Page 13 - Aspire April -2023 Vol 8 / Issue 2

BANGLADESH
Negative association
between fertility and
educational attainment
as population declines
By Professor Maruf Siddiqui, Nusrat Mahmud and Rashida Begum, Country Representatives
Human fertility is in declining trends all over the world, and Bangladesh is not an exception.
Traditionally, Bangladesh has been one of the most overpopulated countries in the world and, as such, family planning has been the main focus in health sector policy.
However, we are now seeing a shift in this focus. Since 1985, our country has experienced a dramatic decline in the total fertility rate from 5.5 to 2.1. (Asian population study. Volume 19, 2023 - Issue 1).
There is a clear negative association between fertility and educational attainment at individual and community levels. Increased levels of education among women are associated with the desire for smaller family sizes.
Lifestyle changes and environmental pollution may also be a factor in the decline of male fertility in Bangladesh.
We have completed an analysis of semen data from a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh over 16 years. Bangladeshi males attending this hospital have experienced a decline in semen parameters (total motility and RL motility) and an increased frequency of azoospermia. (Indian Journal of Urology, 2018. Volume 34, Issue.1, pages 28-33).
Another relevant analysis compared semen parameters in Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani populations. It showed significant changes in asthenozoospermia in the Bangladeshi population compared to the other two countries. (Journal of South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, April-June 2016. 8(2) Pages1-4).
We need to collaborate with other Asian countries to see if this decline is due to climate changes that affect Bangladesh only, or if other factors are involved.
Rashida Begum Nusrat Mahmud Maruf Siddiqui
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