Migration, health, and socioenvironmental safety net among children of Dhaka, Bangladesh

• Main Authors: Neelima Afroz Molla, Ghaffar Ali, Kabirul Ahsan Mollah, Waranya Wongwit, Oleg Shipin, Pongrama Ramasoota, Husna Parvin Nur
• Other Authors: Mahidol University
• Format: Article
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Environmental Science
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/42639

© 2016 Taylor & Francis. This study quantifies the diarrhea burden among migrant children under age 5 (who have migrated due to environmental degradation) in Dhaka. We used a multifactor socioepidemiological as well as environmental approach with pretested questionnaires and observations. It was found that 52% of the children were affected by diarrhea. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost was reduced manifold with the increase of mothers' behavioral determinants. Health losses were 1,718 fold with significant coefficient (β) in the migrant group. DALYs lost were significantly associated with socioenvironmental factors such as mother's illiteracy (β =.18; p <.001), no hand wash before eating (β =.08; p =.004), and no hand wash after defecation (β =.10; p <.001). This puts emphasis clearly on the awareness at household level, especially of mothers and children under age 5 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in formulating migration-related policies.