Issue 3

Based on secondary analysis, this paper places a critical discussion looking back in history of maternal health achievements by Bangladesh, future adaptability and potentials forwarding to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set by United Nations. Since the transition from MDGs to SDGs, Bangladesh achieved a many progress in maternal health development but still grappling with many structural and cultural barriers. Implementation of policy documents in community level, lack of better infrastructure, health bureaucracy induced delays, culture of absenteeism among practitioners and lack good health governance are some major challenges still hindering a fostered progress in achieving the expected improvement in maternal and child health condition in community and broader level. Evidences discussed in this paper suggests that, the clauses related to implementation and maintenance need to be stronger in the maternal health policy for future direction and sustainable progress in maternal health. The policy should act in practice, not as a document, to improve maternal health and reducing mortality that would finally speed up the progress in achieving SDGs target in more pragmatic sense.

The objective of this review is to draw the present scenario of dairy buffalo production in Bangladesh and their contributions to the national economy. Buffaloes in Bangladesh are mostly indigenous type encompasses with swamp and river and are distributed throughout the country. However, the population is higher in coastal part, Meghna-Ganga and Jamuna-Brahamaputra flood plain, considered to be the buffalo pockets. The total buffalo population is 1.471 million which are mostly managed in household subsistence farming as well as bathan in coastal region. Buffaloes are normally used as a draught animal and in lower extent partially for milk and meat production. Most of the farmers are rural small holders; traditionally practiced crop-livestock integration upon which the management practices of buffalo usually depends. Buffaloes are raised in homestead and approximately 5-7 hours were grazes per day in household farming. Small amount of concentrate is usually offered to buffalo during dry season only by the economically viable farmers. On the other hand, in bathan, farmers are fully depended on grazing at public fallow land. Lower milk production efficiency, poor reproductive performance followed by under nutrition and low growth rate in buffaloes resulted insignificant contribution to the national economy of Bangladesh. Balanced nutrition and better management practices can improve buffalo productivity. In order to do so, a number of issues are required to be addressed such as establishment of nutrient requirements for dairy, development of buffalo calf feeding systems, artificial insemination technique, nutritional management of metabolic and reproductive anomalies, and understanding and exploitation of the buffalo gut ecosystem. Productivity of buffaloes can be mainly depended on genetic improvement, good nutrition, good management and also climatic conditions of an area. Extensive coordinated research and extension efforts are required for increasing dairy buffalo production in this country.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) extracts supplementation in drinking water as a growth promoter of broiler chicken. A total of 60 one-day-old male Lohman meat broiler chicks were distributed over two groups of 30 chicks with three replicates of 10 birds. Group B was supplemented with garlic extract from water and Group A kept as a control. Weekly observations were recorded for live body weight gain up to 4^th weeks and hematological tests were performed at 30^th days. Live weight and weight gain of the treatment group were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the control group. Significant (p<0.05) higher values also observed in terms of weight of heart, liver, spleen, and pancreas for the treatment group. The value of TEC and PVC of treatment group showed significant (p<0.05) differences. The results suggest that better growth performance could be achieved in broilers with feed supplemented with garlic extract.

Moringa oleifera leaf extract has a potential effect as a growth enhancer of many crops. An experiment was conducted at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh to evaluate the effect of foliar application of moringa leaf extract on growth and yield of late sown wheat (BARI Gom-26). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with six treatments and three replications. The treatments were T₁ (Control), T₂ [moringa leaf extract (MLE) sprayed only at tillering stage], T₃ (MLE sprayed at tillering and jointing stages), T₄ (MLE sprayed at tillering, jointing and booting stages), T₅ (MLE sprayed at tillering, jointing, booting and heading stages), and T₆ (MLE sprayed only at heading stage). Application of moringa leaf extract significantly increased the growth and yield attributes as well as grain and straw yield of wheat. Among various treatments with moringa leaf extract the performance of T₄ (MLE sprayed at tillering, jointing and booting stages) was the best as it produced the tallest plant (87.87 cm), the highest fresh and dry weight of root (16.51 g and 11.37 g respectively), the highest number of spikelets spike^-1 (19.70) and filled grains spike^-1 (45.53), as well as the highest grain and straw yield (3.62 t ha^-1 and 5.43 t ha^-1 respectively) of wheat. Therefore, moringa leaf extract as a foliar spray can be applied at critical growth stages to increase the growth and yield potentiality of late sown wheat.

