Ever-married Women Research Articles

A Deviance Approach to Understanding Use of Maternal Health Care Services in Bangladesh.

Use of maternal health care can reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in countries like Bangladesh, where rates of these outcomes are high. Community characteristics are associated with use of maternal care services, but it is unclear whether deviation from community norms is associated with service use. Data from the 2014 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey on 4,106 ever-married women aged 15-49 were used to examine relationships between women's deviation from their communities on socioeconomic, fertility and other characteristics and use of maternal health care (antenatal care, delivery care, postpartum care and a composite measure). Characteristics were examined at the individual and community levels and as deviance variables that indicated whether respondents differed from local norms in a positive way (e.g., being employed when others were not) or a negative way (being unemployed when others had jobs). Associations were identified using logistic regression. Sixty-three percent of women had had postpartum care; smaller proportions had had delivery care (40%), antenatal care (27%) or all three types (17%). Several deviance variables were associated with service use. Negative deviance on women's employment was associated with antenatal care (odds ratio, 1.3); positive deviance on violence justification, exposure to family planning messages and husband's employment was associated with delivery care (1.3-4.8); positive deviance on husband's employment was associated with not receiving postpartum care (0.7); and negative deviance on women's employment and positive deviance on age at marriage were associated with receipt of all three services (1.4-1.7). Understanding associations between deviation from community norms and receipt of maternal health care may provide deeper understanding of variation within communities regarding whether women use services.

Gender equality in India hit by illiteracy, child marriages and violence: a hurdle for sustainable development.

IntroductionGender equality is fundamental to accelerate sustainable development. It is necessary to conduct gender analyses to identify sex and gender-based differences in health risks. This study aimed to find the gender equality in terms of illiteracy, child marriages and spousal violence among women based on data from National Family Health Survey 2015-16 (NFHS-4).MethodsThis was a descriptive analysis of secondary data of ever-married women onto reproductive age from 15 states and 3 UTs in India of the first phase of NFHS-4. Gender gap related to literacy and child marriage among urban and rural area was compared.ResultsIn rural area all states except Meghalaya and Sikkim had the significantly higher percentage of women's illiteracy as compared to male. Bihar and Madhya Pradesh had higher illiterate women, 53.7% and 48.6% as compared to male, 24.7% and 21.5% respectively (P < 0.000). Child marriages were found to be significantly higher in rural areas as compared to urban areas in four most populated states.ConclusionThere is a gender gap between illiteracy with women more affected in rural areas with higher prevalence of child marriages and poor utilization of maternal health services. Also, violence against women is showing an upward trend with declining sex-ratio at birth.

Determinants of maternal health care services utilization in Pakistan: evidence from Pakistan demographic and health survey, 2012–13

The aim of this study was to determine the association between maternal utilisation of health-care services and socio-demographic factors among reproductive-age women in Pakistan. We used the sample of ever-married reproductive-age women (n = 7446) from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS), 2012–13. We measured maternal utilisation of health-care services by using three dependent variables: number of antenatal care (ANC) visits, delivery assistance by a skilled health provider, and delivery in a health-care facility. Around 36.6% of women had made four or more ANC visits, 59% had received assistance from skilled health providers during delivery, and 55.3% had given birth in a health-care facility. On multivariable logistic regression, all three variables were positively associated with education and wealth, and negatively associated with birth order and women’s autonomy. Policymakers and health planners may use our findings to develop efficient strategies, particularly for uneducated women and those with poor economic status, to improve the utilisation of maternal health-care services in Pakistan.

Türkiye'de Kadına Yönelik Aile İçi Şiddetin Cinsiyet Temelli Mekânlardaki Karakteristikleri

Kadına yönelik şiddet, Türkiye’nin önemli toplumsal sorunlarından biri olmaya devam ediyor. Ancak, kadına yönelik aile içi şiddet ile kadınların cinsiyet temelli mekânları kullanımları arasındaki ilişkiyi ele alan ve feminist coğrafya odağında duran ampirik çalışmalar halâ sınırlı. Bu çalışmada, evlenmiş kadınların yaşamlarının herhangi bir döneminde maruz bırakıldıkları şiddet biçimleri, şiddetle mücadele etme yöntemleri ile yaşamlarının uzun bir bölümünü geçirdikleri farklı mekânlar arasında nasıl bir ilişki olduğunu ortaya koymayı amaçladık. Çalışmada nicel yaklaşımı esas aldık. Analizlerde Kadına Yönelik Aile İçi Şiddet Araştırması 2008’in mikro verisini kullandık. Cinsiyet temelli mekân değişkenini ‘ev dışında bir işte çalışmaya’ ilişkin bilgiyi esas alarak oluşturduk. Gelir getirsin ya da getirmesin ev dışında çalıştığını belirten kadınlar ile farklı nedenlere dayalı olarak çalışmadığını belirten kadınları, sırasıyla, ‘kamusal mekânla ilişkili olanlar’ ve ’yaşamları özel mekânla sınırlı olanlar’ biçiminde iki farklı grup olarak ayrıştırdık. Böylece kadınların yaşamlarını daha çok geçirdikleri ev (özel mekân) ya da ev dışı (kamusal mekân) mekânların sosyo-demografik özellikleri, maruz kaldıkları fiziksel ve cinsel şiddet, kontrol edici davranışlar ve şiddetle mücadele etme biçimleri açısından bir farklılık yaratıp yaratmadığını ki-kare testi kullanarak sorguladık. Sonuçlar, cinsiyet temelli mekânlara göre şiddet yaygınlığının belirgin biçimde değiştiğini gösteriyor. Yakın dönemde maruz kalınan fiziksel şiddet, özel mekân ile daha fazla ilişkili olan kadınlar için daha yaygın iken, kamusal mekânla daha fazla ilişkili olan kadınlar için cinsel şiddet daha fazla. Eşlerin kadınlara yönelik kontrol edici davranış biçimleri ise özel ve kamusal mekânla olan etkileşime göre farklılıklar içeriyor. Şiddete maruz kalan kadınların şiddetle mücadele için kurumsal başvuru mekanizmalarını kullanmaları kamusal mekânla ilişkili olan kadınlar açısından daha yaygın iken, bu ilişkinin kadınları güçlendirmede kilit bir faktör olduğunu gösteriyor.

