Workplace violence in healthcare settings is a common global problem, including in Bangladesh. Despite the known presence of workplace violence in healthcare environments of developing countries, there is limited understanding of factors that lead to hospital violence in Bangladesh. This study aims to explore factors that influence incidents of violence against healthcare professionals in Bangladesh, as reported by doctors via social media forum. Content analysis was conducted on 157 reported incidents documented on “Platform,” the online social media most used by medical students and doctors in Bangladesh. Posts by doctors detailing experiences of physical or verbal violence at their workplace between July 2012 and December 2017 were included in this study. The majority of reported incidents were reported by male doctors (86%) and from government hospitals (63.7%). Findings showed that primary healthcare centers experienced more violence than secondary and tertiary facilities. This may largely be due to insufficient human and other resources in primary care settings to meet patient demand and expectations. Most of the events happened at night (61%), and as a result, entry-level doctors such as emergency duty doctors and intern doctors were commonly affected. Six themes were identified as vital factors in workplace violence against doctors: patients’ perspectives, delayed treatment, power practice, death declarations, extreme violence, and care-seeking behaviors. Most incidents fell under the categories of delayed treatment and power practice at 26.8 and 26.1%, respectively. This study identified possible factors for reported violence in hospital settings. To address and reduce these incidents, hospital administrators should be aware of risk factors for violent behavior and design appropriate measures to prevent workplace violence. Further qualitative and quantitative research is needed to appropriately address the consequences of violence on healthcare workers and implement measures to mitigate these events.

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose challenges for global public healthcare, even with the authorisation of several vaccines worldwide. To better understand rural communities’ knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and barriers towards these vaccines, we conducted a qualitative cross-sectional study with adults in rural Bangladesh. Setting This cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural areas of Sylhet and Natore in Bangladesh from August 2021 to February 2022. Participants Our study involved 15 in-depth interviews with rural adults and 2 key informant interviews with health workers. Results We analysed data thematically, resulting in four main themes: (1) knowledge and perception aspects, (2) myths and misconceptions, (3) practice and attitude and (4) barriers and challenges of COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusions The findings indicate that rural populations lack sufficient knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines but have a more favourable attitude towards them. Misconceptions, beliefs and personal experiences were found to be the main reasons for vaccine avoidance. To address these challenges and dispel the spread of misinformation, health education programmes play a pivotal role in improving vaccine management. Policy-makers should initiate these programmes without delay to create a well-informed and enlightened community, given that the COVID-19 is still spreading.

Background: Iron–Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) is an effective strategy to prevent iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. We aimed to explore the key factors associated with compliance to IFA tablets in Bangladesh. Methods: This study analyzed the 2017–2018 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data of 3828 pregnant women aged 15–49 years. We categorized compliance into two categories; at least 90 days and full 180 days of consumption. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify the association between key factors and IFAS compliance. Results: The prevalence of consumption of IFA tablets for at least 90 days was 60.64%, and only 21.72% of women consumed the IFA for the full 180 days. About three-quarters of the women (73.36%) having at least four antenatal care visits (ANC) consumed IFA for at least 90 days, whereas only three in ten women (30.37%) consumed IFA for a minimum of 180 days. For compliance with IFA for at least 90 days, respondent’s age of 20–34 years (aOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03–1.54), respondent’s educational qualification of secondary (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.16–2.70) or higher (aOR 2.73, 95% CI 1.65–4.53), husband’s educational qualification of secondary (aOR 1.33, 95% CI 1.00–1.77) or higher (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.22–2.52), and having received at least four antenatal care (ANC) visits from medically skilled providers (aOR 2.53, 95% CI 2.14–3.00) were significantly associated with higher odds of compliance. For compliance with IFA for at least 180 days, respondent’s educational qualification of higher (aOR 2.45, 95% CI 1.34–4.48), and having received at least four ANC visits from medically skilled providers (aOR 2.43, 95% CI 1.97–3.00) were significantly associated with higher odds of compliance. Intimate partner violence was negatively associated with compliance with IFA for at least 180 days (aOR 0.62, 95% CI 0.48–0.81). Conclusions: The full compliance to IFAS is still sub-optimal in Bangladesh. Further precise context-specific intervention strategies must be developed and implemented with fidelity.

