Prevalence and determinants of malnutrition among reproductive aged women of rural Bangladesh
Milton, A.H.; Smith, W.; Rahman, B.; Ahmed, B.; Shahidullah, S.M.; Hossain, Z.; Hasan, Z.; Sharmin, S.
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 22(1): 110-117
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1941-2479 PMID: 20032040 DOI: 10.1177/1010539509350913Document Number: 209169
Malnutrition among the rural Bangladeshi women of reproductive age is still very high. This high prevalence attributes to a range of adverse health consequences on the women and their offspring. A total of 2341 women aged between 20 and 45 years residing in the study area were interviewed in this cross-sectional study. Information on socioeconomic variables, nutritional status, and pregnancy-related history was obtained using interviewer administered questionnaire. A total of 34% of the reproductive aged rural women suffer from malnutrition. A multivariate analysis shows association between malnutrition and monthly household income, history of taking oral contraceptive, current pregnancy status, and history of breastfeeding. The final regression model shows a statistically significant decreasing trend in malnutrition status with increasing income (P for trend <.001). The economic and health consequences of malnutrition in this group of women are enormous. National nutritional program should target this women group for any intervention with a special priority.