This study sought to identify the psychosocial factors that influence handwashing behaviour and to design behaviour change techniques applying the risk, attitude, norm, ability, and self-regulation (RANAS) behaviour change approach in Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in four Rohingya camps located in Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts. Participants were selected by systematic random sampling. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. Analysis of variance testing (ANOVA) was used to determine the significant predicting variables. A total of 1,358 individuals participated in the interview. The mean age was 31.11 ranging from 13 to 75 years. The majority were female (84.9%). Around 75% of participants reported practising handwashing. Several psychosocial predictors were identified for handwashing behaviour with medium to large effect size such as health knowledge, beliefs about costs and benefits, feelings, social norms, abilities, and self-regulation factors. Significant predictors were additionally identified in individual camps. The behaviour change techniques included providing information, demonstration of handwashing, providing rewards, evoking emotions, and public commitments amongst others proposed in this study. Identified psychosocial determinants should be considered while promoting sustainable handwashing behaviour along with adequate supplies and infrastructure. This study also suggests evaluating the proposed behaviour change interventions considering the contextual factors related to handwashing.

Infancy and early childhood are periods of dietary transition. Early exposure to specific foods and the establishment of dietary habits during this period can shape long-term food preferences and have lasting effects on health. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal trajectories of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake in Australian children from birth to age 3 years and identify early-life and socioeconomic factors influencing those trajectories. Mother–infant dyads (n = 934) from the Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids birth cohort study were interviewed on their weekly frequency of SSB intake at 4-month, 8-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year age points. Group-based trajectory modelling analysis was performed to identify trajectories for SSB intake among Australian children. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify the maternal and child-related predictors of resulting trajectories. The intake of SSBs showed two distinct quadratic trajectories (high and low) with age. While the two trajectories remained distinctive throughout, the SSB consumption for both groups consistently increased between 4 months and 2 years of age and subsequently stabilised. Compared to low SSB consumers (75%), the high SSB consumers (25%) were significantly more likely to be living in households with three or more children (relative risk (RR): 1.59, 95%CI: 1.02–2.48), had low maternal education (left school < year 12—RR: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.09–2.81; completed year 12—RR: 1.57, 95%CI: 1.02–2.81), and resided in highly/the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas (highly disadvantaged—RR: 1.89, 95%CI: 1.13–3.18; most disadvantaged—RR: 2.06, 95%CI: 1.25–3.38). Children’s SSB intake patterns are established early in life as they transition from infancy to preschool age, and the trajectories of intake established during early childhood are strongly influenced by socioeconomic factors. Hence, interventions targeted to limit SSB intake and improve nutrition amongst children should occur in early life.

Background: Globally, acute malnutrition remains a significant public health challenge. Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is the most lethal type of acute malnutrition. This study aimed to produce pooled estimates of the effectiveness of integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) programs in addressing SAM in Somalia. Methods: Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, CINAHL, ProQuest, Google Scholar, eLENA, and the UNICEF website were searched with no language or date restrictions. Random effect models were used to estimate the pooled estimates of outpatient therapeutic program (OTP) and stabilization centres (SC) performance outcomes (I² > 50%). Results: Of 186 identified studies, three included data from IMAM programs in Somalia but were excluded, as they had incomplete data. Included were seven datasets identified through the authors’ list, which screened 36.34 million and admitted 2.31 million (6.35%) children aged 6–59 months. The pooled estimates of IMAM performance outcomes [%, (95% confidence interval)] for OTPs and SCs were, respectively, 2.45 (2.18, 2.56) and 4.11 (95%CI: 3.33, 4.90) for relapse, 95.39 (94.87, 95.90) and 80.81 (79.25, 82.37) for recovery, 0.18 (0.15, 0.21) and 1.73 (1.51, 1.95) for death, 2.57 (2.34, 2.79) and 2.75 (2.37, 3.12) for defaulter, 1.86 (1.55, 2.17), and 0.84 (0.66, 1.02) for non-recovery. Conclusions: OTP and SC performance outcomes in Somalia exceeded the Sphere Minimum Standards and compare favourably with results from the region. The adaptation of IMAM programs to meet multiple challenges in Somalia, supported by well-designed, coordinated, standardized, integrated, and harmonized implementation plans, is a strength.

