http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/17 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:22:48 GMT 2026-08-14T17:22:48Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4879 Physiotherapy-related Knowledge, Attitude, and Healthcare- Seeking Behavior among Diabetic Patients in Dhaka City. Uddin, Mohammad Nasir Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to insulin deficiency or resistance. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause severe damage to the nervous and vascular systems, potentially leading to retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and various musculoskeletal issues such as arthritis and movement disorders, which may worsen with age. Physiotherapy is an effective non-pharmacological treatment that employs various therapeutic techniques to help manage diabetes, prevent secondary complications, and provide therapy for those complications. Methods: A cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and healthcare-seeking behaviour related to physiotherapy among diabetic patients in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. A total of 405 diabetic patients were interviewed at different healthcare centers. A purposive sampling technique was used, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured, closed-ended questionnaire. Results: Among the respondents, 93.8% reported they had Type II diabetes, while only 6.2% had Type I diabetes. About two-thirds (66.7%) of respondents experienced complications related to diabetes, while one-third (33.3%) were free from complications. 54.6% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of physiotherapy. However, only 51% showed a positive attitude toward it. Just 29% of respondents had ever utilized physiotherapy, typically upon the advice of physicians. Education, family income, and occupation influenced knowledge levels. Age, gender, education, family income, and occupation affected attitudes; with older, female, educated, higher-income, and currently employed individuals showing greater acceptance and utilization. Important barriers included cost, accessibility, and lack of referrals. Conclusion: The knowledge of physiotherapy among diabetic patients is somewhat positive; however, attitudes toward physiotherapy are not favorable, and healthcare- seeking behaviors remain alarmingly low. Recommendations: Large- scale initiatives should be implemented to promote physiotherapy utilization, including integrating physiotherapy facilities into public, private, and NGO healthcare service centers, introducing government incentives for low- income patients, and increasing awareness among patients about the benefits of physiotherapy. Further nationwide research is recommended to obtain results that are more precise. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy. Sun, 09 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4879 2026-08-09T00:00:00Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4864 Capacity Assessment of Public Institutions for Climate Change Adaptation: Evidence from Coastal Districts in Bangladesh JAHAN, AISHA The government of Bangladesh has introduced a wide range of climate change adaptation programmes to reduce vulnerability and tackle the impacts of climate change on agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and health in coastal areas. It also emphasises capacity building of the relevant public institutions. Assessing the capacity of institutions to meet the challenges in terms of knowledge and perception, resource availability, coordination, and collaboration requires understanding the impacts and vulnerabilities of climate change. In this context, this research examines key sectoral impacts of climate change, especially on agricultural production in coastal areas in Bangladesh, to address climate change-induced challenges such as sea level rise, salinity intrusion, flooding, coastal erosion, temperature rise, changing precipitation, and coastal waterlogging. Furthermore, it aims to evaluate the capacity of the public institutions and the challenges for agricultural adaptation strategies in the coastal areas in terms of knowledge and perception, resource availability, coordination, and collaboration, training obtainability and information access. A number of policies exist on paper, but there is a gap in understanding how well these policies are implemented and whether institutions have the actual capacity, such as resources, coordination, and skills, to carry them out. The study has been conducted on the thirteen public institutions working under the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Water Resources, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in two coastal districts, Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali, due to their vulnerability to climate change and their distinct agricultural production. Drawing on the policy and document analysis, key informant interviews and focus group discussions, the research identifies both progress and limitations of the institutions' responses to climate issues. The research methodology was a mixed-methods approach, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with officials and stakeholders from the xxi Upazila to the district level. This study draws on a range of theoretical approaches to produce a comprehensive assessment of institutional adaptive capacity. The findings indicate that the impacts of climate change are visible in coastal agricultural production. The public institutions have mandates to adapt to address the challenges of climate change in coastal production. Decrease in production, crop yield loss, insect infestation, a decrease in soil fertility, drought and excessive water logging, loss of topsoil, are identified by the respondents as significant impacts of the coastal region, directly affecting the harvest quality and production quantity. Although Bangladesh has developed adaptation practices in the coastal areas, the adaptive capacity of public institutions is constrained by limited resources, technical capacities, difficulties in accessing information and weak inter-institutional coordination. The findings of the study showed that public institutions have made significant progress in integrating climate change issues into their plans, programs, and policies, and that there