A total of 90 lactating cows from twelve dairy farms were used to conduct this study in order to evaluate the productive and reproductive performance of crossbred and local cows at farmer’s level in Manikgong district. All cows were divided into three groups, according to their genetic composition as Local, Local x Friesian and Local x Friesian x Friesian cows. The results showed late sexual maturity (37.41±0.03 months), calving interval (481.86±0.33 days), shortest lactation period (198.46±2.36 days) and lowest average milk production (2.25±0.04 L/day) in local cows. On the contrary, longest lactation period (266.43±1.18 days) and highest average milk production (7.45±0.11 L/day) were observed in LFF cows, whereas early sexual maturity (30.58±0.02 months) was found in Local x Friesian cows. From the above perspective it could be concluded that LFF crossbred cows may be suitable for profitable dairy farming in Bangladesh but herd life and life time productivity is one of the most influential factor for profitable dairy farming. However, further study with larger sample sizes covering more different management systems would be required to describe a better inference in this consideration.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with an objective to find out the quality of health care services in 5S-KAIZEN-TQM implemented two secondary level hospital in Bangladesh. The study participants were the service receiver’s whose age more than 15 years and those who were attended at 100 bedded Narsingdi General Hospital, Bangladesh. The period of the study extending from January to December 2016. Data were collected from 50 service receivers through face to face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Out of 50 respondents, half (50.0%) of the service receiver was ≤ 25 years in which maximum (74.0%) were female. More than half of the respondent’s monthly income was less than 20000 taka. In this study, half (50.0%) of the respondents stated that they were waiting for 15-30 minutes, 60.0% patients stated that the doctor had concentrated to patients during treatment and more than two-third (68.0%) of them performed physical examination. A vast majority (90.0%) of the patients said that the doctor gave the explanation of prescribed drug. More than three-fourth (76.0%) of the respondents replied that they were satisfied on receiving the nursing services and rest of them (24.0%) were not satisfied. The present study findings stated that less than two-third (64.0%) of the respondents said that safety and security system was very good. On the other hand, 64.0% of the respondents were satisfied about cleanliness of the hospital and 88.0% had satisfied about ambulance service. Maximum of the respondents (88.0%) were satisfied on water and sanitation facility and more than half (54.0%) of the respondents were satisfied on electricity supplies in the hospital. In this study, majority (88.0%) of the respondents were satisfied on lab investigation facilities and 72.0% of the respondents were satisfied on drug supply and radiology and imaging services. 5S could be applied to health-care facilities regardless of locations. However, the evidence base on its applicability in such settings is limited, and further research is required in this area.

This cross sectional study was carried out among 313 higher secondary college students to assess the knowledge on health literacy and behaviors related to non communicable diseases (Diabetes and Cancer). The study period was from January to December 2013. Majorities (63%) of the respondents were male and rests of them (37.0%) were female. Maximum of the (45.1%) respondent’s father was higher educated (masters) and more than one-third (34.9%) mothers were graduate. A vast majority (98.1%) of the respondents indicated smoking as the main risk factor for Cancer in which most (89.8%) of the respondents mentioned excess body weight as the most important risk factor for Diabetes. A vast majority (93.9%) of the respondents gave emphasis about cessation of tobacco for the prevention of cancer whereas majority (79.9%) of the respondents gave emphasis about physical exercise and labor for the prevention of Diabetes. Knowledge about health literacy is statistically significant (p=0.021) with gender of the students. Father and mother educational status were not significantly associated (p>0.05) with health literacy. Need based, specific, time relevant and school based programs and community based awareness program need to be designed for further improvement of health literacy among college students.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a devastating and killer disease of domesticated small ruminants particularly goats. The present study was conducted on the serosurveillance of PPR in goats in different areas of Bangladesh. Blood samples were collected apparently from different years of age of goats in different areas of Bangladesh. All sera were subjected to serological test by competitive ELISA. For sero-surveillance of PPR virus total 200 serum samples were collected at different areas of Bangladesh such as Bogra18/60 (30%), Sirajganj 26/30 (86.67%), Mymensingh 5/50 (10%) and Rangpur 7/60 (11.67%). Among those 56 were seropositive and 144 were seronegative. The mean positive antibody titer ±SD of goat serum samples was 26.03 and the mean negative antibody titer was 77.76 The highest antibodies was detected in Sirajganj that was vaccinated flock whereas the lowest antibodies was found Mymensingh that was non vaccinated goat. It may be concluded that, in absence of vaccination, the presence of PPRV antibodies indicated that PPR viruses were circulating among the goats population but the vaccinated goat’s have protective level of antibodies against PPRV. So that preventive measures should be taken in goats against PPR virus by vaccination with proper maintain of cool chain.

