BRAC University Institutional Repository
Preserving Knowledge, Advancing Research, Sharing Scholarship
A digital platform for collecting, preserving, and sharing BRAC University’s scholarly, academic, and institutional outputs.
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Faculty members and students are invited to submit their research publications, theses, dissertations, and scholarly works to increase visibility, access, and long-term preservation.
Recent Submissions
Economic burden of influenza-associated hospitalizations and outpatient visits in Bangladesh during 2010
(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2014-01-01) Bhuiyan M.U.; Luby S.P.; Alamgir, Nadia I.; Homaira N.; Mamun A.A.; Khan J.A.M.; Abedin J.; Sturm-Ramirez K.; Gurley E.S.; Zaman R.U.; Alamgir A.; Rahman M.; Widdowson M.A.; Azziz-Baumgartner E.; BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health
Understanding the costs of influenza-associated illness in Bangladesh may help health authorities assess the cost-effectiveness of influenza prevention programs. We estimated the annual economic burden of influenza-associated hospitalizations and outpatient visits in Bangladesh. From May through October 2010, investigators identified both outpatients and inpatients at four tertiary hospitals with laboratory-confirmed influenza infection through rRT-PCR. Research assistants visited case-patients' homes within 30 days of hospital visit/discharge and administered a structured questionnaire to capture direct medical costs (physician consultation, hospital bed, medicines and diagnostic tests), direct non-medical costs (food, lodging and travel) and indirect costs (case-patients' and caregivers' lost income). We used WHO-Choice estimates for routine healthcare service costs. We added direct, indirect and healthcare service costs to calculate cost-per-episode. We used median cost-per-episode, published influenza-associated outpatient and hospitalization rates and Bangladesh census data to estimate the annual economic burden of influenza-associated illnesses in 2010. Results: We interviewed 132 outpatients and 41 hospitalized patients. The median cost of an influenza-associated outpatient visit was US$4.80 (IQR = 2.93-8.11) and an influenza-associated hospitalization was US$82.20 (IQR = 59.96-121.56). We estimated that influenza-associated outpatient visits resulted in US$108 million (95% CI: 76-147) in direct costs and US$59 million (95% CI: 37-91) in indirect costs; influenza-associated hospitalizations resulted in US$1.4 million (95% CI: 0.4-2.6) in direct costs and US$0.4 million (95% CI: 0.1-0.8) in indirect costs in 2010. Conclusions: In Bangladesh, influenza-associated illnesses caused an estimated US$169 million in economic loss in 2010, largely driven by frequent but low-cost outpatient visits.
The emergence of training programmes for the garment industry: Analysing the cases of Bangladesh, Cambodia and Sri Lanka from a historical-institutionalist perspective
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025-03-01) Maurer M.; Shimu, Sheikh Shahana; Veung N.; BRAC Institute of Educational Development
This study analyses industry-specific training programmes catering to the garment industry in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Sri Lanka. Employing a historical-institutionalist perspective and using mainly qualitative data, it focuses on programmes that are considered particularly relevant by the industry and discuss their characteristics as well as factors that have had an impact on their development. The article finds that such programmes are usually offered beyond formal upper secondary vocational education and training, mostly at postsecondary and tertiary level, and in many cases by private providers. However, the case of Sri Lanka shows that public investment in the training of employees at different skill levels can make an important contribution to the development of a high-skill formation regime—but that it depends on the right timing.
Experiences of older adults and widows with the government allowance programmes in rural Bangladesh
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025-10-01) Shitol, Sharmin Akter; Nur, Sara; Barua, Mrittika; Chan V.F.; Lohfeld L.; Shonchoy A.; Congdon N.; Rabbani, Atonu; BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health
The Government of Bangladesh has digitised social safety net programmes to improve enrollment and allowance disbursement, yet the impact on rural beneficiaries remains unclear. This article examines the experiences of older adults and widows in Kurigram based on 68 semi-structured interviews. At the administrative level, beneficiaries reported positive aspects such as support for enrollment and disbursement. However, challenges included delays due to unofficial payment demands, slow disbursement, and difficulties accessing mobile financial service (MFS) accounts. At the individual level, many lacked the knowledge to use their MFS accounts, often needing to share PINs for assistance, and relied on family or community support to receive their allowances. The findings suggest that enhancing local government capabilities may help combat corruption and improve communication. Educational initiatives and community support may boost digital literacy and address gender disparities. Collaboration between the government and MFS providers is essential for timely payments and effective support for beneficiaries.
Is the safety of finasteride correlated with its route of administration: Topical versus oral? A pharmacovigilance study with data from the United States food and drug administration Aadverse event reporting system
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2026-01-01) Gupta A.K.; Talukder, Mesbah; Keene S.A.; Bamimore M.A.; School of Pharmacy
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved oral finasteride for androgenetic alopecia. In 2022, approximately 2.6 million U.S. men used it for hair loss and prostate conditions. Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS), proposed in 2012, involves persistent sexual and neuropsychiatric adverse events (AEs) after cessation. These AEs are controversial and often lack assessment of contributing risk factors. We analyzed FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) data to explore finasteride's administration route and PFS-like AEs. Using the information component (IC) method for disproportionality analyses, we assessed signals for 13 PFS-related AEs with topical and oral finasteride and dutasteride across two periods: 2006–2011 (pre-PFS reporting) and 2019–2024 (post-PFS reporting). These periods reflect times before and after formal PFS reporting in 2012. Eight analyses per AE were conducted based on agent, route, and era. Fewer signals for PFS-like AEs were detected with topical finasteride compared to oral finasteride in both eras. No signals were found for topical dutasteride, possibly because its use is very limited. Many reported AEs, such as erectile dysfunction and depression, may be influenced by age, stress, or comorbidities. Signals for PFS-like AEs were detected with topical finasteride, but were less frequent than with oral finasteride. The high prevalence of these AEs in the general population and the influence of confounding factors, such as psychological stress or nocebo effects, combined with the lack of genotyping, hormonal assessments, or family history data in most reports, suggest caution in attributing causality to finasteride. Topical finasteride may pose a lower risk, but robust evidence is needed to clarify its safety profile. © 2025 The Author(s). International Journal of Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of the International Society of Dermatology.
Epistemic divides in scholarly publishing in applied linguistics: Multilingual possibilities versus monolingual realities in postcolonial Bangladesh
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2026-02-01) Sultana, Shaila; Hamid M.O.; Roshid M.M.; BRAC University
The ongoing movement in applied linguistics towards decolonisation and dehegemonisation demands that we acknowledge multilingualism and comprehend how marginalised multilingual researchers are excluded from global knowledge creation. In light of this, this qualitative study investigates the realities and lived experiences of applied linguistics and English language teaching (ELT) scholars in Bangladesh. Research participants include 14 applied linguistics and ELT academics who publish in national and international journals as well as on other platforms. The data analysis shows that English is the preferred language for academic publications among multilingual Bangladeshi applied linguistics and ELT academics. The acceptance and status of Scopus-indexed journals in academic avenues, policies, and practices for academic advancement and promotion based on publications in English and a fixation with the English language seem to be the main reasons for their preferences. Furthermore, despite their admiration for Bangla as a national language, they do not recognise it as a medium for scientific publications. However, they are aware that their scholarly publications in English do not have much impact on the local educational and social development or linguistic justice and equity in Bangladeshi society. The paper concludes that only when multilingualism is accepted within the circuits of knowledge production and only when workable ways are identified to invite policymakers, university authorities, educators and researchers to pursue more fruitful cooperation between the Global North and South, linguistic and epistemic inclusion and transformation of the ontology and epistemology of applied linguistics will be possible.