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.

Geographical and socioeconomic inequalities in the double burden of malnutrition among women in Southeast Asia: A population-based study.

Background: Countries in the South and Southeast Asia region grapple with significant challenges due to the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) in women. An understanding of the country specific DBM geographical and socioeconomic distribution in South and Southeast Asian countries will enable targeting of DBM interventions towards high-risk populations in the region. This study aimed to analyse anthropometric indicators for women's nutrition at national and subnational levels in seven South and Southeast Asian countries and assess the association between nutritional status and socioeconomic factors. Methods: We used population-representative cross-sectional data from the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 2000 and 2017, for seven South and Southeast Asian countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Timor-Leste) and estimated national and subnational prevalence of women underweight and overweight. Using a concentration index (CI), we measured relative and absolute inequality across underweight and overweight in urban and rural areas in these countries. In addition, we estimated the health achievement index, integrating mean coverage of nutritional status and the distribution of coverage by rural and urban populations. Findings: The prevalence of underweight women ranged from 7.0% (95% CI: 7.0-8.0%) in Pakistan in 2017 to 44.0% (95% CI: 42-45%) in Bangladesh in 2000 and overweight from 11.0% (95% CI: 10-12%) in Bangladesh in 2000 to 67.0% (95% CI: 66-68%) in Pakistan in 2017. In most countries, underweight disproportionately affected the poorest. The concentration indices for underweight were significant in all countries and ranged from -0.04 in Cambodia in 2014 to -0.38 in Pakistan in 2017. In contrast, overweight disproportionately affected the richest, with concentration indices for overweight significant in all countries, ranging from 0.16 in Cambodia in 2010 to 0.45 in Bangladesh in 2007. In most of the countries an absolute measure of inequality decreased overtime, whereas relative measures increased. Disachievement of underweight is more pronounced in rural populations compared to the urban ones. Interpretations: We noted large geographical and socioeconomic disparities in women DBM in South and Southeast Asian countries, at national and subnational levels. Planning, implementation, and evaluation of existing intervention programmes for food and nutrition should be based on subnational level needs and outcomes. Funding: This research is partially funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council's Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (Project ID CE200100025).

An approach to increase the power output of Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station: A step to sustainable development in Bangladesh's energy sector.

Renewable energy has become the most prominent source of energy to reduce carbon emissions around the globe. Undoubtedly, hydro energy is very much clean energy among other sources. In Bangladesh, hydro energy is available only in a specific southern area contributing several hundred megawatts to the national grid. This paper devotes to assessing the capacity and practicability of a hydropower plant to boost the power output by implementing the combined cycle hydropower system. The proposed method has been developed by 1) studying the existing plant based on surveyed data, 2) selecting the site for installing the hydrokinetic turbine, 3) designing with consideration of numerous constraints of inter dependability, and 4) creating a prototype model to ensure the practicability. Preliminary results show that a significant amount of additional electric energy can be generated from the plant with higher efficiency.

Assessment of food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices of fish farmers and restaurants food handlers in Bangladesh.

The study was conducted to assess the present status of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) concerning the food safety and hygiene issues among fish farmers and food handlers in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Data were collected from 100 respondents (50 fish farmers and 50 food handlers) through face to face interviews. All the respondents agreed that training on hygiene practices was necessary and they were interested to attend training in their spare time. Food handlers (88%) agreed that raw foods must be kept separate from prepared foods and 68% of them believed that improper preservation of foods is harmful to health. About 52% of farmers used a face mask when spreading insecticides, fertilizers, and chemicals. Food handlers were wearing protective clothing (32%) and masks (12%) when touching and distributing unwrapped foods, however no handlers used a cap. A significant strong correlation coefficient (rs) was found between knowledge with attitudes, knowledge with practices and attitudes with practices of 0.73-0.99 among the three domains for fish farmers and food handlers. The correlation among the three levels was satisfactory, however, some food safety concepts and practices regarding hygiene were still insufficient. Therefore, an effective and appropriate training program on food safety and hygiene should be launched in a holistic approach for all fish farmers and food handlers to increase awareness and ensure safe food for consumers with a view to reducing the possibility of disease outbreak.