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of bovine and avian tuberculosis in cattle by using bovine and avian PPDs at Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) Cattle Farm, Savar, Dhaka. Cattle of different breeds, ages and sexes (n=183) were tested using bovine and avian PPDs. In caudal Fold Tuberculin (CFT) test, 16 (8.74%) cases were showed positive reaction among 183 sample. The overall percentages of positive reactors to Comparative cervical tuberculin (CCT) test of bovine and avian tuberculosis were 7.10% and 1.64% respectively. An insignificant variation (P>0.05) on prevalence of bovine tuberculosis on different age group of cattle was observed. Age group >7 years showed a higher prevalence (10.91%) than those of other age groups. In CCT test, 7.55% and 4.17% positive reactors were found in female and male cattle respectively. The association between different breeds of the animal was found significant (P<0.05). The local breed showed higher prevalence (9.77%) than those of Red Chittagong and cross breed. The highest percentage (10.45%) of positive reactors in CCT test was recorded in milking cows than in dry cows (2.32%), heifer (9.52%) and calf (5.77%) were observed. Mixed infection (bovine and avian type of tuberculosis) was recorded 1.64%.

 The present study was concerned to assess the present status of biodiversity in the Bhairab river, Jessore with its conservation measures. The study was based on primary observations, questionnaire interviews with 50 fishers, focus group discussions with river bank community members and cross-check interviews with key informants. The study was conducted for a period four months from May to August, 2016. The objective of the study was to assess the fish biodiversity in the Bhairab river, understand the existing fishing practices of the river and to identify proper management strategies for the conservation of fish biodiversity. Results of the study revealed that three kinds of fishers were engaged in the Bhairab river namely, professional fishers; seasonal fishers and subsistence fishers. Seven types of fishing gears like seine net, gill net, cast net, push net, lift net, trap and hook and line were operated to fish by the fishers during the survey. A total of 39 species of fish were identified in the catches of the Bhairab River. There are degraded ecosystems and declining biodiversity have found during the study. According to survey, fishing pressure and over fishing were responsible for almost 38% loss and pollution and siltation caused about 27% loss of ecosystem. Around 21% and 14% loss of ecosystem were caused by urbanization and human encroachment, and the recreational activities respectively. These have been created a great impact on river ecology. As a result, the water quality is deteriorating day by day and the availability of fish species and other aquatic biodiversity is decreasing gradually. During the survey, 20 species was found at a risk of being endangered. From the survey, it was found that the overexploitation of fish was responsible for the 40% losses of biodiversity in the Bhairab River and water pollution caused 35% loss of biodiversity. Henceforth, river course change and habitat degradation resulted in 15% and 10% loss of biodiversity of the river respectively. This study was identified possible ways to achieve a rich fish biodiversity in the Bhairab River with social, economic and environmental aspects. The specific recommendations are included community based fisheries management, establishment of sanctuary, control of pollution, maintenance of fishing gears and the implementation of fish act for conservation of fish biodiversity of the Bhairab River.

 In order to understand the present status of hatcheries, questionnaire interview and participatory rural appraisal tools were used in North-west Fisheries Extension Project (NFEP), Parbatipur during the period from July to December 2015. There are two hatcheries in NFEP, Parbatipur- a carp hatchery and a prawn hatchery. The production of spawn was around 611 kg in the year 2015. According to the target hatchery manager collected brood fish from rivers and other sources which he maintained in their brood stock ponds with proper management. The hatchery manager maintained proper age and weight of broods for spawning and followed the guideline of hatchery operation so that the quality of spawn and fry were good. It was found that the hatcheries produced fish seed of a variety of species such as Indian major carps, carpio, sarpunti, silver carp, grass carp, magur, shing as well as freshwater prawn. The hatchery production activities took place starting from February and continued up to September. The quantity of fish seed produce varied from 25 to 75 kg per hatching cycle depending on size and facilities of hatcheries. The price of fry in NFEP was being fixed by the hatchery manager. However, the price variation was seen due to seasonal variation, species and demand. The average price of fish seed was highest in monsoon and lowest in winter. A number of middlemen were involved in the fry marketing channel of NFEP at Parbatipur. They were responsible for increasing the price of fry at each stage of marketing channel.

