Browsing by Author "Jakariya, Md."

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An assessment on the performance of BRAC nursery seedlings with special emphasis on Amrapali
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2003-06) Hossain, Zabed; Quaiyum, Md; Jakariya, Md.; Akter, Nasima
The study examined the performance of the three kinds of seedlings of BRAC nurseries named Amrpali, lemon, and guava. Interview was taken from those buyers who bought those seedlings from BRAG. A total of 153 buyers among those 109 were of Amrpali and 22 lemon and 22 guava. Growers were selected from 29 BRAG area offices covering six divisions across the country. Since it is claimed that Amrapali gives better fruits if these seedlings are grown after two years of plantation of the seedlings. Therefore, seedlings grown in year 1999 were selected for the study conducted in February 2003. More than 90% of the seedling plantation is of homestead type. Out of 807 Amrapali seedlings grown by the buyers in 1999 around 69% were found to survive during the study. The average survival rate of the three varieties is 72.8%. The main reason for death of the seedlings grown was carelessness of the buyers. Some kinds of carelessness included growing of the seedlings under shade and breaking of stem by children or animals. Majority of the respondents mentioned that they faced pest -attack during cultivation of the plants. Majority of the growers were found to be hopeful with their seedlings grown. There is a serious lack of technical knowledge about cultivating the seedlings. Buyers claimed that technical support of BRAG staff is not sufficient. Therefore BRAG staff should help them giving more technical knowledge for cultivation of seedlings.
An implementation guide for the Arsenic mitigation program
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2002-11) Ahmed, Munir; Jakariya, Md.; Quaiyum, Md.; Mahmud, Shah Noor
Arsenic in drinking water and birth outcomes: a study of the Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Programme
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2004-09) Jakariya, Md.; Sarkar, Md. Quaiyum; Sultana, Samina
This paper assesses the impact of arsenic (As) exposure on pregnancy outcomes in Bangladesh. A total of 261 villages from 3 highly As contaminated upazilas of two districts were selected for this study. The upazilas were Faridpur sadar ofFaridpur district and Matlab and Shahrasti of Chandpur district. Data were collected from 742 women under 106 CNCs from 100 villages ofFaridpur Sadar, 710 women from 55 villages under 80 CNCs of Matlab, and 73 7 women under 33 CNCs from 106 villages of Shahrasti upazila. Water samples were collected from the tubewells (TWs) where from the pregnant mothers were drinking water, at least during the year 2002 for analysis in the laboratory with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) method. A total of 2,189 women who gave births in 2002 participated in the study. Their mean age was 26.52 years, the mean duration of As exposure of the participants was 6 years, and the median was 7 years. The majority of them (72%) used As contaminated water (>50 ppb) for drinking purpose during their last pregnancies. The mean and median As concentration of the TW water of the study participants was 158.21 and 151 ppb respectively, ranging from non-detectable level to 668 ppb. Overall incidence of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, and neonatal death were found to be 23.3/1000 live birth, 26.9511000 live birth, 42.49/1000 live birth, 113.75/1000 live birth, and 28.78/1000 live birth respectively. About 28% of newborn babies were malnourished ( <2.5 kg of weight). No significant difference was observed between the two categories of As exposed and non-exposed babies. The majority of the mothers (72%) exposed to As at above 50 ppb gave normal births. A statistically significant difference was observed in the total pregnancy outcome status of the respondent mothers, particularly for low birth weight (p<0.002), premature birth (p<0.006), and abortion (p<0.06) when compared with As exposed and non-exposed groups, after adjustment for maternal education, age of mothers, antenatal care, parity, and household socioeconomic condition. It seems from the study that the rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes including abortion, premature birth, low weight birth, still birth, and post-natal death of the mothers exposed to As above 50 ppb was higher than those of the mothers exposed to As below 50 ppb. However, these differences were not found to be statistically significant for mothers who gave first birth in the year 2002 in spite of drinking As contaminated water. In contrary, a significant difference was observed particularly for spontaneous abortion, premature birth, and low birth weight cases for the mothers who had previous pregnancy history including for the year 2002. Further study is needed to establish this finding by mapping the precise exposure assessment.
Arsenic in tubewell water and health consequences: mitigation component
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2003-12) Jakariya, Md.
