Introduction: The COVID-19 is currently the most horrible issue around the world as there is no proven vaccine or medicine for this rapidly spreading disease. The only way left to this situation is to slow down or eradicate the spreading by adopting preventing measures. Objective: The purpose of the study is to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices toward COVID-19 among Bangladeshi internet users. Material and Methods: A total of 441 respondents voluntarily participated in a web-based cross-sectional survey. A structured questionnaire was created using Google Forms and the link was shared through authors’ networks. Collected information was analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate techniques. Results: Respondent of age 30 and above are more optimistic (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] =1.96, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.13 to 3.41; P=0.016) compared to respondent of age 18-29. For 1 unit change in the knowledge score the likelihood of staying home and wearing mask increases by 1.73 (95% CI, 1.43 to 2.09; P<0.01) and 1.54 (95% CI, 1.25 to 1.77; P<0.01) times respectively. From the linear regression analysis, we see that urban residence type (vs. rural, β=0.274; P=0.024) are significantly associated with higher knowledge scores. Additionally, a significant positive correlation exists between the COVID-19 knowledge score and the preventive practice score (r=0.291, P <0.01). Conclusion: Although knowledge and preventive practices among Bangladeshi internet users are encouraging, this study suggests updated knowledge be provided by healthcare authorities to enhance appropriate preventive practices throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.

Caesarean delivery (C-section) has been increasing worldwide; however, many women from developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are deprived of these lifesaving services. This study aimed to explore the impact of certain socioeconomic factors, including respondent’s education, husband’s education, place of residence, and wealth index, on C-section delivery for women in Sub-Saharan Africa. We used pooled data from 36 demographic and health surveys (DHS) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Married women aged 15–49 years who have at least one child in the last five years were considered in this survey. After inclusion and excluding criteria, 234,660 participants were eligible for final analysis. Binary logistic regression was executed to determine the effects of selected socioeconomic factors. The countries were assembled into four sub-regions (Southern Africa, West Africa, East Africa, and Central Africa), and a meta-analysis was conducted. We performed random-effects model estimation for meta-analysis to assess the overall effects and consistency between covariates and utilization of C-section delivery as substantial heterogeneity was identified (I² > 50%). Furthermore, the meta-regression was carried out to explain the additional amount of heterogeneity by country levels. We performed a sensitivity analysis to examine the effects of outliers in this study. Findings suggest that less than 15% of women in many Sub-Saharan African countries had C-section delivery. Maternal education (OR 4.12; CI 3.75, 4.51), wealth index (OR 2.05; CI 1.94, 2.17), paternal education (OR 1.71; CI 1.57, 1.86), and place of residence (OR 1.51; CI 1.44, 1.58) were significantly associated with the utilization of C-section delivery. These results were also consistent in sub-regional meta-analyses. The meta-regression suggests that the total percentage of births attended by skilled health staff (TPBASHS) has a significant inverse association with C-section utilization regarding educational attainment (respondent & husband), place of residence, and wealth index. The data structure was restricted to define the distinction between elective and emergency c-sections. It is essential to provide an appropriate lifesaving mechanism, such as C-section delivery opportunities, through proper facilities for rural, uneducated, impoverished Sub-Saharan African women to minimize both maternal and infant mortality.