 This study was conducted to assess profitability of fish production in paddy fields in the village of Kunia and Chandora, under Gacha union in Gazipur sadar upazila in Gazipur district. Primary data were collected from 15 fish farmers for the study during the period from June to November, 2016. Production performance of three stocking package were compared. CFP-1 package contained Thai sarpunti (24700/ha) + Tilapia (6175/ha); CFP-2 comprised of Thai sarpunti (24700/ha) + Common carp (6175/ha); while CFP-3 was represented by Thai sarpunti (24700/ha) + (Tilapia (6175/ha) + Common carp (6175/ha). Both tabular and functional analyses were used to achieve the objectives of the study. Fish productions in paddy fields are profitable business. The total cost of fish production under three selected stocking plans such as CFP-1, CFP-2 and CFP-3 were estimated to be Tk. 73085, Tk. 83459 and Tk. 86928 per ha, respectively. The corresponding total gross return (Tk./ha) were Tk. 209777, Tk. 274170 and Tk. 262721, respectively. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) was estimated to be 2.87, 3.28 and 3.02 for package-1, package-2 and package-3, respectively. Returns over per taka investment (NR/Tk.) were found to be 1.32, 1.69 and 1.42 for the above fish culture packages. Cobb-Douglas production function analysis indicated the positive contribution of fish fingerlings, fertilizer, fish feed and lime on the total income and farm productivity, while human labor and bank interest rate decreased the farm income. The values of R2 were 0.775, 0.739 and 0.812 for CFP-1, CFP-2 and CFP-3, respectively. About 77.5 percent, 73.9 percent and 81.2 percent of variation in yield and gross return of fish production in paddy fields could be explained by the multiple regression equations. Fish production in paddy fields are economically profitable, viable and environment friendly. The farmers may undertake fish culture in paddy fields if suitable paddy fields are available.

The study was conducted to compare the growth and production performance of monosex and natural XY male tilapia of Oreochromis niloticus in Bismillah Agro production hatchery of Noakhali Sadar in Noakhali district, Bangladesh from September to November, 2014.  The length, weight, average FCR value, Average SGR value, Daily weight gain, survival rate of fish were observed. Relationship between growth and physico-chemical parameter of water were also investigated for monosex and XY male tilapia. The finding of the study reveals that growth performance of naturally collected XY male tilapia is close to monosex tilapia. The SGR value was found better in monosex than XY male tilapia. . Among them, survival rate was found 95.06% in case of monosex whereas it was 93.67% for XY male. At the end of the experiment, average weight of monosex (179.5±1.32g) was found higher than XY male tilapia (167.8±1.10g). Average length of monosex (20.1±0.25cm) was also found higher than XY male tilapia (19.5±0.20 cm). Similarly, the average FCR value for monosex (1.39±0.185) was observed higher than XY male tilapia (1.71±0.233). Average SGR value for monosex (2.49±1.43) was also higher than the XY male tilapia (1.88±1.44). Daily weight gain of monosex (1.66±0.66g) was also experimental higher than XY male tilapia (1.53±0.611g) species. These findings will encourage the fish farmers to culture all XY male tilapia with minimal cost. Thus, the consumer and fish will be free from the risk of hormonal induction and farmers can able to maintain the sustainable production of tilapia and also their dependency on hatchery produced seed will be reduced.

A 2.5 year old male horse was presented to Teaching Veterinary Hospital, VCRI, Namakkal, India with the history of lacrimation, impaired vision and progressive corneal opacity in left eye. Clinical examination revealed movement of a thread like worm in the anterior chamber of the eye. For removal of the worm, affected eye was prepared for surgery by deep sedation with xylazine hydrochloride. Then general anaesthesia was done with Ketamine hydrochloride and maintained by isoflurane. After induction, worm was removed by needling technique. Topical antibiotic and steroid were administered postoperatively to check secondary bacterial infection and corneal opacity. After surgery, the vision was restored and corneal opacity was reduced gradually. Morphologically, the worm was identified as Setaria spp. This is a common case in India due to vector prevalence.