| dc.description.abstract | Background:
Menstrual irregularities and miscarriage are among the reproductive health issues that continue to be major public health concerns, particularly in low- and middle-income nations like Bangladesh. These health issues contribute to long-term socioeconomic and developmental difficulties in addition to affecting personal well-being. Although Bangladesh's coastal regions have drawn attention due to the dangers posed by salt, semi-coastal metropolitan areas like Halishahar in Chattogram have not garnered as much attention. With an emphasis on important sociodemographic and environmental exposures, this research aimed to access the prevalence and determinants of reproductive health outcomes among women in Halishahar who were of reproductive age.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire among 342 women of reproductive age residing in Halishahar, Chattogram. A cluster random sampling technique was used to choose the participants. Environmental exposures, water and sanitation practices, sociodemographic characteristics, and reproductive health outcomes were all gathered. Patterns and relationships between independent variables and reproductive health outcomes were found using descriptive statistics and comparative analysis, which were carried out using SPSS version 25.
Results:
The most often reported problem was irregular menstruation (30.0%), which was followed by miscarriage (8.5%). Women with only a secondary education were most likely to experience miscarriage (41.4%). Miscarriage rates were greater (64.7%) and irregular menstrual cycles were higher (50%), according to respondents whose family income was less than 30,000 BDT. Age was associated with an increase in miscarriage (peaking at 34.5% among 29–35 years old). Reproductive health burdens were higher among those who had been in the area for more than five years, maybe because of environmental corrosion. While 99.7% of participants had access to low-salinity water, there were discrepancies in other water-related behaviors and attitudes. 19% of individuals noted changes in taste or odor, and 17.3% expressed concerns about water safety even though the majority reported safe drinking water and purification techniques. In this metropolitan periphery community, it was discovered that these behavioral and sociodemographic patterns had a greater impact on reproductive outcomes than low-to-moderate salinity levels.
Conclusion:
The results show that sociodemographic vulnerabilities, such as lower income, secondary education, and long-term residence, rather than extreme environmental exposures like salt, are the main factors influencing reproductive health outcomes in Halishahar. Reproductive health problems in Halishahar can be lessened with targeted health education, increased access to gynecological services, and ongoing water quality monitoring. | en_US |
