MPhil Thesis

Vitamin-D status among adolescent attending in the Out Patient Department of Selected Tertiary Hospitals in Bangladesh

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Vitamin-D status among adolescent attending in the Out Patient Department of Selected Tertiary Hospitals in Bangladesh Jaiswal, Sanni Context/Background: Lack of vitamin D is a global issue that has been linked to a number of health problems. In Bangladesh, it is quite prevalent in all age categories, but it is particularly prevalent in children and adolescents of both sexes. Since vitamin D is produced by cutaneous synthesis when exposed to plenty of sunlight, the incidence of vitamin D insufficiency in Bangladesh is often disregarded. The objective of the current study was to assess the vitamin D status of adolescents attending in the outpatient department (OPD) of selected tertiary hospitals in Bangladesh, as well as the relationship between vitamin D status and dietary habits and socio-demographic traits. Techniques/Methods Two chosen hospitals' outpatient departments recruited adolescents (10–19 years old) for a cross-sectional survey. The study employed convenience sampling of 384 adolescents who came to these hospitals and their medical reports were available at the hospital. Vitamin D status was evaluated based on the medical reports. Alongside, dietary habits were recorded using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). A multinomial logistic regression model was built to determine the predictors of the participants' vitamin D status. Results: More than 58% of the respondents were younger adolescents (aged 10-14 years) and around two-thirds were girls. It was discovered that 36.7% of the adolescents had inadequate amounts of vitamin D, and 32% were vitamin D deficient. Deficiency level was significantly higher among older adolescents (15-19 years of age). Girls were significantly more deficient 36.2% than boys 24.6%. In addition to other socio-demographic factors, mothers with low- paying jobs, mothers whose education level was primary/below or no institutional education, families with lower incomes, etc., had higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Regarding dietary habits, the study found that respondents who regularly consumed foods high in vitamin D i.e. beef, fatty fish, egg, dairy, fortified oils, nuts, fruits and vegetables, Horlicks had lower rate of vitamin D deficiency. A multinomial logistic regression analysis showed 7 that the occupation level of the mother (service holder), the less frequent consumption of beef, dairy, fortified oil, and Horlicks (a nutritional supplement drink) as significant predictors for vitamin D deficiency. Conclusion: The present study found a positive impact of consumption of certain vitamin D-rich food items (beef, dairy, fortified oil, and Horlicks) on vitamin D levels of adolescents. Adolescents who consumed these items frequently had a lower risk of vitamin D deficiency than those who did so occasionally or never. Therefore, if any awareness programs or campaigns could be conducted for both parents and adolescents, it might be beneficial for reducing vitamin D deficiency. Additionally, if it's feasible, more study can be done to fortify food with vitamin D through further research. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy.

Dengue Viral Infection in Children: Epidemiological, Nutritional and Genomic Analysis

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Dengue Viral Infection in Children: Epidemiological, Nutritional and Genomic Analysis Ghosh, Kinkar Background: The epidemiology and genomic characteristics of dengue viral infection in children have been poorly explored in Bangladesh. The study aimed to delineate the epidemiological, nutritional, and genomic characteristics of the dengue viral infection in Bangladeshi children. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the in-patient department of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute from June 2023 to May 2024. Children of age <18 years admitted with presumptive positive dengue infection and presumptive negative dengue infection (NS1 and/IgM negative) with features like dengue infection were enrolled in this study. A total of 722 presumptive dengue-positive children were included for epidemiological analysis, 349 children under the age of five for nutritional assessment; 104 dengue-positive children, and 50 dengue-negative children (from another group) for genomic analysis and concomitant viral infections respectively. MedCalc online tools and SPSS version 21 were used for genomic and statistical analysis. Results: Among 722 children, 600(83%) were from Dhaka City Corporation (494 and 106 were from North and South City Corporation respectively) and 122(17%) were from outside of Dhaka. The age group of <1 Year were 91(12%), 1- <5 Year 258(36%),5- <10 Year 238(33%) and > 10 Year 135(19%). Out of all, fever was the compulsory presenting complaint, and vomiting 355(49%), abdominal pain 192(27%), loose motion 135(19%), cough 49(7%), headache 30(4%), reluctant to feed 23(3%), bleeding 18(2%), convulsion 16(2%) were present. Among all 516(71%) presented with warning signs and 206(29%) without warning signs; 82(16%) children with warning signs and 23(11%) without warning signs were admitted to the intensive care unit. Reinfection was in 39(5.4%), a comorbid condition in 79(10%) and shock was the predominant complication. Among 349 under-five children, 7 (2%) were overweight, 178(51%) normal, 153(44%) moderately underweight, and 11(3%) severely underweight. Real-Time PCR results reveal that out of 104 positive cases, 96(92%) were true positive and 8(8%) were false positive. Among 50 negative cases 17(34%) were false negative and 33(66%) true negative. Real-time PCR of nasopharyngeal swabs reveals that 12(12%) had Flu or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in true positive cases(n=103) and 5 (19%) in true negative cases(n=26). Circulating serotypes were DEN2 87% and DEN3 13%. Genomic footprint shows that DEN-2-2023 in Bangladesh was most similar to 2018 and DEN-3-2023 most similar to 2017. Conclusion: In children, DEN2 was the most predominant serotype in 2023 among children which might be responsible for more severe diseases. Concomitant viral infection could be an upcoming concern for the dengue outbreak. Authorities should prioritize the feasibility of using Real-time PCR for dengue screening in the coming years and a laboratory network system like COVID-19 should be considered. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy.

