Maternal nutrition, social correlates and obstetric outcomes in northern Mymensingh, Bangladesh

National indices of maternal health have improved in Bangladesh, but no data is available from rural Mymensingh where two non-government aid agencies have been working for years. Surveys were held to inform their planning. Methods: In November 2018, aided by a research team from Western Sydney University, Australia, anthropometric, mortality and socioeconomic data was compiled from 25 sites around Haluaghat and Dhobaura, and compared with national figures. Results: Of 1982 mothers surveyed: 15.5% were ‘stunted’(<145 cm) vs 15.7% in Sylhet, and 13.3% in Dhaka, correlating with poverty, reduced education, and stunting of offspring. 13% were underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2) vs 29.8% in Sylhet and 18.2% in Dhaka. Conversely, overweight was common. Of stunted mothers 14.4% were ‘at risk’, 26.1% overweight and 4.2% obese. 29.7% consumed betel nut. Stillbirth, Perinatal, Neonatal and Child Mortality rates were very high: 89.8, 108.8, 27.45, and 61.3 respectively. 63.5% of births occurred at home with untrained assistance. 33.2% of mothers were married < 16 years, and suffered higher Neonatal and Child Mortality Rates