Fertility decisions of women in the context of extreme climate events: A study in two areas hit by cyclones and floods in Bangladesh

This study investigates to what extent fertility decisions are influenced by extreme climate events in two villages in Bangladesh: Chadnimukha prone to severe cyclones and Lamagaon to floods. Extensive studies have examined the effects of extreme climate events on mortality and migration, but limited research attention has been paid to fertility. This thesis seeks to fill this knowledge gap by examining the fertility decisions of married Bangladeshi women and comparing the differences between the two villages. The study uses a mixed methods approach (quantitative and qualitative analysis) to collect diverse types of information to understand the determinants of fertility in response to extreme climate events. In 2019 to 2020, through fieldwork, primary data were collected in household surveys (N=544) and in-depth interviews (N=74) from married women aged 18 to 49 years with at least one child who were living with their husbands. First, interviews (N=8) were undertaken with key informants and focus group discussions (N=10) were held with male participants to develop a comprehensive understanding of the extreme climate events, their impacts, and typical health issues in the study areas. Secondary data on fertility and extreme climate events were also collected from various sources, including the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, and the World Bank. This study found that women living in the flood-prone village had and intended to have more children than their counterparts in the cyclone-prone village, who were more likely to limit their childbearing. The number of cyclones experienced, household vulnerabilities, the timing of first birth, physiological effects, and seasonal migration tended to limit fertility. Floods, on the other hand, affected fertility due to lack of health facilities and unavailability of contraceptives, risk of infant mortality and preference for sons, which inspired women to have more children. It was also found that the fertility intentions of women in both villages differed according to their experience and perception of extreme climatic events for which their villages were most at risk. In response to extreme climate events on household well-being, including agriculture, livelihoods, housing and food security, women were more likely to delay their next birth for at least two years. However, women from flood-affected households intended to have additional children in response to the effects of floods, either as an insurance measure for the household against the possible loss of a child due to a flood, or as a way to increase family livelihood and security where children could act as potential resources to help families deal with future risks. This research concludes that the type of extreme climate event experienced can determine in what direction and to what extent fertility will change. It also contends that the impact of such events on underlying direct and indirect determinants that influence fertility is distinguishable, and that fertility considerations can and should be incorporated into disaster risk reduction and population policy. With the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related events, policymakers must understand how extreme climate events affect fertility rates in order to provide advice for social and economic development approaches. Furthermore, such information will help to generate population estimates, which can include the consequences of climate change at different stages of demographic change.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Social Sciences, 202

Sense and Manner of WASH and Their Coalition With Disease and Nutritional Status of Under-five Children in Rural Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of caregivers and their relationship to the disease and nutritional status of children under 5 years of age in rural areas of Sylhet, Bangladesh. A total of 110 households with at least a child aged 6 to 59 months were selected by simple random method from 10 rural communities of three Upazila of Sylhet from September 2019 to February 2020. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the “Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene” (WASH) knowledge and practice, and multivariate chi-square analyses were performed to assess associations among diseases and nutritional status with WASH following a structured questionnaire. The study found a significant association between WASH with childhood disease and nutritional status, and 65% of children were found to be in a diseased state and 35% of children were found in a no exposure of disease state within the last 6 months. The findings sketched that mother with poor WASH knowledge and practice was at greater risk for disease outbreaks, disease frequency, and duration. The highest incidence of diarrhea was 17% in children aged 12 to 23 months. A significant effect of WASH was also found in children’s nutritional status, which was reflected in the ratio of stunted, underweight, and wasted children. Integrated convergent work focusing on providing clean water within the household, stopping open defecation, promoting handwashing, behavior change, and poverty alleviation is needed to improve the situation. Health, nutrition, and livelihood programs should be uninterrupted, and mothers or caregivers should be encouraged to participate in these programs

The Nexus between Extreme Weather Events, Sexual Violence and Early Marriage: A Study of Vulnerable Populations in Bangladesh

This study aims to explore whether a relationship exists between extreme weather events, sexual violence, and early marriage. We selected two districts in Bangladesh that are vulnerable to extreme weather events: Sunamganj, which experiences flash flooding, and Brahmanbaria, which experiences cyclones and related floods. Survey data was collected from 120 randomly selected household heads from two villages in these districts, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 household heads who indicated early marriage was a coping strategy for managing effects of weather events. The mixed methods study finds that early marriage of daughters is a coping strategy for managing two negative consequences of extreme weather events. First, by minimizing household expenses householders can pay for damage-related expenses. Second, unmarried daughters may be subject to sexual violence during a crisis, especially in temporary shelters, which would harm both the family’s and daughter’s reputation and prevent future marriage

The link between climate change, food security and fertility:The case of Bangladesh

Climate change is likely to worsen the food security situation through its impact on food production, which may indirectly affect fertility behaviour. This study examines the direct and indirect effects of climate change (e.g., temperature and precipitation) via the production of major crops, as well as their short- and long-term effects on the total fertility rate (TFR) in Bangladesh. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to perform path analysis and distinguish the direct influence of climate change on fertility and its indirect influence on fertility through food security. We also applied the error correction model (ECM) to analyze the time-series data on temperature and precipitation, crop production and fertility rate of Bangladesh from 1966 to 2015. The results show that maximum temperature has a direct effect and indirect negative effect–via crop production–on TFR, while crop production has a direct positive effect and indirect negative effect–via infant mortality–on TFR. In the short term, TFR responds negatively to the maximum temperature but positively in the long term. The effect of rainfall on TFR is found to be direct, positive, but mainly short-term. Although indicators of economic development play an important part in the fertility decline in Bangladesh, some climate change parameters and crop production are non-negligible factors

Does financial inclusion increase financial resilience? Evidence from Bangladesh

This study explores the impact of financial inclusion on financial resilience in Bangladesh, using World Bank data on global financial inclusions. It finds that respondents with financial accounts are more resilient than those without accounts. The chances of being financially resilient are around 1.4 times higher for account holders than their counterparts. There was also a significant relationship between gender and financial resilience; males are 1.4 times more resilient than females when other covariates are considered in the regression model

Fisheries in the Context of Attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh: COVID-19 Impacts and Future Prospects

Fisheries and the aquaculture sector can play a significant role in the achievement of several of the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda. However, the current COVID-19 situation can negatively impact the fisheries sector, impeding the pace of the achievement of development goals. Therefore, this paper highlighted the performance and challenges of the fisheries sector in Bangladesh, emphasising the impact of COVID-19 and the significance of this sector for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through primary fieldwork and secondary data. The total fish production in the country has increased more than six times over the last three decades (7.54 to 43.84 lakh MT) with improved culture techniques and extension services. Inland closed water contributions have increased to 16%, while inland open water has declined to 10%, and marine fisheries have dropped to 6% over the past 18 financial years (2000–2001 to 2018–2019). COVID-19, a significant health crisis, has also affected various issues associated with aquatic resources and communities. Transportation obstacles and complexity in the food supply, difficulty in starting production, labour crisis, sudden illness, insufficient consumer demand, commodity price hikes, creditor’s pressure, and reduced income were identified as COVID-19 drivers affecting the fisheries sector. The combined effect of these drivers poses a significant threat to a number of the SDGs, such as income (SDG1), nutrition (SDG2), and food security (SDG3 and SDG12), which require immediate and comprehensive action. Several recommendations were discussed, the implementation of which are important to the achievement of the SDGs and the improved management of the aquatic sector (SDG14—life below, and SDG16—life above water)