Background: Longtime treatment of diabetic patients is an added burden for countries that had low GDP and no health insurance facilities like Bangladesh. Urgent cost assessment and proper strategy needs to be developed to overcome the economic burden of a diabetic patient. Methodology: We have conducted a mixed-methods study in a Bangladesh Institute of Health Sciences (BIHS), a sister concern of BIRDEM hospital between August 2019 to January 2020. Quantitative data was collected by a survey questionnaire from the patients and qualitative data was collected by interviewing five key informants of the facility center. Results: 329 known diabetic patients were enrolled, out of the 70.48% were female and the rest of them were male. The mean age of the respondents was 53.73 years. Nearly 35% of them had a positive family history, and more than 30% of them had both hypertension and dyslipidemia along with DM. The total average cost per year was ∼600USD, which includes drug, investigation, consultancy & transportation costs. Among which drug costs were the most (∼350 USD).We had found that drug cost & investigation cost had a significant associated with increased age, level of education, and the duration of DM. Investigation cost was also associated with positive family history. Conclusions: As there is no insurance coverage in Bangladesh and subsidy are not available, many of the patients from the lower socio-economic group might discontinue the treatment. Further prospective research is needed to develop a proper guideline for policymakers. Strength & Limitation: It’s the first mixed method study which discuss about the cost burden of type 2 DM KII was performed and perspective about the cost burden of type 2 DM from doctors view was reported. Described that treatment of DM is often hampered due to lack of family & workplace support. Our only methodological limitation is our sample size, which was smaller than other quantitave studies.

Dengue (DENV), Chikungunya (CHIKV), and Zika (ZIKV) are emerging arboviral threats in Bangladesh, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes thriving in urban Dhaka. Overlapping symptoms complicate diagnosis, and Bangladesh-specific data on arboviral antibody reactivity are limited. In four hospitals of Dhaka, we conducted a cross-sectional study on 438 febrile patients aged ≥10 years, collecting samples between September and December 2023 to describe arboviral antibody reactivity and their distribution across selected demographic and environmental characteristics. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for DENV and CHIKV were performed, followed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on RDT-reactive samples. Participants had a mean age of 30 years (±13.5); two-thirds were male, and most lived in crowded, low-income households. RDTs indicated DENV/CHIKV antibody reactivity in 40% of participants; 170 samples underwent ELISA, suggesting DENV IgG reactivity in 33.5% and IgM reactivity in 15.5%. CHIKV IgG reactivity (0.7%) was low and ZIKV IgG was reactive in 21% of total samples, and IgM was reactive in one (0.2%); most ZIKV IgG-reactive samples also showed DENV IgG reactivity, suggesting cross-reactivity. DENV IgG and IgM reactivity were associated with lower education, while ZIKV IgM reactivity was associated with older age. Awareness of Aedes mosquitoes was low, and environmental risk factors were common. This study provides cross-sectional data on serological reactivity against DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV among febrile patients attending four hospitals of Dhaka, without aiming to establish etiologic causes of illness. ZIKV IgG antibody reactivity requires confirmatory testing to distinguish true infections from other arboviral cross-reactivity. Strengthened community-based surveys, better public awareness, and sustained vector control are critical for reducing arboviral disease risks in urbanizing settings like Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Background: Vaccination has played a crucial role in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and reducing its severe outcomes. While over 90% of Bangladesh’s population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, the comparative effectiveness of homologous versus heterologous booster strategies, along with the complex interplay of factors within the population, remains understudied. This study aimed to compare antibody responses between these booster approaches. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 723 adults in urban Dhaka who had received COVID-19 booster doses within the last six months. Participants were grouped based on homologous or heterologous booster vaccination. Data were collected through structured household surveys, and 2 mL blood samples were collected for measuring antibody titers. Results: Heterologous booster recipients showed higher median antibody titers (8597.0 U/mL, IQR 5053.0–15,482.3) compared to homologous recipients (6958.0 U/mL, IQR 3974.0–12,728.5). In the adjusted analysis, the type of booster dose had no significant impact on antibody levels. However, the duration since the last booster dose was significantly associated with antibody levels, where each additional month since receiving the booster corresponded to approximately a 15–16% reduction in antibody levels (Adj. coeff: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.81, 0.88; p < 0.001). Participants over 40 years demonstrated higher antibody levels than younger individuals (Adj. coeff: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.43; p = 0.005). Sex, BMI, and prior COVID-19 infection showed no significant associations with antibody levels after adjustment. Conclusion: The results underscore the complexity of immune responses across different demographic groups and suggest potential benefits of ongoing heterologous booster strategies in sustaining immunity.