We only use your email address to send you the newsletter and to see how many people are opening our emails. A full privacy policy can be viewed here. You can change your mind at any time and update your preferences or unsubscribe.

17-year-old boy being treated for anaemia in hospital with his father in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Photo: Nathalie Bertrams/GAGE

Adolescent health, nutrition, and sexual and reproductive health in Chittagong, Bangladesh

05.12.19 | Bangladesh

Health, Nutrition and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) | Sexual and reproductive health

Authors

Mitu, K., Ala Uddin, M., Camfield, L. and Muz, J.

Bangladesh has experienced major advances in terms of increasing immunisation rates and reducing the rates of undernutrition, infant and under-five mortality, maternal mortality and communicable diseases. It now aims to achieve universal health coverage by 2032 (World Bank, 2018). Provision of antenatal care by medically trained providers almost doubled between 1999–2000 and 2014, and deliveries in healthcare facilities rose from 8% to 37% during the same period. The government, in conjunction with other agencies, has implemented an effective Family Planning Programme associated with a decline in the total fertility rate from 6.3 births per woman in 1975 to 2.3 in 2014 (ibid.).

The latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) (2012–2013) reports an adolescent fertility rate of 83 births per 1,000 adolescents, with lower rates in urban areas (76 per 1,000). Fertility is higher in Chittagong but declining. Between the 2011 Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey (BDHS) and the 2014 BDHS, the total fertility rate in Chittagong declined from 2.8 to 2.5 births per woman (NIPORT et al., 2016). Gradual improvements of basic health and nutrition services have also contributed to substantial reductions in under-five mortality – from 94 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1999–2000 to 46 per 1,000 in 2014 (ibid.). Despite this progress, maternal and neonatal mortality is still relatively high (WHO et al., 2016).

The maternal mortality ratio for those aged 10–14 is the highest of all age groups (Rahman et al., 2012). This brief draws on evidence from GAGE (Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence) – a unique longitudinal mixedmethods research and impact evaluation study focused on what works to support the development of adolescents’ capabilities during the second decade of life (10–19 years).

Suggested citation

Mitu, K., Ala Uddin, M., Camfield, L. and Muz, J. (2019) ‘Adolescent health, nutrition, and sexual and reproductive health in Chittagong, Bangladesh.’ Policy Note. London: Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence. (https://www.gage.odi.org/publication/adolescent-health-nutrition-and-sexual-and-reproductive-health-in-chittagong-bangladesh/)


Related publications

Policy briefs
05.12.19
Adolescent economic empowerment in Chittagong, Bangladesh
Economic empowerment
Bangladesh
Read more
05.12.19 | Economic empowerment | Policy briefs | Bangladesh
Adolescent economic empowerment in Chittagong, Bangladesh
Read more
Policy briefs
05.12.19
Adolescent bodily integrity and freedom from violence in Chittagong, Bangladesh
Bodily integrity and freedom from violence
Bangladesh
Read more
05.12.19 | Bodily integrity and freedom from violence | Policy briefs | Bangladesh
Adolescent bodily integrity and freedom from violence in Chittagong, Bangladesh
Read more
Policy briefs
05.12.19
Adolescent education and learning in Chittagong, Bangladesh
Education and learning
Bangladesh
Read more
05.12.19 | Education and learning | Policy briefs | Bangladesh
Adolescent education and learning in Chittagong, Bangladesh
Read more
Policy briefs
05.12.19
Adolescent psychosocial well-being and voice and agency in Chittagong, Bangladesh
Voice and agency
Bangladesh
Read more
05.12.19 | Voice and agency | Policy briefs | Bangladesh
Adolescent psychosocial well-being and voice and agency in Chittagong, Bangladesh
Read more