Browsing by Author "Akter, Nahida"

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A survey on prevalence complications and treatment approaches of acne vulgaris at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka
(Daffodil International University, 2024-04-23) Akter, Nahida
Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological condition affecting individuals worldwide, with substantial implications for quality of life. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of acne vulgaris and its impact on the quality of life among patients attending Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College & Hospital. A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving a sample of patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris. Data collection included demographic information, acne severity assessment, and quality of life evaluation using standardized instruments. Regarding the poll to be completed, the majority of those who responded (76%), stated that they had experienced acne vulgaris. 32% of those surveyed believed that acne vulgaris is caused by not shedding dead skin cells, whereas 41% of respondents said that acne vulgaris is caused by excessive oil production. 51% of respondents, or most of them, were taking doxycycline. According to this poll, 55% of respondents said they had seen a dermatologist, but 45% said they had not seen one for acne. In this study, the majority of respondents (47%) stated that the doctor had administered the SHBG test to diagnose acne, whereas 27% indicated the DHEA-S test had been administered. 34% of respondents stated they had been administered benzoyl peroxide, 31% said they received a prescription for salicylic acid, and 17% of participants claimed they had been prescribed antibiotics by their doctor to treat their acne. 95% of respondents said they were stupid about their acne issue. The majority of respondents stated that they have experienced feelings of aggression, embarrassment, and frustration due to their acne. According to research, 85% of people with acne say that their complexion makes them feel ugly, ashamed, or self-conscious. Twenty percent of respondent’s stated puffy rice increased their signs, while twenty percent indicated corn flakes had caused their symptoms. Lastly, it was mentioned that acne is still a highly common inflammatory dermatosis and is frequently linked to serious psychological morbidity.
A Survey on the Fitness Status Among the University Students of Dhaka
(East West University, 6/23/2017) Akter, Nahida
OBJECTIVE: The research was carried out to find out status of fitness among students. METHOD: the study included finding out information regarding their knowledge about fitness, their effort to stay fit etc. and to find out the reason for not being fit to solve them. DESIGN: A standardized questionnaire introduced to student to collect their response. SETTING: East West University, Dhaka. SUBJECTS: 500 students of the university among them 287 were male and 213 were female. INTERVENTIONS: A Survey, questionnaire composed of eating habit related questions, physical activity related questions, other behavioral factor related questions, health related questions etc. RESULTS: 57% male and 43% female respondents, 46% belong to age range 20-22, 42% within the range 23-25, BMI, 69% of the population had healthy weight, 19% had smoking habit, 14% had alcohol consumption habit, sleep duration, 44% actively participated in sports. Male respondents showed greater percentage in alcohol consumption and smoking habit, participation in sports etc. female respondents showed greater percentage in doing meditation and yoga, not doing exercise, physical inactivity and less participation in sports. Some behaviors for example smoking, active participation in games, taking outside food, regular exercise differs greatly with age. Some behavioral pattern differ greatly in male and female for example alcohol consumption, physical activity, maintaining diet, eating habit, participation in sports etc. CONCLUSION: Majority of the students had healthy weight. So it can be said that overall fitness status is satisfactory among university students.
