Mohsin

Background: Child mental health is a critical public health concern in the United States. This study examines the multifaceted determinants of child mental health, including demographic, socioeconomic, family, healthcare access, and chronic health condition information. Methods: This study utilized data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Univariate, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to identify the determinants of each outcome variable. Results: We pooled data from two years (2020 & 2021) of NSCH and included a nationally representative sample of 6- to 17-year-old U.S. children (N = 60,809; male, 51.1%; female, 48.9%; 12-17-year-old, 50.9%; 6-11-year-old, 49.1%). There was an increase in the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and ADHD/ADD among 6-17-year-old U.S. children from 2020 to 2021, while the prevalence of behavioral problems decreased during the same period (the prevalences were 4.8%, 10.7%, 8.8%, and 11% respectively for the year of 2020 and 5.3%, 11%, 7.9% and 11.6% in 2021). Our findings reveal significant gender disparities, with girls experiencing higher rates of depression (AOR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.34-2.01, P <0.001) and anxiety (AOR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.43-1.84, P <0.001). Teens (12-17 years) were more susceptible to depression and anxiety than younger children (6-11 years). Ethnic and racial disparities were observed, with lower rates of these conditions among non-Hispanic Asian and Hispanic/Latino children. Neighborhood support was a protective factor against anxiety and behavioral problems. Physical activity for at least 60 minutes every day was significantly associated with lower odds of depression (AOR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.37-0.71; P <0.001) and anxiety (AOR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.54 - 0.83; P <0.001) as opposed to no physical activities. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were consistently linked to a higher likelihood of mental health conditions. Conclusion: This study underscores the complex interplay of factors influencing child mental health and offers actionable insights for policy and practice. Future research should explore causal relationships and longitudinal trajectories to guide effective interventions and policies.

Background: While maternal education is linked to antenatal care (ANC) use, its causal effect remains uncertain. This study applies a machine learning approach, Causal Forests, to estimate the causal impact of maternal education on adequate ANC utilization in Bangladesh. Methods: We analyzed data from 6,815 ever-married women aged 15–49 years who had a live birth within five years preceding the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). The outcome was adequate ANC utilization, defined as receiving four or more ANC visits from skilled providers. Maternal education was dichotomized as p < 0.001), the estimated Average Treatment Effect (ATE) after matching was modest and statistically non-significant (ATE = 0.006, 95% CI: –0.002 to 0.016, p = 0.17). However, significant heterogeneity in Individual Treatment Effects (ITEs) was detected across subgroups, with higher effects among women aged 20–40 at first birth, urban residents, those with media exposure, and those with wealthier or more educated spouses. The sensitivity analysis indicated moderate robustness to hidden bias. Conclusions: Maternal education alone may not significantly impact ANC use once socioeconomic and contextual factors are accounted for. However, its benefits are amplified among specific subgroups, suggesting the need for integrated and context-sensitive maternal health interventions. Advanced machine learning methods can enhance causal inference and inform equity-oriented policy strategies.

Background: Although Bangladesh's economy has shown significant improvement over the past two decades, the high population growth rate has hindered development efforts. This study aimed to review the prevalence of different contraceptive methods used among women of reproductive age in Bangladesh, which could help control the population growth rate. Methods: We conducted an extensive literature review and meta-analysis of 82 articles, identifying 20 articles for analysis. The analyses included heterogeneity and publication bias in published papers. Results: The pooled prevalence of various contraceptive methods was as follows: condom use, 7.13%; Female Sterilization, 8.09%; injectables, 12.76%; intrauterine devices (IUDs), 3.76%; male sterilization, 2.34%; periodic abstinence, 6.71%; pills, 33.21%; and withdrawal, 3.27%. Modern contraceptive methods accounted for 62.91% of usage, while traditional methods constituted 8.79%. On average, only 1.95% of women opted for the implant method. The overall prevalence of contraceptive method usage was 59.48%, with 60.59% in urban areas and 54.54% in rural areas. We found statistically significant heterogeneity for all contraceptive methods used by women in Bangladesh. The funnel plot and Egger’s test showed no publication bias for any of the contraceptive methods, except condoms (Z = 2.34, P = 0.0194). The contraceptive methods used by women in rural areas also showed publication bias (Z = −3.04, P = 0.0024). Conclusion: A renewed commitment from government bodies and independent organizations is needed to implement and monitor family planning strategies to ensure adherence to and provision of the most appropriate contraceptive method for couples.