Association between socioeconomic status and prevalence of non-communicable diseases risk factors and comorbidities in Bangladesh: findings from a nationwide cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the prevalence and distribution in the comorbidity of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the adult population in Bangladesh by measures of socioeconomic status (SES). DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. SETTING: This study used Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2011 data. PARTICIPANTS: Total 8763 individuals aged ≥35 years were included. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN) and overweight/obesity. The study further assesses factors (in particular SES) associated with these comorbidities (DM, HTN and overweight/obesity). RESULTS: Of 8763 adults, 12% had DM, 27% HTN and 22% were overweight/obese (body mass index ≥23 kg/m2). Just over 1% of the sample had all three conditions, 3% had both DM and HTN, 3% DM and overweight/obesity and 7% HTN and overweight/obesity. DM, HTN and overweight/obesity were more prevalent those who had higher education, were non-manual workers, were in the richer to richest SES and lived in urban settings. Individuals in higher SES groups were also more likely to suffer from comorbidities. In the multivariable analysis, it was found that individual belonging to the richest wealth quintile had the highest odds of having HTN (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.49, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.72), DM (AOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.14) and overweight/obesity (AOR 4.3, 95% CI 3.32 to 5.57). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to more affluent countries, individuals with NCDs risk factors and comorbidities are more common in higher SES individuals. Public health approaches must consider this social patterning in tackling NCDs in the country.

Profile: the Chakaria Health and Demographic Surveillance System.

Chakaria Health and Demographic Surveillance System (CHDSS), located on the south-eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal, was established in 1999 and is one of the field sites of International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDRB). The surveillance covers 118 315 residents living in 19 847 households. Data on socio-demographic and health indicators including birth, death, migration, marriage, maternal health, education and employment are recorded through quarterly household visits. The primary objective of CHDSS is to monitor the changes in socio-demographic indicators, inequalities in health and impact of public health interventions. A demographic change was accompanied by a shift from traditional to modern society during the past decade, but inequality in health still persists. The findings from the surveillance are shared regularly among the local and global communities. Data are also available upon request to ICDDRB and INDEPTH for use by researchers and policy makers.

Understanding the value of local ecological knowledge and practices for habitat restoration in human-altered floodplain systems: a case from Bangladesh.

Worldwide there is a declining trend in natural fish catch (FAO, The state of world fisheries and aquaculture. http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/007/y5600e/y5600e00.htm , 2002) and Bangladesh is no exception. The vast inland fisheries of Bangladesh have been declining over the years, largely a result of human alteration of the aquatic habitats arising from human interventions in the floodplain systems such as the establishment of water control structures which favor agricultural production but reduce fish habitats. It can be assumed that conventional management measures are not adequate to conserve natural fisheries and exploring alternative knowledge systems to complement existing management is warranted. This paper focuses on local ecological knowledge and several other local practices held by fishers engaging directly with floodplain ecosystems. These knowledge systems and practices may be valuable tools for understanding ecosystems processes and related changes and developing local level responses to avert negative consequences of such changes. This may help in devising alternatives to ecosystem management and the conservation of floodplain fish habitats of Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world. This study was conducted in a natural depression (locally called beel) and its surrounding floodplain system located in north central Bangladesh which has become highly degraded. The results of the study indicate that the fishers and local users of the floodplain ecosystems are rich in local ecological knowledge concerning the hydrology of the floodplains and small lakes, the habitat preferences of fish, the role of agricultural crops on fish habitats, and the impact of habitat human interventions in aquatic ecosystems. Given the apparent inadequacy of the present management regime, this article argues for an inclusion of local knowledge and practices into habitat management as a more holistic approach to floodplain habitat restoration and conservation that encourages multi-level cooperation and which builds on diversified knowledge systems.