Assessment of Mental Well-being and Its Socio-economic Determinants Among Older Adults in the Rohingya Refugee Camp of Bangladesh
(Springer Nature, 2024-08-02) Anwar, Afsana; Akter, Nahida; Yadav, Uday Narayan; Ghimire, Saruna; Bhattacharjee, Shovon; Eusufzai, Sumaiya Zabin; Mahumud, Rashidul Alam; Ali, A. R. M. Mehrab; Huda, Md Nazmul; Majumder, Md Saiful Islam; Zahid, Arnob; Mondal, Probal Kumar; Rizwan, Abu Ansar Md; Shuvo, Suvasish Das; Simon Rosenbaum; Mistry, Sabuj Kanti
Older adults residing in refugee settlements with unhealthy living environments, inadequate access to health care services, and limited psychosocial support are vulnerable to experience mental health problems jeopardizing their mental well-being. The present study aims to explore the mental well-being status and its socio-economic determinants among the older adults living in the Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged ≥ 60 residing in five sub-camps within the Rohingya refugee camp of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews conducted between November and December 2021. The 14-item Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale was used to assess mental well-being. A cumulated score was derived using the scale ranging from 14 to 70, with higher scores indicating greater levels of mental well-being. A generalized linear regression model was used to examine the socio-economic factors associated with the mental well-being of older adults. A total of 864 older adults participated in the study having a mean mental well-being score of 45.4. Regression analysis revealed that the difference in the logs of mental well-being score was expected to be significantly lower among participants aged 70–79 years (β: − 1.661; 95% CI: − 2.750 to − 0.572; p = 0.003), aged ≥ 80 years (β: − 3.198; 95% CI: − 5.114 to − 1.282; p = 0.001), and those with any non-communicable chronic conditions (β: − 2.903; 95% CI: − 3.833 to − 1.974; p < 0.001) when compared to their counterparts. Conversely, the difference in the logs of mental well-being score was expected to be significantly higher among individuals with formal schooling (β: 3.370, 95% CI: 1.855 to 4.886, p < 0.001) and those having additional income besides aid (β: 1.629; 95% CI: 0.642 to 2.615; p = 0.001), compared to their respective counterparts. Our findings highlight the need to provide psychosocial assistance to older individuals, particularly those who live in large families, suffer from chronic diseases, and live in socio-economic deprivation.
: Assessment of mental well-being and its socio-economic determinants among older adults in the Rohingya refugee camp of Bangladesh
(Scopus, 2024-08-02) Anwar, Afsana; Akter, Nahida; Yadav, Uday Narayan; Ghimire, Saruna; Bhattacharjee, Shovon; Eusufzai, Sumaiya Zabin; Mahumud, Rashidul Alam; Ali, A. R. M. Mehrab; Huda, Md Nazmul; Rosenbaum, Simon; Mistry, Sabuj Kanti
Older adults residing in refugee settlements with unhealthy living environments, inadequate access to health care services, and limited psychosocial support are vulnerable to experience mental health problems jeopardizing their mental well-being. The present study aims to explore the mental well-being status and its socio-economic determinants among the older adults living in the Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged ≥ 60 residing in five sub-camps within the Rohingya refugee camp of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews conducted between November and December 2021. The 14-item Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale was used to assess mental well-being. A cumulated score was derived using the scale ranging from 14 to 70, with higher scores indicating greater levels of mental well-being. A generalized linear regression model was used to examine the socio-economic factors associated with the mental well-being of older adults. A total of 864 older adults participated in the study having a mean mental well-being score of 45.4. Regression analysis revealed that the difference in the logs of mental well-being score was expected to be significantly lower among participants aged 70–79 years (β: − 1.661; 95% CI: − 2.750 to − 0.572; p = 0.003), aged ≥ 80 years (β: − 3.198; 95% CI: − 5.114 to − 1.282; p = 0.001), and those with any non-communicable chronic conditions (β: − 2.903; 95% CI: − 3.833 to − 1.974; p < 0.001) when compared to their counterparts. Conversely, the difference in the logs of mental well-being score was expected to be significantly higher among individuals with formal schooling (β: 3.370, 95% CI: 1.855 to 4.886, p < 0.001) and those having additional income besides aid (β: 1.629; 95% CI: 0.642 to 2.615; p = 0.001), compared to their respective counterparts. Our findings highlight the need to provide psychosocial assistance to older individuals, particularly those who live in large families, suffer from chronic diseases, and live in socio-economic deprivation.
