JOURNAL OF MEDICINE CARE AND HEALTH REVIEW

ISSN: ISSN-(3065-1719)

TYPE OF ACCESS : Open Access

VOLUME, ISSUE : 2,1

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Research Article

Socio-Economic Situation, Sanitation and Vaccination of Ethnic Children

  • Dr. Monoarul Haque

Corresponding author: Dr. Monoarul Haque

Volume: 1

Issue: 3

Article Information

Article Type : Research Article

Citation : Monoarul Haque, Tasmiah Tamanna, Hossain Md Al-Amin, Uprue Shing Marma, Rokaiya Binth Alamgir, Jannat Sultana. Socio-Economic Situation, Sanitation and Vaccination of Ethnic Children. Journal of Medicine Care and Health Review 1(3).

Copyright: © 2024 Monoarul Haque. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61615/JMCHR/2024/OCT027141025

Publication History

Received Date

15 Oct ,2024

Accepted Date

22 Oct ,2024

Published Date

25 Oct ,2024

Abstract

Undoubtedly economically and socially Bangladesh has been developing in its own fashion over the years. Income-generating capacity has increased along with the literacy rate. Infant and maternal mortality have declined remarkably. However, challenges still remain to keep children healthy, particularly in hilly and riverine forest-dense areas. To explore socioeconomic status, sanitation and immunization coverage of ethnic children residing in Bandarban hill district was the objective of the research. A cross-sectional research design was implemented. This was a years duration study. Bandarban is a hilly and forest-dense area. Samples were collected through door-to-door surveys. The average age of the participants was 4.21±0.80 years. Most of the parents completed primary education. Day labor and housewives were prominent in number. The average monthly family income of the study subjects was 13916.02±10689.76 BDT. Distribution of sanitary (water sealed) latrines, partial sanitary (not water sealed) latrines, non-sanitary (kancha) and open latrines was 66.30%, 14.60%, 8.30%, and 10.90% respectively. Immunization coverage was 81.30%.

Kew words: Socio-economic Situation, Sanitation, Vaccination, Ethnic Communities.

►Socio-Economic Situation, Sanitation and Vaccination of Ethnic Children

Monoarul Haque1*, Tasmiah Tamanna2, Hossain Md Al-Amin3, Uprue Shing Marma4, Rokaiya Binth Alamgir5, Jannat Sultana6

1Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, German University Bangladesh.

2Lecturer, Department of Statistics, German University Bangladesh.

3Surveillance Medical Officer, National Heart Foundation, Bangladesh.

4Bachelor of Public Health, German University Bangladesh.

5Master of Public Health, Fareast International University.

6Medical Officer, Department of Paediatrics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.

Introduction

Ethnic people reside in different areas of Bangladesh; they are distinct because of their diverse lifestyle, salient features of dietary habits and cooking practices, traditional way of living material, preference for hilly, riverine, and forest-dense areas, cultural variation, professional diversity and Indigenous origin (Haque and Zannath, 2016). Gradually Bengali people are settling there. Numerous non-governmental organizations are working there to create awareness and provide healthcare services along with Government initiatives to uplift these inhabitants but much of the information is unknown due to sufficient and valid data. As socioeconomic status, sanitary conditions, and immunization are considered important determinants of the health profile of any community, so baseline survey-like study is desirable to fill the knowledge gap and break the wisdom of knowledge. Our day-to-day observation finds that tribal families are self-dependent in terms of clothing, food, dwelling material, etc. These unique criteria attempted us to conduct the study.

Methods

The present study was carried out at a single point in a specified time at Bandarban Sadar Upazila to collect samples. Face-to-face interview was conducted by using a pre-tested structure questionnaire. The detailed procedure of the study and the significance of the study was explained followed by rapport building with the respondents. A local language interpreter helped us to interpret. Every night we checked the data for consistency and completeness. Data were categorized and coded during entry into the SPSS software.

Results

Table 1. Age distribution of the study subjects

Age in year

Frequency

Percentage

Mean±SD

4.16±0.82

3

213

27.5

4

228

29.5

5

333

43.0

Total

774(100.0)

The average age of the study subjects was 4.21±0.80 years. Among ethnic groups highest portion (44.4%) belonged to the 5-year age group followed by 31.8% from 4 years and the lowest portion (23.8%) from 4 years.

Figure 1. Gender of the study subjects Boy and girl distribution was 54.40% and 44.60%

Figure 2. Family size of the study subjects More than half of the study subjects (55.90%) had 3-4 household members (small family) followed by medium family 32.40% and large family 11.60%.

Figure 3. Number of children Nearly two-thirds of the respondents (71.40%) belonged to 1-2 children followed by 21.80% had 3-4 children and 6.70% had >4 children.

Table 2. Education of parents Most of the fathers and mothers (31.9% and 33.2%) children completed primary education followed by under SSC (19.3% and 19.8%), can sign only (17.8% and 17.7%), illiterate (9.8% and 9.8%), SSC (8.9% and 8.1%) and HSC (5.0% and 5.6%).

