Assessing Spatial Vulnerability of Bangladesh to Climate Change and Extremes: A Geographic Information System Approach

Regarding climate change, the world’s most discussed issue for the last few decades, countries like Bangladesh are always noteworthy due to its susceptibility resulting from its geography, hazard proneness, and socioeconomic condition. Thus, this aimed to justify the hypothesis that Bangladesh has spatial diversity in sectors of Climate Change Vulnerability (CCV) by identifying the sectors of vulnerability and visualizing the spatial distribution of vulnerability through multivariate geospatial analysis in the GIS environment. For an integrated assessment of CCV, 38 indicators (socio-economic and biophysical) have been incorporated in the IPCC framework in raster form. Test statistics have shown Kiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value is 0.73 and the p-value of Bartlett’s sphericity is 0. The principal component analysis resulted in 6 principal components with 73.52% total explained variance. Sectors of CCV are the Climatic extreme event vulnerability (PC1), Meteorological shift vulnerability (PC2), Infrastructure and demographic vulnerability (PC3), Ecological vulnerability (PC4), Flood vulnerability (PC5), and Economic vulnerability (PC6) with Cronbach’s alpha 0.90, 0.81, 0.88, 0.72, 0.72, and 0.66 respectively. Among 3 clusters (Jenk’s Natural break) of weighted averaged indices, the highly vulnerable cluster has shown that the PC1 has the highest magnitude with a score of 0.53–0.87, while the PC5 has the highest spatial coverage with 24 districts. The present study however is a new edition in climate vulnerability assessment in Bangladesh since it encompasses multivariate spatial analysis to demonstrate countrywide CCV. This study should be an important tool for setting adaptation and mitigation strategies from the root level to policymaking platforms of Bangladesh.

Awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases among population in Georgia (epidemiological survey)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), often known as sexually transmitteddiseases, are still a major public health concern across the world. According to WHO estimates, sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) have an annual incidence of 357 million cases among which chlamydia (131 million), gonorrhoea (78 million), syphilis (5.6 million) and trichomoniasis (143 million), half of those among young people aged 15—24. Every day, almost one million people worldwide develop an STI, and the majority of them are ignorant of their infection status, making them a source of infection for others. The frequency and consequences of this on the health and socioeconomic condition of whole nations, particularly African countries, have long been regarded as a serious emergency. The epidemiology of STIs, the history and physical findings, screening standards, and the overall approach to combat STIs are all covered in this article. Infections covered in terms of causation, epidemiology, and risk factors include gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, syphilis and trichomoniasis. For a variety of reasons, the worldwide illness burden represented by STI remains unclear. First, many STIs are asymptomatic; second, diagnostic procedures are unavailable in some of the most affected nations; and finally, surveillance systems are non-existent or very poor in many parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization, there were 340 million new cases of syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia infection, and trichomoniasis in 1999. In the European Union, there has been an increase in the incidence of gonorrhoea and syphilis in recent years. The survey instrument was an online self-administered anonymous questionnaire conducted in Georgia using Google survey software, which automatically populates and saves digital responses to a secure database protecting participant confidentiality throughout the surveying process. The survey was conducted in 2019. The opportunity to participate in the questionnaire was one-time. The question naire for this study was developed based on a review of literature.Health education, early diagnosis and treatment, screening for asymptomatic infections, contact inquiry, and immunization for illnesses for which a vaccine is available should all be used in STI prevention and control. In general, the studies reported low levels of knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases. Although, as shown by some of the findings on condom use, knowledge does not always translate into behavior change, adolescents’ sex education is important for STD prevention, and the school setting plays an important role.