Bengali ChartSumm: A Benchmark Dataset and study on feasibility of Large Language Model on Bengali Chart to Text Summarization
(Department of Computer Science and Engineering(CSE), Islamic University of Technology(IUT), Board Bazar, Gazipur-1704, Bangladesh, 2025-10-25) Poushi, Afrin Sultana; Akter, Nahida; Farhan, Sazid Abdullah
Summarizing Charts into text is a very efficient way to visualize insights of data. Bengali is especially a low resource language for Natural Language Generation task since it requires large sum of data to perform. In this paper we propose Ben gali ChartSumm: a benchmark dataset that is completely in Bengali, with chart metadata, titles and summary. We further investigate the potential feasibility of Large Language Models on Bengali Chart To Text Summarization Task. We have conducted experiments with strong baseline models for Bengali resources. These models have performed with decent evaluation scores but issues like hallucination and ignoring important highlights of data were present.
Covid-19 livelihood crisis, social cohesion challenges and mitigation options: an empirical study among low-income groups and migrant workers in Bangladesh
(Brac University, 2021-06) Mostafa, Sanaul; Islam, M. Shahidul; Akter, Nahida; Ahmed, Kawsher; Social participation.; Migrant labor.
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused substantial damages to the health and wellbeing of people around the world. As of February 1, 2021, Bangladesh recorded 535,000 infections with 8,100 deaths and a 90 percent recovery rate. In addition to the outbreak of the virus itself, the mitigation strategies to curb its spread, such as lockdown and social distancing, have significantly impacted the lives and livelihood of millions of people in Bangladesh. Amongst its other economic impacts, the costs of the pandemic are visible in the decline of Bangladesh’s export earnings and the return of thousands of migrant workers from overseas. A decline in domestic demand has caused a marked rise in unemployment and thus a reduction of income. A significant number of industrial workers and micro-entrepreneurs of the formal and informal sectors, amongst others, have lost their access to economic activities. Reports suggest disproportionate sharing of the burden of the pandemic by marginalized groups, as well as increased risk and incidence of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country. In addition, there is concern that the social bondage, peace, and stability of the country, which has enabled Bangladesh to grow in the past few decades, is likely to be jeopardized. This challenges Bangladesh’s long-term development goals, including eradicating extreme poverty by 2030. Against this backdrop, the Centre for Peace and Justice, Brac University (CPJ) undertook a study to understand the impacts of Covid-19 on select vulnerable groups. The study focused on two groups: low-income, urban formal and informal workers, and migrants who returned home to Bangladesh from abroad amid the pandemic (hereunder referred to as ‘returnees’). The study had three objectives: a) Analyse the Covid-19-driven core livelihood challenges of people who belong to low-income groups and their livelihood challenges in relation to social cohesion; b) Explore their options and opportunities for coping with threats to social cohesion, and c) Identify strategies for Government of Bangladesh (hereunder referred to as ‘the Government’), NGOs, and communities to consolidate social cohesion. Here, low-income groups include garment workers, returnees and non-RMG workers (household aides, day labourers, transport workers like rickshaw pullers, drivers of motored three-wheelers and their helpers, microentrepreneurs, and low salaried persons in the private sector). The study followed a normative view of social cohesion. It used a set of indicators generated from a social cohesion framework used in Latin America and the Caribbean to undertake an inter-country comparison of social cohesion. Social cohesion is understood in this study as a cumulated complementary behaviour of public institutions, society and community, which can be applied to overcome the livelihood challenges of the listed vulnerable households during the pandemic. Accordingly, the research framework used in this study included three thematic pillars: ‘Distance/divide’, ‘Institutional inclusion/exclusion mechanisms’, and ‘Sense of belonging’. Distance/divide is understood here as a manifestation of the equality or divides faced by low-income groups and migrants as opposed to other social groups not listed as low-income. Institutional inclusion and exclusion mechanisms are ‘actions carried out by various institutional actors’ in response to the felt ‘Distance’. Sense of belonging characterizes the complementary response of the community and society. The study has applied a set of indicators involving these three