Factors associated with the nutritional status of the older population in a selected area of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Globally, older population (aged ≥60 years) comprise 11% of the total population, and 23% of them are malnourished. Lack of knowledge and education, adverse dietary habits, depression or psychological disorders, poor oral and dental health, disability, and diseases are the reported factors responsible for malnutrition among them. Geriatric people comprise 7.5% of the total population of Bangladesh, and almost a quarter are malnourished. But there is scarce data on the factors associated with the nutritional status of the older population in Bangladesh. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 125 older individuals (male 59, female 66) living in three villages of Uttarkhan, Dhaka, Bangladesh, to identify the factors associated with their nutritional status. The Mini Nutritional Assessment scale, Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index were used for assessing the nutritional status, mental health status, and oral health quality of the respondents, respectively. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, comorbidities and dietary factors, and food behaviors were gathered by a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. RESULTS: The participants' mean age was 67.9 ± 7.1 years. Most of them (53.6%) had no formal education. Among the respondents, 22.0% male and 28.8% female were malnourished. The proportion of malnourished and at risk of malnutrition among the respondents living without a partner were 28.6 and 65.3%, respectively. A significantly (p < 0.05) higher odds of having depression (OR 15.6; 95% CI 3.1-78.1), poor oral health (OR 7.3; 95% CI 1.3-41.8), and no formal education (OR 6.5; 95% CI 1.3-32.1) was observed among the malnourished respondents. Though it was not statistically significant, among the malnourished, 31.3, 25.0 and 25.0% avoided highly oily food, beef/mutton, and sugary food, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: More than two-thirds of the older population were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, where the female respondents were more vulnerable. Depression, inadequate oral health, and lack of education were negatively associated with the nutritional status of the older population.

Challenges faced by medical officers in providing healthcare services at upazila health complexes and district hospitals in Bangladesh - a qualitative study.

Background: Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs) play a crucial role in the healthcare delivery system of Bangladesh. But very few research has been conducted to find out the prevailing challenges of the medical officers working in these tiers. The objective of the study was to identify the challenges faced by medical officers in providing healthcare services at UHCs and DHs. Methods: In-depth interviews of 51 medical officers from 17 UHCs and nine DHs were done between March and April 2021. All participants were purposively sampled. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Inadequate service rooms, unavailability of proper medical equipment, poor housing conditions, lack of public amenities, shortage of health workforce, lack of laboratory services, and excessive workload were the common challenges mentioned by the medical officers in providing healthcare services in UHCs and DHs. Lack of workplace safety, security, and undue pressure from local political leaders and journalists made the work environment fearful. The absence of proper implementation of policy related to higher education, posting, transfer, and promotion was also stated as challenge for the medical officers. Interpretation: Infrastructural improvements along with increased safety and security of the doctors at their workplace and transparent implementation of reformed policies are essential to reduce the workplace challenges of medical officers in UHCs and DHs of Bangladesh. Funding: The study was funded by Hospital Services Management, Directorate General Of Health Services (DGHS), Mohakhali, Dhaka, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.