparently non-malnourished children are devoid of the rations that they would otherwise receive if classified as malnourished, making them susceptible to more severe malnutrition. Conclusions: Our analysis suggests that policymakers should consider using the original protocol of using both MUAC and WHZ to classify malnutrition and retain the guided ration size. We also believe that it would not take an extra effort to adopt the original guideline as even with MUAC only guideline, certain health measures needed to adopt during this pandemic.

Background The older adults of refugee camps might be vulnerable to exhibiting limited functional abilities because of the limited resources available to create a supportive environment for older population in the camps. This study aims to explore the prevalence and determinants of self-reported functional status among the older adults residing in the Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 864 older adults aged 60 years and above living in five selected sub-camps of Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews of the participants between November-December 2021. Functional status was measured using the Barthel Index. Information on participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported chronic diseases and lifestyle characteristics were also collected. A multiple logistic regression model was used to assess the factors associated with self-reported functional abilities among the participants. Results The overall percentage of people having limited self-reported functional ability was 26.5% (male: 22.6% and female: 31.5%) with inability most found in grooming (33.2%), bathing (31.8%), stair using (13.2%) and mobility (10.7%). In the final adjusted model, having age of 80 years or more (aOR = 2.01,95% CI: 1.08,3.75), being female (aOR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.04,2.0), having low memory or concentration (aOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.30,2.56), loneliness (aOR = 2.89, 95% CI:1.74,4.80) and living with aid alone (aOR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.74,4.80) were found to be associated with self-reported limited functional ability. Conclusion The findings of this study highlight the need for attention from policymakers and public health practitioners on addressing functional limitations among older adults residing in the Rohingya refugee camp. Our findings emphasize the need for the development of comprehensive interventions that can address the wider unmet needs (e.g., ensuring family/caregiver support, engaging in social and physical activities, providing nutritional support packages, etc.) to improve the health and well-being of older Rohingya adults.

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Introduction: Birth weight is the most important predictor of newborn health and survival. It is also a significant determinant of post neonatal, infant and childhood mortality as well as morbidity. LBW Child (birth weight<2500gm) who survive, have a higher incidence of diseases, retardation in cognitive development and under nourishment. The causes of LBW are multifactorial including complication during pregnancy, genetic, environmental, social-cultural, demographic, and nutritional variables. In Bangladesh, low birth weight (LBW) rate is quite high even in urban areas. However, there is a lack of data on maternal characteristics that influence birth weight among the high-income urban population in Bangladesh. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the status of low birth weight and associated factors among newborn delivered in different health facilities in Bangladesh. Method: A cross-sectional and descriptive type of study was carried out through a Systematic sampling method in 354 mothers of neonates who had delivered their babies and the mothers aged above 18 years in a few selected health facilities in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The samples were selected in a specific pre-determined interval. The data were collected from the respondents using a pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire by face-to-face interview, after taking verbal consent from the participants. Data entry and analysis were done by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software version 20. The anonymity and confidentiality of the respondents were maintained strictly and study participants were informed that they can be able to leave the study at any stage of data collection. Results: The finding revealed that a total of 20.9% children were LBW whereas 79.1% had normal birth weight. Among all the LBW children, 76% children had mild low birth weight, 20% had very low birth weight and 4% children had extremely low birth weight. A significant association of birth weight was found with maternal age, occupation and weight gain during pregnancy. Conclusion: This study concluded that still one-fifth of children born with LBW among all live birth in urban areas although the majority of LBW children were mild low birth weight. Effective awareness programme needs to be taken among urban mothers to improve the overall nutritional status of neonates. Also, similar type of study should be conducted with a larger sample size to generalize the findings.