Research Reports (2001): Health Studies, Vol - XXX
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/13018
2024-03-29T08:49:33ZReproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases in a rural area of Bangladesh: insights for action from research
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/13030
Reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases in a rural area of Bangladesh: insights for action from research
Hashima-E-Nasreen
Objectives: The study aimed· to assess the magnitude of problem associated with
RTis/STDs in rural Matlab, Bangladesh. It estimates the prevalence and attempts to
explore the risk indicators for RTis and STDs among people of different age group within
the existing socio-cultural context.
Methods: A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods was utilized. Indepth
interview, focus group discussion, and a cross-sectional survey of randomly
selected men, women, and adolescent boys and girls were the main methods employed.
The ICDDR, B surveillance database provided the sampling frame.
Results: About 19% of people in Matlab have had STDs. Lack of awareness, risky sexual
behaviour, lack of accessibility and availability of adequate services, traditional and
unhygienic health practices, absence of programme efforts, and illiteracy and poverty
were the prevalent soia-cultural factors that potentially has put people at risk of RTis,
STDs as well as HIV/AIDS epidemic. The bridge between non-commercial and
commercial partners was laid by men whom work in urban area push up the likelihood of
infection from the high risk (urban) to low risk group of women in the village. Risky sexual
behaviour was also prevalent among adolescents. Partners' communication and treatment
seeking behaviour were found to be very poor among adults and not at all among
adolescents. There is a need for collaborative action addressing rural people's riskassessment
component.
Conclusion: To avert the situation, a holistic approach should be adopted with greater
emphasis on RTI/STD control and prevention together with human relationship,
communication , gender, family interaction and socio-economic status that would
determine the nature and extent of people's risk and vulnerabilities. Because of the
sensitivity of issue, it is important to think about how to achieve community acceptance. so
that programme can expand and sustain itself.
2001-06-01T00:00:00ZPoverty status and differential access to health services in RDHC area
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/13029
Poverty status and differential access to health services in RDHC area
Karim, Fazlul; Tripura, Abhilash; Gani, Md. Showkat
2001-12-01T00:00:00ZMortality and fertility: impact evaluation of BRAC reproductive health and disease control programme
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/13028
Mortality and fertility: impact evaluation of BRAC reproductive health and disease control programme
Karim, Fazlul; Gani, Md. Showkat; Tripura, Abhilash
This study assessed the impact of BRAC's RHDC programme on fertility and mortality
compared to the baseline status as well as the comparison area. Subsequently, a number
of variables such as total fertility rate (TFR), age-specific fertility rates (ASFR), crude
birth rate (CBR), crude death rate (CDR), infant mortality rate (IMR), child mortality rate
(CMR), under-five mortality rate (USMR) and age-specific death rates (ASDR) were
chosen for analysis. These variables are measurable and widely accepted to reveal the
impact of any reproductive health programme. Moreover, we have baseline data on these
variables for comparison.
In the baseline study (1992) fertility and mortality data were collected from
12,073 households (programme 8,072 and comparison 4,001) representing a total of 261
villages (programme 184 and comparison 77). But, in the follow-up study done in 2000,
103 villages (programme 80 and comparison 23) were revisited. Using the cluster survey
method, data were collected from 8,033 households (programme 4,003 and comparison
4,030) in the follow-up study. Each married woman was asked to provide information on
the number of children she had given birth during the 12 months recall period.
Information on all the live births were collected, such as name, sex, date and place of
birth, age, father's name and occupation, and birth order of the child. Similarly, data on
death that occurred during the last 12 months along with name, sex, month and year of
death, age at death, marital status and causes of death, were also collected.
The study found that the reduction of TFR from the baseline to the follow-up
study was sharper in the programme area than in the comparison (21% versus 13%). The
present TFR for both the areas was identical (programme 2.7 and comparison 2.6/1,000
women). It is to be noted that the benchmark TFR was higher in the programme area than
in the comparison area (3.4 versus 3.0).
2001-06-01T00:00:00ZImpact of BRAC reproductive health and disease control programme on practice of personal hygiene
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/13025
Impact of BRAC reproductive health and disease control programme on practice of personal hygiene
Karim, Fazlul; Tripura, Abhilash; Gani, Md. Showkat
The campaign on safe water, sanitation and hygiene practices has been an important
priority in BRAC's health interventions including RHDC. The RHDC hygiene education
is concerned with establishing or inducing changes in personal and group attitudes and
behaviour that promote healthy living. Given the situation, one may ask about the
achievements of RHDC in improving the sanitation and hygiene practice.
Thus, this study evaluated the impact of BRAC's RHDC programme on different
issues of personal hygiene compared to baseline status as well as the comparison area. In
the baseline study (1992) fertility and morality data were collected from 12,073
households (programme 8,072 and comparison 4,001) representing a total of 261 villages
(programme 184 and comparison 77). But, in the follow-up study done in 2000, 103
vi II ages (programme 80 and comparison 23) were revisited. Using the cluster survey
method, data were collected from 8,033 households (programme 4,003 and comparison
4,030). The programme vilbges were drawn from Bogra and Dinajpur districts whilst the
comparison villages from Jaipurhat district. It is to be noted that for measuring the level
of different health service use and hygienic practices, data were collected from IQI'';(. and
25% on the total households covered for mortality and estimate during the
baseline and the follow-up studies respective! y, because measurement of these issues
required lesser number of sample than the mortality and fertility estimates. However, the
following sections present the key findings of the study.
2001-12-01T00:00:00Z