Arsenic testing of newly installed tubewells and quality control
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999-04) Jakariya, Md.; Johnstony, Richard; Chowdhury, AMR
The presence of arsenic in groundwater in Bangladesh has aroused widespread concern. It is estimated that over half of the Bangladesh population are at risk of arsenic poising. The source of arsenic in drinking water is from the tubewells. There are over four million tubewells in Bangladesh. During 1997-1998, DPHE installed over 13,000 tubewells in a UNICEF supported Safe Water Supply Project .. At the request of UNICEF, BRAC test all the above mentioned tubewells for Arsenic contamination. In doing this, BRAC need a field kit and the quality of the testing was also assessed by simultaneous testing in a laboratory. The proportion of tubewells with an arsenic content above the acceptable limit (=1< 50 ppb) was found to be 4.27% of 12,604 tubewells tested. Tubewells above the accepted limit were painted red , whereas those within the accepted limit were painted green by the field testers. The quality of testing by the field testers was found to be high ana the effectiveness of the field kits was found to be adequate. DPHE have been relatively successful to avoid arsenic affected areas as the number of tubewells contaminated with arsenic above the acceptable limit was low. The sub assistant engineers also mentioned that one of the main reasons for not installing all the allocated tubewells particularly in the arsenic affected areas was due to arsenic contamination in ground water. Caretakers of each tubewell were given information on what to do if the tubewell tested arsenic contaminated. They were also given a leaflet provided by UNICEF containing information on arsenic and altenative safe water options.
Assessing the effectiveness of the Shapla arsenic removal filter
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2002-12) Jakariya, Md.; Quaiyum, Md.
The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the Shap!a Arsenic Removal Filter. The two villages of Sonargaon Upazila were sel~cted , as the use of this filter was mainly concentrated there. A total of 50 Shapla filters were provided among the villagers by the International Development Enterprises, Bangladesh free of cost under the arsenic mitigation project, implemented by BRAC, in collaboration with Unicef and OPHE. Data were collected through interview and observation in mid - August 2002. The water of the functioning Shapla filters was tested for arsenic using Merck test kit from Gem1any during the survey. A total of 47 Shapla filters out of 50, were surveyed where about 92% of them were functioning. The arsenic concentration level in the water filtered of Shapla filters (72%) was within the tolerable limits (up to O.OSmglL). The now rate of 28% of the Shapla filters was 4 to 6 litresl Hour and it was 2.4 to 2.9 litresl Hour for another 28% of the Shapla filters. About 81 % of the respondents did not know about the interval of testing water of Shapla filter. The teaching about maintenance of the Shapla filter to the respondents was universal (93%). After the latest testing, the water of about 74% of the Shapla filters was reported arsenic free (within the tolerable limits). But some of the respondents (22%) did not know the test result. The disposal of the non-functioned media (expired media)(78%) was all over. From this study it may be concluded that the majority of the Shapla Arsenic Removal Filters provided were functioning, although some of them were found highly contaminated with arsenic. In some cases the now rate is very low and should be improved. Filter users should be informed about the result of testing in time. A proper management of disposal of expired media should be introduced.
BRAC/DPHE/UNICEF collaboration on community-based Arsenic response
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999) Jakariya, Md.; Haque, Salma R.; Nickson, Ross T.; Hossain, Md. Zabed; Chowdhury, AMR
The severity of the problem of arsenic in ground water in Bangladesh is now well recognized. 97% of the population relics on ground water for drinking and cooking purposes and it is estimated that half of the country may have arsenic in the subsurface. The source of the arsenic is geological and due to the sedimentary processes which lead to accumulation of arsenic and release to groundwater the level found in tubewell water are spatially variable-one well may be highly contaminated whereas nearby another is not The severity of arsenic poising, or arsenicosis, also varies dependent on the length of exposure, the level of arsenic being ingested and the socio-economic (or nutritional) status of the individual concern. BRAC, a non-governmental organisation, in conjunction with DPHE and UNICEF have begun efforts to assess and mitigate the arsenic problem in two thanas of Bangladesh - Sonargaon and Jhikorgacha. Testing has so far been carried out in one union, Boiderbazar union of Sonargaon Thana. 61 % wells of this union were contaminated with arsenic above the Bangladesb standard of 0.05 mgIl. Instantiation and assessment of safe water options has begun. The options being advocated are: treatment of ground water with home based candle filters, treatment of surface water with Pond Sand Filter (PSF), Rain Water Harvesting (RWH). These options are being assessed on several criteria: initial and operating costs; ease of implementation, operation and maintenance; continuity of supply; susceptibility of bacteriological contamination and acceptability to the community. AD of these options have their limitations and none are as easy as obtaining tubewell water directly, however, at present home based filter are proving most popular due to low cost, ease of use and acceptability. Continued manufacturing quality of these home based filter must be ensured and the lifetime of the candle assessed.
