http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/109 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:07:24 GMT 2026-04-29T12:07:24Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4836 Prospects and Challenges of Youth Entrepreneurs: A Study of Slum Women Entrepreneurs of Dhaka City AFROZ, JANNATUL This study explores the prospects and challenges faced by slum-dwelling youth women entrepreneurs in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Conducted in selected slum areas, the research employed a qualitative approach using case studies as the primary research strategy. The participants comprised 28 youth women entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35 years, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected predominant through face to face in-depth interview with semi-structured interview schedule where open-ended questions were included. Data were also collected through case studies and non-participants observation. Data were analyzed using narrative analysis supported by verbatim quotations to gain an in-depth understanding. Findings reveal that most respondents have limited educational attainment, typically ranging from class one to class five. Socio-economically, the majority live in rented accommodations under poor conditions, lacking access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and reliable utilities such as gas and electricity. Their basic needs are only partially met. The study further uncovered that these women generally lack formal business plans, awareness of trade licenses, and knowledge about government credit schemes or entrepreneurial training programs. As a result, they are unaware of existing opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. Moreover, they encounter multifaceted barriers—social, economic, political, and psychological—that significantly hinder their entrepreneurial development. Among the key social challenges identified are unemployment, gender inequality, and poverty. An investigation into available welfare programs revealed widespread dissatisfaction. Most respondents had received little or no support from governmental or non-governmental organizations, with only a few reporting limited and unsatisfactory assistance. Participants emphasized the need for proactive initiatives from families, NGOs, and the government to mitigate the challenges they face and enhance their wellbeing. The study concludes with practical recommendations aimed at addressing these issues and fostering the development of youth women entrepreneurs in the slum areas of Dhaka. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy. Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4836 2026-04-21T00:00:00Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4800 Physiological Perspective of Musculo-skeletal Disorders among Older Persons in Bangladesh Jahan, Sharmila Study Background: Globally the number of ageing populations increasing day by day and Bangladesh is no exception. The disease incidence and prevalence has been shifted as communicable to non-communicable disease due to lake of physical activities, indiscipline, uncontrolled use of drugs, using pesticides and food preservatives etc. Back pain, Neck pain, Knee pain, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, balance and coordination problems, and falling tendency are common global neuro-musculoskeletal problems in older people (Alexandra Villa-Forte, 2019). Aim and Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the physiological perspective of musculoskeletal disorders among older people in Bangladesh. The study's objectives were to explore the demographic characteristics, find out the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, discover the types of musculoskeletal disorders, investigate the biological, psychological and social perspective of musculoskeletal disorders and observe the quality of life of older people. Methodology: The study design was a cross-sectional survey. SP Hospitals Dhaka, all divisional centres of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Laboratory, Jashore University of Science and Technology and BRB Hospitals Ltd., Panthopath, Dhaka was the study area. The qualified graduate physiotherapist was involved in data collection from 204 participants conveniently selected with a mixed type of questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Ethical issues are appropriately maintained. Results: Regarding this study about 70% participants were male and 30% were female. About 36.9% of participants were living in a semi-rural area, and 31.6% of participants were living in an urban area. It was shown that about 82% of participants were not affected by COVID-19, and 18% were affected. Most of the participants' monthly income was less than 10,000 BDT, and that was 40.8%. Comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease were found in 46%, 22%, and 13% of the 206 people, respectively. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders found as most three common pain sites was Knee pain at 84.4%, back pain at 77.6% and neck vi pain at 41%. It established the biological perspectives of the musculoskeletal problem of each of the participants who were suffering from conditions such as degenerative bone disease, diabetes, obesity, muscle imbalance, inadequate fitness, poor health status, and so on. Degenerative bone disease was present at its highest in 98%; poor health status had the second-highest number of participants, with about 51.3% of the total, followed by muscular imbalance, with approximately 54.3% of the total. The researchers examined 206 individuals and, from the psychological perspectives of MSD, found that n = 156 participants were experiencing symptoms of depression, which is the biggest, and the anxiety group had the second greatest number of participants (n = 128 total). The social perspectives of MSD were social isolation at 76%, lack of rehabilitation services at 84%, and improper care of older people at 85% Conclusion: The study showed that most of the older persons in Bangladesh have been suffering from different musculoskeletal problems, where back pain, knee pain and neck pain are the most common. The biological perspective of musculoskeletal problems was bone degeneration and decreased bone mineral density; the psychological aspect was depression and anxiety, which controlled the mobility of the older, and the social perspectives were social isolation, the lack of rehabilitation services and improper care of older people in Bangladesh. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4800 2026-03-03T00:00:00Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4755 A Study on Health Problems of Elderly People in Dhaka City Mondal, Sipra Aging is a normal, physiological, inevitable, biological, and universal phenomenon in all living beings. The problems of older people are not merely medical; they are physical, mental, economic, and socio-cultural. The study used a mixed-methods approach that combined social survey and case study techniques with qualitative and quantitative methods. This study aimed to explore the Health Problems of Elderly People in Dhaka City. This study was conducted in Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Square Hospital Ltd, Dhaka. Two hundred twenty-seven respondents and 5 case studies were recruited using convenience sampling. The older people aged 60 and above who were willing to participate were recruited, and those who were seriously sick were excluded. The data were collected using face-to-face interviews. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25.0. In this study, the mean age of the respondents was 65.7 ± 3.164 years, and the majority (63.1%) were in the age group 70-79 years. More than half (55.1%) of the respondents were male, and more than six tenths (64.3%) were Muslim. Slightly below six-tenths (60.6%) of the respondents were married, and the majority (62.1%) reside in rural areas. More than half (57.3%) of the respondents lived in a joint family, and 48.1% had 5-7 family members. A little above two fifths (41.3%) of the respondents were cigarette smokers, and the mean monthly income was 17645.034 ± 103.412 BDT. The majority (43.4%) of the respondents had the present condition of body ectomorphic, followed by 40.3% those with mesomorphic, and the rest (16.4%) had endomorphic. More than eighty percent (80.2%) of the respondents had loose skin, followed by 65.5% who had dryness, and 55.5% who had itching. The majority (38.2%) of the respondents' hygiene conditions were moderate, and more than sixty v A Study on Health Problems of Elderly People in Dhaka City percent (66.1%) of the respondents were using spectacles. More than half (51.3%) of the respondents had normal hearing, 51.5% had no throat-related problems, 42.3% had gastric ulcers, and 78.4% had hypertension. Most (61.4%) respondents had pneumonia, and 68.7% were diagnosed with COVID-19. The majority (75.8%) of the respondents suffer from urinary incontinence, and 87.1% suffer from anxiety. The study revealed that sickness and aging are linked and that they are both natural processes. Senior citizens should be valued as human resources. The construction of counseling clinics that can address the age's medical, physiological, psychological, and social requirements is becoming increasingly necessary. The study's findings are expected to aid planners and policymakers in providing a better society in the future. Further support from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community initiatives to provide social and psychological support could also play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for the nation's elderly. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy. Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4755 2025-11-06T00:00:00Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4692 Mental Stress among Climate Migrant Older Women in Dhaka City Amjad, Karisma Climate change-induced displacement is a growing issue in Bangladesh, where frequent climate-related disasters force thousands of people to migrate annually. Older women, in particular, face compounded vulnerabilities due to the intersection of gender, age, and displacement, resulting in significant psychosocial stress. This study aims to investigate the mental stress experienced by climate-induced migrant women aged 60 and above, residing in Dhaka's urban slums, focusing on their migration journeys from rural to urban settings and exploring the psychosocial challenges they face before, during, and after displacement. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection. The qualitative component included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews to explore the lived experiences of displaced older women, while the quantitative component utilized the Dhaka Stress Scale-Adult (DSS-A) to assess mental stress levels and examine its effects on the women’s well-being, alongside an evaluation of their living conditions. The quantitative findings indicated that 95% of respondents, all elderly climate migrant women, scored 301 or above, indicating severe levels of stress whereas qualitative findings discovered that Elderly climate migrant women in the Korail slum rely heavily on family support, particularly from sons, but face financial struggles, suboptimal living conditions, and significant psycho-social challenges, with repeated exposure to climatic events and disruptions in family structures creating chronic vulnerability. Findings also revealed that displacement disrupts established social networks and traditional coping mechanisms, exacerbating mental health vulnerabilities. Women reported feelings of loss, isolation, and anxiety about an uncertain future. Additionally, mental stress levels were significantly higher among displaced women, and their needs were often overlooked by both governmental and non-governmental support systems. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions, including community-based mental health services, policies to promote social inclusion, and support programs specifically designed for older women affected by climate-induced displacement. These interventions should address the unique needs of this marginalized population to mitigate the negative impacts of displacement. This research provides essential insights for policymakers and practitioners, advocating for more inclusive and responsive approaches to climate-induced displacement. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4692 2025-07-07T00:00:00Z