Dynamics of internal migration in Bangladesh: Trends, patterns, determinants, and causes.

INTRODUCTION: Internal migration is essential to understand the population dynamics and the multifaceted relationship between population and development of a nation. In Bangladesh, the study of international migration is more frequent due to its socioeconomic importance and data availability. However, the study of internal migration is less frequent as there lie complexities in measuring internal migration, and data are less available. Thus, this paper aimed to explore the dynamics of internal in Bangladesh. DATA AND METHODS: We utilized data from the Bangladesh Population and Housing Census 1991-2011. The number of internal migrants was estimated using the United Nations Manual on Methods of Measuring Internal Migration- Manual VI. District-wise lifetime and net internal migration rate were the dependent variables where several socioeconomic variables were used as independent variables. The correlation and the stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were employed. RESULTS: Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, and all the Divisional cities have the highest in-migration rate, whereas the northern and southern districts of Bangladesh have the highest out-migration rate. The regression model showed that activity rate appeared to be the strongest predictor (ß = 0.419, P<0.001) of net migration for 2011, followed by city corporation (ß = 0.275, P<0.01) and poverty rate (ß = -0.246, P<0.01). However, the lifetime internal migration rate was 9.8% in 2011. The pooled model (1991-2011) for lifetime internal migration showed that activity rate (ß = 0.408, P<0.001), population density (ß = 0.386, P<0.001), literacy rate (ß = 0.341, P<0.001), and city corporation (ß = 0.139, P<0.01) were the significant factors of internal migration. Marriage, looking for a job, employment/business, education, and natural calamities were the reasons for internal migration. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The destinations of migrants are few developed and urbanized cities which needs particular attention in policy planning. If the current migration trends continue, few cities will have an excessive population, which will increase density and pollution, thereby decreasing living standards. Thus, along with comprehensive urban planning, decentralization of government and private institutions must be ensured. Since the rural to urban migration rate is high, the findings recommend more development and concentration in the rural area. Finally, education, training, and work opportunities for migrants should be safeguarded in the area of origin.

Hesitancy in COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its associated factors among the general adult population: a cross-sectional study in six Southeast Asian countries.

BACKGROUND: Vaccines are effective and reliable public health interventions against viral outbreaks and pandemics. However, hesitancy regarding the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine is evident worldwide. Therefore, understanding vaccination-related behavior is critical in expanding the vaccine coverage to flatten the infection curve. This study explores the public perception regarding COVID-19 vaccination and identifies factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among the general adult populations in six Southeast Asian countries. METHODS: Using a snowball sampling approach, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among 5260 participants in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam between February and May 2021. Binary logistic regression analysis with a backward conditional approach was applied to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. RESULTS: Of the total, 50.6% were female, and the median age was 30 years (range: 15-83 years). The majority of the participants believed that vaccination effectively prevents and controls COVID-19 (81.2%), and 84.0% would accept COVID-19 vaccines when they become available. They agreed that health providers' advice (83.0%), vaccination convenience (75.6%), and vaccine costs (62.8%) are essential for people to decide whether to accept COVID-19 vaccines. About half (49.3%) expressed their hesitancy to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. After adjustment for other covariates, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was significantly associated with age, residential area, education levels, employment status, and family economic status. Participants from Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam were significantly more likely to express hesitancy in receiving COVID-19 vaccines than those from Philippines. CONCLUSIONS: In general, participants in this multi-country study showed their optimistic perception of COVID-19 vaccines' effectiveness and willingness to receive them. However, about half of them still expressed their hesitancy in getting vaccinated. The hesitation was associated with several socioeconomic factors and varied by country. Therefore, COVID-19 vaccination programs should consider these factors essential for increasing vaccine uptake in the populations.

Women outweighed men at life expectancy in Bangladesh: does it mean a better quality of life?

INTRODUCTION: Men had a higher life expectancy than women until 2000 in Bangladesh. After 2000, statistics showed that women had a higher life expectancy than men. We aimed to address whether higher life expectancy is a gain or burden (Failures of Success) for older women. METHODS: We utilised data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey-2011, Health and Morbidity Status Survey-2014, Population and Housing Census-2011, Household Income and Expenditure Survey-2010, and primary data. We calculated and estimated gender-specific different aspects of quality of life. FINDINGS: Findings showed that the mean age at marriage was 5.8 years lower for women, while life expectancy was three years higher than men; thus, women were expected to live for 8.8 years alone. Both disabilities and morbidities were higher among women than men; hence they had lower healthy life expectancy. About 53% of women could work daily activities while 8% higher for men. Only 2.4% of women earned while almost 58% for men. Depression and loneliness were also higher among women than men. The value of the active ageing index and quality of life were also lower for women than men. CONCLUSION: This study overall found that there were the Failures of Success especially for older women in Bangladesh, as increasing life expectancies led them to extra years of chronic illness, economic insolvency, more anxiety and depression, and increasing misery. Therefore, sex and gender and their inherent differences should inform decision making to promote gender equity in health. The government and policymakers may intervene for quality of life, especially for women, through reducing gender stereotypes and increasing community engagement. Without considering the quality of life, healthy ageing cannot be ensured.