Browsing by Author "Akter, Tahera"

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Environmental compliance of BRAC microfinance enterprises: an assessment
(BRAC, 2013-04) Akter, Tahera; Dey, Nepal C
BRAG is concerned about environmental aspects in its development programmes. In this backdrop, a cross-sectional comparative study was designed to assess environmental performance in BRAG microfinance enterprises. Total 1200 borrowers (579 Dabi, 621 Progoti) involved in various incomes generating activities were randomly selected from 30 sadar upazilas (divisidnal capital of sub-districts). The analysis was conducted on selected environmental indicators such as use of raw materials and chemicals, waste management, environmental pollution, knowledge about key environmental aspects etc. Statistical techniques such as frequency distribution, chi-square and t-tests were used to 'get proportion of values and to compare the differences between indicator values. :The findings revealed that above 90% respondents received information from BRAG staff about environmental pollution, tree plantation, waste management, use of safe water and latrine, keeping hand washing materials, and so on. Use of alternative fue~ (79%) and raw materials (79.6%) were relatively less received information from BRAG staff. Compared to the other types, mainly degradable raw materials were used jn both enterprises, while the use was higher in Dabi (187.9%) than Progoti (161%). Thus, degradable wastes were generated higher in Dabi (213.8%) than Progotf (20?8%). Disposal of different types of wastes at fixed and safe place was found higher in Progoti than Qabi enterprises (e.g., degradable solid waste: Dabi 55.8%, Progoti 71%; non-degradable waste: Dabi 34.8%, Progoti 45.8%; liquid waste: Dabi 39.6%, Progoti 52.2%). Probability of environmental pollution was observed less in both Dabi and Progoti enterprises. Majority of Oabi and Progoti enterprises used chemical materials in their business activities, but adoption of safety measures was foond very less in both enterprises implying exposure to health risks. Fixed and safe disposal of wastes and adoption of safety measures during handling chemical materials are imperative to avoid environmental pollution and health risks.
How many hours do people sleep in Bangladesh? a country-representative survey
(© 2016 Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 2016) Md. Yunus, Fakir; Khan, Safayet; Akter, Tahera; Rahman, Mahfuzar; Reja, Saifur; Islam, Akramul; Jhohura, Fatema
This study investigated total sleep time in the Bangladeshi population and identified the proportion of the population at greater risk of developing chronic diseases due to inadequate sleep. Using a cross-sectional survey, total sleep time was captured and analysed in 3968 respondents aged between 6 and 106 years in 24 (of 64) districts in Bangladesh. Total sleep time was defined as the hours of total sleep in the previous 24 h. We used National Sleep Foundation (2015) guidelines to determine the recommended sleep hours in different age categories. Less or more than the recommended total sleep time (in hours) was considered 'shorter' and 'longer' sleep time, respectively. Linear and multinomial logistic regression models were used to determine the relationship between demographic variables and estimated risk of shorter and longer total sleep time. The mean (±standard deviation) total sleep time of children (6-13 years), teenagers (14-17 years), young adults and adults (18-64 years) and older adults (≥65 years) were 8.6 (±1.1), 8.1 (±1.0), 7.7 (±0.9) and 7.8 (±1.4) h, respectively, which were significantly different (P < 0.01). More than half of school-age children (55%) slept less than, and 28.2% of older adults slept longer than, recommended. Residents in all divisions (except Chittagong) in Bangladesh were less likely to sleep longer than in the Dhaka division. Rural populations had a 3.96× greater chance of sleeping for a shorter time than urban residents. The Bangladeshi population tends to sleep for longer and/or shorter times than their respective recommended sleep hours, which is detrimental to health.
How many hours do people sleep in Bangladesh? a country-representative survey
(© 2016 Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 2016) Md. Yunus, Fakir; Khan, Safayet; Akter, Tahera; Rahman, Mahfuzar; Reja, Saifur; Islam, Akramul; Jhohura, Fatema
This study investigated total sleep time in the Bangladeshi population and identified the proportion of the population at greater risk of developing chronic diseases due to inadequate sleep. Using a cross-sectional survey, total sleep time was captured and analysed in 3968 respondents aged between 6 and 106 years in 24 (of 64) districts in Bangladesh. Total sleep time was defined as the hours of total sleep in the previous 24 h. We used National Sleep Foundation (2015) guidelines to determine the recommended sleep hours in different age categories. Less or more than the recommended total sleep time (in hours) was considered 'shorter' and 'longer' sleep time, respectively. Linear and multinomial logistic regression models were used to determine the relationship between demographic variables and estimated risk of shorter and longer total sleep time. The mean (±standard deviation) total sleep time of children (6-13 years), teenagers (14-17 years), young adults and adults (18-64 years) and older adults (≥65 years) were 8.6 (±1.1), 8.1 (±1.0), 7.7 (±0.9) and 7.8 (±1.4) h, respectively, which were significantly different (P < 0.01). More than half of school-age children (55%) slept less than, and 28.2% of older adults slept longer than, recommended. Residents in all divisions (except Chittagong) in Bangladesh were less likely to sleep longer than in the Dhaka division. Rural populations had a 3.96× greater chance of sleeping for a shorter time than urban residents. The Bangladeshi population tends to sleep for longer and/or shorter times than their respective recommended sleep hours, which is detrimental to health.
Knowledge and practice of hygiene in BRAC's WASH Programme areas
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2011-12) Akter, Tahera; Ali, ARM Mehrab
Improved hygiene behaviour is one of the most effective means of reducing disease occurrence. However, question may arise, which factors did contribute to such improvement? Past studies seldom addressed these issues systematically nor explained the influencing factors that facilitate or impede hygiene knowledge and practice from the perspectives of successful and unsuccessful households. This study, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, measured the changes in knowledge and practice of hygiene and explored factors that facilitate or impede hygiene behaviours in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) intervention areas of BRAC. Indepth interviews were conducted with 144 purposively selected women. Some of their practices were physically verified to get the proof of their claims. Besides, 30,000 systematically chosen households studied in the baseline were revisited in the midline survey for collecting quantitative data. Results on common variables investigated through both quantitative and qualitative approaches were triangulated. Findings show that respondent's hygiene behaviours were mainly facilitated by improved knowledge and awareness about health and environment-related issues. BRAC's financial assistance had positive impact on latrine ownership resulting in increased privacy and dignity of the households. Latrine or tubewell ownership also increased their social prestige and sense of responsibility. In this regard, maintaining hygiene behaviours for healthy life was perceived as everybody's responsibility. On the other hand, lack of interest in attending cluster meeting, traditional knowledge, poverty, difficulties in carrying water, location of latrine, lack of will to practice, and complex mind-set were the impeding factors to hygiene knowledge and practice. Mainly the psychosocial aspects made the difference between successful and unsuccessful households, as successful households followed hygiene behaviours irrespective of poverty and other barriers. To increase awareness to a further extent and to transform knowledge into practice and practice into habit, more cluster meetings ensuring participation of all including children and home visits by the programme organizers are imperative.