Trends and inequalities in neonatal mortality rate in Bangladesh: Evidence from cross‐sectional surveys

Abstract Background and Aims Given the significance of addressing neonatal mortality in pursuing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal on child health, research focus on this area is crucial. Despite the persistent high rates of neonatal mortality rate (NMR) in Bangladesh, there remains a notable la...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Rakhi Dey, Satyajit Kundu, Kobi V. Ajayi, Humayun Kabir, Md. Hasan Al Banna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-08-01
Series:Health Science Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.2298
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849240168905572352
author Rakhi Dey
Satyajit Kundu
Kobi V. Ajayi
Humayun Kabir
Md. Hasan Al Banna
author_facet Rakhi Dey
Satyajit Kundu
Kobi V. Ajayi
Humayun Kabir
Md. Hasan Al Banna
author_sort Rakhi Dey
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background and Aims Given the significance of addressing neonatal mortality in pursuing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal on child health, research focus on this area is crucial. Despite the persistent high rates of neonatal mortality rate (NMR) in Bangladesh, there remains a notable lack of robust evidence addressing inequalities in NMR in the country. Therefore, this study aims to fill the knowledge gap by comprehensively investigating inequalities in NMR in Bangladesh. Methods The Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) data from 2000 to 2017 were analyzed. The equity stratifiers used to measure the inequalities were wealth status, mother's education, place of residence, and subnational region. Difference (D) and population attributable fraction (PAF) were absolute measures, whereas population attributable risk (PAR) and ratio (R) were relative measures of inequality. Statistical significance was considered by estimating 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each estimate. Results A declining trend in NMR was found in Bangladesh, from 50.2 in 2000 to 31.9 deaths per 1000 live births in 2017. This study detected significant wealth‐driven (PAF: −20.6, 95% CI: −24.9, −16.3; PAR: −6.6, 95% CI: −7.9, −5.2), education‐related (PAF: −11.6, 95% CI: −13.4, −9.7; PAR: −3.7, 95% CI: −4.3, −3.1), and regional (PAF: −20.6, 95% CI: −27.0, −14.3; PAR: −6.6, 95% CI: −8.6, −4.6) disparities in NMR in all survey points. We also found a significant urban–rural inequality from 2000 to 2014, except in 2017. Both absolute and relative inequalities in NMR were observed; however, these inequalities decreased over time. Conclusion Significant variations in NMR across subgroups in Bangladesh highlight the need for comprehensive, and targeted interventions. Empowering women through improved access to economic resources and education may help address disparities in NMR in Bangladesh. Future research and policies should focus on developing strategies to address these disparities and promote equitable health outcomes for all newborns.
format Article
id doaj-art-8bbd211bc10341b0871408204e7129a3
institution Kabale University
issn 2398-8835
language English
publishDate 2024-08-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Health Science Reports
spelling doaj-art-8bbd211bc10341b0871408204e7129a32025-08-20T04:00:43ZengWileyHealth Science Reports2398-88352024-08-0178n/an/a10.1002/hsr2.2298Trends and inequalities in neonatal mortality rate in Bangladesh: Evidence from cross‐sectional surveysRakhi Dey0Satyajit Kundu1Kobi V. Ajayi2Humayun Kabir3Md. Hasan Al Banna4Statistics Discipline Khulna University Khulna BangladeshSchool of Medicine and Dentistry Griffith University Gold Coast QLD AustraliaDepartment of Health Behavior, School of Public Health Texas A&M University College Station College Station Texas USADepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact McMaster University Hamilton Ontario CanadaFaculty of Nutrition and Food Science Patuakhali Science and Technology University Patuakhali BangladeshAbstract Background and Aims Given the significance of addressing neonatal mortality in pursuing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal on child health, research focus on this area is crucial. Despite the persistent high rates of neonatal mortality rate (NMR) in Bangladesh, there remains a notable lack of robust evidence addressing inequalities in NMR in the country. Therefore, this study aims to fill the knowledge gap by comprehensively investigating inequalities in NMR in Bangladesh. Methods The Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) data from 2000 to 2017 were analyzed. The equity stratifiers used to measure the inequalities were wealth status, mother's education, place of residence, and subnational region. Difference (D) and population attributable fraction (PAF) were absolute measures, whereas population attributable risk (PAR) and ratio (R) were relative measures of inequality. Statistical significance was considered by estimating 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each estimate. Results A declining trend in NMR was found in Bangladesh, from 50.2 in 2000 to 31.9 deaths per 1000 live births in 2017. This study detected significant wealth‐driven (PAF: −20.6, 95% CI: −24.9, −16.3; PAR: −6.6, 95% CI: −7.9, −5.2), education‐related (PAF: −11.6, 95% CI: −13.4, −9.7; PAR: −3.7, 95% CI: −4.3, −3.1), and regional (PAF: −20.6, 95% CI: −27.0, −14.3; PAR: −6.6, 95% CI: −8.6, −4.6) disparities in NMR in all survey points. We also found a significant urban–rural inequality from 2000 to 2014, except in 2017. Both absolute and relative inequalities in NMR were observed; however, these inequalities decreased over time. Conclusion Significant variations in NMR across subgroups in Bangladesh highlight the need for comprehensive, and targeted interventions. Empowering women through improved access to economic resources and education may help address disparities in NMR in Bangladesh. Future research and policies should focus on developing strategies to address these disparities and promote equitable health outcomes for all newborns.https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.2298BangladeshDHSinequalityneonatal mortalitytrends
spellingShingle Rakhi Dey
Satyajit Kundu
Kobi V. Ajayi
Humayun Kabir
Md. Hasan Al Banna
Trends and inequalities in neonatal mortality rate in Bangladesh: Evidence from cross‐sectional surveys
Health Science Reports
Bangladesh
DHS
inequality
neonatal mortality
trends
title Trends and inequalities in neonatal mortality rate in Bangladesh: Evidence from cross‐sectional surveys
title_full Trends and inequalities in neonatal mortality rate in Bangladesh: Evidence from cross‐sectional surveys
title_fullStr Trends and inequalities in neonatal mortality rate in Bangladesh: Evidence from cross‐sectional surveys
title_full_unstemmed Trends and inequalities in neonatal mortality rate in Bangladesh: Evidence from cross‐sectional surveys
title_short Trends and inequalities in neonatal mortality rate in Bangladesh: Evidence from cross‐sectional surveys
title_sort trends and inequalities in neonatal mortality rate in bangladesh evidence from cross sectional surveys
topic Bangladesh
DHS
inequality
neonatal mortality
trends
url https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.2298
work_keys_str_mv AT rakhidey trendsandinequalitiesinneonatalmortalityrateinbangladeshevidencefromcrosssectionalsurveys
AT satyajitkundu trendsandinequalitiesinneonatalmortalityrateinbangladeshevidencefromcrosssectionalsurveys
AT kobivajayi trendsandinequalitiesinneonatalmortalityrateinbangladeshevidencefromcrosssectionalsurveys
AT humayunkabir trendsandinequalitiesinneonatalmortalityrateinbangladeshevidencefromcrosssectionalsurveys
AT mdhasanalbanna trendsandinequalitiesinneonatalmortalityrateinbangladeshevidencefromcrosssectionalsurveys