Home Quick Links Press Releases

Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2022 Preliminary Findings: Positive Trends in Maternal and Child Health

A dissemination seminar on the preliminary results of the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2022 was held on 11 April 2023 at Hotel Radisson Blu Dhaka. 
 
Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) findings highlight significant maternal and child health indicators improvements over the past five years. The survey, conducted by the National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT), with technical assistance from partners, provides crucial data on key health indicators to guide policies and programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of the people of Bangladesh.
 
One of the most significant achievements highlighted in the 2022 BDHS is the decline in childhood mortality rates. The under-5 mortality rate decreased from 43 to 31 per 1000 live births, and neonatal mortality declined from 27/1000 to 20/1000 live births between 2017 and 2022, reflecting a commendable 12 percentage point decrease. This decline can be attributed to increased access to quality health services, including facility deliveries and skilled birth attendance. 70% of births are attended by medically trained providers. 
 
The survey also showed a reduction in the prevalence of stunting among children under 5 years from 31% to 24% between 2017 and 2022, indicating improvements in child nutrition. However, the proportion of children who were underweight remained unchanged at 22%, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address malnutrition in children.
 
The survey also revealed positive trends in facility deliveries, with an increase from 51% in 2017 to 65% in 2022. However, the proportion of births delivered by Caesarean section (C-section) remained stable at 69% in 2022, indicating the need for appropriate and judicious use of C-sections. 
 
Furthermore, the survey showed an improvement in equity in the use of facilities for delivery care among different economic groups. The richest women were twice as likely to deliver in health facilities compared to the poorest women, as opposed to six times more likely in 2011. This demonstrates efforts towards addressing disparities in maternal healthcare utilisation and increasing access to quality care for all women, regardless of their socio-economic status.
 
88% of pregnant women received at least one ANC from a trained provider in the two years preceding the survey, up from 82% in 2017. However, the proportion of women receiving ANC4+ declined from 47% in 2017 to 41% in 2022 due to COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain Howlader, Secretary of, Health Services Division, and Mr. Md. Azizur Rahman, Secretary, Medical Education, and Family Welfare Division attended the seminar as Special Guests. Professor Dr. Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Director General, Directorate General of Health Services and Ms. Sahan Ara Banu ndc, Director General, Directorate General of Family Planning, and Ms. Miranda Beckman Deputy Director, Office of Population Health and Nutrition USAID/BD, Mr. Md. Shafiqul Islam, Director General, National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT) presided over the seminar.
 
Find the survey here: https://cutt.ly/A7Dre2Y

Highlights