Background The prevalence of suicidal behaviors among young people especially among university students is rising alarmingly worldwide. This study aimed to assess the suicidal risks and emotional distress among university students in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods The data were collected from different universities in Bangladesh from June 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022, using a convenience sampling technique. Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using a 21-point depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21); insomnia was measured using the insomnia severity index (ISI), and the suicidal behaviors questionnaire revised (SBQ-R) was used to measure suicidal behaviors. Data were analyzed using STATA (version 16) software. Results Out of 620 students, 47.26% were females, and the mean age of the students was 22.66 (SD = 1.95) years. The prevalence of suicidal behaviors was found 20.2% among the students. In addition, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia were found 46.5%, 55.2%, 28.1%, and 20.7% respectively. It was found that the students who had depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia symptoms had the prevalence of suicidal behaviors at 33.33%, 29.53%, 41.95%, and 42.19% respectively. Furthermore, the students who had depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia were found to show 2.00 (1.11–3.62)^**, 1.83 (0.99–3.38)^*, 2.04 (1.15–3.65)^**, and 1.97 (1.17–3.32)^** times higher likelihood of suicidal behaviors compared to those without these symptoms. Conclusion and Suggestions The results of the study suggest that mental health-related disorders like depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia are significantly associated with the likelihood of suicidal tendencies among university students in Bangladesh.

The monkeypox (MPX) outbreak has been declared a public health emergency by WHO and the U.S. The zoonotic disease with a similar appearance to smallpox named Monkeypox (MPX) has started to reappear and spread globally in recent times although it was endemic to Africa for decades. It has already spread to 88 countries (81 non-endemic) and infected about 30,000 people. Touching an infected individual who has rashes, scabs, body fluids, or lesions on their skin is the most common way to catch and spread monkeypox. The global health system is already substantially exhausted because of the high volume of Covid-19 patients and is unprepared to execute fast response and emergency interventions to combat a new outbreak. Educating general people and health care workers, creating mass awareness, and preparing public health sectors globally are crucial to controlling the MPX outbreak and avoiding another potential pandemic.

Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that causes thousands of deaths in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is one of the 30 high TB burden countries. In this study, we aimed to assess the knowledge, practices, and attitude toward TB, and to determine the factors associated with them among people who have internet access in Bangladesh. Design, Setting, and Participant: A web-based anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 20 to August 10, 2021, among people (age> = 18 years) who have internet access in Bangladesh. A comprehensive consent statement was included at the beginning of the survey and informed consent was taken. Outcome measures: This study’s outcomes of interest were respondents’ adequate knowledge, good practices, and positive attitudes toward TB and were coded binarily. The association between respondents’ socio-demographic factors and knowledge, attitude, and practices toward TB was inspected using the Chi-square test and Multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Among 1,180 respondents, 58.64% were males, and 62.37% were married. The majority of the participants (78.28%) were aged between 18 to 44 years. Overall adequate knowledge, favorable attitudes, and good practices about TB were found respectively in 47.8%, 44.75%, and 31.19% of the people with internet access in Bangladesh. Almost the same sets of associated factors were found to influence adequate knowledge, favorable attitudes, and good practices toward TB among social media users in Bangladesh. Males, young, unmarried, social media users with higher education, and urban social media users were more likely to have adequate knowledge, favorable attitudes, and good practices toward TB. Conclusion: Policymakers need to design programs and interventions to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward TB in Bangladesh with a particular focus on females, young and older people, people who live in rural areas, and illiterate/less educated people. Social media can be a powerful medium for disseminating scientific facts on TB and other diseases.