Browsing by Author "Ali, Ahmed"

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Assessment of birth and death recording activities in reproductive health and disease control programme of BRAC
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-07) Ali, Ahmed; Mahmud, Shah Noor; Islam, Md. Nazrul; Karim, Fazlul; Public health; Medicine, Preventive; Health planning; Health surveys--Bangladesh.
This report attempts to determine the accuracy of· recording births, deaths and stillbirths in all the 30 areas of 10 thanas former Women's Health and Development Programme (presently Reproductive Health and Disease Control Programme - RHDC) in 3 regions. One unit (village) having 250-300 households were randomly selected from each area. The survey was conducted during April-May 1995.
Attitudes and practices of public health academics towards research funding from for-profit organizations: Cross-sectional survey
(Springer Link, 8/25/2020) Nakkash, Rima; Ali, Ahmed; Alaouie, Hala; Asmar, Khalil; Hirschhorn, Norbert; Mugharbil, Sanaa; Nuwayhid, Iman; London, Leslie; Saban, Amina; Rashid, Sabina Faiz; Ahmed, Md Koushik; Knai, Cecile; Bigland, Charlotte; Afifi, Rima A.
Objectives: The growing trend of for-profit organization (FPO)-funded university research is concerning because resultant potential conflicts of interest might lead to biases in methods, results, and interpretation. For public health academic programmes, receiving funds from FPOs whose products have negative health implications may be particularly problematic. Methods A cross-sectional survey assessed attitudes and practices of public health academics towards accepting funding from FPOs. The sampling frame included universities in five world regions offering a graduate degree in public health; 166 academics responded. Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results Over half of respondents were in favour of accepting funding from FPOs; attitudes differed by world region and gender but not by rank, contract status, % salary offset required, primary identity, or exposure to an ethics course. In the last 5 years, almost 20% of respondents had received funding from a FPO. Sixty per cent of respondents agreed that there was potential for bias in seven aspects of the research process, when funds were from FPOs. Conclusions Globally, public health academics should increase dialogue around the potential harms of research and practice funded by FPOs.
Infant feeding practices in rural Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1997-08) Gazi, Rukhsana; Karim, Fazlul; Ali, Ahmed
This study was part of a longitudinal study on the consequences of low birth weight (LBW) babies which was carried out in three unions of Manikganj district during 1993- 1994. This study aimed to assess the breastfeeding practices among infants and to compare the weaning practices among LBW and normal birth weight infants. A total of 644 infants were registered within 48 hours of birth and they received monthly follow-up visit upto one year of age. Although breastfeeding was universal in the study population, detrimental feeding practices, such as the administration of pre-lacteal foods (75%) and rejection of colostrum (1 1 %) were prevalent among the mothers. There was a delay in initiation of first breastfeeding. Although 77% of the mothers exclusively breastfed their babies at the first month, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding decreased to 50% by the third month. The main reason for giving additional foods was that the mothers felt breastmilk was insufficient. A significantly higher proportion of LBW infants received additional feeding than the normal infants. It might be due to the mothers perception that the additional foe
Knowledge and practices of NFPE-AG graduates regarding menstruation
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-09) Ali, Ahmed; Mahmud, Shah Noor; Karim, Fazlul; Chowdhury, AMR
BRAC canied out a two-year Non-Fonnal Primary Education Programme for Adolescent Girls (NFPE-AG) as part of its fanner Women's Heath and Development Programme (WHOP) to increase basic literacy and nwneracy skills as well as awareness on reproductive health, nutrition and social issues. The first phase of .NFPE-AG was started in September 1991 through 1000 schools in 10 thanas of WHDP and ended in August 1993. This study was undertaken to assess the level of knowledge retained vis-a-vis practices ofNFPE-AG graduates regarding menstruation. A total of 30 fonner NFPE-AG schools (closed 2 years back) were selected from 6 WIIDP areas (5 schools from each area). From each schooL 7 NFPE-AG graduates aged 15-19 years who did not continue their study in fonnal schools after graduation were selected. Seven other girls aged 15-19 years with no schooling (NS-AG) were selected from the adjacent villages of each fanner NFPE-AG school as comparison group. Thus, a total of 420 adolescent girls (210 from each group) were interviewed in January 1996.
Knowledge of NFPE-AG graduates on reproductive health and nutrition
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-08) Ali, Ahmed; Mahmud, Shah Noor; Karim, Fazlul; Islam, Md. Nazrul; Chowdhury, AMR
BRAC educated adolescent girls through its Non-Fonnal Primary Education Programme for Adolescent Girls (NFPE-AG) as a component of its fonner Women's Heath and Development Programme (WliDP). The aim of the NFPE-AG programme was to increase the literacy and numeracy skills . as well as awareness on reproductive health, nutrition and social isSues~ The first phase ofNFPE-AG was started in September 1991 through 1000 schools in 10 thanas of WHDP and ended in August 1993. 1bis study was undertaken to assess the level of knowledge retained by NFPE-AG graduates regarding reproductive health and nutrition issues such as marriage, pregnancy, safe motherhood and contraception, delivecy, lactation, anaemia, goitre and menstruation. A total of 30 former ~"FPE-AG schools (closed 2 years back) were selected from 6 WHDP areas (5 schools from each area). From each schoo~ 7 NFPE-AG graduates aged 15-19 years were selected who did not continue their study in fonnal schools after graduation. Another 7 never schooling girls (NS-AGs) aged 15-19 years from TG families were selected as a comparison group. Thus, a total of 420 adolescent girls (210 from each group) were interviewed in January 1996.
Low birth weight(LBW) was the major predictor of infant deaths: evidence from a prospective study in rural Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1997-07) Gazi, Rukhsana; Karim, Fazlul; Ali, Ahmed
The study was the part of a longitudinal study on the consequences of low birth weight babies (LBW) in three unions of Manikganj district in Bangladesh. The study aimed to estimate the infant mortality rate In title study population ·and to identify the causes and factors related to infant deaths. Data was collected during 1993-1994. In this study pregnant mothers were registered at the third trimester of pregnancy. After delivery birth weights of a total 644 infants were recorded. The infants received monthly follow-up visits ti ll 1 year of age. All deaths during followup period were recorded. Low birth weight was identified as being the commonest factor contributing to infant deaths. Diarrhoeal disorder and ARI were major killer diseases. Poor weight gain by the mothers during pregnancy, multiparity, low education of parents, poor living condition were found to be linked with infant deaths. Detrimental feeding practices were prevalent among the mothers. It is important to provide information to all members of the community about consequences, prevention and care of LBW.
National immunisation days in Bangladesh: an evaluation of the 1996 rounds
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-07) Karim, Fazlul; Chowdhury, AMR; Bhuiya, Abbas; Aziz, KMA; Ali, Ahmed; Islam, Md. Nazrul; Mahmud, Shah Noor; Mol, Dineke
On April 16 and May 16 .1996, Bangladesh implemented the third and fourth of the six National Immunization Days. On those days oral polio vaccine (OPV) was administered to over 20 million children under 5 years of age. The goal of NIOs is to eradicate poliomyelitis from the country by 2000 AD. NID is a challenging campaign for Bangladesh mobilising a huge human and material resources. This study examined how effective NIDs are in terms of implementation and coverage of the target children and what lessons can be learned from it. The study was implemented as a part of the multi-country 'Social Science and Immunisation' project".
Rapid assessment survey of current sanitation immunization and contraception status in selected unions
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2006-11) Hossain, Mohammad Awlad; Ali, Ahmed; Nazimuddin; Joarder, Aroj Ali; Ahmed, Farid
Reasons for discontinuation of tuberculosis treatment provided by BRAC
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-12) Mahmud, Shah Noor; Ali, Ahmed; Islam, Md. Nazrul; Karim, Fazlul
To supplement the government tuberculosic; control programme, BRAC has initiated a communitybased tuberculosis programme in 10 thanas under the Women's Health and Development Programme (WHDP) (presently known as Reproductive Health and Disease Control - RHDC) since June 1992. BRAC is delivering services and following up the patients for all compliance. But, a recent study showed that the treatment completion rate achieved was up to 85% (1). Now the question arises: why the remaining 15% of the patients did not complete their treatment course? This study aimed to assess the reasons for discontinuation of treatment from BRAC's community-based TB control programme. The study was carried out in all10 WHDP thanas and dealt with the patients receiving only 12 months treatment regimen. The patients who enrolled and later discontinued treatment dwing June 1993 to May 1994 were selected for the study. Reasons for discontinuation of treatment were collected from progranune records, the patient or his/her relatives, Shastho Shebikas (SSs), Programme Organisers (POs), Area Managers (AMs) and Medical Officers (MOs) through indepth interviews during J\Ule and August 1994. A total of 1,538 patients were enrolled between JWte 1993 and May 1994. Of them, only 40 patients were found to have discontinued from BRAC treatment. Among these patients, 20 (50%) defaulted or dropped out, 5 (12.5%) were migrated and the rest 15 (37.5%) were referred to TB clinic or hospital for treatment.
Relapse of tuberculosis in rural areas of Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-04) Islam, Md Nazrul; Mahmud, Shah Noor; Ali, Ahmed; Afsana, Kaosar; Hashima-E-Nasreen; Islam, Md. Akramul; Chowdhury, AMR; Chowdhury, Sadia A
The study conducted to investigate the relapse rate of TB in two thanas (KahaIoo and Furbari) of ' Women's Health and Development Programme (WlIDP) in August 1995. Of the 482 study cases, 435 (900A» treatment completed cases were interviewed, 4.7% died, 2.7% migrated and the rest did not response. The overall relapse rate was 4.10/0. Relapse rate was more than double (6.6%) in Kahaloo compared to Fulbari thana (3%). The rate was found to be highest among those who completed treatment for more than two years. Ten out of 18 relapse cases were identified by the TB control programme of WHDP. All the relapse cases were previously treated with anti-TB drugs for more than two months before the initiation of BRAC treatment Routine sputum examination for cured patients with complains of cough might be a strategy for identification of an relapse cases on time.
Rural Study Series
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, 1995-12) Banu, Dilruba; Khan, Md Kaisar Ali; Chowdhury, A. Mushtaque R.; Karim, Fazlul; Streefland, Pieter; Ahmed, Salehuddin; Afsana, Kaosar; Ali, Ahmed; Mahmud, Shah Noor
The Rural Study Series is a modest venture for dissemination of BRAC research studies concerned with various aspects of rural development in Bangladesh. Poverty alleviation and empowerment of the poor, particularly of the disadvantaged women are the two major goals of BRAC. Since 1972, BRAC has been implementing a multi-sectoral programme to achieve these objectives. BRAC deals with people whose lives are characterized by absolute poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, disease and malnutrition. The underlying conviction in its development approach is founded on the premise that it is the people who can bring about change in their own lives, either individually or collectively, supported by inputs provided by development agencies, including BRAC. The Research and Evaluation Division (RED), instituted in 1975, is an independent unit within BRAC and it plays a vital role in planning, strategy formulation, monitoring and evaluation of BRAC's development interventions. Its primary responsibility is to provide necessary research support to various BRAC programmes. RED conducts a wide range of research, which includes, among others, surveys, action research, diagnostic studies, impact assessment and evaluation studies on poverty alleviation. In addition, it undertakes studies on request from other NGOs, government organizations, international development agencies, as well as joint studies with academic and research institutions, both in and outside of Bangladesh. The Rural Study Series emphasizes policy relevance and operational features of BRAC's programmes at grassroots level, rather than theoretical and rigid methodological issues. BRAC, in previous years, published several monographs on development issues (list available at the back of this volume). This new series will cover selected research studies, which have been carried out since 1990. The views and interpretations presented in the Series are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and policies of BRAC. Comments or brief notes responding to articles are welcome and will be considered for publication to the extent that space permits. Please direct all correspondence to the Editor, The Rural Study Series, BRAC, 66 Mohakhali C/A, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
TB case management at community level: situation of the treatment completed patients in women's health and development programme
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1994-12) Islam, Md. Nazrul; Mahmud, Shah Noor; Ali, Ahmed; Fazlul Karim
The Women's Health and Development Programme (WHOP) of BRAC initiated a community based tuberculosis {TB) control programme in 10 thanas in June, 1992 to complement and supplement the government TB control programme. The Research and Evaluation Division conducted a study on 181 TB patients who completed the anti-TB treatment on or before June, 1993 to investigate their a) socioeconomic and physical condition and b) measures taken for the patients who had cough for more than four weeks after completion of treatment. The study was conducted in all 10 thanas of WHOP in July 1994 and data· was collected from 181 patients administering a pretested questionnaire. About 72.0% of ~he patients were male indicative that the males are suffering from TB more than female or their morbidity is more reported than the female. Similar results were also found in national prevalence survey in 1987. Almost 67.0% of the patients came ·from target · group {TG), possibly the programme was more focused to the TG families. Moreover, 65.0% of the patients were treated with 12 months, 16.6% with six months, 17.7% with eight months and 1.1% with nine months treatment regimens. Sputum of 5 patients (2.8%) were found to be bacteriologically positive after one month completion of treatment. Moreover, a total of 9 patients died within one year after completion of treatment, but the causes of three deaths were found to be confirm~d (cancer, madness and suicide). Forty (24.4%) of ~he surveyed patients complained of history of cough for more than 4 weeks but 52.5% of them did not take any treatment, while sputum was examined for 32.5% of the cases.
The health situation of adolescents: a literature review
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1995-07) Ali, Ahmed; Mabmud, Shah Noor
This review paper adresses the health situation of the adolescents. Most of the studies we found were conducted in countries olher than Banglndesh. The medical care of the adolescent has always been neglected in the developing world until recently. While their medical needs are now being considered with an increased emphasis, their phychosocial needs, which are so important have not been adequately addressed. A few studies have been conducted in Bangladesh on issues of reproductive health. These studies suggests that early marriage is a serious problem for adolescenf girls resulting in early pregnancy and thu~ enhances other reproductive health problems.
The health situation of adolescents: a literature review
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-01) Ali, Ahmed; Mahmud, Shah Noor
This review paper addresses the health situation of the adolescents. Most of the studies we found were conducted in countries other than Bangladesh. The medical care of the adolescent has always been neglected in the developing world until recently. While their medical needs are now being considered with an increased emphasis, their phychosocial needs, which are so important have not been adequately addressed. A few studies have been conducted in Bangladesh on issues of reproductive health. These studies suggests that early marriage is a serious problem for adolescent girls resulting in early pregnancy and thus enhances other reproductive health problems.