Malnutrition among Bangladeshi women in ultra poor households: prevalence and determinants.

Background: Malnutrition is widespread and has been recognized as a public health problem in Bangladesh. People living in absolute poverty are more susceptible to infection, disease and malnutrition. Nearly one-quarter to one-third population of Bangladesh live under extreme poverty – they are called the ultra poor. These ultra poor are often excluded from government and even from the non-governmental poverty reduction programs like microcredit/microfinance. To reach these ultra poor, BRAC has undertaken a comprehensive program in 2001 as ‘Challenging the Frontiers of Poverty Reduction/Targeting the Ultra Poor’ <br/>(CFPR/TUP) with the aim of poverty reduction and establish a sustainable livelihood. As poverty and malnutrition are interrelated, information on important dimension of nutrition was required to see the impact of program and modify health intervention. <br/>Objective: the objective was to describe the prevalence of malnutrition and identify the associated factors among the women of ultra poor households targeted by BRAC in Bangladesh. <br/>Design: It was a cross-sectional survey. A total of 978 households were covered in the survey. Adult female aged 15-49 years who were selected for program intervention in households were covered for anthropometric measurements (896), anemia (889) and parasitic infestation (473). Pregnant women were excluded. A sub-sample of 200 women was surveyed for food consumption. Data were collected between July and September 2003. Nutritional status was assessed by measurement of body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin <br/>concentration. Anthropometric measurements included weight and height. Anemia was assessed by hemoglobin measurements with HemoCue photometer. Stool samples were examined for worm infestation by ‘Direct Microscopic Wet Mounts’ method. A dietary survey was conducted using the 24-h dietary recall method. <br/>Results: Chronic energy deficiency was highly prevalent among women, 56% had BMI &lt;18.5 kg/m2. Mean body weight was 40.3 kg. Even though the mean body height was 148.3 cm, about one third (29%) were less than 145cm. Prevalence of anemia was detected in 48% of the women. The average per capita total energy intake in women was calculated as 1609 kcal/day. Almost 90% calorie came from cereals. Overall parasites infestation prevalence was 66%. The most common parasite was Ascaris with prevalence of 52%, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura were 23% and 14% respectively. Less than 3% had any formal schooling. <br/>Only 15% women used sanitary latrine and 19% women took iron tablet during last pregnancy. Significant association was found between BMI and reported illness, perceived health status and signature capability (p&lt;0.05). Anemia prevalence was found to be associated with signature capability, iron tablet intake and total number of pregnancy (p&lt;0.05). <br/>Conclusion: The extent of malnutrition was high among the women in ultra poor households. The nutritional situation showed a disadvantaged position of the women living in ultra poor households compared to the average rural women in Bangladesh.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Master of Science

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Master's Thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Uppsala University

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Haseen, Farhana

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:kclpure.kcl.ac.uk:studenttheses/ce36af0c-770a-49ab-a18b-a08a476c11d3

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:kclpure.kcl.ac.uk:studenttheses/ce36af0c-770a-49ab-a18b-a08a476c11d3