pillars and used them to formulate research questions. To determine the state of social cohesion, the study used two types of proxy indicators, namely a) Impact Indicators and b) Outcome Indicators. The Impact Indicators were designed to help determine whether and how the social cohesion issues experienced by the surveyed population influenced their wellbeing during the pandemic as a result of behaviours of other stakeholders. These proxy impact indicators included: a) Perception of the survey population regarding unity and bondage in society, b) Observation of family relations (e.g., gender-based violence), c) Observation of conflicts in society attributed to the pandemic, and d) Observation of discrimination practised by service providers. The Outcome Indicators are related to the listed pillars (‘distance/divide’, ‘institutional inclusion/exclusion’, and ‘sense of belonging’). The ability of the surveyed population to cope with social cohesion issues (‘coping measures’) is also incorporated in the Outcome Indicators. The Outcome Indicators under Distance/Divide include a) Job losses without severance, compensation, or other benefits, b) Loss of income, c) Relative trend of expenditures, d) Relative loss of assets, and e) Continuity of learning for children through an online system. The pillar theme Exclusion/Inclusion is expressed through eight indicators: a) Public control over prices of necessary goods, b) Continuous access to social safety net where relevant, c) Access to emergency relief (from government, NGOs, and community), d) Access to public information and instructions on Covid-19, e) Access to medical care if needed during the pandemic, f) Existence of conflict resolution system, g) Public initiatives to substitute income loss, and h) Safeguards against discrimination. The third pillar, Sense of Belonging, is characterized through four indicators: a) Affiliation with organisations to participate in decision making and raise voices, b) Access to benefits from affiliated organisations, c) Representation through organized entities (e.g., trade unions and similar interest groups), and d) Precedence of consultations by employers. The state of Coping measures is reflected through five indicators: a) Vulnerability to lower food and nutritional intake due to income loss, b) Vulnerability to survive without practical external help, c) Use of savings and personal assets to survive, d) Opt for an alternative livelihood and e) Accumulation of debt (loans, rental payment, and utilities). The study applied mixed-method research - quantitative research complemented by qualitative tools. A survey among 1,064 respondents belonging to the three groups (RMG workers, returnees and non-RMG workers) was conducted in November and December 2020. In addition to literature review, the team also conducted qualitative research through KIIs, FGDs, and unstructured interviews to complement and validate the findings of the quantitative study.
Covid-19 livelihood crisis, social cohesion challenges and mitigation options: an empirical study among low-income groups and migrant workers in Bangladesh
(Brac University, 2021-06) Mostafa, Sanaul; Islam, M. Shahidul; Akter, Nahida; Ahmed, Kawsher; Social participation.; Migrant labor.
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused substantial damages to the health and wellbeing of people around the world. As of February 1, 2021, Bangladesh recorded 535,000 infections with 8,100 deaths and a 90 percent recovery rate. In addition to the outbreak of the virus itself, the mitigation strategies to curb its spread, such as lockdown and social distancing, have significantly impacted the lives and livelihood of millions of people in Bangladesh. Amongst its other economic impacts, the costs of the pandemic are visible in the decline of Bangladesh’s export earnings and the return of thousands of migrant workers from overseas. A decline in domestic demand has caused a marked rise in unemployment and thus a reduction of income. A significant number of industrial workers and micro-entrepreneurs of the formal and informal sectors, amongst others, have lost their access to economic activities. Reports suggest disproportionate sharing of the burden of the pandemic by marginalized groups, as well as increased risk and incidence of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country. In addition, there is concern that the social bondage, peace, and stability of the country, which has enabled Bangladesh to grow in the past few decades, is likely to be jeopardized. This challenges Bangladesh’s long-term development goals, including eradicating extreme poverty by 2030. Against this backdrop, the Centre for Peace and Justice, Brac University (CPJ) undertook a study to understand the impacts of Covid-19 on select vulnerable groups. The study focused on two groups: low-income, urban formal and informal workers, and migrants