Malnutrition among Bangladeshi women in ultra-poor households: prevalence and determinants

Abstract

Malnutrition is widespread and has been recognized as a public health problem in Bangladesh. People living in absolute poverty are more susceptible to infection, disease and malnutrition. Nearly one-quarter to one-third population of Bangladesh live under extreme poverty – they are called the ultra poor. These ultra poor are often excluded from government and even from the non-governmental poverty reduction programs like microcredit/microfinance. To reach these ultra poor, BRAC has undertaken a comprehensive program in 2001 as ‘Challenging the Frontiers of Poverty Reduction/Targeting the Ultra Poor’ (CFPR/TUP) with the aim of poverty reduction and establish a sustainable livelihood. As poverty and malnutrition are interrelated, information on important dimension of nutrition was required to see the impact of program and modify health intervention.