Previous studies on internet use frequency were focused on mental health impact, with little known about the impact on physical health during the COVID-19 lockdown. This study examined the impact of internet use frequency on self-reported physical health during the COVID-19 lockdown in Bangladesh. A web-based cross-sectional study on 3242 individuals was conducted from 2 August–1 October 2020. The survey covered demographics, internet use frequency and self-reported physical health questions. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the impact of internet use frequency on physical health. 72.5%, 69.9%, 65.1% and 55.3% respondents reported headache, back pain, numbness of the fingers and neck pain, respectively. The analyses showed increased physical health impact among regular (coefficient β = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18–0.85, p = 0.003), frequent (β = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.88–1.54, p < 0.001) and intense (β = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.91–2.57, p < 0.001) internet users. Other important predictors were gender, income, occupation, regions, and working status. Frequent and extensive uses of the internet were strong predictors of physical health problems, and our findings suggest the need for increased awareness about the physical health problems that can be triggered by excessive internet usage.

Background: Social media addiction, a recently emerged term in medical science, has attracted the attention of researchers because of its significant physical and psychological effects on its users. The issue has attracted more attention during the COVID era because negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and fear) generated from the COVID pandemic may have increased social media addiction. Therefore, the present study investigates the role of negative emotions and social media addiction (SMA) on health problems during and after the COVID lockdown. Methods: A survey was conducted with 2926 participants aged between 25 and 45 years from all eight divisions of Bangladesh. The data collection period was between 2^nd September– 13^th October, 2020. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was conducted for data analysis by controlling the respondents’ working time, leisure time, gender, education, and age. Results: Our study showed that social media addiction and time spent on social media impact health. Interestingly, while anxiety about COVID increased social media addition, fear about COIVD reduced social media addition. Among all considered factors, long working hours contributed most to people’s health issues, and its impact on social media addiction and hours was much higher than negative emotions. Furthermore, females were less addicted to social media and faced less health challenges than males. Conclusion: The impacts of negative emotions generated by the COVID disaster on social media addiction and health issues should be reconsidered. Government and employers control people’s working time, and stress should be a priority to solve people’s social media addiction-related issues.

Background: Bangladesh ranked fifth largest internet user in Asia. Past studies on internet use have focused on its impact on mental health, with little known about its impact on the physical health of individuals during COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, this study examines the impact of Internet use frequency on physical health during the Covid-19 lockdown in Bangladesh. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study on 3242 individuals aged 18 and above was conducted from 2 ^nd August – 1 ^st October 1, 2020, during the lockdown in Bangladesh. The survey covers demographics, Internet use frequency and physical health questions. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the impact of internet use frequency on physical health. Results: The result indicated that 72.5%, 69.9%, 65.1% and 55.3% reported headache, back pain, numbness of the fingers and neck pain, respectively. The multivariable analyses showed increased physical health impact among regular (coefficient β =0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18-0.85, P =0.003), frequent (β = 1.21, 95%CI: 0.88–1.54, P < .001) and intense (β = 2.24, 95%CI: 1.91–2.57, P < .001) internet users. Other factors associated with physical health scores were gender, income (in Taka), occupation, regions, and working status. Conclusion: Frequent, intensive, and extensive use of the internet were strong predictors of increased physical health problems, and the study suggests the need for raising awareness of physical health problems triggered by high internet users among the high socioeconomic group in Bangladesh.

Seafarers often face significant threats to their rights and safety due to harsh working conditions, long periods of isolation, and inadequate legal protections. Asian seafarers, especially those from Bangladesh, are also affected. This study identifies the criteria or factors influencing the preservation of human rights for seafarers and evaluates the current situation of Bangladeshi seafarers onboard through an analysis of key categories including physical and working conditions, employment and social welfare, health and safety, crew well-being and social support, and regulatory compliance and enforcement. The Best Worst Method (BWM), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, is used to rank 19 sub-factors to assess the current state of human rights preservation for seafarers on board. Compared to other MCDM approaches, the BWM offers more consistent weighting rules, requires fewer pairwise comparisons, and provides more dependable findings, with fewer expert inputs. The research findings indicate that accommodation standards, monthly wages, personal protection equipment, food and catering, and maximum/minimum working hours are being effectively maintained onboard. The challenges faced in preserving human rights onboard include, safe working environment, compliance and enforcement (MLC, ILO, National Laws and Regulations), seafarers, their families and allies’ security, equal gender opportunities, and the prevention of accidents and injuries. The study’s findings can provide guidance to ship owners, ship management firms, policymakers, and other relevant entities in safeguarding and improving the preservation of human rights for this vital workforce. Highlights This study identifies the factors influencing the prevention of human rights for seafarers and evaluates the current situation of Bangladeshi seafarers onboard through an analysis of key categories including physical and working conditions, employment and social welfare, health and safety, crew well-being and social support and regulatory compliance and enforcement. The Best Worst Method (BWM), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, is used to rank 19 sub-factors to assess the current state of human rights preservation for seafarers on board. Ensuring a safe working environment, gender equality, and family security for seafarers is crucial, especially in Asian countries where these rights are often compromised. Compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, and national laws and regulations is essential for protecting seafarers' human rights on board.

The signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord (CHTPA) in 1997 pledged to end a decades-old violent armed struggle while giving several reparations to the indigenous people of Bangladesh's southern hill zone. The agreement has not yet produced fallouts after 25 years; has not been implemented, and indigenous peoples' grief, desolation, servitude, and mistreatment continued. Communities are losing their identities, cultures, languages, livelihoods, and assets and becoming increasingly vulnerable and disadvantaged. This paper aims to examine why peace agreements have been ineffective in protecting Indigenous peoples from violence and harassment and to explore how institutional and legal mechanisms have failed to restore their lost dignity and rights actively.