who returned home to Bangladesh from abroad amid the pandemic (hereunder referred to as ‘returnees’). The study had three objectives: a) Analyse the Covid-19-driven core livelihood challenges of people who belong to low-income groups and their livelihood challenges in relation to social cohesion; b) Explore their options and opportunities for coping with threats to social cohesion, and c) Identify strategies for Government of Bangladesh (hereunder referred to as ‘the Government’), NGOs, and communities to consolidate social cohesion. Here, low-income groups include garment workers, returnees and non-RMG workers (household aides, day labourers, transport workers like rickshaw pullers, drivers of motored three-wheelers and their helpers, microentrepreneurs, and low salaried persons in the private sector). The study followed a normative view of social cohesion. It used a set of indicators generated from a social cohesion framework used in Latin America and the Caribbean to undertake an inter-country comparison of social cohesion. Social cohesion is understood in this study as a cumulated complementary behaviour of public institutions, society and community, which can be applied to overcome the livelihood challenges of the listed vulnerable households during the pandemic. Accordingly, the research framework used in this study included three thematic pillars: ‘Distance/divide’, ‘Institutional inclusion/exclusion mechanisms’, and ‘Sense of belonging’. Distance/divide is understood here as a manifestation of the equality or divides faced by low-income groups and migrants as opposed to other social groups not listed as low-income. Institutional inclusion and exclusion mechanisms are ‘actions carried out by various institutional actors’ in response to the felt ‘Distance’. Sense of belonging characterizes the complementary response of the community and society. The study has applied a set of indicators involving these three pillars and used them to formulate research questions. To determine the state of social cohesion, the study used two types of proxy indicators, namely a) Impact Indicators and b) Outcome Indicators. The Impact Indicators were designed to help determine whether and how the social cohesion issues experienced by the surveyed population influenced their wellbeing during the pandemic as a result of behaviours of other stakeholders. These proxy impact indicators included: a) Perception of the survey population regarding unity and bondage in society, b) Observation of family relations (e.g., gender-based violence), c) Observation of conflicts in society attributed to the pandemic, and d) Observation of discrimination practised by service providers. The Outcome Indicators are related to the listed pillars (‘distance/divide’, ‘institutional inclusion/exclusion’, and ‘sense of belonging’). The ability of the surveyed population to cope with social cohesion issues (‘coping measures’) is also incorporated in the Outcome Indicators. The Outcome Indicators under Distance/Divide include a) Job losses without severance, compensation, or other benefits, b) Loss of income, c) Relative trend of expenditures, d) Relative loss of assets, and e) Continuity of learning for children through an online system. The pillar theme Exclusion/Inclusion is expressed through eight indicators: a) Public control over prices of necessary goods, b) Continuous access to social safety net where relevant, c) Access to emergency relief (from government, NGOs, and community), d) Access to public information and instructions on Covid-19, e) Access to medical care if needed during the pandemic, f) Existence of conflict resolution system, g) Public initiatives to substitute income loss, and h) Safeguards against discrimination. The third pillar, Sense of Belonging, is characterized through four indicators: a) Affiliation with organisations to participate in decision making and raise voices, b) Access to benefits from affiliated organisations, c) Representation through organized entities (e.g., trade unions and similar interest groups), and d) Precedence of consultations by employers. The state of Coping measures is reflected through five indicators: a) Vulnerability to lower food and nutritional intake due to income loss, b) Vulnerability to survive without practical external help, c) Use of savings and personal assets to survive, d) Opt for an alternative livelihood and e) Accumulation of debt (loans, rental payment, and utilities). The study applied mixed-method research - quantitative research complemented by qualitative tools. A survey among 1,064 respondents belonging to the three groups (RMG workers, returnees and non-RMG workers) was conducted in November and December 2020. In addition to literature review, the team also conducted qualitative research through KIIs, FGDs, and unstructured interviews to complement and validate the findings of the quantitative study.
