DHAKA, Dec 31, 2020 (BSS) – About 40 percent people know that
handwashing using water and soap is necessary before eating, according
to a new survey.
The National Hygiene Survey 2018 conducted by Bangladesh Bureau of
Statistics (BBS) revealed that 36 percent adolescent girls knew about
menstruation before their first period.
According to the survey, 43 percent adolescents and 29 percent
adult women use disposable pads during their menstruation.
At school, 39 percent boys and girls have access to improved,
unlocked, accessible toilets that have soap and water available. But
sanitary pad disposal bins were available in 22 percent schools having
separate improved toilets for menstrual management purposes.
The survey showed that about 30 percent girls reported abstinence
from school during their menstruation in last 6 months and on an
average, they missed school for 2.5 days. On the other hand, 36
percent girls reported to receive menstrual health education at
school.
The survey also captures quantifiable pictures of sanitation
facilities and environmental hygiene in restaurants and health
facilities as well as hygiene behaviours of food vendors and
caregivers.
It said that 68 percent cooks reported to wash hands during the
business hours in restaurants. BBS today unveiled the report of
‘National Hygiene Survey 2018 at a function today.
The survey was conducted with support from Unicef Bangladesh and
WaterAid, a press release said.
The National Hygiene Survey 2018 report presents the findings from
the data collected across five different components: household,
school, health facilities, restaurants and food vendors with objective
to allow monitoring of the progress of hygiene related indicators of
SDGs, Five Year Plan, Vision 2021 and vision 2041 etc.
Mohammad Yamin Chowdhury, Secretary of Statistics and Informatics
Division, Ministry of Planning said evidence-based programmes and
informed policies will effectively address gaps and scale up successes
and this hygiene report would be instrumental for effective planning
and financing in the major development sector in Bangladesh.
Hasin Jahan, Country Director, WaterAid Bangladesh, said the report
highlights the challenges faced by Bangladesh and, thus, it means that
double efforts are needed to ensure hygiene becomes a priority
especially in light of Covid-19.
Tushar Mohon Shadhu Khan, Additional Chief Engineer (Planning),
Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) was present at the
launching event with Mohammad Tajul Islam, Director General,
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, in the chair.
Md Mashud Alam, Director of BBS’s Demography and Health Wing,
resented the key findings of the survey.