is an adequate level of cooperation amongst them. However, institutional, financial, and technological limitations continue to impede their overall adaptive capacities, which are inconsistent. The study identifies fragmented coordination, insufficient machinery and technical knowledge, and limited financial resources as the main obstacles to efficient coordination. The results show that the public institutions have a moderate level of preparedness and capacities in climate change adaptation and climate risk management. In conclusion, the research findings provide a distinctive explanation of the variables used in the index assessment framework and emphasise the need for strengthening institutional capacity and improving cross-sectoral collaboration. Mainstreaming the institutional assessment for climate change adaptation in coastal agriculture may consider these research findings to explore the institutional adaptive capacity in the context of a developing country. Finally, the study highlights the necessity of bridging the gaps to enable institutions to xxii successfully deal with the implications of climate change on the agriculture sector, particularly in coastal Bangladesh. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4864 2026-08-04T00:00:00Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4856 Interference of External Actors in Bangladesh Politics NOUSHIN, TANJINA Since its liberation in 1971, Bangladesh—one of South Asia’s least developed countries— has made concerted efforts to move toward sustainable development. Along this journey, the country has had to adopt various large-scale development projects, which often require significant financial investment. However, as a developing nation, Bangladesh frequently finds it difficult to generate the necessary funds internally. Consequently, it seeks assistance from donor countries and international agencies, either in the form of aid or loans. It is an observable truth that human nature often gravitates toward the exercise of power. When one party is dependent on another—especially in an imbalanced power dynamic— the stronger side tends to exert influence over the weaker. This phenomenon holds true in the case of donor countries and lending agencies. Since Bangladesh’s inception, these entities have been providing financial support to the government. In return, they often attempt to shape or influence national policies and development priorities. There is growing concern that certain members of the diplomatic corps in Bangladesh have been overstepping their boundaries, disregarding the norms outlined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Particularly, some relatively junior diplomats, serving as Heads of Missions, have behaved in an overtly offensive and intrusive manner, openly interfering in Bangladesh's internal affairs. It is hoped that future governments will uphold the principles of the Vienna Convention and ensure that diplomats operate within the appropriate legal and ethical frameworks. Criticism has also been directed at diplomatic representatives and officials from multilateral financial institutions who have made inappropriate public remarks about Bangladesh’s internal political dynamics and governance. While it is understandable that they are concerned about good governance and fair elections—given their financial stake in the country’s development—such interventions often appear too blatant and disrespectful of national sovereignty. Nevertheless, we must acknowledge their role as stakeholders. These nations and agencies, as development partners, have a vested interest in the stability, progress, and democratic integrity of Bangladesh. Their concerns stem not just from altruism but also from the realities of globalization: instability, poor governance, human rights abuses, terrorism, and corruption in one state can have ripple effects across an entire region. vii Bangladesh, like all nations, must remember its history and learn from it. Accountability to international opinion should not be feared, nor should institutional reform be delayed. Over recent weeks, many diplomatic representatives have engaged in dialogue with political alliances across the spectrum, including the newly formed NCP – National Citizen Party. They are participating a number of meeting with the other top political countries in Bangladesh like: BNP – Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jamaat-E-Islami, AB Party and many other small and big political parties in the country. They continued their meeting with the different levels of the Interim Government members as well. These discussions are taking place ahead of upcoming elections, as these diplomats prepare to send election observers to monitor the process. Such international monitoring is now a widely accepted practice in assessing the legitimacy of electoral outcomes. It lends credibility to the democratic process and reassures the global community of a nation’s political maturity. Rather than viewing these actions with suspicion, we should engage in deeper introspection. Why are these foreign entities expressing concern? What conditions within our own political system have prompted such extraordinary involvement? The answer seems to lie not in support for any particular political faction, but in a collective desire to see Bangladesh return to stability through free and fair elections. It is also evident that these diplomatic missions are acting in coordination with their home governments. Observing the political inertia that has characterized the current Caretaker Administration, they have stepped forward, not to interfere, but to assist. We must interpret these actions within a broader international framework, rather than through a narrow, partisan lens. Political uncertainty is a silent killer of development; one we cannot afford. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4856 2026-08-04T00:00:00Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4842 বাংলাদেশের জাতীয় সংসদ নির্বাচন ব্যবস্থার সংস্কার : একটি বিশ্লেষণ [ Reforms of Election System of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad : An Analysis] আলম, মুহাম্মদ জহিরুল ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে পিএইচডি ডিগ্রীর জন্য উপস্থাপিত অভিসন্দর্ভ। Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4842 2026-08-02T00:00:00Z