Cities, slums, and child nutrition in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study uses novel household survey data that are representative of Bangladesh's large cities, and of slum and nonslum areas within the cities, to investigate the effects of demographic and socioeconomic factors on child nutrition status in 2013. The study also decomposes the difference in mean child nutrition status between slum and nonslum areas in 2013, and the increase in mean child nutrition status in slum and nonslum areas from 2006 to 2013. Mother's education attainment and household wealth largely explain the cross‐sectional difference and intertemporal change in mean child nutrition status. Although positive in some cases, the effects of maternal and child health services, and potential health‐protective household amenities, on child nutrition status differ by the type of health facility, household amenity, and urban area (slum or nonslum). Focusing on nutrition‐sensitive programs for slum residents and the urban poor is consistent with the results.

Dramatic uneven urbanization of large cities throughout the world in recent decades

“…2b ). Hence, the cities with a rapid population growth and relatively slow BUAE in the lower-middle-income and low-income countries could undergo serious urban problems, such as slums and crowding 15 , 28 . In addition, due to the fast urban expansion, the urbanization in the upper-middle-income countries may meet the needs of their population growth.…”

The Most Important Social Determinants of Slum Dwellers’ Health: A Scoping Review

“…Lack of access to public resources (parks, green space, museums, libraries) ]20,28]; Lack of access to spaces for sports [13]; The presence of stray dogs and livestock in the neighborhood, density of mice [13]; Conflict, such as being annoyed and harassed by neighbors [28]; Lack of access to safe, high quality, and hygienic drinking water [13,19,31,35]; Noise pollution [28]; Environmental pollution of the place of residence, lack of cleanliness and poor sanitation of neighborhoods [13,14,30]; Lack of street lighting [13]; Existence of industrial pollution in the neighborhood [13]; Existence of unprotected hazards (such as railways and power lines) [13,28]; Lack of educational facilities and schools and low quality of education [30,39]; Inadequate and insufficient public health facilities located at long distances [14,16,27,29,38,39]; Insecure public space due to gang crime and conflicts, neighbors' crime and conflicts [14,30,39]; The quality of service delivery organizations in the neighborhood, such as stores, pharmacies, banks, and offices, and their long distances [28]; Lack of private-sector health facilities [38]; Lack of charitable and non-governmental health facilities [38]; Lack of places for recreation [35,39]; Inappropriate public transportation network and difficulty in accessing public transportation [2,13,19,28,31]; Physical hazards such as flood, subsidence, and fire [2,…”

The Effects of Yogurt Supplementation and Nutritional Education on Malnourished Infants: A Pilot RCT in Dhaka’s Slums

“…In 2020, stunting affected 22.0% of children under five globally, and in Bangladesh, the situation was even more severe; 30.2% of children were stunted [5]. A stark difference in stunting between slum and rural regions was also demonstrated (50% vs. 36%, respectively) [6].…”