Bangladesh
Kamaluddin Ahmad
Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, Dhaka
University, Dhaka-2, Bangladesh
Mothers and children in rural areas are the main target for nutrition
education in Bangladesh. Various strategies have been used to convey nutrition
information to different groups. The messages generally given are: (a)
identification of malnutrition; (b) environmental factors influencing
nutritional status; (c) infection and malnutrition; (d) parasites and
malnutrition; (e) infant-feeding practices, including breast-feeding and weaning
food; and (f) immunization. Examples of some strategies used are:
- Messages on infant feeding and locally available weaning foods given
to mothers and mothers-to-be in rural areas by volunteers through food
demonstrations.
- General nutrition education in secondary schools! using
students to relay the message from their teachers, who were specially trained in
nutrition, to parents and other family members.
Nutrition and related activities are strengthened by short-course training of
peripheral-level workers and middle-level officials. Attention is given to
cultural practices in dietary food and preparation habits. The mass medium most
often used is radio, and, to a rather limited extent,
television.