Building community based arsenic mitigation response capacity in four upazilas of Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2002-06) Hossain, Md Zabed; Mahmud, Shah Noor; Jakariya, Md.
BRAC in collaboration with DPHE and 'UNICEF implemented the project entitled "Building community based arsenic mitigation response capacity" during July 2001 to June 2002 in four upazilas named Barura, Haimchar, Bahanga, and Monirampur of Comilla, Chandpur, Faridpur, and Jessore districts respectively. The objectives ofthe project are to (i) raise awareness among the community (ii) determine the extent of arsenic contamination in all tubewell water in the project areas; and (iii) develop resource maps of different villages of the project area to locate safe water sources. The activities executed in the project were creation awareness among the people through training, workshop, formation of different types of arsenic mitigation committees, training for tubewell testing and blanket tubewell testing, providing technical advice on safe water and collation and dissemination of knowledge generated and lessons learnt. At the upazila level, upazila project co-ordinator ofBRAC actively participated at upazila monthly co-ordination meeting in order to appraise different stakeholders and government officials about activities and progress on arsenic mitigation. BRAe provided quarterly report to the co-ordination committee. A working committee was formed whereby local DPHE and BRAC project personnel worked together to plan and review different project activities and its progress. A total of85937 shallow tubewells, among those 21003,26339,3585 and 35010 in Bhanga, Barura, Haimchar, and Monirampur upazilas respectively were tested. Among the four upazilas the highest contamination was found in Bhanga (91 %) and the lowest was in Monirampur (51 %). A total of 378 deep hand set tubewells were tested in the project areas. Among these deep hand set tubewells only 14 (3.7%) were found to be contaminated with arsenic of above permissible 153 limit. In the four upazilas a total of 14989 irrigation wells were tested ofthose 70% were found contaminated. Field testing of the tubewells for arsenic was validated by laboratory analysis using AAS (Atomic absorption spectrophotometry). It was found that the field testers did reasonably well in testing the tubewells. The percentage of correctly tested tubewells (green-green and red-red) was 92% and 90-91 % respectively. There was no significant seasonal variation in concentration of arsenic in tubewell water. Achievement in fonnation of arsenic mitigation committees was 100% at the Upazila level to Ward level in all the four upazilas. In case of fomlation ofY AMC achievement was from 84 to 100% in the project areas. Success in fulfilling the target of organizing meeting in the committees ranged from 63 to 95% in the villages of the project areas. The following issues were encountered during the course of the project implementation below. • Number of communication materials like routine card, flash card, leaflet, posters were not adequate in number. • Although training was arranged for the communication officers of the project but there was no manual for using these materials in written fonn. • Although the Imams of the mosques were found very vital in disseminating the messages on arsenic it was not possible to give orientation and training due to inadequate logistics. • The owners of the restaurant or the teashop were found erasing red paint of the tubewells which were found arsenic and they marked those tubewells with green paints. • In few cases the members of the committees did not work spontaneously since there was no provision of incentive as they expected against their services.
Combating a deadly menace: early experiences with a community-based arsenic mitigation project in Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2000-08) Chowdhury, AMR; Hossain, Md. Zabed; Nickson, Ross; Rahman, Mizanur; Jakariya, Md.; Sharnimuddin, Md.
Bangladesh is facing the problem of arsenic poisoning in drinking water. Around 27% of the tubewells, which supply drinking water to most of the population, have arsenic concentrations above the government of Bangladesh limit of 50 t.g per litre. This means that a quarter of the • country's population is exposed to arsenic poisoning which is alarming and unprecedented in history. BRAC, a non-governmental organisation, in conjunction with the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) of the government of Bangladesh and UNICEF, has implemented a project titled, 'Action Research into Community-Based Arsenic Mitigation' in two upazilas of Bangladesh - from June 1999 to June 2000. The aim of the project was to assess the technical viability as well as the effectiveness of different alternative safe water options and to figure out the community acceptance of such options. The activities included the determination of the extent of arsenic contamination in water of all the tubewells of the project area; involvement of community members in choosing, implementing and maintaining alternative sources for safe drinking water, determination of the viability and effectiveness of different mitigation option and assess their relative acceptance by villagers; identification of arsenic-affected patients and providing treatment; and make the community people aware of arsenic poisoning. This report presents the experiences of the initial course of project implementation.