Behavioral and life style risk factor analysis for pre-hypertensive and hypertensive population in urban Dhaka

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Behavioral and life style risk factor analysis for pre-hypertensive and hypertensive population in urban Dhaka FERDOUSI, JANNATUL Background: Prevalence of hypertension is on rise silently and slowly in Bangladesh. This quasi experimental type of interventional study was conducted aiming at evaluating reversible of blood pressure through reduction of body weight in overweight or obese, individual avoidance of table salt intake, increment of physical activity and cessation of smoking, changing of food habit in an urban committee. The study also aimed at finding out the socioeconomic and demographic profile for pre hypertension and stage-I hypertensions and evaluating outcome of behavioral risk reduction contributing to maintenance of reversal of hypertension. Objective: The study was conducted to analyze if modification of life style and behavioral risk factor can reduce pre-hypertension and stage-I hypertension. Material and method: This intervention study was conducted during the period August 2013 to October 2015 on respondents aged 18 years or above in Sutrapur thana of Dhaka city including an intervention period of 6 Months. Non-probability type of judgement sampling was used to collect 150 respondents with pre-hypertension and stage-I hypertension. The respondent had neither any complications nor any Co-morbidity. The Intervention was given person-to-person. Intervention included physical activity enhancement, dietary advice, avoidance of extra table salt intake and smoking cessation. Global standard tools were used to collect data through person-to-person interview and clinical assessment. Data analysis and interpretation done through SPSS. Result: Mean systolic blood pressure of the respondents was 130± 7.09 mm Hg and mean diastolic blood pressure was 83.51±7.39 mm Hg. Normal blood pressure was found only 45% cases. While 30% had pre-hypertension, 19% had stage-I hypertension and 6% had stage-II hypertension according to the JNC-7 criteria. Among the study group, after 6 months mean change of systolic blood pressure was -9.35± 1.75 mmHg and mean change of diastolic blood pressure was -4.20±1.94 mmHg. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly reduced from baseline, after 6 months of behavioral risk reduction intervention. For sBP (p<.05) and for dBP (p<.001). At beginning, 58.7% took extra salt. After 6 months intervention it was 1.4%. Avoidance of extra salt intake was significantly related to change of both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.001). There was no significant xii changes of smokers with blood pressure. Mean BMI reduction -1.62±1.8 kg/m2 (p<0.05). At the baseline of the study mean physical activities were 230.80±224.40 minutes/week and 518±275.70 minutes/weeks respectively after 6 months. Significant correlation of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure increment of physical activities (p<0.001). Conclusion: Reversal of pre- hypertension and stage-I hypertension was possible by structural behavior risk reduction meaning intake of balance diet with exclusion of extra salt intake, increment of physical activity along with reduction of body weight. Combination of all these parameter recommending to be used by the physicians while treating and caring patients with pre-hypertension and stage I hypertension. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy.

A recipe survey of Bangladeshi foods and dishes and estimation of their nutrient content by using a recipe calculation programme.

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A recipe survey of Bangladeshi foods and dishes and estimation of their nutrient content by using a recipe calculation programme. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy.