Antibiotic resistance is a global challenge. Therefore, adhering to proper antibiotic administration protocols is essential to mitigating the problem. This study investigated the prevalence, and factors associated with, antibiotics administration without prescription by registered doctors in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1102 adults. The outcome variable was antibiotics administration without prescription. The exploratory variables included the those relating to sociodemographics, attitudes, and knowledge (antibiotic-treatable diseases, types of disease specification, and antimicrobial drugs specifications). Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed, with a p-value of 0.05 considered significant with a 95% confidence interval. The prevalence of antibiotics administration without prescription was found to be 37.02%. Age was significantly associated with the administration of antibiotics without prescription. Those who had taken antibiotics in the previous 2 months reported a significantly higher prevalence of antibiotics administration without prescription. The participants' attitudes toward antibiotics and knowledge of antibiotic-treatable diseases, types of disease, and antimicrobial drugs were significantly associated with antibiotics administration without prescription. These findings may assist in facilitating relevant initiatives to improve the magnitude of antibiotics utilization without prescription, and mitigate the emergence of antibiotic resistance in Bangladesh.

Background and Aims: Bangladesh has been experiencing a rapid demographic shift from the younger population to older adults, with the older adults facing significant challenges due to the absence of residential and formal home care models. This perspective aimed to evaluate the status of residential and formal home care models and propose potential strategies to improve elderly care in Bangladesh.Methods: This perspective utilized a narrative review approach to search existing literature on elderly care in Bangladesh on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The perspective reviewed and presented the status of elderly care and identified gaps in residential and formal home care infrastructure by analyzing existing literature.Results: In Bangladesh, there was no evidence found that any authority had ever initiated or evaluated residential and formal home care programs, showing systematic neglect that resulted in the suffering of older adults. The collapse of the traditional informal family care model, fueled by urban migration and shifting socioeconomic dynamics, has further isolated older adults, leaving them with considerable unmet care needs. The issue is being worsened by a high prevalence of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, as well as the collective inability to meet the growing demand for elderly care. Furthermore, limited access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive elderly care models in Bangladesh.Conclusion: The proposed strategies involve developing residential care facilities, probably on a small scale, and integrating formal home care services in Bangladesh. However, conducting preliminary investigations is essential, including investigating the model to be implemented, training caregivers, and establishing financial support programs and regulatory frameworks. Thus, the government and private sector organizations should collaborate to address these challenges of older adults in Bangladesh.

The Rohingya, an ethnic minority group in Myanmar, have been subjected to decades of persecution and violence, forcing them to flee to neighboring countries such as Bangladesh. The correspondence recognizes Rohingya adolescent girls’ menstrual hygiene in Bangladesh to enhance reproductive health. Adolescent girls make up 52% of the Rohingya population in the Cox’s Bazar region’s refugee camps, and there are few resources to help them manage their menstrual hygiene, posing significant health risks. Inadequate menstrual hygiene can result in sexual and urinary tract infections, infertility, and pregnancy complications. Most of the adolescent girls had poor menstrual hygiene practices. Unfortunately, only 10.89% of Rohingya girls wear underwear without disposable sanitary pads, and 17.82% use disposable sanitary pads. Furthermore, 67% of Rohingya girls do not have access to proper menstrual healthcare. Bangladeshi girls, on the other hand, have better access to menstrual hygiene products and have more good practices. There is a need to develop menstrual hygiene-friendly infrastructure as well as menstrual hygiene understanding and practices among the Rohingya. Authorities can help improve the current situation and promote healthy menstrual hygiene practices among Rohingya girls by implementing specific requirements, such as ensuring menstrual hygiene products.

Background Depression and poor mental health well-being are common concerns among nursing students as these outcomes impact students’ academic performance, clinical competence, and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate depression symptoms and mental health well-being, identify their associated predictors, and examine the correlation between depression symptoms and mental health well-being among nursing students in Bangladesh. Methods Between August and October 2022, we collected data for this cross-sectional study via an online questionnaire, which included the PHQ-9 to assess depression symptoms and the WEMWBS-14 to measure mental health well-being. Multiple linear regression models identified predictors of depression and mental health well-being. Pearson correlation assessed the correlation between the depression symptoms score and mental health well-being score. Results A total of 2174 nursing students participated in the study, with a mean age of 20.96 years. Over 60% of students reported moderate to extremely severe depression symptoms. Age, sex, family pressure to choose nursing, and postgraduate qualifications of teachers were significant predictors of depression symptoms. For mental health well-being, age, sex, mother’s education, type of institution, family pressure to choose nursing, availability of subject-specific teachers, and postgraduate qualifications of teachers were the significant predictors. We observed a statistically significant moderate negative correlation (r = − 0.39) between mental health well-being and depression symptoms. Conclusion Depression symptoms were highly prevalent among nursing students who participated in this study and were significantly correlated with poor mental health well-being. Demographic and academic predictors, including family pressure to choose nursing and qualifications of teachers, were significant predictors of depression symptoms and mental health outcomes. The findings emphasize the need for mental health interventions and supportive academic environments within nursing education in the context of Bangladesh.