Drinking no more arsenic: Switching water source through intensive awareness programme in rural Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2002-12) Hossain, Zabed; Gani, Md. Showkat; Jakariya, Md.; Chowdhury, AMR
The study assessed the effects of intensive awareness raising activities implemented from June 1999 to December 2001 among the arsenic exposed people to motivate towards safe water use. A total of 839 families those who used to drink arsenic contaminated water prior to intervention was selected randomly for the survey. Data revealed that 47.6% of the people switched from unsafe to safe water sources. Awareness on alternative safe water options played great role in motivating people towards safe water use. Rate of switching over was almost three times higher among the people those who were aware of alternative water options than those who were not. People with better education, high occupation and socio economic status showed the maximum rate of switching over towards safe water sources. People having the capacity to buy water options were seven times in number in changing their water source compared to those who have no capacity to buy. Integrated approach should be taken immediately to increase awareness on alternative water options, socio-economic status to increase their capacity to purchase water options.
Effectiveness of field methods for detecting Arsenic between 0 and 100 ppb in Bangladesh ground water
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999-11) Nickson, Ross T.; Hossain, Md. Zabed; Jakariya, Md.; Khandakar, Nadim; Chowdhury, AMR
Evaluation of Environmental Awareness Training of BRAC
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1998-12) Jakariya, Md.; Akter, Nasima; Rahman, Mizanur; Sharmin, Lammia; Hossain, Zabed
Experiences gained in tackling the arsenic disaster: final report on arsenic mitigation project in Sonargaon and Jhikorgachha
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2002-06) Hossain, Md Zabed; Mahmud, Shah Noor; Jakariya, Md.
This report describes the experiences gained in the "action research on community-based arsenic mitigation project" implemented by BRAC in Sonargaon and Jhikorgachha upazilas of Bangladesh. The project was implemented in two phases. The first phase of the project was implemented during the period from June 1999 to December 2001 . Experiences of the phase 1 have been described in BRAC report (Chowdhury et a!. 2000). After completion of the phase 1 of the project some further works and follow-up activities were carried out during January 2001 to December 2001. The objectives of the phase 11 of the project were to: (i) assess the present status of arsenic concentration in all green, cross and at least 10% of the red tubewells marked in Phase I; (ii) involve community members in choosing, financing, implementing, and maintaining alternative sources for safe drinking water; (iii) provide alternative safe \I'later options with active participation from the communities; (iv) identify arsenic affected patients in the project areas and provide treatment or referral whichever is appropriate; (v) make community people aware of dangers of arsenic poisoning; and (vi) develop a system involving local communities and local level officials in different phases of the project activities for the long-term sustainability of the safe water implementation plan. A total of 2(),058 tubewells, 10,062 from Sonargaon and IS,<)9() from .Jhikorgachha was selected for re-testing in the Phase 11. from the monitoring of the tube wells for more than two years it was found that there was no significant change in the concentration of arsenic in the tubewell water in both the project areas.
Initial Environmental Examination (IEEE) of BRAC dairy and food project
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1997-02) Jakariya, Md.; Akter, Nasima
Initial environmental examination of BRAC programs: agriculture, fisheries, forestry, sericulture
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-05) Zaman, Faria; Akter, Nasima; Chicoine, Genevieve; Jakariya, Md.
Interim report community based arsenic mitigation program: successes and constraints June - October 1999
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999) Jakariya, Md.; Haque, Salma R.; Hossain, Md. Zabed; Nickson, Ross T.; Chowdhury, AMR
The severity of the problem of arsenic in ground water in Bangladesh is now well recognized. 97% of the population relies on ground water for drinking and cooking purposes and it is estimated that one third of the country may arsenic in the subsurface. This amount to many millions of people potentially at risk. The source of the arsenic is geological and due to the sedimentary processes which lead to accumulation of arsenic and release to groundwater the level found in tubewell water are spatially variable-one wen may be highly contaminated whereas nearby another is not The severity of arsenic poising. or arsenicosis, also varies dependent on the length of exposure, the level of arsenic being ingested and the socio-economic status of the individual concern. BRAC, a non-governmental organisation, in conjunction with DPHE/UNICEF have begun efforts to assess and mitigate the arsenic problem in two thanas of Bangladesh - Sonargaon and Jhikorgacha. Testing has SO far been carried out in two unions- Boiderbazar union of Sonargaon Thana and Godkhali union of Jhikorgacha Thana - 61% and 35% of these wells respectively were contaminated with arsenic above the Bangladesh standard of 0.05 mL Installation and assessment of safe water options has begun. The options being advocated are: treatment of ground water with home based candle filters, treatment of surface water with Pond Sand Filter (PSF) : connection of Rain Water Harvesters (RWH) and use of shallow groundwater through Dug wells. These options are being assessed on several criteria: initial and running costs; ease of implementation and maintenance; continuity of supply; susceptibility of bacteriological contamination and acceptability to the community. All of these options haw their limitations and none are as easy as obtaining tubewell water directly, however, at present home based filter are proving most popular due to low cost, ease of use and acceptability. Continued manufacturing quality of these home based filter must be ensured and the lifetime of the candle assessed.
