Gender inequality and severe malnutrition among children in a remote ruralarea of Bangladesh

Bangladesh typifies many south-eastern countries where female children expe rience inferior health and uncertain survival, especially after the neonata l period. This paper attempts to study the gender inequality in nutritional status and the effects of various socioeconomic, demographic, and health-p rogramme factors on gender inequality in a remote rural area of Bangladesh. Measurements of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were taken from 2,016 c hildren aged less than 5 years (50.8% male, 49.2% female)in 1994, Children were characterized as severely malnourished if MUAC was <125 mm. Independen t variables included various characteristics of children, households, and m others. Average MUAC for all children was 130 mm; 33% were severely malnour ished. Of the severely-malnourished children, 54.2% were female, and 45.8% were male. The gender gap persisted in the multivariate situation, with fem ale 1.44 times more likely to be severely malnourished. Other variables wit h a statistically significant relationship, included the age of children, a cceptance of DPT1, and education of household heads. The persistence of suc h a gender discrimination now when the country has achieved a lot in terms of child survival is striking. The issue is important and demands appropria te corrective actions.