ABSTRACT
Introduction: Most studies of drowning in Bangladeshi populations to date have described mortality and trends. We sought to identify associations between socioeconomic status and child‑care practices and nonfatal drowning in rural Bangladeshi children. Materials and Methods: This community‑based case–control study was conducted in rural children aged 1–5 years in Raiganj subdistrict of Bangladesh. 122 cases and 134 age‑matched controls were recruited and their mothers were interviewed by use of a structured questionnaire. Univariate analyses and logistic regression were done to analyse the data. Results: Child nonfatal drowning was significantly associated with mothers: With low educational status (P < 0.001), of younger age (P < 0.005), of single status (P < 0.001) and with more than three children (P < 0.001). Nonfatal drowning was 12 and five times more likely in children of illiterate mothers than in children of mothers with academic knowledge equivalent to sixth to tenth grade (OR [95% CI] 0.08 [0.02–0.26]) and above tenth grade (OR [95% CI] 0.21 [0.04–0.95]) (P < 0.001), respectively. Low socioeconomic status, indicated by lower family expenditure (P < 0.001) and no house (P < 0.05; OR [95% CI] 0.58 [0.17–0.99]), were found to be risk factors for childhood nonfatal drowning. Improved child care, as measured by a child‑care index, was associated with significantly lower non‑fatal drowning (P < 0.001). Child care improved with higher educational attainment of mothers (P < 0.005) and increased socioeconomic status. Nonfatal drowning was more common when the main caregiver was not the mother (P < 0.001). Forward likelihood ratio logistic regression indicated mothers’ lower educational status as the best predictor of nonfatal drowning. Conclusion: Better child care and prevention of nonfatal drowning might be ensured through increasing mothers’ educational attainment and improvements in socioeconomic status.
ABSTRACT
Background: Despite its ill effects, betel quid chewing is a common practice in the South-East Asia Region. However, so far no large-scale study had been conducted, hence, this study was aimed at estimating the extent of betel quid chewing and its association with socio-demographic factors in Bangladeshi adults. Methods: The data of a cross-sectional sample survey, involving 15 155 and 15 719 adults from rural and urban areas of Bangladesh respectively, were analyzed. Data were collected on betel quid chewing and socio-demographic characteristics by interview method using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were done following standard protocols. Results: Overall 31% of the study samples chewed betel quid regularly. Prevalence was two times higher in rural (43.2%) compared to the urban areas (19.1%). Betel quid use was more common among Hindus (41.4%), farmers (55.3%), and people in the 40-year or more (63.9%) age group; and the habit was less common in unmarried (1.6%) and educated persons (19.6%). Ex-smokers (73.8%) and current smokers (37.3%) were more likely to use betel quid than never smokers (25.6%). The frequency of betel quid chewing was 5.15 times a day which varied significantly with age, locality, religion and occupation. Three-fourths of the betel quid users chewed tobacco with it which was not influenced by socio-economic variables. On average, 2.29 Takas (USD 0.03) was spent a day on betel quid chewing. Conclusions: Betel quid chewing was found to be a common habit in Bangladesh. Mature adults (40+years) of low socio-economic status, i.e., rural residents, farmers and the illiterate are more likely to chew betel quid.