Manual on environmental awareness training
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-11) Akter, Nasima; Jakariya, Md.; Acott, Rachael
Occurrence, distribution and time-trend of arsenic in ground water of Jhikorgachha, Jessore, Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2003-09) Jakariya, Md.; Ahmed, Kazi Matin; Hasan, M. Abul; Nahar, Sultana; Rahman, Mahfuzar
In order to assess the arsenic concentration change over time, water from a total of 246 tubewells Jhikargachha upazila of Jessore district were tested using atomic absorption spectrophotometer in two different periods of time. The main objective of the study was to develop a sustainable and affordable arsenic testing protocol for the arsenic affected communities of the country. While measuring groundwater arsenic concentration change over time, local hydrogeology and geostatistical relationship with arsenic were also analysed. It has been observed that movement of groundwater, according to elevation contour maps of dry and wet seasons of 1996, is from the central part of the study area towards the peripheral rivers. A relationship between arsenic distribution patterns and groundwater movement, though not obvious, could be established. Geostatistical analyses have been performed to investigate relationships between arsenic in groundwater with different well and aquifer parameters. A positive co-relation was observed between well depth vs. percentage of arsenic contaminated wells i.e. a general increasing trend of contaminated wells from 30 to 60m (~=0.81). This increasing trend changes at depth greater than 60m. The arsenic concentration results reveal that the highest number of tube well water showed change in concentration level in either case (i.e. increased or decreased). The highest increase was 91 J..lg/L and lowest decrease was 128.20 J..lg/L. This trend indicates that arsenic concentration in tubewell water can change in both directions but the tendency to reduce concentratio~ levels of arsenic in the analysed water was comparatively high. However, the findings of the study did not show any strong indication about changing the concentration level of arsenic in tubewell water.
Report of the baseline survey of potential erosion and flood affected areas of Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge Project
(BRAC, 1997-04) Chowdhury, Pijush Kanti; Rafi, Mohammad; Jakariya, Md.; Islam, Shahidul
This is a reoort on the baseline survey of the households within the area demarcated by the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge Authority (JMBA). This area spreads over 12 km to the north and 10 km to the south of the bridge. This area covers both charland and mainland. In the mainland. The survey area covers half a kilometer inland from the riverbankline on both sides of the river. The survey covers households in 44 chars and 132 villages which spread over 13 unions and 5 than as under the two districts. namely Tangail and Sirajganj. JMBA issued identity cards to those households whose lands were acquired in 1992 and 1993 for the bridge. About 7% of the households covered by this survey are holders of these identity cards. The percentage of households with ID cards is 9.3% for Tang ail and 4.25% for Sirajganj. The total number of households under this survey is 24,035. These households have a population of 129,031 and the average size of these households is 5.4. Of these households 6.9% are female headed. The survey covered 44 chars of different age and size. The age (habitation period) of these chars varies from 4 to 65 years. These chars have a number of community facilities such as mosque, madrasah, primary schools etc. ln certain unions of Sirajganj and Tangail districts, there is a concentration of handloom weaving factories. The survey area has a total of 416 factories with a total of 3875 workers under them. The value of land per decimal in these chars as reported by the local people varies from Tk.30 to 1300 in the case of agricultural land and from Tk. 30 to 1200 in the case of homestead land. The average size of households under the survey is 5.4 for Tangail. 5.3 for Sirajganj and 5.1 for erosion affected areas. The percentage of household members within the age group of 15-59 is 50.3 in the survey area while this percentage is 49.24 at the national level (1991 census). The population pyramid of the survey area as a whole is almost symmetrical with that of the national level. The unmarried population of the households under the survey constitutes 55.7 and the married 39.9. The difference between these percentages for the charland and that for the mainland is small.
Searching for a sustainable arsenic mitigation strategy in Bangladesh experience from two upazilas
(International Journal oof Environment Pollution, 2007) Jakariya, Md.; Bromssen, M. von; Chowdhury, A.M.R; Ahmed, K.M.; Bhattacharya, P.