Emergent ecology: Creating inclusive cities through speculative interaction

<p>Many cities within developing countries are facing an increased demand for space to work and live as contemporary top-down urbanisation strains to facilitate the rising urban population. Future projections estimate that the world’s population will transition from rural to urban living within a relatively short period of time, causing concern towards transition and facilitation of culturally specific demographics and their values within the existing socioeconomic condition of a city. This research proposes a speculative bottom-up approach to urban design which utilises the behavioural tendencies of various demographics within a cultural context to inform how a city can facilitate inclusivity through diverse social and economic interaction. Inclusive cities are paramount to the socioeconomic success of developing countries, with the potential to provide over 80% of the country’s economic growth. This investigation looks at New Delhi, India as a context within which to test the proposed emergent model for urban design (behaviour driven approach) using a simulation-based methodology to test how New Delhi’s various demographics can diversely interact to invoke an inclusive future city in response. The speculative design investigation of this research will highlight the potential of bottom-up urban design and the merit of using behaviour-based, emergent methodologies for urban planning, creating diverse interaction and an alternative to contemporary top-down urban planning. The aim of the research is to develop a methodology for simulating how agent behaviour can be utilised to inform urban design. The methodology will simulate an urban population by utilising individual and collective behaviour to inform the organisation of density within an urban scale. The data will form a “pre-geometry state” in which typology, infrastructure and other key nodes can be instanced to create an emergent, urban ecology informed by agent interactions.</p>

Emergent ecology: Creating inclusive cities through speculative interaction

<p>Many cities within developing countries are facing an increased demand for space to work and live as contemporary top-down urbanisation strains to facilitate the rising urban population. Future projections estimate that the world’s population will transition from rural to urban living within a relatively short period of time, causing concern towards transition and facilitation of culturally specific demographics and their values within the existing socioeconomic condition of a city. This research proposes a speculative bottom-up approach to urban design which utilises the behavioural tendencies of various demographics within a cultural context to inform how a city can facilitate inclusivity through diverse social and economic interaction. Inclusive cities are paramount to the socioeconomic success of developing countries, with the potential to provide over 80% of the country’s economic growth. This investigation looks at New Delhi, India as a context within which to test the proposed emergent model for urban design (behaviour driven approach) using a simulation-based methodology to test how New Delhi’s various demographics can diversely interact to invoke an inclusive future city in response. The speculative design investigation of this research will highlight the potential of bottom-up urban design and the merit of using behaviour-based, emergent methodologies for urban planning, creating diverse interaction and an alternative to contemporary top-down urban planning. The aim of the research is to develop a methodology for simulating how agent behaviour can be utilised to inform urban design. The methodology will simulate an urban population by utilising individual and collective behaviour to inform the organisation of density within an urban scale. The data will form a “pre-geometry state” in which typology, infrastructure and other key nodes can be instanced to create an emergent, urban ecology informed by agent interactions.</p>

Market Survey of Fresh and Marine Water Fishes and Socioeconomic Conditions of Fish Retailers in Three Markets of Chattagram City

The study was carried out to survey the fresh and marine water fishes sold out in three markets of Chattagram city and socioeconomic condition of the fish retailers. Overall 29 fresh water and 24 marine water fish species were found to be sold in the three markets. Prices of fishes were higher in Kazirdewri Bazar followed by Riazuddin Bazar and Bohaddarhat Bazar. Data of fish retailers were collected through questionnaires in terms of age, income source, living standards, family size, financial facilities, literacy and education. Sole income came from fish business for 97% of the fish retailers, whilst 3% of the retailers did other business as well. Among 45 retailers interviewed, 40% were below 45 years, 53% were between 45-55 years and remaining 7% were above 55 years age. For coping with the business, 15% of the retailers were self-sufficient, 53% took loan from bank, whilst 32% took loan from local money lenders. Of the fish retailers, 34% was illiterate and 66% was literate, where 36% received up to primary level, 16% secondary level, 10% S.S.C and 4% H.S.C levels of education. In comparison with their education status their children were more educated (93%). Although their income was low, they tried to make their children educated, which is a good sign for our education sector. Transport cost, unhygienic market place, lack of sanitary facilities, poor ice-supply, exploitation by the middlemen, lack of proper management, lack of capital and the political disturbances were the common constraints of fish marketing. Necessary measures were recommended to overcome these problems. Bangladesh J. Zool. 49 (2): 277-288, 2021

