ASA University Bangladesh

Background: Demand for platelets has increased in recent years due to rising oncology cases, dengue fever, and other conditions associated with low platelet counts. The Transfusion Medicine Department plays a vital role in supplying apheresis platelet units with higher yields and fewer complications. Single donor platelet (SDP) units are particularly effective in raising platelet levels for patients and are processed through a device that separates platelets while returning the remaining components to circulation. Aim: To determine the donor deferral rates and reasons of deferred donors during plateletpheresis. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Transfusion Medicine Department of BIRDEM, Apollo Hospital (Dhaka), and Asgar Ali Hospital in Dhaka from January 2021 to December 2021. Apheresis donors of either sex attending the mentioned departments were selected and deferred by physicians according to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) protocol followed by previously mentioned hospitals. The data of deferred plateletpheresis donors were recorded in a register and analyzed retrospectively. Results: Out of 1,191 plateletpheresis donors, 1,043 were chosen for single donor platelet (SDP) donation, while 148 (12.4%) were deferred for various reasons. The most frequent age group among the deferred donors was 26–35 years (53.3%). Among the deferred individuals, 67.5% were male and 32.4% were female. Most donors were temporarily deferred, making up 93.9%, while permanently deferred donors were 6.1%. The main reasons for temporary deferral included poor venous access (27.7%, primarily among females), low platelet count (16.2%), and drug use (most commonly analgesics) at 11.4%, with the least common cause being a non-matching blood group (2.1%). The most common reason for permanent deferral was seropositivity for HBsAg. Conclusion: Based on the findings of our study most of the deferred donors were between 26-35 years of age and male. The major causes of temporary donor deferral were poor venous access, low platelet count, drug use specially analgesics and underweight and the most common cause of permanent deferral was seropositivity for Hepatitis B. Northern International Medical College Journal Vol. 14 No. 1-2 July 2022-January 2023, Page 624-627

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a disabling joint condition that leads to extreme mobility and quality of life impairment, particularly among older adults. This study aimed to investigate the socio-demographic factors and comorbid conditions influencing the severity of symptoms of knee OA using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Data were derived from 622 patients across 9 months from the major healthcare facilities of Dhaka. Age, sex, educational status, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) were predictors for the severity of symptoms of OA of the knee, the study claimed. Female participants were more prone to have severe symptoms compared to males, and those who were more than 70-years-old were at greater risk of severe symptoms. Low educational status, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and CVD were also predictors for severe OA of the knee. Age (p<0.001), obesity (p<0.001), and diabetes (p<0.001) were the best predictors of severity of symptoms based on the multinomial logistic regression analysis. The findings from the study highlight the complex etiology of OA of the knee and the need for integral healthcare measures that address both the socio-economic and the physical determinants. Focused interventions need to be employed, particularly for high-risk groups such as the elderly, women, and the comorbid, to minimize the incidence of OA of the knee and maximize the outcomes for patients in settings such as that of Bangladesh, where resources may not be available.

Abstract BackgroundHealth insurance is vital for healthcare financing and aligns with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal agenda. Women of reproductive age face unique barriers to affordable care due to higher health risks and caregiving roles. This study aims to estimate the proportion of women with health insurance coverage (HIC) and its associated factors.MethodsWe used data from the latest round of the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) of 2022. The number of women considered for analysis was 19987. Unadjusted odds ratio with their95% confidence interval (Cl) were reported.ResultsThe median (IQR) age of the women in the study was 32.0 (25.0-39.0) years. Only 0.3% of women reported having HIC. The odds of HIC increased significantly with having account with bank or other financial institution (UOR: 2.27; 95% Cl: 1.36-3.79), both woman or their husbands having post secondary education, belonging to richest family (UOR: 3.32; 95% Cl: 1.45-7.60), and having adequate media exposure (UOR: 2.78; 95% Cl: 1.41-5.47).ConclusionsThe study highlights the need for higher education among both sexes and targeted strategies to reduce wealth-based disparities and use mass media to promote the uptake of HIC.WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPICHealth insurance is a key mechanism for financing healthcare globally, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals agenda for 2030.Women in reproductive age groups face unique barriers to affordable healthcare, particularly in LMICs.Less than 1% of the Bangladeshi population, benefit from social health protectionWHAT THIS STUDY ADDSOnly 0.3% Women of reproductive age have health insurance coverage.The most prevalent type of health insurance is private insurance and mutual or community organizationEducation, media exposure, good financial standing and financial inclusion increases the odds of having health insurance coverage.

