ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | April 6, 2024
Prevalence of Tobacco Users (Smoking and Smokeless) among Rural Areas in Bangladesh
Dr. Md. Abdullah-Al-Maruf, Dr. Md. Ruhid Hossain, Dr. A.H.M. Anisuzzaman, Dr. Alamgir Hossan, Dr. Abu Naser Md Abdul Kader, Dr. Jiban Chandra Das, Noor Mohammed
Page no 79-85 |
DOI: 10.36348/sjm.2024.v09i04.001
Background: Tobacco consumption, encompassing both smoking and smokeless forms, remains a significant public health challenge globally, particularly prevalent in rural areas of Bangladesh. Despite efforts to curb its usage, tobacco continues to impose a substantial burden on public health, socioeconomic development, and community well-being, especially in rural regions. Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of tobacco use among rural areas of Bangladesh, exploring factors driving its uptake and persistence. Method: Between January and June 2023, a cross-sectional epidemiological investigation took place across multiple regions in Bangladesh, spanning Sylhet, Shunamgonj, Moulvibazar, Hobigonj, Chattogram, Pabna, Brahman Baria, Kishorgonj, and Chandpur districts. The study targeted a randomized selection of 250 adults aged 18 years and above, who had resided in their respective areas for at least five years. These individuals were recruited during consultations for various health concerns. Subsequently, they were surveyed regarding their history of tobacco consumption, and with their consent, data was systematically collected using structured questionnaires, physical assessments, and anthropometric measurements. The gathered data underwent statistical analysis through SPSS v. 20.0. Results: The study revealed a diverse demographic profile, with a majority falling within the 18-39 age bracket (40%) and a slight predominance of males (55%). Educational attainment varied, with 50% having primary dropout status. Regarding tobacco use, 30% reported smoking bidi, cigarettes, or self-rolled tobacco, 50% were non-smokers, and 20% used both smoking and non-smoking forms. The onset of tobacco use varied, with 30% starting after the age of 30. Association of impact of chronic long term tobacco use on health was also significant with 76% long term users having health related issues. Additionally, 30% of tobacco users engaged in other forms of recreation, while 25% attempted to quit smoking. Limited psychiatric awareness was evident, with only 10% understanding psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: The study highlights the significant prevalence of tobacco use in rural Bangladesh and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address this public health issue. Targeted interventions and evidence-based policies are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of tobacco use, safeguard public health, and promote healthier communities in rural areas.
CASE REPORT | April 10, 2024
A Case Report of Successful Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Excellent Esthetic Results
Ayoub El Massnaoui, Sami Amraoui, Nabila Sellal, Mohamed El Hfid
Page no 86-88 |
DOI: 10.36348/sjm.2024.v09i04.002
This case report describes the successful treatment of a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip with brachytherapy in a 36-year-old man. The patient presented with a 03 cm ulcerated lesion on the lower lip classified as T2N0, which biopsy confirmed to be SCC. Due to the location of the lesion and the patient's preference for minimally invasive treatment, brachytherapy was chosen. The patient received 40.05Gray, 4.5 Gray per session in 09 sessions. Follow-up examinations showed complete resolution of the lesion with minimal adverse effects. This case highlights the efficacy, tolerability and good esthetic result of brachytherapy in the treatment of SCC of the lip.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | April 13, 2024
Association of Glutathione S Transferase M1, T1, P1 (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1) Gene Polymorphisms with Sickle Cell Anaemia Complications in North Kordofan State, Sudan
Mona M. S. Salama, Mahdi H. A. Abdalla, Nasr Eldeen Ali Mohammed Gaufri
Page no 89-99 |
DOI: 10.36348/sjm.2024.v09i04.003
Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is an inherited blood disorder that is characterized by chronic haemolysis and episodes of many clinical complications. The number of people living with sickle cell disease globally increased from 5.46 million in 2000 to 7.74 million in 2021. This study aimed to investigate the association of glutathione S transferase M1, T1, P1 (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1) gene polymorphisms with SCA complications. This was a case-control and hospital-based study, conducted in the SCA center, Alkuaiti Hospital, North Kordofan state, Sudan. Following informed consent, one hundred twenty-six participants were recruited to this study, 63 were SCA patients attending Alkuaiti Hospital, and 63 age and gender matched apparently healthy individuals as the control group. The full blood count was done using an automated hematological analyzer, genotyping of the GSTM1 and the GSTT1 polymorphisms were determined using multiplex polymerase chain reaction, while genotyping of the GSTP1 was determined using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Complications data were collected from admission and discharge records. 52.4% (n=33) from the case group were male and 47.6% (n=30) were females. The GSTM1 genotypes in the case group showed that the frequency of the GSTM1Null genotype was 57.1% and the GSTM1 present genotype was 42.9%, the GSTM1 genotypes in the control group showed that the frequency of the GSTM1Null genotype was 52.4% and the GSTM1 present genotype was 47.6%. The GSTT1 genotypes in the case group showed that the frequency of the GSTT1 Null genotype was 69.8%, and the GSTT1 present genotype was 30.2%. The GSTT1 genotypes in the control group showed that the frequency of the GSTT1 Null genotype was 49.8%, and the GSTT1 present genotype was 50.2%. The GSTM1 GSTT1 genotypes in the case group showed that the frequency of the GSTM1 GSTT1 Null genotype was 74.6%, and the GSTM1 GSTT1 present genotype was 25.4%. The GSTM1 GSTT1 genotypes in the control group showed that the frequency of the GSTM1 GSTT1 Null genotype was 77.7% and the GSTM1 GSTT1 present genotype was 22.3%. The GSTP1 genotype in the case group showed that the wild-type Ile/Ile was (15.9%), the heterozygous Ile/Val was (66.7%), and the homozygous mutant Val/Val was (17.4%). The GSTP1 genotype in the control group showed that the wild-type Ile/Ile was (3.2%), the heterozygous Ile/Val was (84.1%), and the homozygous mutant Val/Val was (12.7%). There were no statistically significant differences in the Hb, TWBCs, and PLTs between the GSTM1 genotypes (P.value =0.69, 0.47, 0.22) respectively also there were no statistically significant differences in the Hb, TWBCs, and PLTs between the GSTT1 genotypes (P.value = 0.84, 0.45, 0.48) respectively and the GSTM1 GSTT1 genotypes (P.value= 0.53, 0.70, 0.46) respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the Hb, and TWBCs between the GSTP1 genotypes (P.value= 0.15, 0.36) respectively but there was a statistically significant difference in PLTs between the GSTP1 genotypes (P.value= 0.07). The study concluded that there were no statistically significant differences in the GSTM1 and the GSTM1 GSTT1 genotypes between the case group and the control group with (P.value= 0.36, 0.36) respectively and there were statistically significant differences in the GSTT1 and the GSTP1 genotypes between the case group and the control group with (P.value 0.014, 0.02) respectively. The GSTT1 present genotype was significantly associated with acute heart failure (P.value 0.02). The GSTP1 (val val) genotype was significantly associated with painful crisis and hepatomegaly as combined complications (P.value 0.008). The other GSTT1, other GSTP1, and GSTM1 genotypes revealed no significant associations with SCA complications.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | April 18, 2024
Comparative Analysis of C - reactive protein and Erythrocytes Sedimentation Rate among Hypertensive Patients Attending Gwako Primary Health Care Centre
Amos Dangana, Kadiri Khairat, Mujahideen Ayinde, Mangpin Leviticus Dansura, Helen Daniel Nanbol, Phebe Ojo Ali, Bwede Eugene Samuel, Omoare A.A, Ale Toluwalese Ayokunmi, Nkiruka Lynda Uzoebo, Sunday Adagyo Oboshi, Nyiri Miriam Gyang, Muhammad Sani Usman
Page no 100-105 |
DOI: 10.36348/sjm.2024.v09i04.004
Background: Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure or arterial hypertension, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. Blood pressure is expressed by two measurements, the systolic and diastolic pressures. Purpose/Aim: To investigate the usefulness of C-reactive protein and ESR as biomarkers for the diagnosis of hypertension among hypertensive patients attending gwakor primary health centre. Methods: The study investigated the levels of ESR and CRP among hypertensive subjects. Qualitative and semi quantitative C-reactive protein was carried out on serum and ESR was also done using whole blood. Result: Of the 200 subjects recruited for the study the age distribution of C-reactive protein seropositivity among the study subjects shown that the age between 21-30 had a seropositivity 1(5.6%) with a total Number of 18 within the group, and the age group between 31-40 shown a seropositivity of 5(9.8%) with total number tested within the age group 