Regional Variations about Selected Aspects of Maternal and Child Health in Bangladesh: Evidence from the Latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the regional differences about selected characteristics of maternal and child health in Bangladesh. Data amassed from the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019 have been analyzed to accomplish the investigation. Analytical findings of this study indicate that major differences are still prevailing across various divisions of the country. Neonatal and under-5 death rates in Sylhet are the highest in the country while Barisal and Khulna have the least ones. Rajshahi has upper ratios of early marriage and childbearing than other divisions while Sylhet has the lowest ones. The ratios of modern contraception method usage and family planning demand satisfied by the method are scanty in Chittagong and Sylhet. Both the ratios of skilled birth attendants and institutional delivery are higher in Khulna than other divisions in Bangladesh while Mymensingh possesses the lowest ones. The ratio of primary educated women varies from 76% in Mymensingh to 89% in Khulna among the divisions while upper secondary proportion varies from 22% in Sylhet to 34% in Barishal. Findings of the study would guide the policy-makers to forecast the relevant indicators more accurately and make effective decisions accordingly. The government in conjunction with the NGOs must initiate effective measures to minimize the variations. Further investigations are recommended to find out the significant determinants of such differences among the divisions.