A POBREZA A PARTIR DA PERSPECTIVA NEOLIBERAL E A REALIDADE DA COVID-19

A realidade da pandemia de COVID-19 impactou de maneiras diversas vários países. No Brasil, a suposta dicotomia saúde-economia pautou decisões dos governos, que não obtiveram sucesso em conter casos do novo coronavírus, tampouco em garantir os menores impactos econômicos possíveis. A desigualdade que assola historicamente o país é acompanhada de discursos que se propõem a interpretar a realidade. No âmbito do discurso neoliberal, a partir de conceitos como os de meritocracia e de responsabilidade individual, os indivíduos se identificam como os únicos responsáveis por seu sucesso ou fracasso. A pobreza, neste sentido, consistiria em um aglomerado de fracassos individuais que coincidem numa mesma condição socioeconômica. O objetivo deste trabalho de pesquisa concentra-se no questionamento desta concepção à luz da realidade da COVID-19. Busca-se demonstrar de que modo é construído o discurso neoliberal acerca da pobreza e indagar se este discurso pode ser questionado. O trabalho aponta para o fato de a resposta do governo brasileiro à crise epidêmica ter sido marcada por uma racionalidade neoliberal que aplicou o discurso da individualização e privatização às políticas de saúde pública. Palavras-Chave: Pobreza. Neoliberalismo. Covid-19. Abstract: The COVID-19 reality impacted on many countries in different ways. In Brazil, the supposed dichotomy health vs. economy guided the present govern in its decisions, which did not manage to contain the COVID-19 cases, not to minimize their economic impacts. The inequality that historically haunts the country is reinforced by discourses that aim to justify social reality. Following the neoliberal discourse, which use concepts like meritocracy and individual responsibility, individuals should see themself as the only responsible for their success or failure. In this perspective, poverty result by an set of individuals failures that lead to the same socioeconomic condition. The objective of this paper is to question of this conception in light of the COVID-19 reality. It aims to show how the neoliberal discourse on poverty is constituted and to question it. It points to the fact that the Brazilian government’s answer to the epidemic crise has been marked by a neoliberal rationality that applies individualization and privatization discourses to public health policies. Keywords: Poverty. Neoliberalism. Covid-19.

Exploring the Connection between Urban 3D Form and Building Energy Performance and the Influencing Mechanism

Continuous growth of building energy consumption CO2 emission (BECCE) threatens urban sustainable development. Urban form is an important factor affecting BECCE. Compactness is a significant urban morphological characteristic. There is currently a lack of research on the effect of urban three-dimensional (3D) compactness on BECCE. To clarify the research value of 3D compactness, we investigated whether 3D compactness has a stronger impact on BECCE than two-dimensional (2D) compactness. A total of 288 buildings of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) were divided into 5 zones according to building climate demarcation. As BECCE is affected mainly by four aspects (socioeconomic condition, building features, macroclimate, and urban form), the BECCE driven by urban form (BECCE-f) in each zone was calculated firstly using the partial least square regression model. Normalized compactness index (NCI) and normalized vertical compactness index (NVCI) were calculated with Python to quantify urban 2D and 3D compactness within a 1 km buffer of PBOC buildings. The mean NCI and NVCI values of each zone were adopted as 2D and 3D compactness of this zone. Gray correlation analysis of the five zones showed that the connection between the NVCI and BECCE-f is stronger than that between NCI and BECCE-f. Based on this, we believe that the emphasis of later research should be shifted to urban 3D form, not just 2D elements. 3D form can describe the real urban form in a more accurate and detailed manner. Emphasizing 3D morphological characteristics in studies of the relationship between urban form and building energy performance is more meaningful and valuable than only considering 2D characteristics. The impact mechanism of urban form on BECCE-f should also be analyzed from the perspective of 3D form. This study also provides beneficial solutions to building energy saving and low-carbon building construction.

