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.
BSS/GY
