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Child undernutrition and its association with household environmental conditions in Bangladesh

Md Mostaured Ali Khan1, Md Arif Billah2, Kaniz Fatima1

  • 1Maternal and Child Health Division, icddr,b, 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka1212, Bangladesh.

Public Health Nutrition
|November 22, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Poor household environmental conditions (HECs) significantly increase the risk of undernutrition in children under five in Bangladesh. Addressing housing quality and sanitation is crucial for improving child health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Environmental Health
  • Child Nutrition

Background:

  • Child undernutrition remains a critical global health challenge, particularly in Bangladesh.
  • Household environmental conditions (HECs) are suspected contributors to this issue, with potential rural-urban disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between HECs and undernutrition (stunting, wasting, underweight) in Bangladeshi children under five.
  • To examine how these associations vary between urban and rural settings.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the 2017/18 Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey, involving 8,057 children under five.
  • Utilized hierarchical multilevel mixed-effect generalized linear models (GLM) with Poisson regression to assess HEC indicators against undernutrition outcomes, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight was 31%, 8%, and 22%, respectively, with urban-rural differences.
  • Poor housing materials, household air pollution, unimproved drinking water, and inadequate handwashing facilities were significantly associated with increased stunting and underweight.
  • A dose-response relationship was observed between cumulative poor HEC scores and higher risks of stunting and underweight, with effect modifications in urban-rural areas.

Conclusions:

  • Poor HECs are strongly linked to high rates of stunting and underweight in Bangladeshi children.
  • Integrated strategies focusing on improving housing quality and sanitation are essential for sustainable improvements in child nutrition.
  • Policy interventions should prioritize enhancing household environments to combat child undernutrition.
Abstract

Keywords:
BangladeshChild malnutritionChild undernutritionHousehold environmentHousing conditionUnder-5 children

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