Highlights from Demographic and Health Survey 2022

The under-5 death rate has decreased significantly from 43 per thousand in 2017 to 31 per thousand in 2022, according to the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2022. The report shows that the rate of stunted growth among children under the age of five has decreased from 31% to 24%. The reduction in the under-5 death rate is attributable to a number of government programmes designed to fill care gaps for newborns.

The National Newborn Campaign, which promotes accessible interventions for all infants' basic needs at the community and home levels, was introduced by the government in November 2017. Additionally, the National Newborn Health Programme, which focuses on crucial interventions that need to be scaled up in all 64 districts of the nation, was introduced by the government in September 2018.

The report reveals that, up from 82% in 2017, at least 88% of women have received antenatal care (ANC) from qualified healthcare professionals, highlighting advancements in maternal health care. Women from low-income families now have greater access to healthcare services. Adolescent pregnancy rates have declined, going from 28% in 2017 to 23% in 2022. Additionally, the proportion of women aged 20 to 24 who were married too young fell from 65% in 2011 to 50% in 2022.

The survey reveals an improvement in Bangladeshi households' socioeconomic circumstances. For instance, 98% of homes now have at least one mobile phone, 99% of households have access to electricity, and 60% of households now have improved sanitation, up from 43% in 2017.

The report does, however, also draw attention to some issues that require attention, such as childhood malnutrition, which is still a major issue in the nation. In Bangladesh, one out of every four children under the age of five is stunted, most likely as a result of inadequate nutrition. Children who are underweight are more common than they were in the 2017–2018 survey (22%), which has not changed. Additionally, the prevalence of childhood wasting has increased from 8% to 11%, which experts believe can be a sign that kids aren't getting enough to eat.

Health experts have identified a number of reasons that contribute to the region's terrible nutritional situation, including poverty, child marriage, and a lack of access to nutrient-rich meals. The World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations has emphasised the significance of expanding dietary diversity in Bangladesh and providing food assistance. In many low- and middle-income countries, stunting is the most prevalent kind of child malnutrition and is a serious public health concern, according to the study, which examined data from 8,321 children under the age of five. Low birth weight, delayed cognitive development, poor academic performance, and fewer opportunities for a fulfilling adult life are all possible effects of stunting.

Finally, the survey found a worrying rise in the frequency of caesarean sections carried out in Bangladeshi hospitals and other healthcare institutions. Caesarean sections were performed in 45% of deliveries in 2018, up from 34% in 2017, with most of those operations taking place in upscale clinics. In 2022, 84% of births in the nation took place in private hospitals.

With assistance from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Center for Humanitarian Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B), the study was directed by Bangladesh's National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT), which is part of the Health Ministry. Data from over 30,000 households in cities and villages were collected for this survey.