Research Reports (1997): Health Studies, Vol - XXI

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Rural Bangladesh

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    Morbidity pattern of infants in rural Bangladesh
    (BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1997-12) Gazi, Rukhsana; Karim, Fazlul; Chowdhury, AMR
    This report is part of a prospective study Investigating the consequences of low birth weight on Infant growth, morbidity and feeding practices in rural Bangladesh. The study registered 644 infants who were followed-up for one year of their age. The study was conducted in three unions of Manikganj district of rural Bangladesh during 1993-1994 to observe the morbidity pattern of infants, assess the treatment pattern for illnesses, and to study the consequence of Low birth weight (LBW) on morbidity during infancy. The overall prevalence of illness was 4.6% among infants aged under 1 year. ARI was most prevalent morbidity among infants under 1 year. An infant suffers from 3-4 episodes of ARI or 2 episodes of diarrhoea or 1 episodes of skin infection during the first year of life. Among infants of 5-12 month old, diarrhoeal disorders (watery, mucoid or bloody type) occurred more frequently comparison to infants of 1-4 months old. Low socioeconomic condition, illiteracy of parents. poor and unhygienic living condition, might be linked with infant morbidity. We found high morbidity prevalence among LBW infants compared to normal or high birth weight infants, but this difference was not statistically significant. Among infants who received any treatment, 71% got allopathic treatment, the main treatment provider being the village doctors. A large proportion of infants did not receive any treatment due to the perception that ··tor mild Illness treatment is not necessary. Community should get health education on prevention, care and danger signs of major illnesses such as ARI and diarrhoea. Provision of sanitary latrines, safe water, and promotion of health education on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation might reduce the risk of morbidity among infants.
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    Infant feeding practices in rural Bangladesh
    (BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1997-08) Gazi, Rukhsana; Karim, Fazlul; Ali, Ahmed
    This study was part of a longitudinal study on the consequences of low birth weight (LBW) babies which was carried out in three unions of Manikganj district during 1993- 1994. This study aimed to assess the breastfeeding practices among infants and to compare the weaning practices among LBW and normal birth weight infants. A total of 644 infants were registered within 48 hours of birth and they received monthly follow-up visit upto one year of age. Although breastfeeding was universal in the study population, detrimental feeding practices, such as the administration of pre-lacteal foods (75%) and rejection of colostrum (1 1 %) were prevalent among the mothers. There was a delay in initiation of first breastfeeding. Although 77% of the mothers exclusively breastfed their babies at the first month, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding decreased to 50% by the third month. The main reason for giving additional foods was that the mothers felt breastmilk was insufficient. A significantly higher proportion of LBW infants received additional feeding than the normal infants. It might be due to the mothers perception that the additional foe
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    Low birth weight(LBW) was the major predictor of infant deaths: evidence from a prospective study in rural Bangladesh
    (BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1997-07) Gazi, Rukhsana; Karim, Fazlul; Ali, Ahmed
    The study was the part of a longitudinal study on the consequences of low birth weight babies (LBW) in three unions of Manikganj district in Bangladesh. The study aimed to estimate the infant mortality rate In title study population ·and to identify the causes and factors related to infant deaths. Data was collected during 1993-1994. In this study pregnant mothers were registered at the third trimester of pregnancy. After delivery birth weights of a total 644 infants were recorded. The infants received monthly follow-up visits ti ll 1 year of age. All deaths during followup period were recorded. Low birth weight was identified as being the commonest factor contributing to infant deaths. Diarrhoeal disorder and ARI were major killer diseases. Poor weight gain by the mothers during pregnancy, multiparity, low education of parents, poor living condition were found to be linked with infant deaths. Detrimental feeding practices were prevalent among the mothers. It is important to provide information to all members of the community about consequences, prevention and care of LBW.