COVID-19 Related Anxiety and Its Associated Factors: a Cross-Sectional Study on Older Adults in Bangladesh
(Scopus, 22-11-28) Mistry, Sabuj Kanti; Ali, Arm Mehrab; Yadav, Uday Narayan; Das, Sukanta; Akter, Nahida; Huda, Md Nazmul; Hadisuyatmana, Setho; Rahman, Sajedur; Lim, David; Rahman, Mohammad Mahmudur
Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in serious mental health conditions, particularly among older adults. This research explored the prevalence of COVID-19-related anxiety and its associated factors among older adults residing in Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,045 older Bangladeshi adults aged ≥ 60 years through telephone interviews in September 2021. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect data on participants' characteristics and COVID-19-related anxiety. The anxiety level was measured using the Bengali version of the five-point Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS). A linear regression model explored the factors associated with COVID-19-related anxiety. Results: Overall, the prevalence of COVID-19-related anxiety was 23.2%. The regression analysis revealed that the average COVID-19-related anxiety score was significantly higher among females (β: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.81), and among those who faced difficulty getting medicine (β: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.97), felt isolated (β: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.95), and felt requiring additional care during the pandemic (β: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.91). Alternatively, the average COVID-19-related anxiety score was significantly lower among those who were widowed (β: -0.46, 95% CI: -0.87 to -0.04) and living distant from the health centre (β: -0.48, 95% CI: -0.79 to -0.17). Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest providing immediate psychosocial support package to the older adults, particularly females and those who are vulnerable to receive health and social care support during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.
Evaluation and optimization of pretreatment process for lyocell knitted fabric dyeing with reactive dyestuff
(2024-02-20) Akter, Nahida; Akter, Nasrin; Repon, Md. Reazuddin; Islam, Tarekul; Al Mamun, Md. Abdullah; Shukhratov, Sharof
The optimization of pretreatment parameters is one of the most important factors for the successful dyeing of textile materials. The aim of this study was to investigate the most effective way of pre-treating cellulose based lyocell knitted fabric in order to achieve an optimal result when dyeing it with reactive dyestuffs. This research investigates the effects of pretreatment by exhaust method on lyocell knitted fabric, which is analyzed using five different recipes. Pretreatment techniques that are being used are mild pretreatment, hot wash without detergent, hot wash with detergent, causticization, and hot wash with causticization. Pretreated and untreated lyocell fabric is dyed with bi-functional reactive dyestuffs in a shade of 1%, to produce color. Three key factors are considered in this research work: optimum pretreatment technique, causticization time selection, and causticization concentration selection. In order to optimize the pretreatment technique, 16 trials are performed by varying the time and concentration. Compared to other pretreatment techniques, causticization is the best for dyeing lyocell fabric with reactive dyes. Additionally, causticization treatment is observed to have the best performance on lyocell fabric when applied for 30 min. The optimum concentration of NaOH for causticizing lyocell fabric is 3 mol/l, as determined by the results. This assessment of results is done based on four factors such as K/S value (color strength), strength loss %, weight loss % as well as pilling test results.
Rice Plant Nitrogen Deficiency Detection By Leaf Color Chart (LCC)
(Daffodil International University, 2019-05) Mitu, Sabrina Mehenaj; Akter, Nahida; Mahmud, MD. Shahed
All plants need sufficient supplies of macronutrients for healthy growth, and nitrogen (N) is a nutrient which is commonly in limited supply. Nitrogen is very much important nutrient for rice. To achieve high yields need to apply nitrogen (N) fertilizer. But excessive fertilizer will cost money and can be end up being nitrate in ground water. Nitrogen deficiency is one of the most common problems in rice in Bangladesh. It is common in all rice growing soils where neoteric varieties are grown without sufficient mineral N fertilizer. So, by using the concept of Leaf Color Chart we implemented an android application which will be helpful for farmers to detect nitrogen deficiency. We have used image processing based techniques to implement our work. In this app, we have collected images which are our Leaf Color Chart & put RGB values from those images in our database. When user or farmer will take an image then this new RGB values from this images will compare with our database values & it will show the result. Our application will suggest some useful website link based on this result which will be helpful for users. We appeared our technique here. We hope that farmers will take up this tool positively and obviously they will be benefited by using it.
