Submission ID 118437
| Issue/Objective | Respiratory infections, including COVID-19, remain a significant public health challenge, particularly for working women living in urban informal settlements who face overcrowded living conditions, poor workplace hygiene, and limited access to healthcare. These socio-environmental vulnerabilities heighten their risk of infection. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a targeted Behavior Change Communication (BCC) intervention designed to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to the prevention and control of respiratory infections among this high-risk population. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A quasi-experimental study was conducted in low-income informal settlements within the Dhaka and Gazipur regions of Bangladesh, under the coverage of icddr,b's Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System (UHDSS). A total of 1,005 working women were surveyed at baseline (501 intervention, 504 control), with a follow-up sample of 910 participants at endline, indicating a 9.45% attrition rate due to migration. The BCC intervention addressed key KAP components around respiratory infections. Effectiveness was assessed using Pearson's chi-square tests (α = 0.05), and Difference-in-Differences (DiD) analysis was applied to estimate the net intervention effect while adjusting for baseline group differences and temporal changes. |
| Results | Among the participants, 64% in the intervention and 62% in the control group were engaged in informal employment, with the majority being domestic workers (72%), followed by small business owners (16%) and day laborers (12%). Post-intervention, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvements: knowledge of respiratory infection symptoms increased from 27% to 64% (p<0.001), awareness of preventive measures rose from 16% to 41% (p<0.001), and understanding of the three key moments for handwashing improved from 56% to 84% (p<0.001). Furthermore, the proportion of participants practicing at least two preventive behaviors increased from 42% to 63% (p<0.001), and knowledge of available health services for infectious diseases increased by 18% (p<0.001). |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The BCC intervention significantly enhanced knowledge and preventive practices among working women in the informal sector. This study highlights the importance of targeted health education strategies in reducing vulnerability and building resilience among underserved urban populations in the context of infectious disease prevention. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Foyjunnaher Sultana International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh Md. Zamiur Rahaman International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh Monika Akter International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh Fatima Tuz-Zannat International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh Sohana Shafique International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh |
