Association between high-risk fertility behaviours and the likelihood of chronic undernutrition and anaemia among married Bangladeshi women of reproductive age. Issue 2 (9th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rahman, Mosiur; Islam, Md Jahirul; Haque, Syed Emdadul; Saw, Yu Mon; Haque, Md Nurruzzaman; Duc, Nguyen Huu Chau; Al-Sobaihi, Saber; Saw, Thu Nandar; Mostofa, Md Golam; Islam, Md Rafiqul
• Is Part Of: Public health nutrition. Volume 20:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 305
• Page End: 314
• Publication Date: 2016-09-09
• Subjects: High-risk fertility behaviours, -- Mother's age at birth, -- Birth order, -- Birth interval, -- Undernutrition, -- Anaemia; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S136898001600224X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-9800

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To explore the association between high-risk fertility behaviours and the likelihood of chronic undernutrition, anaemia and the coexistence of anaemia and undernutrition among women of reproductive age. Design: The 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, conducted from 8 July to 27 December 2011. Setting: Selected urban and rural areas of Bangladesh. Subjects: A total of 2197 ever-married women living with at least one child younger than 5 years. Exposure was determined from maternal reports of high-risk fertility behaviours. We considered three parameters, maternal age at the time of delivery, birth order and birth interval, to define the high-risk fertility behaviours. Chronic undernutrition, anaemia and the coexistence of anaemia and undernutrition among women were the outcome variables. Results: A substantial percentage of women were exposed to have a high-risk fertility pattern (41·8 %); 33·0 % were at single high-risk and 8·8 % were at multiple high-risk. After adjusting for relevant covariates, high-risk fertility behaviours were associated with increased likelihood of chronic undernutrition (adjusted relative risk; 95 % CI: 1·22; 1·03, 1·44), anaemia (1·12; 1·00, 1·25) and the coexistence of anaemia and undernutrition (1·52; 1·17, 1·98). Furthermore, multiple high-risk fertility behaviours appeared to have more profound consequences on the outcome measured. Conclusions: Maternal high-risk fertility behaviours are shockingly frequent practices among women in Bangladesh. High-risk fertility behaviours are important predictors of the increased likelihood of women's chronic undernutrition, anaemia and the coexistence of anaemia and undernutrition.