Study on Bacteriological Quality of Street-vended Foods Collected from Different Private Universities in Dhaka City, Bangladesh
(East West University, 6/13/2016) Akter, Nahida
Street-vended foods are readily available sources of meals for many people around the world, but the microbial safety of such food is always doubtful. In developing countries the major sources of food-borne illnesses are street-vended foods. The present research work was therefore untaken to find out the presence of enteric bacteria specially E. coli, Klebsiella, Salmonella, Shigella and Vibrio species from different types of street-vended food items collected from different private universities of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Five agar media MacConkey, Tryptone Bile X-glucoronide (TBX) agar, Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salt-sucrose (TCBS) agar, Brilliant Green Agar (BGA) and Xylose-Lysine Desoxycholate agar (XLD) were used to observe the presence of our targeted microorganisms in food items. Seven biochemical tests were performed to indentify the targeted organisms. The tests are motility, indole, ornithine, citrate, urease, oxidase and KIA test. In this study, 30 different food samples were collected from 10 private universities. Among them, we found contamination in 28 (93.3%) samples. Of which, 22 (73.3%) samples were suspected to be contaminated with our targeted organisms (E coli, Klebsiella, Shigella, Salmonella and Vibrio species). In total 22 samples, 14 (46.7%) samples were suspected to be contaminated with E coli, 14 (46.7%) with Klebsiella, 14 (46.7%) with Vibrio, 1 (3.3%) with Shigella and 1(3.3%) with Salmonella species. From the results of biochemical test we got 13 of our suspected bacteria from 13 different samples. In total, we got 5 (38%) Klebsiella, 4 (31%) Vibrio, 3 (23%) E. coli and 1 (8%) Shigella species. This study indicated that the street vended foods of Dhaka city are highly contaminated with pathogenic bacteria which can contribute to potential health risks for consumers. Regular monitoring of the quality of street foods must be practiced to avoid any food-borne illness in future. In addition, health education to improve the awareness of food vendors on food safety and hygiene practices is essential.
Techno-economic assessment and innovative production of nutrient-rich jam, jelly, and pickle from Sonneratia apetala fruit
(Scopus, 2024-12-04) Uddin, Md. Ripaj; Siddique, Md. Abu Bakar; Sultana, Shahnaz; Bithi, Umme Hafsa; Akter, Nahida; Idris, Abubakr M.; Mansur, Muhammad Abdullah Al; Islam, AHM Shofiul; Jamal, Molla; Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin
Sonneratia apetala, a nutrient-rich mangrove fruit, presents an opportunity for innovative food product development, offering potential health benefits and economic value through the creation of jam, jelly, and pickle. This innovative invention reveals the nutritional content including vitamins and minerals of Sonneratia apetala jam, jelly, and pickles from Nijhum Dwip in Hatiya Upazila, Noakhali District. These products contain Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn, which are essential for human nutrition. The texture and sensory qualities of the products depend on their Total Soluble Solids (TSS), acidity, moisture, pH, and total sugar content, with each parameter receiving an average score of 7 to 8 out of 9 (hedonic scale). Trace amounts of Cd, Cr, Pb, and Hg were found to be significantly below the safe consumption limits. F-, Cl-, SO42-, soluble and total PO43- concentrations were also below safety thresholds. The moisture, ash, protein, fat, fiber, pectin, sugar, carbohydrate, and caloric values highlight the dietary benefits and energy content of these products. The products exhibited higher levels of vitamin C and minerals compared to other citrus fruits. All tested parameters met safe consumption standards, ensuring product safety. These products underwent testing for Heterotrophic Bacterial Count to guarantee their safety. A one-year shelf life is ensured by conducting quarterly storage data checks and organoleptic tests by a 10-member jury panel. The one-way ANOVA test for sensory analysis and shelf life detection indicates statistically significant results. These products help mitigate nutrient deficiencies and promote health by regulating the diet. Applying this technology in grassroots jam, jelly, and pickle production could potentially boost the local economy by approximately $10,000 annually through the creation of small industries among the coastal population