A Critical Review on New Approaches for Chronic Disease Prevention in Brazil and Canada: From Wholistic Dietary Guidelines to Physical Activity Security

In light of new evidence on the prevention of chronic diseases and the elevated rates of overweight and obesity in Brazil and Canada, this critical review aims to interpret and synthesize current aspects regarding dietary and physical activity initiatives in both countries and make future recommendations. The pioneering work presented in the last Brazilian dietary guidelines has been called a model that can be applied globally, given its conceptualization of healthy eating that translates easily to practical guidance. The new Canadian Food Guide has incorporated similar aspects, also putting the country as a leader in dietary guidance. With these new recommendations, citizens in both Brazil and Canada have access to impactful evidence-informed nutritional guidelines. Both documents propose eating patterns that focus not only on health benefits, such as chronic disease prevention, but also incorporate well-being concerning cultural, economic, sociodemographic, biological, and ecological dimensions. A similar approach is required for physical activity to allow individuals to have attainable health and life goals and thereby fully enjoy their lives, regardless of geographical location, health status, and socioeconomic condition, a concept recently described as physical activity security. The wholistic dietary guidelines from both countries represent a change in paradigm in public health. Likewise, national evidence-based policies are warranted to reduce disparities in physical activity, allowing healthier and more active lifestyles for everyone.

Trends and determinants of vaccination among children aged 06–59 months in Bangladesh: country representative survey from 1993 to 2014

Background Vaccination has important consequences for childhood development, mortality, and inequalities in health and well-being. This research explores the trend of vaccinations coverage from 1993 to 2014 and determines the significant factors for vaccinations coverage in Bangladesh, considering geospatial, socioeconomic, and demographic characteristics. Methods This study uses a secondary dataset extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) from 1992 to 93 to 2014. The association between selected independent variables and vaccination coverage of children was examined through the Chi-square test. In addition, unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression approaches were applied to determine the effects of covariates on vaccination status by using the BDHS-2014 dataset. Results The results reveal that the trend of the vaccination coverage rate has gradually been increased over the study period. The coverage rate of BCG is observed maximum while the lowest for Measles vaccination among all types of vaccinations. The findings revealed that the significantly lower coverage of all vaccination had been observed in the Sylhet region. Children of higher educated mothers (OR 10.21; CI: 4.10–25.37) and father (OR 8.71; CI: 4.03–18.80), born at health facilities (OR 4.53; CI: 2.4–8.55) and whose mother has media exposure (OR 3.20; CI: 2.22–4.60) have more chance of receiving BCG vaccine. For DPT vaccination coverage, there is a significant difference from children whose mothers have primary (OR 1.7; CI: 1.35–2.15), secondary (OR 3.5; CI: 2.75–4.45), and higher (OR 9.6; CI: 5.28–17.42) educational qualification compared to children of illiterate mothers. Findings demonstrated that children born in wealthier households have a higher likelihood of being immunized against DPT, Polio, and Measles vaccination than children born in the poorest households. Conclusions The findings reveal that to enhance and make sustainable the overall country’s vaccination coverage, we should pay more attention to the mother’s education, socioeconomic condition, children’s age, birth order number, having media exposure, place of residence, and religion. The authors think that this finding would be helpful to accelerate the achievement target of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for children’s health in Bangladesh.

Integration and implementation of Telepsychiatry in poverty reduction programs in Bangladesh. (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED The money and mind both matter for healthy living and the recent COVID-19 has impacted both our economic sector and mental health. Millions of people slipped below the poverty line due to the recent crisis and the mental health problems also rising exponentially. The risk of mental illness is higher among people living in poverty and people who live with mental illness drift into poverty due to their disorders. Moreover, the wide spread stigma is deep-rooted in the low socioeconomic condition and people living in the remote areas in Bangladesh even in the capital city people who are living in the slum have very limited access to mental health care. Due to lack of early identification and appreciate treatment a large segment of people in Bangladesh leads an unproductive life and becomes burden to family and society. As the price of mobile phone sets reduced and the cost for mobile calls and internet reduced it open the opportunity to increase awareness about mental health, promote early identification and provide evidence-based quality care by implementing telepsychiatry services. If we can ensure early identification and appropriate intervention it will reduce the burden of mental health burden also bring productive life to many people that will ultimately help in growth in national GDP. However, mental health is hardly considered in the poverty reduction programs in Bangladesh. In this paper, we discussed the relation of poverty and mental health in Bangladesh and how telepsychiatry can help in reducing the poverty of the country.