Knowledge on AIDS among female adolescents in Bangladesh: evidence from the Bangladesh demographic and health survey data

To assess the knowledge on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among female adolescents in Bangladesh, this study used data extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 1996-1997. Of 1,446 ever-married women included in the study, most were currently married (96%), Muslims (92%) and from rural areas (91%). Only one in six adolescents had ever heard of AIDS. Of them, 57% reported AIDS as a fatal disease almost always, while only 22% believed that AIDS could be avoided. Multivariate analysis revealed that knowledge on AIDS was strongly and positively associated with education of female adolescents and their husbands and varied significantly across different parts of the country. Knowledge on AIDS was higher among relatively older and urban residents who had access to television or radio and whose husbands were using condom. Strong efforts are needed to improve awareness and to clarify misconceptions about AIDS. Improved access to education, mass-media, and promotion of condom use could prevent AIDS among female adolescents in Bangladesh.     

Safe-delivery practices in rural Bangladesh and its associated factors: evidence from Bangladesh demographic and health survey-2004

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the safe-delivery practices and its associated factors among rural Bangladeshi women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2004 were used. SETTING: Rural Bangladesh. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3874 ever-married rural women age 10-49 years. Measurements: Age, education, working, religion, clinic visit, association with media, place and types of attendants at delivery. RESULTS: About 94% deliveries took place at homes and 67% were assisted by the untrained traditional birth attendants called Dai. The qualified doctors and nurses (professionals) assisted only 9% of the deliveries while about 13% are by the trained traditional birth attendants. Age group has a significant effect on safe-delivery practices. Education of the respondents as well as their partner's has direct effect on delivery practices. The uneducated women were less likely to have their delivery assisted by the medically trained persons (MTPs) while women with 10 or more years of schooling had 29 times higher probability than the uneducated women. Currently working and religion had also statistically significant. Mass media influences directly delivery practices in rural areas. The women who listen to radio and watch television had more than 2 times higher probability of having delivery assisted by MTPs than that of non-user counterparts. There is more than 4 times higher chance of delivery assisted by the MTPs than that of women with no reading of news papers or magazines. CONCLUSIONS: Delivery practices in rural Bangladesh are unsafe, took place at homes, conducted by untrained traditional birth attendants and associated positively with demographic, socio-economic, cultural and programmatic factors.     

Geovisualization to support the exploration of large health and demographic survey data

Background  

Survey data are increasingly abundant from many international projects and national statistics. They are generally comprehensive and cover local, regional as well as national levels census in many domains including health, demography, human development, and economy. These surveys result in several hundred indicators. Geographical analysis of such large amount of data is often a difficult task and searching for patterns is particularly a difficult challenge. Geovisualization research is increasingly dealing with the exploration of patterns and relationships in such large datasets for understanding underlying geographical processes. One of the attempts has been to use Artificial Neural Networks as a technology especially useful in situations where the numbers are vast and the relationships are often unclear or even hidden.     

Factors associated with maternal tetanus vaccination in Myanmar: An analysis of demographic and health survey data

BackgroundTetanus toxoid vaccination is a life-saving maternal and child health intervention. Understanding gaps in maternal vaccination coverage is key to informing progress towards universal health coverage. We assessed the vaccination coverage in Myanmar and investigated factors associated with being unvaccinated.MethodIn this cross-sectional analysis of 2015–16 Demographic and Health Survey data including women aged 15–49 years with at least one childbirth in the last five years. The outcome maternal tetanus vaccination during her last pregnancy, defined as protected against neonatal tetanus based on the Myanmar National Guidelines for Antenatal Care. We also examined mothers who missed a second dose of tetanus toxoid containing vaccine (TTCV) by states and regions. We used logistic regression models to assess factors associated with being unvaccinated.ResultsOverall maternal tetanus vaccination coverage was 72%. At subnational level, the percent unvaccinated was highest in Shan State (42%), followed by Magway Region (33%), Kayin State (33%), and Sagaing Region (32%). The percentage of mothers who missed a second dose of TTCV was high predominantly in regions, rather than states. We found that the percentage of unvaccinated mothers was higher among younger mothers, and mothers with lower educational attainment. No antenatal care (ANC) or receiving ANC in non-public healthcare facilities were strongly associated with being unvaccinated. Differences in percent unvaccinated by maternal age were largely mediated through their healthcare access, particularly ANC services.InterpretationWe identified regional, structural, and individual differences in maternal tetanus vaccination coverage. Factors influencing mothers who missed a second dose of TTCV warrant further investigation. Achieving universal coverage of maternal tetanus vaccination will largely depend on the ability to provide accessible antenatal care to most women who do not currently receive it.     

Mozambique 1997: results from the demographic and health survey

This article presents the results from the 1997 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) that was conducted by the Instituto Nacional de Estatistica, Maputo, Mozambique, within the framework of the DHS Program of Macro International. The data for the nationally representative survey were collected from 9282 households and complete interviews were conducted with 8779 ever-married women aged 15-49 years and 2335 men aged 15-64 years. The interviews took place between March and July 1997. Among the summary statistics presented in this report are fertility trends, fertility differentials, fertility preferences, contraceptive prevalence differentials, and marital and contraceptive status. Summary statistics involving postpartum variables, infant mortality trends, and nutritional status are also provided.     

Justification of physical intimate partner violence among men in sub-Saharan Africa: a multinational analysis of demographic and health survey data

Journal of Public Health - This study sought to assess factors associated with the justification of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among men in sub-Saharan Africa using data from 27 countries. The...     

Jordan Republic 1997: results from the demographic and health survey

This article presents results from the 1997 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS) that was conducted by the Department of Statistics, Amman, Jordan, within the framework of the Demographic and Health Survey Program of Macro International. The data for the nationally representative JPFHS were collected from 7335 households, and complete interviews were conducted with 5548 ever-married women aged 15-49 years. Among the summary statistics presented in this report are fertility trends, fertility differentials, fertility preferences, contraceptive prevalence differentials, knowledge and current use of contraceptive methods among currently married women, and marital and contraceptive status. Summary statistics on postpartum variables, infant mortality trends, and nutritional status are also included.     

The social and environmental factors underlying maternal malnutrition in rural Bangladesh: implications for reproductive health and nutrition programs

Levels of low birth weight (LBW) and maternal malnutrition in rural Bangladesh are among the highest in the world. We surveyed dietary practices among pregnant mothers in a rural area served by a reproductive health and nutrition program. In total, 30 semi-structured interviews and five focus group discussions were carried out, supplemented by participant observations. Despite high levels of awareness of nutritional dietary requirements, half the women reported unchanged or reduced food intake during pregnancy. Dietary taboos and food aversions were widely practiced. Women consistently received the last and smallest food shares during mealtimes. The findings highlight the need to address traditional dietary taboos and preferenaces, and actively target key household decisionmakers, namely, husbands and mothers-in-law, in nutrition behavior change communication.