The evolving pandemic of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus are globally on the rise, and the trend is also escalating in Bangladesh. We aimed to assess the prevalence trend and associated factors of hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension- diabetes mellitus combined (HDC) among Bangladeshi adults from 2011 to 2018. Two nationally representative cross-sectional data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS): 2011 and 2017–18 were utilized. According to baseline characteristics, the average annual rate of change (AARC) was applied to quantify the annual rate of increase/decrease in HTN, DM, and HDC from 2011 to 2018. The prevalence ratios of HTN, DM, and HDC were assessed through modified Poisson regression with robust error variance (PR, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)). The data were prepared in SPSS version 23 and exported to Stata version 13 for further analysis. Among 11,686 participants, the overall mean age of the study participants was 52.79 years, Standard Deviation (SD)±12.99, and 42.28% were female. From 2011–2018, HTN, DM, and HDC prevalence in Bangladesh has increased by 13, 3.2, and 3.1 percentage points, respectively. The average annual rate of increase was observed in the HTN and HDC prevalence by all socio-economic and demographic categories during 2011–2018. The prevalence of HDC among Chittagong residents was approximately double in 2018: 3.95% (2011) versus 6.59% (2018). Increased age, inactive workers, overweight adults, and adults in wealthy families were common risk factors associated with HTN, DM, and HDC in Bangladesh. The prevalence of developing HTN and HDC was significantly higher among adults aged ≥ 70 years (PR: 2.70, 95% CI: 2.42–3.00; PR: 2.97, 95% CI: 2.08–4.24, respectively). A comprehensive approach of different stakeholders is required to develop appropriate strategies, including appropriate weight management, adequate physical activity, and healthier food habits. Health agencies should take initiatives to spread awareness among people at an early age, but special attention is needed for older people and those at risk for NCDs.

The study aimed to identify the factors influencing the utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services among pregnant women to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by 2030; we also investigated the consistency of these factors. We have used the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 29 developing countries for analysis. A binary logistic regression model was run using Demographic and Health Survey data from Bangladesh to determine the factors influencing ANC utilization in Bangladesh. In addition, a random-effects model estimation for metaanalysis was performed using DHS data from 29 developing to investigate the overall effects and consistency between covariates and the utilization of ANC services. Logistic regression revealed that residence (odds ratio [OR] 1.436; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.238, 1.666), respondent's education (OR 3.153; 95% CI 2.204, 4.509), husband's education (OR 2.507; 95% CI 1.922, 3.271) wealth index (OR 1.485; 95% CI 1.256, 1.756), birth order (OR 0.786; 95% CI 0.684, 0.904), working status (OR 1.292; 95% CI 1.136, 1.470), and media access (OR 1.649; 95% CI 1.434, 1.896) were the main significant factors for Bangladesh. Meta-analysis showed that residence (OR 2.041; 95% CI 1.621, 2.570), respondent's age (OR 1.260; 95% CI 1.106, 1.435), respondent's education level (OR 2.808; 95% CI 2.353, 3.351), husband's education (OR 2.267; 95% CI 1.911, 2.690), wealth index (OR 2.715; 95% CI 2.199, 3.352), birth order (OR 1.722; 95% CI 1.388, 2.137), and media access (OR 2.474; 95% CI 2.102, 2.913) were the most conclusive factors in a subjects decision to attend ANC. Our results support the augmentation of maternal education and media access in rural areas with ANC services. Particular focus is needed for women from Afghanistan since they have a lower level of ANC services.

The recent outbreak of viral zoonotic disease–monkeypox–caused by the monkeypox virus, has infected many people worldwide. This study aims to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning monkeypox among university students in Bangladesh. Data were collected using purposive snowball sampling from 887 university students through an online survey using Google Form. The participants were mostly in their twenties (M = 22.33 [SD 2.01] years), and they spent, on average, 2.59 [SD 1.91] hours/day on electronic and social media. The participants generally showed moderate knowledge (39.5%), low attitude (25.1%), and moderate practice (48.6%) toward monkeypox, with 47.6% having had a moderate KAP score. Findings further showed that personal attributes of university students, i.e., age, sex, year of schooling, residence, living status, geographical distribution, e.g., division, were statistically and significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding monkeypox and overall KAP score. It is also apparent that health status, susceptibility to monkeypox, and exposure to social media were the most common factors significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding monkeypox and overall KAP score. The current study’s findings underscore the need for developing appropriate information, education, and communication (IEC) materials and their dissemination, which could play an important role in reducing the risk of monkeypox and similar other infectious diseases, particularly among students in Bangladesh.