Authors : Mehedi Hasan Khan, 1Md. Ayub Ali and 2Dwijen Mallick
Abstract: Population aging is a recent issue in the socio-demographic context of Bangladesh. With low fertility-low mortality phases, Bangladesh entered into the regime of population aging during the 1990s. This demographic transition will have multidimensional implications on the broad development perspective. Based on data of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and other different relevant studies, this study tried to explore the changing socio-demographic issues of aging, different health related issues such as morbidity, illness and disability, health care facilities and different government and non-government policies regarding the welfare of the aged people. It was found that the number of aged people(60+) have increased from 1.8 million in 1951 to 8.3 million in 2000 that is quite phenomenal. Sex ratio remained very high (Average 126.6) indicating higher female mortality rate in this age group. Number of aged people was found higher in rural areas. Prevalence of morbidity and disability per thousand was found to be highest for both sexes among the aged. Most of the aged people suffer from rheumatism, followed by diabetes, chronic heart disease, blood pressure, chronic dysentery and gastric/ulcer. Apart from different physical illness, they also suffer from different psychological problems caused by their marginal position in the social structure. A good number of aged was found to receive health care facilities from various sources during their illness. More male members receive treatment than the female. A number of government and non-government organizations are working to provide socioeconomic and health services to the aged.
Mehedi Hasan Khan, , 1Md. Ayub Ali and 2Dwijen Mallick , 2004. Population Aging and Health Issues in the Changing Socio-Demographic Context of Bangladesh . Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 2: 23-32.