Public Health Problems in Bangladesh: Issues and challenges

Abstract

In South-East Asia the main public health issues are infectious diseases and communicable diseases. Public health has improved markedly in Bangladesh over the past three decades. Nevertheless, Bangladesh faces major health challenges. A scoping study was performed according to York methodology. The study was aimed to find out the major public health issues and challenges in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has one of the worst burdens of childhood malnutrition in the world. Communicable diseases are a major cause of death and disability in Bangladesh. Unsafe food remains a major threat to public health each year, citizens suffer from the acute effects of food contaminated by microbial pathogens, chemical substances and toxins. Bangladesh still ranks among the top ten countries in the world with the highest TB burden. Pneumonia and other infections are major causes of death among young children. In Bangladesh only 1% of the population is reported to be HIV-positive, but rates are much higher among high-risk populations: injecting drug users, sex workers, and men who have sex with men. The toll of non-communicable diseases — chronic diseases, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory diseases — is increasing in Bangladesh as the population becomes more urbanized. The converging pressures of global climate change and urbanization have a devastating effect on Bangladesh’s most vulnerable populations. The disease burden Bangladesh is further exacerbated by unsanitary living conditions that underscore the poor economic conditions of both urban and rural home dwellers. There are still several issues that Bangladesh health care system is yet to tackle, governance, accessibility, and affordability are key issues that are preventing the implementation of solutions to the public health issues in Bangladesh.South East Asia Journal of Public Health Vol.6(2) 2016: 11-16

A Review on Health and Nutrition Status in Bangladesh: Issues and Challenges

“…Unsafe food remains a major threat to public health each year; citizens suffer from the acute effects of food contaminated by microbial pathogens, chemical substances and toxins. There is a need to minimize the consumer's exposure to unhygienic, contaminated and adulterated food and drinks through strict laws to control marketing of such products [21]. One such factor is violence against women.…”

“…This is a widespread social problem that causes mental stress, physical suffering and even death, and is believed to be grossly underreported. One study reveals that in Bangladesh about 52% of men in both urban and rural sites reported ever physically assaulting female intimate partners [21].…”

“…However the disease burden in Bangladesh has shifted from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. [21]. In Bangladesh only 1% of the population is reported to be HIV-positive, but rates are much higher among high-risk populations: injecting drug users, sex workers, and men who have sex with men.…”

“…Approximately half of the world's population is at risk, largely in urban areas in tropical and sub-tropical regions, and global incidence has grown markedly in recent decades. There is no treatment for dengue, however early detection and access to medical care lowers fatality rates [21]. Neglected Tropical Disease; Such as Leishmaniasisis (Kala-azar) is caused by a parasite transmitted by sand flies that often live in mud walls of homes.…”

Nutritional status of patients with tuberculosis attending at tertiary medical center in Bangladesh

“…[1][2][3][4] TB and malnutrition are major public health problems in Bangladesh where Bangladesh still ranks among the top ten countries in the world with the highest TB burden. 5 Here in Bangladesh, around 186 people die of TB every day and around 68 000 per year. 6 In 22 high tuberculosis-burden countries Bangladesh is one of them.…”