Bangladesh’s nutritional and health status of maternal and children is a serious concern. A summary of the unique circumstances surrounding mother and child health in Bangladesh and associated problems. This is a short review that includes an overall analysis and description of the literature on the health of mothers and children in Bangladesh’s general population. The data showed that, at least in recent years, Bangladesh’s rates of baby, child, and maternal mortality have gradually decreased.

In comparison to the previous 20 years, it is discovered that newborn mortality has decreased 2 times. Also, child mortality has decreased 6 times, and the mortality rate for those under five has decreased 3 times. However, it is highlighted that the circumstances behind maternal assassination have not decreased.

Understanding the health of mothers and children is crucial for schooling. Although different, the health knowledge index greatly improves the health of mothers and children. It is evident that one of the main causes of Bangladesh’s high rates of maternal and infant mortality as well as morbidities is poverty.

One of the key concerns is still the need for socioeconomic assistance for Bangladeshi rural residents. Despite a variety of challenges, Bangladesh has recently been successful in reducing the overall number of deaths linked to malnutrition and childhood, but the state of maternal health is not improving at the same rate. Politicians, as well as nongovernmental and government-funded groups, ought to step up and launch some successful initiatives to fully resolve the issue in Bangladesh.

Overview of Maternal and Child Health in Bangladesh

Child health status in Bangladesh

Income poverty and household food insecurity are two of the fundamental predictors of child health. The infectious environment that children are exposed to and, consequently, their risk of contracting diseases, are determined by water, sanitation, and health services. Disease and infection are harmful to children’s health and should be regarded as a contributing cause of child mortality [Table 1]. It is also well recognized that a lack of certain essential micronutrients, which are necessary for a child’s physical and mental development, is frequently linked to undernutrition in children. Iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A are the main micronutrients.

In Bangladesh, the corresponding feeding regimen is frequently insufficient or improper, started either too early or too late, and as a result, children’s intake of micronutrients is low. In addition to numerous research that links household dietary diversity indicators to increased nutrient consumption nationwide, dietary diversity provides a means of conceptualizing optimal nutrient intake. Dietary diversity restrictions might worsen micronutrient deficits, which are a key contributor to health issues in Bangladeshi children.

Two-thirds of all pediatric deaths in Bangladesh are related to acute respiratory illnesses and diarrhea. Although initiating breastfeeding is very widespread in Bangladesh, 70% of mothers do not breastfeed their children exclusively for the first six months of life as advised due to a variety of cultural, economic, and environmental factors.

Maternal health status in Bangladesh

Because adolescent girls are more likely to become ill moms, the determinants of child health can have an impact on the health and nutritional status of birth outcomes as well as the intrauterine development period. These effects can even extend between generations. Particularly during the early stages of infancy, maternal health plays a significant role in determining the nutritional status of offspring.

Maternal variables significantly influenced the occurrence of moderate and severe acute undernutrition in Bangladesh. It should be mentioned that low birth weight and acute health problems in children were linked to low maternal nutrition levels and an increased risk of wasting. Maternal health is a factor as well. In Bangladesh, teenage girls and pregnant women are highly likely to be malnourished; among these, one-third have low body mass index (BMI) and anemia.

Studies have shown that a mother’s health status can have an impact on the size of her fetus at birth and its overall growth. In Bangladesh’s cities, the majority of expectant mothers were found to have anemia and Vitamin A deficiency, and children delivered to mothers under the age of 18 or over 34 were more likely to suffer from undernutrition. It has been demonstrated that children of healthy mothers are less likely to be underweight than children of unwell mothers. According to a study, children in this nation who have adolescent moms are more likely to experience health issues.

Improvement, research, and development of maternal and child health

Research, development, and enhancement of MCH are being carried out by numerous institutions in Bangladesh. The National Institute of Population Research and Training, the Bangladesh Institute for Promotion of Essential and Reproductive Health Technologies, the Association for Prevention of Septic Abortion, and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research are just a few of the government and non-governmental organizations that are involved in maternal and child health research and development outside of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh.

It should be mentioned that the majority of them rely on donations for funding to carry out their operations. The World Health Organization, United Nations Population Fund (formerly the United Nations Fund for Population Activities), UNICEF, UNDP, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Department for International Development (DFID) are just a few of the international and bilateral organizations that are playing a crucial role in improving the health sector by developing infrastructure, providing policy guidelines, and providing completion support.

Conclusion

Bangladesh is among the developing nations worldwide where there has been an improvement in the last few decades in indices relating to nutrition and the health of mothers and children. Bangladeshi women have a significant risk of maternal death and illness, and the health of their children is appalling.

Overall, cultural obstacles that have a detrimental influence on maternal health and socioeconomic relief through policy measures that successfully reduce the overall number of maternal and child deaths as well as complications and mortality associated with nutrition still need to be evaluated.

To fully address the situation in Bangladesh, a number of nongovernmental and government-funded organizations should carry out several important activities. More awareness-raising initiatives must be organized by the government, and it needs special funding and power to carry out this duty. These areas need further investigation.

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