Impacts of bio-social factors on morbidity among children aged under-5 in Bangladesh.

Stretching over 147570 square kilometres of land and with a population exceeding 131 million Bangladesh is the worlds ninth most populous country. It is also one of the most densely populated (834 persons per sq. km.). Over-population and poverty are pervasive in Bangladesh and causing hazards such as morbidity. Children aged under five years whom are naturally innocent vulnerable and dependent on their parents often suffer from viral and infectious diseases. The future of a nation is linked to the well-being of its children which depends to a large extent on childrens health status. The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of morbidity among children aged under-5 (0-59 months) in Bangladesh and to determine the factors causing such morbidity. Morbidity impedes the bodys metabolism and retards its immune response. The poor appetite of a malnourished child leads to a fall in dietary intakes and may dictate a morbid condition. Morbidity reveals impairment in the immuno-competence of an organism and may cause death at an early stage of life. (excerpt)