Lifestyle pattern in selected slums in Mymensingh Municipal area

Lifestyle is composed of cultural and behavioural patterns and lifelong personal habits that developed through processes of socialization. Lifestyle may be health promotive or detrimental to health. Health requires the promotion of healthy lifestyle. Many current day health problems are associated with lifestyle changes. Because of rising urban population, the number of slum dwellers is rising. The mobility of people from rural to urban areas is the main reason of the growing slum population in cities. This Descriptive, cross-sectional study was directed to assess lifestyle pattern in four purposively selected slums in Mymensingh Municipal area. Non-Probability purposive type of sampling technique was used for selecting the study unit. Sample size was one hundred and twenty-three (123) families. Data were collected by interview with one of the adult family members, preferably with the head of the family, with mixed type of interviewer administered questionnaire. There were 494 family members with an average family size of 4.02, while mean age was 24.58 years with a standard deviation (SD) of 17.79 years. Male-female ratio was 103:100. Of 409 members over 5 years, 174(42.54%) did not have schooling and were illiterate. At least 105(33.02%) members were house-wives, and 99(81.15%) members were smokers. An overwhelming majority (79, 64.23%) families had monthly income between 2000 to 4999 taka. As many as 55(44.72%) families lived in kaccha house, while 40(32.52%) had to live in "Jhupree". In cent per cent families, tube well was the source of water for drinking and other household purposes. A highest majority 121(98.37%) of the families had latrine, while the remaining 2(1.63%) did not have any latrine, and defecate in open air. Of 121 families, 78(64.46%) families had sanitary latrine, while 43(37.54%) did not have sanitary latrine. It was revealed that 86(69.92%) families had cell-phone, while 65(52.85%) families had television, 10(8.13%) families had radio, and 5(4.06%) families had DVD/VCR for recreational facilities. As many as 75(60.98%) respondents had correct knowledge, while the rest 48(39.02%) had incorrect knowledge on hand washing. Of 75, at least 66(88.00%) respondents practiced hand washing, while 9(12.00%) respondents did not practice it. As many as 110(89.43%) members sought medical help for major and minor illness of their family members, whereas the rest 13(10.57%) families did not. Of 110, 62(56.36%) families paid visit to government Hospital, while 22(20.00%) visited to private clinic, 12(10.90%) to pharmacy, 10(9.10%) to qualified doctors and 4(3.64%) to the traditional healers. As many as 58(52.71%) respondents mentioned that they preferred as the facilities cater service free of cost, while 32(29.10%) preferred for better and effective treatment, 16(14.55%) for close to their residence and 4(7.27%) for their belief. Living condition of slum dwellers is considerably low due to low income and inadequate education. Moreover, poor physical environment with unsanitary excreta disposal method is commonplace in slum areas. Existing lifestyle of slum dwellers is unacceptable, and should be improved so that they can contribute to the national development.