The Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses has produced its latest newsletter!

The newsletter highlights the new relationship with SPYM and ISSUP through the establishment of the ISSUP India National Chapter.

There is a report of the International Day for Street Children that was celebrated on April the 15th. 

The newsletter also provides an overview of the training that took place in multiple schools, as well as a story about a young 18-year-old who is conducting peer support sessions to fellow students.

Abstract

Introduction

Children exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) are at increased risk of respiratory illnesses. We piloted a Smoke Free Intervention (SFI) and trial methods before investigating its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in primary school children.

Methods

In a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial in Bangladesh, primary schools were allocated to usual education (control) or SFI, using minimization. Year-5 children were recruited. Masking treatment allocation was not possible. Delivered by schoolteachers, SFI consisted of two 45-min and four 15-min educational sessions...

Abstract

Introduction

We report on second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure based on saliva cotinine levels among children in Bangladesh—a country with laws against smoking in public places.

Methods

A survey of primary school children from two areas of the Dhaka district was conducted in 2015. Participants completed a questionnaire and provided saliva samples for cotinine measurement to assess SHS exposure with a cut-off range of ≥0.1ng/mL.

Results

Four hundred and eighty-one children studying in year-5 were recruited from 12 primary schools. Of these, 479 saliva samples were found sufficient...