ABSTRACT

Child undernutrition and natural disasters are major public health concerns in Bangladesh, but research into their relationship is lacking. This study assessed the association between residential district multi-hazard-risk and undernutrition among children aged less than 5 years (under-5) in Bangladesh. Data for 22,055 under-5 children were extracted from the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey of Bangladesh. Multi-hazard risk was categorized as low (score<10), moderate (score 10–20), and high (score>20) using a combined score of four major hazards: tornado, cyclone, earthquake, and flood. We found that children from high multi-hazard risk districts were 19% more likely to be stunted and 23% more likely to be underweight compared to low-risk districts. However, wasting was not associated with multi-hazard risk. Strategies such as agricultural adaptation and coping mechanisms, long-term post-disaster nutritional response, extended periods of relief supports, and enhanced quality maternal and child care services may help to reduce undernutrition burdens in Bangladesh.

摘要

儿童营养不良和自然灾害是孟加拉国的主要公共卫生问题，但缺乏对其关系的研究。本研究评估了孟加拉国 5 岁以下（5 岁以下）儿童的住宅区多重危害风险与营养不良之间的关系。22,055 名 5 岁以下儿童的数据来自 2019 年孟加拉国多指标类集调查。使用四种主要灾害的综合评分：龙卷风、旋风、地震和洪水，将多灾害风险分为低（分数<10）、中（分数10-20）和高（分数>20）。我们发现，与低风险地区相比，来自多重危险高风险地区的儿童发育迟缓的可能性高出 19%，体重不足的可能性高出 23%。然而，消瘦与多重危害风险无关。