Masud Hasan

Economic disparity and child nutrition in Bangladesh.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the economic difference in nutrition of under-five children.Methods: Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey data 1999–2000 were used for this study. In this study, quintiles were calculated on the basis of asset and wealth score by use of principal component analysis. To understand the nutrition status and health inequality concentration index was also calculated.Results: The ratio of poorest to the richest indicates that stunting and underweight of the rural under-five children was almost two times higher than that of the richest children. The negative concentration index shows that higher rate of malnutrition among the under-five children from the poorest class. This inequality in health situation of the children can be explained in terms of income inequality. In Bangladesh, about 40% wealth is concentrated to 10% of the families. The results are discussed in terms of policy consideration.Conclusion: It is expected that the findings will lead to consider alternative program strategies for the reduction of poor nutritional status of the children and their mothers

Determinants of childhood morbidity in Bangladesh: evidence from the Demographic and Health Survey 2011.

Objectives The present study aims to estimate the incidence of preventable infectious diseases or associated symptoms among young children in Bangladesh and also determine the factors affecting these conditions. The study hypothesised that various background characteristics of children as well as their parents influence the incidence of morbidity of children aged below 5 years. Setting The study used data from the most recent nationally representative cross-sectional Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) conducted in 2011. Participants A total of 7550 children aged below 5 years during the survey from mothers aged between 12 and 49 years are the participants of the study. Results In general, younger children were more likely to suffer from multiple health conditions than their older counterparts. Children belonging to households classified as poor (OR=1.425, 95% CI (1.130 to 1.796)) or middle (OR=1.349, 95% CI (1.113 to 1.636)) faced greater risk of illness than those from well-off households. A combination of source and treatment practices of drinking water showed a significant impact on incidence of childhood morbidity. Children from households using untreated non-piped water were 85.8% (OR=1.860, 95% CI (1.269 to 2.728)) more likely to suffer from comorbidity than those who treat their piped drinking water. However, we observed that water treatment alone has no impact unless the water itself was sourced from a pipe. Conclusions Accelerated programmes promoting access to safe drinking water along with water treatment practices, and better household environment may prove effective in reducing the incidence of childhood morbidity in Bangladesh.

Malnutrition and non-communicable diseases among Bangladeshi women: an urban–rural comparison

Background/Objectives:This study aims at examining the urban–rural differentials in the effects of socioeconomic predictors on underweight and obesity of ever-married women in Bangladesh. The effect of malnutrition and other risk factors on non-communicable diseases is also examined.Subjects/Methods:The information regarding nutritional status, socioeconomic and demographic background, and non-communicable diseases of ever-married women was extracted from the nationally representative, cross-sectional Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS 2011) data set. Both bivariate (χ2 test) and multivariate (multinomial logistic regression model) analyses were performed in determining the risk factors of malnutrition. The effect of malnutrition and associated risk factors on non-communicable diseases was determined using binary logistic regression models.Results:The overall prevalence as well as the effects of individual risk factors of malnutrition differ in urban and rural settings. Regional differentials in the prevalence of underweight were statistically significant only for rural areas. In rural and urban settings, women from households with poor economic status were 67% (odds ratio (OR) 0.33, 95% CI 0.26–0.43) and 81% (OR=0.19, 95% CI 0.13–0.29) less likely to be overweight, respectively, with respect to those from affluent households. Women from the Rangpur division were significantly more likely to suffer from anemia (OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.13–1.77) and hypertension (OR=1.67, 95% CI 1.19–2.34) than those from the Sylhet division (reference division). With respect to those considered as underweight, women who were categorized as overweight were 0.47 (OR=0.53, 95% CI 0.43–0.65) times less likely to suffer from anemia, and 1.83 (OR=2.83, 95% CI 1.99–4.02) and 1.70 (OR=2.70, 95% CI 2.09–3.50) times more likely to suffer from diabetes and hypertension, respectively.Conclusions:Rural–urban differentials in the effects of individual risk factors of malnutrition were observed. Wealth status of households and nutritional status of women showed significant effect on the prevalence of anemia, diabetes and hypertension.