Education

Father

Mother

Illiterate

76(9.8)

76(9.8)

Can read only

5(0.6)

11(1.4)

Can sign only

138(17.8)

137(17.7)

Can read and write

11(1.4)

13(1.7)

Primary

247(31.9)

257(33.2)

Under SSC

149(19.3)

153(19.8)

SSC

69(8.9)

63(8.1)

HSC

39(5.0)

43(5.6)

Bachelor

20(2.6)

12(1.6)

Masters

20(2.6)

9(1.2)

Total

774(100.0)

774(100.0)

Table 3. Occupation of parents More than half (56.3%) of father was day laborers followed by service holders 17.2%, businessmen 16% and farmers 10.5%. About 91.3% of mothers were housewives 4.4% did service and 2.8% engaged themselves in agricultural activity.

Occupation

Father

Mother

Day labor

436(56.3)

3(0.4)

Agriculture

81(10.5)

22(2.8)

Business

124(16.0)

8(1.0)

Service

133(17.2)

34(4.4)

Housewife

0(0.0)

707(91.3)

Total

774(100.0)

774(100.0)

Table 4. Monthly family income The average monthly family income of the study subjects was 13916.02±10689.76 BDT whereas median income was 13000 BDT. The minimum and maximum income was 2000 BDT and 70000 BDT. Lower middle-income, low income, and upper middle-income families were 52.3%, 30.4%, and 17.2%.

Family Income

Study Subjects

Mean±SD

13916.02±10689.76

Median

13000.00

Minimum

2000.00

Maximum

70000.00

Low-income (≤$75.41 or BDT ≤5360)

235(30.4)

Lower middle-income ($75.5 - $299.58 or BDT 5361-21270)

405(52.3)

Upper middle-income ($299.68 - $926.25 or BDT 21271-65761)

133(17.2)

High-income (≥$926.33 or BDT ≥ 65762).

1(0.1)

Total

774(100.0)

Table 5. Commodities in home TV was found among 56.2% of respondents followed by freeze 19.4%, motor-cycle 7.6%, and sewing machine 8.1%. Most of the respondents had electricity support in their homes. Mobile phones and fans were available there.

Commodities

Yes

No

TV

435(56.2)

339(43.8)

Freeze

150(19.4)

624(80.6)

Fan

567(73.3)

207(26.7)

Mobile

698(90.2)

76(9.8)

Telephone

2(0.3)

772(99.7)

Laptop/computer

33(4.3)

741(95.7)

Electricity support

614(79.3)

160(20.7)

Handloom machine

17(2.2)

757(97.8)

Sewing machine

63(8.1)

711(91.9)

Bi-cycle

47(6.1)

727(93.9)

Motor-cycle

59(7.6)

715(92.4)

Boat

1(0.1)

773(99.9)

Table 6. Hygiene Status Almost all of the mother and children washed their hand and utensils before feeding/eating by means of water only (third-fourth) and soap plus water (one-fourth).

Hygiene

Number

Percentage

Before feeding your child, do you wash your hands?

Yes

773

99.9

No

1

0.1

If yes, how do you wash your hands?

Water only

569

73.5

Soap

205

26.5

Before feeding your child, do you wash your utensils?

Yes

772

99.7

No

2

0.3

If yes, how do you wash your utensils?

Water only

506

65.5

Soap

266

34.4

Ash

2

0.1

Does your child wash hands before taking food?

Yes

761

98.3

No

13

1.7

If yes, how?

Water only

538

70.5

Soap

233

29.1

Ash

3

0.4

Figure 4. Sanitary condition Distribution of sanitary (water sealed) latrines, partial sanitary (not water sealed) latrines, non-sanitary (kancha), and open latrines were 66.30%, 14.60%, 8.30%, and 10.90% respectively.

Figure 5. Immunization coverage Immunization coverage was 81.30%.

 

Discussion

It is established that South-East Asia is prone to developing unhealthy situations. Rao et al (2016) rightly stated that socioeconomic characteristics were statistically associated with a child's nutritional status. It is evidence-based that poor drinking water facilities, inadequate sanitary facilities, and poor hygiene particularly during food preparation are the main causes of many infections among young children (Matthew, et al, 2019). Documents confirm that birth spacing, skilled birth attendants, economic development, and greater per capita health expenditures are beneficial for the children of disadvantaged mothers, but the wealthy benefit is greater in the case of skilled birth attendants and from higher per capita expenditure on health (Tim et al. 2016). Zanver (2007) carried out a study and found that Grade I and Grade III malnutrition were more in early age (3-4 years) while Grade II malnutrition was prevalent more during later age (4-5 years). More percent of (47%) male subjects suffered from different grades of malnutrition than female subjects (43%). The influence of socioeconomic factors occupation, paternal literacy level, and monthly family income showed that children from farmer’s families having educated parents and from families with comparatively more family income suffered less from various grades of malnutrition. Bhattacharyya & Sarkar (2010) found that maximum and minimum under-nourished children were found among those fathers were agricultural laborers and service holders. In our culture, illiterate or less educated people are commonly engaged in day labor or agricultural activities. I had to face challenges during data collection like heavy rainfall, hill destruction, no transport/communication system except walking, and diverse and distant locations or distribution of ethnic houses.

Conclusion

Sanitation was not up to the mark. Immunization coverage was better among ethnic groups.

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