51, also the age range between 41-50 shown a seropositivity of 6(24.0%) with total number tested to be 25, and the age range between 51-60 had no seropositivity with total number tested were 4, while >60yrs showed 2(100.0%) with total number tested were 2. the highest number of seropositivity observed was in the age range of >60yrs and above, followed by 41-50 with 24%. The highest value observed among the age group of >60yrs was not surprised because this age group are prone to degenerative diseases because of age related conditions as individual aged as shown in table 4.1. The difference observed among the age distribution of CRP seropositivity among the study subjects showed a significance difference which was statistically significant. The sex distribution among the study subject showed that men had seropositivity of 10(19.6%) with a total number of 51 tested, while female showed 4(8.2%) with total number of 49 tested. Conclusion: The findings in this study confirmed that CRP and ESR are good inflammatory markers in the management of hypertensive patients, also CRP is a more sensitive and specific marker compared to ESR, and it also reveal that as individual is aging the risk of developing hypertension is high because elderly people are more expose compared to younger persons.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | April 18, 2024
Socio-Demographic Characteristic of Low Back Pain among Nurses Working at a Medical College Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Halima Akter, Most Nasrin, Tumpa Gharami
Page no 106-111 |
DOI: 10.36348/sjm.2024.v09i04.005
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is recognized as a major public health problem around the world and is one of the most frequently discussed health conditions among medical professionals, particularly in the field of nursing. In addition to the nature of nursing work, body mechanics and life style factors, nurses’ socio-demographic characteristics plays a significant role in the causation of this condition. As a result, the purpose of this study was to investigate the socio-demographic characteristics of nurses so that policymakers and healthcare practitioners could gain a better understanding into the mitigation of LBP among nurses. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 nurses working at Mugda Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Face to face interview was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire which had three parts relatable to socio-demographic profile, screening of musculoskeletal problems and pain intensity. Both descriptive and inferential statistics was applied through SPSS to measure the socio-demographic characteristics of nurses and other major variables. Results: Results showed that the mean age and BMI was 37.53 years and 26.77, respectively. Further, 1.68 person, 82754.72 Bangladeshi taka and 16.17 years were found as the mean number of children, family monthly income and working experiences of nurses, respectively. BMI, marital status, number of children and working experiences were found to be significantly (p<.05) associated with the low back pain. Conclusion: Regardless of socioeconomic status, all nurses experience some level of low back pain. However, BMI, marital status, job years, and the number of children all have an impact on the development of low back pain in nurses.
REVIEW ARTICLE | April 22, 2024
Literature Review: Opioid Crisis in South West, Nigeria
Prince Akpokiro, Ejiro Akpokiro, Funsho Kolapo
Page no 112-119 |
DOI: 10.36348/sjm.2024.v09i04.006
The opioid crisis in Southwest Nigeria has significantly increased, with socioeconomic factors such as lack of healthcare access, unemployment, and poverty exacerbating the problem. The review explores the interactions between biological variables, cutting-edge technologies, financial constraints, and environmental factors that contribute to drug abuse and substance use disorders. It also analyzes the major classes of opioids and distinguishes between medicinal and non-medical uses. The epidemic has negative impacts on personal well-being, healthcare infrastructure, and societal cohesion. The research suggests a multifaceted strategy, including interventions and policy implications. It suggests reducing poverty as a first step in treating the underlying causes, increasing access to mental health services, early detection and intervention programs, and public awareness initiatives to prevent disease. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is also emphasized as a recovery strategy. The evaluation advocates for policy changes, tighter guidelines for opioid prescriptions, and public awareness initiatives to inform people about opiate abuse risks and encourage cautious use.