Infodemics, often including rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories, have been common during the COVID-19 pandemic. Monitoring social media data has been identified as the best method for tracking rumors in real time and as a possible way to dispel misinformation and reduce stigma. However, the detection, assessment, and response to rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories in real time are a challenge. Therefore, we followed and examined COVID-19–related rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories circulating on online platforms, including fact-checking agency websites, Facebook, Twitter, and online newspapers, and their impacts on public health. Information was extracted between December 31, 2019 and April 5, 2020, and descriptively analyzed. We performed a content analysis of the news articles to compare and contrast data collected from other sources. We identified 2,311 reports of rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories in 25 languages from 87 countries. Claims were related to illness, transmission and mortality (24%), control measures (21%), treatment and cure (19%), cause of disease including the origin (15%), violence (1%), and miscellaneous (20%). Of the 2,276 reports for which text ratings were available, 1,856 claims were false (82%). Misinformation fueled by rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories can have potentially serious implications on the individual and community if prioritized over evidence-based guidelines. Health agencies must track misinformation associated with the COVID-19 in real time, and engage local communities and government stakeholders to debunk misinformation.

Introduction: Rumors and conspiracy theories, can contribute to vaccine hesitancy. Monitoring online data related to COVID-19 vaccine candidates can track vaccine misinformation in real-time and assist in negating its impact. This study aimed to examine COVID-19 vaccine rumors and conspiracy theories circulating on online platforms, understand their context, and then review interventions to manage this misinformation and increase vaccine acceptance. Method: In June 2020, a multi-disciplinary team was formed to review and collect online rumors and conspiracy theories between 31 December 2019–30 November 2020. Sources included Google, Google Fact Check, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, fact-checking agency websites, and television and newspaper websites. Quantitative data were extracted, entered in an Excel spreadsheet, and analyzed descriptively using the statistical package R version 4.0.3. We conducted a content analysis of the qualitative information from news articles, online reports and blogs and compared with findings from quantitative data. Based on the fact-checking agency ratings, information was categorized as true, false, misleading, or exaggerated. Results: We identified 637 COVID-19 vaccine-related items: 91% were rumors and 9% were conspiracy theories from 52 countries. Of the 578 rumors, 36% were related to vaccine development, availability, and access, 20% related to morbidity and mortality, 8% to safety, efficacy, and acceptance, and the rest were other categories. Of the 637 items, 5% (30/) were true, 83% (528/637) were false, 10% (66/637) were misleading, and 2% (13/637) were exaggerated. Conclusions: Rumors and conspiracy theories may lead to mistrust contributing to vaccine hesitancy. Tracking COVID-19 vaccine misinformation in real-time and engaging with social media to disseminate correct information could help safeguard the public against misinformation.

The One Health concept of zooeyia refers to the benefits of companion animals in human health and is gaining global research attention. This exploratory study aimed to understand contemporary experiences and perceptions of the social benefits and challenges of living with a companion animal in urban Bangladesh. Thirty-five qualitative interviews were conducted with companion animal owners (20), animal sellers (10), and livestock service department officers (5) from two major cities in Bangladesh, Dhaka and Khulna. Thematic analysis found that historically, animals had a utilitarian purpose, such as livestock for food and dogs for security. The role and perceptions of companion animals began to change for some around the turn of the century. Today, companion animal caretakers report social, psychological and physical health benefits from integrating companion animals into their lives. They also report that companion animal ownership can contribute to social problems due to the prevailing stigma against companion animals. This is rooted in the continued utilitarian role attached to companion animals by the majority of the Bangladesh population as well as religious-based non-acceptance. As a result, the Animal Welfare Act (2019) is not well implemented, posing a key concern for companion animal welfare. To tackle this, we propose various ways in which the emerging concept of zooeyia can help promote the welfare of companion animals by challenging the stigma associated with them in Bangladesh.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines recommend that healthcare workers (HCWs) wear N95 respirators in pulmonary TB patient areas. To ensure appropriate use of respirators by HCWs, an understanding of the barriers and facilitators associated with respiratory protection is needed. This study explored factors influencing N95 respirator use among HCWs in a TB-specialized, tertiary-care hospital in Bangladesh. Methods: Between February 1, 2014 and March 14, 2014, a field team consisting of five social scientists and three epidemiologists conducted this qualitative study in a tertiary-care, specialized TB hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Initially, we held a day long training workshop on respirator use, re-use, and storage, and conducted N95 respirator fit tests. After the workshop, we provided a two-month supply of N95 respirators for HCWs assigned to two multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB inpatient wards. Finally, we conducted in-depth interviews with the HCWs to explore their risk perceptions regarding TB and airborne infections, and reported advantages and disadvantages of N95 respirator uses. We used the HBM health belief model to understand the factors that influence respirator use. Results: Doctors and ancillary workers reported that discomfort, demotivation from the senior colleagues, and cumbersome storage of respirators for re-use were the primary barriers to respirator use. In addition, communication difficulties, fogging up corrective lenses, eight hours of respirator use are considered factors that also impacted respirator use. However, compared to doctors and ancillary workers, the nurses are more likely to use N95 respirators. Conclusion: Workshops on TB transmission and prevention strategies, and easy access to those strategies, might improve the use among the nurses. Interventions that target educating HCWs on TB transmission and the role of personal protective equipment in TB prevention, as well as hanging posters on the wards as reminders, supplying and ensuring easy access to N95 respirators inside the ward, and developing communications targeted at behavioral change, including advocacy and counseling, can also be implemented.