Over the past two decades, underweight, overweight, and obesity have increased in Bangladesh, becoming a major public health concern. This study investigated the current prevalence and examined the determinants of underweight, overweight, and obesity among reproductive-aged Bangladeshi women. Using data from a weighted sample of 9,213 women in the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, we applied multinomial logistic regression to identify factors independently associated with being underweight, overweight, and obese. Among 9,213 reproductive-aged women, the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity was 10.0%, 18.9%, and 36.5%, respectively. Multivariable analysis identified older age as the strongest predictor of overweight and obesity: women aged 35–49 years had nearly double the risk of overweight (ARRR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.62–2.50) and more than triple the risk of obesity (ARRR = 3.56; 95% CI: 2.90–4.38) compared to those aged 15–24 years. Other significant factors included higher wealth status (ARRR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.66–2.26 for obesity among wealthy households), media exposure (reading magazines: ARRR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.14–1.87, watching television: ARRR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.13–1.46), and parity (ARRR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.23–2.02 for obesity among women with 1–4 children). Breastfeeding and agricultural/manual work protected against obesity. We also found that currently breastfeeding women (ARRR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.13–1.72) and women who lived in Sylhet division (ARRR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.13–2.12) were more likely to be underweight, while women with secondary or higher education, wealthier women, women aged 25 or higher, and women with 1–4 children were less likely to be underweight. Overall, a higher burden of underweight, overweight, and obesity exists in the sample. These findings emphasise the need for age- and context-specific interventions, such as promoting active lifestyles, regulating food environments, and incorporating nutrition education into maternal health programs, to combat rising obesity while addressing persistent underweight.

Osteoporosis is a silent, progressive skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone strength, leading to an increased risk of fractures, particularly among aging populations. This cross-sectional study was conducted over six months from June to December 2018 in the Tatibazar area of Old Dhaka, Bangladesh, to assess bone health using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and estimate fracture risk through the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). A total of 188 conveniently selected participants aged 40 years and older underwent BMD screening with QUS. The FRAX tool, a validated clinical prediction model, was used to calculate the 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) and hip fractures (HF) based on clinical risk factors, with and without BMD input. The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis was 31.4% and 11.2%, respectively. Age group (P < 0.001), BMI (P = 0.013), and smoking (P = 0.019) were significantly associated with lower T-scores. According to FRAX with BMD, 5.3% of participants had a moderate to high risk of MOF, and 12.2% had a high risk of HF. Age, prior fracture, glucocorticoid use, and rheumatoid arthritis were significantly linked to MOF risk; age, BMI, smoking, glucocorticoid use, and rheumatoid arthritis were linked to HF risk. The findings highlight a high burden of reduced bone mass and fracture risk in the urban aging population of Dhaka. These results emphasize the need for early diagnosis and preventive strategies, especially in resource-limited settings. Further studies are required to validate the effectiveness of QUS and FRAX as population-level screening tools in Bangladesh. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2025, 11(3), 49-58

Neurodevelopment is a dynamic process involving genetic and environmental factors that influence motor, cognitive (e.g., learning, communication), social, adaptive, emotional, and behavioural domains. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of NDDs among preschool children of migrants and refugees in high-income Western countries. Five databases, including Medline, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, were searched for eligible studies from inception until October 1, 2025. Three reviewers independently screened and selected studies, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality. We have used Stata to estimate the weighted pooled prevalence of autism from crosssectional and cohort study data using random-effects meta-analysis with (I²/Q>50%) for heterogeneity. Out of 6772 records, nine met the eligibility criteria. Reported prevalence estimates varied across NDDs. Prevalence ranges among migrant/refugee preschoolers were: motor/coordination 4.6–29.8%; speech/language 5.8–18.2%; impaired vision/hearing 19.8% (Boys: 17.1%, Girls: 22.5%); intellectual disability (ID) 0.8–7.4%. The weighted pooled prevalence of autism was 28% (95% CI: 24% - 33%) based on cross-sectional data, with autism co-occurring with intellectual disability ranging from 0.22% to 19.20%. The findings underscore the need for targeted early identification and intervention strategies tailored to the unique challenges faced by migrant populations. Moreover, the limited number of studies and data inconsistencies highlight a critical gap in the literature, underscoring the need for further high-quality research to better understand the prevalence and underlying risk factors, thereby informing the development of equitable public health policies and services.