The effect of antenatal care on infant malnutrition in Bangladesh: secondary analysis of Demographic and Health Survey data

Type Thesis or Dissertation
Title The effect of antenatal care on infant malnutrition in Bangladesh: secondary analysis of Demographic and Health Survey data
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2009
URL http://www.phmed.umu.se/digitalAssets/30/30106_2009-11-ziaul-chowdhury.pdf
Abstract
Introduction: Child malnutrition is one of the major health concerns in Bangladesh. Government of Bangladesh (GOB) takes many preventive measures to reduce the burden of malnutrition among children. Improving reproductive healthcare systems and promoting appropriate infant care some of their strategies regarding child health. Objective: The aim of this thesis is to describe the association between antenatal care and infant malnutrition. Method: Information of 1189 infants’ age 0-12 months collected from 2004 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). This study examines the association between antenatal care and infant malnutrition. Two indices stunting and wasting used to define the infant malnutrition. Result: Cross tabulation analysis of ANC effect on infant malnutrition shows antenatal care associated with reduced risk of infant stunting (OR .57 95% CI .42-.76) but there is no evidence of an effect on wasting (OR 1.09 95%CI .69-1.79). After assessment of potential confounding, it is found that the combination of wealth index and maternal education variables confounds the association between ANC and infant malnutrition to some extent. Nevertheless, a clear beneficial effect of antenatal care on infant stunting is apparent for all levels of wealth and education status. Conclusion: The study concludes that antenatal care could be a good way for reducing chronic infant malnutrition in Bangladesh

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