Mobile poultry vending and slaughtering of sick poultry have been linked to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Bangladesh. However, limited data exist on associated practices and potential interventions to improve biosecurity among mobile poultry vendors. This mixed-method study was conducted in three phases across four sub-districts in Bangladesh. In phase 1, researchers conducted 416 hours of structured observation, 40 in-depth interviews with poultry vendors, and 40 informal interviews with the customers. Phase 2 involved the development and pilot testing of an intervention package, which included poultry slaughtering cones, hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and a hygiene pamphlet, with 10 vendors. Phase 3 implemented the full intervention with 20 vendors, followed by 94 hours of observation and 17 customer interviews. At baseline, vendors sourced poultry from multiple locations, kept them in small cages on rickshaw vans, and slaughtered them in open spaces, drains, or near water sources. Waste was often discarded in the environment or fed to animals. Vendors demonstrated limited hygiene knowledge and were not observed using personal protective equipment, soap, or disinfectants. Post-intervention, vendors adopted improved practices such as using killing cones, containing waste, disinfecting the slaughtering area, and cleaning hands before eating. Customers also viewed the intervention positively. The study highlights significant risks of AIV transmission through mobile poultry vending but demonstrates that low-cost, targeted interventions can enhance hygiene and biosecurity. Further research is needed to assess long-term sustainability and scalability.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) in public tertiary care hospitals, including chest diseases hospitals, experience a substantial tuberculosis (TB) burden, with 40−48% demonstrating baseline TB infection and incidence rates of 4.2–4.8 per 100 person-years, indicating occupational exposure in high TB-burden settings. TB infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines recommend that HCWs wear N95 respirators in pulmonary TB patient areas. To ensure appropriate use of N95 respirators by HCWs, an understanding of the barriers and facilitators associated with respiratory protection is needed. This study explored factors influencing N95 respirator use and reuse among HCWs in a TB-specialized tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Methods: Between December 1, 2013, and June 05, 2014, a field team consisting of five social scientists conducted a qualitative study to explore the factors influencing N95 respirator use and reuse among HCWs in a TB-specialized, tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. We initially conducted a day long training workshop with 28 HCWs (doctors, nurses and ancillary workers) working in two multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB inpatient wards on the proper use, reuse, and storage of respirators. Participants also underwent N95 respirator fit testing and received a two-month supply (60 days) of N95 respirators. We also conducted observations with 22 HCWs before and after the workshop to document use of N95 respirators and in-depth interviews with the 24 HCWs to explore TB risk perceptions, and the reported barriers and facilitators of N95 respirator uses. Results: At baseline, N95 respirators use was high among nurses (8/9), whereas none of the doctors and ancillary workers used N95 respirators. Post-workshop observation findings showed that the use of N95 respirators remained highest among nurses (11/12) compared to doctors (1/5) and ancillary workers (2/5). Perception that N95 prevents germs from entering the body, the feeling of increased confidence when wearing them and concerns about MDR-TB were identified as key motivators for respirator use. In contrast, misperceptions that long-term exposure to TB confer immunity against infection, discomfort, lack of motivation from senior colleagues, pain, difficulties in accessing respirators, communication challenges, fogging of spectacles and cumbersome storage for reuse were identified as the main barriers to consistent N95 respirator use by HCWs. Conclusion: N95 respirator use among HCWs was feasible but varied substantially across professional groups, with consistently higher uptake among nurses. Persistent behavioral, structural, and institutional barriers limited consistent use. Addressing misconceptions, improving access and storage systems, strengthening leadership support, and reinforcing institutional policies may enhance adherence to respirator use in high TB-burden settings.