Determinants of Living Arrangements, Health Status and Abuse among Elderly Women: A Study of Rural Naogaon District, Bangladesh

In this study, the socio-economic backdrops, living arrangements, health status and abuse of the women aged 60 years and older in the rural Naogaon district of Bangladesh are examined. The data were collected from seven villages by using probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling and the results show that an overwhelming majority of the elderly women in the age group 60-69 years who are widowed, illiterate, have no education and income, economically dependent, living with married children, unhealthy, suffer from arthritis related illness and are taking treatment from village doctors. Furthermore, the study shows that, nearly 35 percent elderly women are abused, mostly mentally abused due to poverty. Logistic regression analysis reveals the determinants of living arrangements, health status and abuse of the elderly women. The findings of the study should get due attention to provide secured later life of the elder especially female elderly in Bangladesh and developing nation as well

Changes of shrimp farming in southwest coastal Bangladesh

Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) farming is a traditional aquaculture in southwest coastal Bangladesh. Changes in both the farming practice and yield of shrimp since the advent of commercial production in this area are evident in scientific studies. We assessed the historical perspective of shrimp farming indicating the major phase changes and present situation of the shrimp farming practice including recent changes in yield and cost-benefit. A systematic random sampling method was employed to conduct a total of 240 questionnaire surveys, 24 focused group discussions, and 60 key informant interviews in six sub-districts (upazila) from southwest coastal Bangladesh. We identified four major phase changes in the history of shrimp farming in southwest coastal Bangladesh and found that shrimp mixed culture is the most preferable form of extensive cultivation at present. Shrimp farmers’ perceptions about changes in shrimp yield and changes in availability of ecosystem services represent declining trends over the last two decades. For 2015, shrimp yield was not significantly different with respect to salinity levels. The net benefit from shrimp mixed culture in 2015 was 121,000\ua0taka/ha, which is 2.35 times higher compared to the net benefit from only shrimp (51,500\ua0taka/ha). In this context, promoting shrimp mixed cultivation could be a management solution for sustainable development of shrimp farming in southwest coastal Bangladesh. The National Shrimp Policy of the government also emphasized on promoting environment-friendly shrimp mixed cultivation for sustainable development of shrimp farming. However, more institutional support such as training, extension support, technical assistance, and credit facility is required to implement the policy

Climate change adaptations of shrimp farmers: a case study from southwest coastal Bangladesh

Sustainability of brackishwater shrimp farming is of paramount importance for socio-economic development of southwest coastal Bangladesh. Here, shrimp farming is predominantly traditional, which is more vulnerable to climate change. Lack of understanding exists regarding the adaptation measures of local shrimp farmers in response to emerging impacts of changing climatic variables. This study provides the perceptions and adaptations of shrimp farmers in changing climatic context. A systematic random sampling method was employed to conduct a total of 240 questionnaire surveys and 60 key informant interviews from six sub-districts (Upazila) of southwest coastal Bangladesh to collect primary data. Changes in climate variables largely affect the shrimp yield by increasing frequency of shrimp disease, causing physical damage to farm structure and deteriorating quality of water. Shrimp farmers try to adapt to those changes in various ways, including increasing pond depth, exchanging tidal water, providing shade using aquatic plants, strengthening earthen dike and netting and fencing around the dike. Shrimp mixed cultivation is the most popular form of shrimp farming in the study area. More emphasis on implementing polyculture shrimp farming is necessary to improve climate change adaptation and to promote sustainability of this aquaculture practice in southwest coastal Bangladesh

ICT Uses, Constraints, and Challenges in Flash Flood Risk Management: A Case Study in North-Eastern Haor Areas of Bangladesh

This study intends to explore the extent of the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in flash-flood-prone haor (wetland ecosystem) areas of north-eastern Bangladesh. Addressing the situation of severe flash floods in 2017 at the community level, this study aims to examine the constraints and challenges in using ICT for flash flood risk management. An empirical study was conducted in two upazilas (administrative sub-districts) within the Sunamganj, the most affected district. A total of 120 household heads were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Focused group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) were also used. Results reveal that people in these areas do not use computers or Internet. However, the use of mobile phones is common for communication during disasters. Illiteracy, poor quality of life, poor social capital, poor infrastructure, and poor communication with institutions are highlighted as the main constraints and challenges in the effective application of ICT in flash flood management. The results showed that the local community people of the study area receive early warning and hazards preparedness-related information through mobile phones, television, radio, and Facebook. However, the results also highlighted the constraints and challenges in applying ICT in DRR at the community level. By addressing a remote region and a relatively less focused disaster (flash flood), this study contributes to boosting the application of ICT in DRR, especially in remote, disadvantaged communities