Background: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are one of the vital and persuading means of information, prevention and control, and incentive of vaccination to content a pandemic. Therefore, knowing the status of HCPs' perception about symptoms, transmission, preventive measures, and attitudes towards a vaccine against COVID-19 is crucial. Methods: This multi-center cross-sectional descriptive study was one of the first and foremost ones in Bangladesh among the HCPs -doctors, nurses, and other subordinates (MLSS) engaged at COVID-dedicated hospitals. The study was conducted from February 5, 2021, to March 7, 2021, using a convenience sampling method among 550 HCPs using structured questionnaire with twenty-five questions on a three-point scale of responses. Results: The age range of the respondents were 18 to 64 years with the mean 36.17 ±10.94 years of 524 HCPs, of which the majority of the respondents were female 323 (61.6%) and 201 (38.4%) were male with the 95.27% response rate. Almost all participants had "high" or more than sufficient perception (94.34%) about the symptoms of COVID-19. But all categories of HCPs expressed their poor or fair practice about restraining from shaking hands, and only 6.84% of nurses, 8.33% doctors, and 11.59% of MLSS avoided crowded public gatherings as a practice of prevention. A majority (95.99%) of the HCPs showed positive attitudes about the availability of vaccines free of cost, and 87.40% showed trust in the efficacy and safety of the vaccine against COVID-19. Conclusion:The majority of the HCPs from the COVID-dedicated hospitals have a good perception and positive attitude towards vaccination; nevertheless, have a poor practice of prevention toward COVID-19. This may play a vital role in motivation and wide acceptance of vaccine among the general population and contribute in comprehensive strategic planning to fight back against the pandemic in the country with the restricted resource.

Objective: To determine the frequency and characteristics of carotid artery stenosis in acute ischemic stroke patients and to assess the significance of common risk factors for carotid stenosis in these patients. Method: It was cross-sectional observational study which was carried out in neurology department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) during the period of January 2010 to December 2011 and one hundred patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke were included in the study. Doppler ultrasound was performed during hospitalization to find out carotid artery stenosis. Statistics analysis was done with SPSS - 14. Results: Out of one hundred (100) patients, eighty (80%) were males and twenty were (20%) were females. The patients were dividing into two groups with and without carotid stenosis. Less than 50% carotid artery stenosis (insignificant stenosis) was seen in 40% ( n=40) cases and significant stenosis was seen in 60% (n=60) patients. Overall 86% (n= 46) out of 60 patients were found to have carotid artery stenosis on the ipsilateral side corresponding to the ischemic lesion and 19% (n=11) had stenosis on the contralateral side. Out of significant stenosis ,mild (50% stenosis) in 12% (n=7) patients, moderate ( 51-69% ) stenosis in 50%( n= 30 ) patients and severe (>70%) stenosis in twenty (n=33%) patients . Near total occlusion was seen in three (5%) patients. The presence of stenosis was significantly correlated with older age and the presence of multiple risk factors. Conclusion: Carotid artery stenosis is strongly associated with ischemic stroke. Doppler studies are recommended for the high risk patients for the primary as well as secondary prevention of ischemic stroke.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjn.v28i2.17172 Bangladesh Journal of Neuroscience 2012; Vol. 28 (2): 67-73

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Background: Esophageal cancer is one of the most serious gastrointestinal cancer worldwide, owing to its rapid development and fatal prognoses in most cases. There is a paucity of published data regarding esophageal cancer the study area in particular. This study was conducted to describe the endoscopic and clinicopathological patterns of esophageal cancer in this part of the world. The study provides baseline local data for future comparison. Objectives: The present study is done to highlight the increasing incidence of oesophageal cancer in the population. Methods: Detailed informations were obtained in each cases according to protocol. Complete history was taken either from patient or accompanying attendants. Thorough clinical examination was done. Relevant investigation reports were collected. All the informations were recorded according to fixed protocol. Collected data were classified, edited, coded and entered into the computer for statistical analysis by using SPSS version 19. Results: Among the 50 cases, mean age was 52.92(±10.60) years, minimum age was 30 years and maximum age was 80 years. Maximum 76% were male and 24% were female, male: female ratio was 3.17:1. Socio-economic status of the study population, majority 48% were of lower middle class and 40% were of lower class. Common clinical presentations were dysphagia, regurgitation, significant weight loss and nausea and vomiting which were 100%, 96%, 80% and 14% respectively. Common personal history were smoking, white tobacco chewing, betel nut, betel leaf and alcohol consumption which were 66%, 20%, 92%,92% and 10% respectively. Anatomical site of oesophageal cancer, 48% were middle and lower third oesophageal cancer each. Histopathological type of oesophageal cancer, majority 56% were squamous cell carcinoma of different grades and 40% were adenocarcinoma of different grades. Common clinical staging (TNM) of the oesophageal cancer, T2 disease was 58% followed by T3, 26% and T1, 6%. Considering nodal status most of the cases were NO, 60% with Ni, 24% and N2, 16%. Regarding metastasis, only 18% cases had evidence of metastasis. Regarding treatment options of the esophageal cancer, majority 76% were selected for operative procedure, 10% for chemotherapy, 2% for radiotherapy and the rest of 12% for palliation. Conclusion: In conclusion, common clinical presentations of oesophageal cancer were dysphagia, regurgitation, significant weight loss and nausea and vomiting. Predominant personal history were smoking, white tobacco chewing, betel nut, betel leaf and alcohol consumption. Most of the oesophageal cancers were middle and lower third. Majority of oesophageal cancers were squamous cell carcinoma of different grades. Regarding TNM staging most of the oesophageal cancers were T2 disease. J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 29, No.1, April, 2020, Page 69-76