Forecasting tropical cyclone-induced rainfall in coastal Australia: implications for effective flood management

This article is designed to predict the amount of rainfall resulting from tropical cyclones (TCs) in Australia’s coastal regions and contributes to predicting the likelihood of extreme rainfall events. For this purpose, a Poisson–Gamma generalised linear model is fitted to the TC-induced rainfall with distance of the rainfall station from the TC track and translational speed (TS) of TC as predictors. Both variables have significant negative impact on rainfall. For the lowest TC TS, the 99th percentiles of rainfall for the furthest and closest station distances from the TC track were estimated as 132.5 mm and 236.9 mm, respectively. When the TC track is the closest to the rainfall station and the TS is the lowest, the 99.9th percentile of the estimated rainfall is 366.3 mm. The ability of the model to capture extremely high rainfall amounts may prove useful in forecasting floods. Improved flood forecasting and management will reduce loss of life and property, thereby contributing to the social and economic well-being of Australias coastal population.

Dynamics in child undernutrition in Bangladesh: Evidence from nationally representative surveys between 1997 and 2014

Background: Bangladesh has been struggling to reduce the prevalence of childhood undernutrition, which impedes physical and mental capability and accelerates morbidity and mortality. Objectives: The objective of the paper is to examine the changes over time in the association between potential covariates and nutritional status of Bangladeshi children. Methods: The study combined and analyzed data from six waves of Demographic and Health Surveys between 1997 and 2014. Multivariable binary logistic regression models have been fitted to data from individual waves. Overall association has been investigated using forest plots, and meta-regression has been utilized to assess the pace of change in the association over time. Results: Parental education and place of residence showed a consistent association with nutritional status of children. Children from parents with no little education were more likely to be undernourished than those from parents with secondary or higher level of education (odds ratio [OR] in 1997 = 3.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.65–4.22, OR in 2004 = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.58–2.37). On the other hand, gaps in the association of wealth and childhood nutrition have been widening consistently so that in 2014 children from households from the lowest 40% wealth category were 2.66 times (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 2.13–3.33) as likely as to be undernourished than those from upper 20%. Conclusions: The findings have policy implications in terms of developing programs directed to mothers with a relatively poor socioeconomic background. A specific example would be providing nutritional education in relation to importance of childhood nutrition or cheaper nutritious food.

How sustainable household environment and knowledge of healthy practices relate to childhood morbidity in South Asia: analysis of survey data from Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan

Objectives Prevalence of diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection (ARI) is considerably high among South Asian children. The objective of this study is to compare the associations of sustainable household environment and knowledge of healthy practices with episodes of these diseases among the children in the region. Design The study analysed the latest, nationally representative and cross-sectional Demographic and Health Survey data. Setting Data from three countries were analysed: Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. Participants Women aged between 12 and 49 years living in selected households provided information on 23 940 of their children under the age of 5 years. Primary outcomes measures The morbidity status of the children was recorded with respect to episodes of diarrhoea and/or ARI in the 2 weeks preceding data collection. Results Consuming unhygienic drinking water increased the risks of childhood diarrhoea, and use of solid fuel for indoor cooking increased the risk of ARI, across all three countries investigated. However, far more significant were the effects of mother’s education, with incomplete primary education leading to an odds of diarrhoea approaching twice that of a mother with secondary education or higher (OR 1.70 in Bangladesh, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.49). Conclusions Results from the current research underline the importance of developing and implementing integrated strategic plans for mothers and children in the countries investigated. Promoting hygienic water and sanitation facilities can help reduce the prevalence of childhood diarrhoea. Replacing indoor solid fuel cooking arrangements with cleaner fuel or more airy conditions can help reduce the prevalence of ARI. However, these strategies need to be integrated with education for women to raise the likelihood that reduced risks are actually realised.