Balancing working life and personal life is quite challenging, especially for women who must play diverse roles at a time. Family obligations and the nature of work also influence the intensity of work-life conflict. A well-articulated human resource policy may not wipe out the role conflict but can minimize it prudently. This study is designed to examine whether the existing WLB policies of private commercial banks in Bangladesh are designated enough to influence the female bankers’ level of commitment and their attitude toward job market. Based on the social exchange theory, this study assesses the experience of 450 mid-career bankers deploying the PLS-SEM approach. The results infer that mid-level female bankers show a satisfactory level of commitment to their employment and a positive attitude toward the labor market despite the challenging job requirements. Additionally, their affection toward the banking career brings significantly positive results in influencing their commitment and labor market perception. The study also explored moderating impact and observed that the career commitment substantially moderates the WLB and employee commitment relationship. As women have strong ties to family responsibilities in the cultural context of Bangladesh, understanding the perceived consequences of WLB is essential to formulating effective policies. Besides enriching theoretical understanding, the findings will help the managers and policymakers to understand the value of offering effective policies for female bankers to balance their work and life.

Background: Access to improved sanitation and hygiene is one of the prime concerns around the globe. This study aimed at assessing knowledge and practice regarding sanitation and hygiene among women living in selected areas of Dhaka city. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban slums of Vellore using the systematic random sampling method. Data was analyzed using frequency and WASH scoring. Further bi-variate and multivariate analyses was done using chi-square test and logistic regression. A total number of 140 households were surveyed using a semi-structured, pilot-tested questionnaire. Results: The 230 participants, with a mean age of 43.2 years, who were mostly from nuclear families (72.6%) and had monthly family incomes of at least 20,000 BDT, were included in the study. The 37% of respondents had hygienic sanitation facilities, while 42% of respondents had access to Kacha latrines. 69% of the participants used sandals while defecating, and 64% washed their hands with water and soap or ash. A significant association between WASH practices and household members with less than five members and upper middle SES group was found by multivariate logistic regression analysis, with a significance level of less than 0.01. Conclusions: Since good hygiene will stop the spread of infectious diseases, knowledge and practice of proper personal hygiene and sanitation are essential in day-to-day living. Comprehensive knowledge, more awareness programs, and subsidy policies should be implemented in order to improve sanitation and reduce the burden of transmissible diseases while taking into account regional variations in hygiene practice.

This research delves into the complex dynamics influencing China's Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework, focusing on the role of institutional and cultural factors. The BRI, a massive global infrastructure and economic development project initiated by China, has attracted significant scholarly and policy attention due to its potential implications for international financial governance and development. The research aims to contribute to the academic understanding of China's investment behavior within the BRI by analyzing the impact of institutional and cultural distance on OFDI patterns. By utilizing panel data from nearly 50 BRI nations and employing analytical techniques, the research sheds light on how these factors shape China's investment decisions from 2011 to 2020. The research suggests that institutional distance promotes China's OFDI to BRI nations, whereas cultural distance is a deterrent. Differences in formal rules and regulations between China and BRI countries tend to encourage investment, while differences in cultural norms and practices hinder it. Moreover, the research highlights that cultural differences have a more substantial negative impact on investment than institutional disparities. Regarding policy implications, the research suggests that efforts to reduce cultural barriers and enhance cross-cultural understanding could facilitate more excellent Investment from China within the BRI countries.

The study examines how HR analytics may revolutionize talent management and strategic decision-making. This study delves into the acceptance of advanced analytics techniques in HR, the obstacles encountered during implementation, and the emerging trends that will shape the industry through an extensive literature review and analysis of case studies. Important conclusions draw attention to better decision-making procedures, improved talent management techniques, and policy ramifications, such as the necessity of extensive data privacy laws and funding for the professional development of HR personnel. The study highlights HR analytics’ importance in achieving competitive advantage and organizational success in the digital age.

BackgroundCOVID-19 accounts for more than half a billion deaths globally. The clinical manifestations may vary in due course. Despite several studies aimed at determining the extent to which the disease's severity and mortality remain high when combined with other comorbidities, more research is required. Therefore, this review aimed to measure the pooled prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) among COVID-19 patients, specifically those with a history of CAD. Additionally, we aim to assess the association between mortality due to CAD and the severity of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients. MethodA comprehensive search in PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and the WHO COVID-19 database was conducted. English studies with original data on CAD, mortality, and ARDS among COVID-19 patients were included. PRISMA guidelines were followed. ResultsAmong the 2007 identified articles, 76 studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of CAD among COVID-19 patients was 14.4%(95% CI: 12.7–16.2). The highest prevalence was observed in European studies at 18.2%(95% CI: 13.3–24.2), while the lowest was in Asian studies at 10.4% (95% CI: 6.4–16.3). Participants with concurrent CAD at the time of hospital admission had twice the odds of mortality due to COVID-19 (2.64 [95% CI: 2.30–3.04]) with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 45%, p < 0.01). Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with CAD had a 50% higher risk of ARDS (95% CI: 0.62–3.66), but this difference was not statistically significant. ConclusionAlthough our analysis revealed evidence for a relationship between concurrent CAD at the time of hospital admission and mortality from COVID-19, however, global variation in health infrastructure, limitations of data reporting, and the effects of emerging variants must be considered in future investigations.