Dynamics of contraceptive use: A study of King Saud University women staff, Riyadh

Background: Contraception, a little researched topic in the Saudi Arabian context, receives attention in the demographic transition for its implications on population policy. The population of Saudi Arabia appears homogeneous but shows differences across social and economic groups. An important component of demography – contraception is been hypothesized in Saudi Arabia, as a determinant of fertility, along with other factors such as age at first marriage, women’s educational attainment, husband’s education, child deaths, women’s work force participation, place of residence, type of family, preference for sons, level of living, and administrative area of residence. This hypothesis has significance due to the fertility differentials depending upon marital relations, female literacy, modernization and migration. This study intends to capture the attention of academicians and social reformers in line with building “happy families”. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the associates and determinants of contraceptive use and to ascertain the importance of factors promoting contraceptive use. Methods: Here the contraceptive use of a unique group of ever-married women employees of King Saud University Riyadh was examined in 2015, with an aim to assessing its associates and determinants. The sample of 354 women was drawn by a simple random sampling method tested with a self-administered questionnaire. Analyses were primarily means of age at first marriage, age of husband at marriage, age gap between spouses, years lived with husband, and number of children; association of demographic, geographic, social, and economic variables; and determinants. Results: Demographic variables of age, number of marriages, age of husband at first marriage, and continuing with first marriage; geographic variable of place grown up; social variables of type of family and type of job; and economic variable of income are significant associates of contraceptive use. Meanwhile, age, continuing with first marriage, age at first marriage, number of children, and home ownership are significant predictors. Conclusions and recommendations: Manipulation of these indicators or characteristics of women facilitate the demographic scenario desired by the Kingdom or conceptualized in the population policy.

Utilization of institutional delivery services across successive births in India

As institutional delivery centers usually have much better modern facilities and hygienic conditions in India, utilization of institutional delivery services could improve maternal and child health. The objective of this paper is to address the issue of whether women were consistent in delivering births in an institutional care center over successive pregnancies in India and investigate the factors associated with consistent utilization of institutional delivery. We applied multivariate multilevel models that allow for a strong dependence between successive outcomes at the same unit to the third round of the National Family Health Survey in 2005-2006. Results show that region and place of residence, woman’s education, wealth index, having experienced the loss of a child, ever having terminated a pregnancy, and birth order are significant predictors of place of delivery for all three recent births among ever-married women. Our results further show that previous utilization of institutional delivery was an important predictor of utilization for subsequent institutional deliveries. Policies aimed at improving the wide or persistent utilization of institutional delivery in India should focus on first-time mothers targeting disadvantaged women who are from rural areas, poor families, illiterate, Muslim, and scheduled castes.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Domestic Violence Against Women Attending a Primary Care Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Domestic violence (DV) against women can negatively affect the physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health of the women as well as the well-being of their children. The objective was to estimate among Saudi women the prevalence of different types of DV, to identify its associated risk factors, and to determine the immediate victims' reactions to such violence. A cross-sectional study was carried between March and July, 2011. Self-administrated questionnaire was administered to ever-married Saudi women attending Al-Wazarat primary health care center, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Out of the 720 women studied, 144 (20%) reported exposure to DV over the last year. The most common DV types were emotional (69%), social (34%), economic (26%), physical (20%), and sexual violence (10%). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the following characteristics were independently associated with DV: younger women age, longer duration of marriage, higher women education, lower husband education, working husbands, military occupation, fewer children, husbands with multiple wives, smoking husbands, aggressive husbands, presence of chronic disease in women or husbands, and non-sufficient family income. The most common impacts of DV on women were medical or behavioral problems (72%) and psychiatric problems (58%). The most common reactions to DV were seeking separation (56%) and doing nothing (41%). More than 90% of children of abused women suffered psychological or behavioral problems. In conclusion, DV against Saudi women is considerable and the response is generally passive. Promoting a culture non-tolerant to DV and providing accessible, effective, and trustful social services to abused women are critically needed.

Effect of Enabling Resources and Risk Factors on the Relationship between Intimate Partner Violence and Anxiety in Ever-Married Women in Minya, Egypt

The effect of intimate partner violence (IPV) on mental health remains understudied in the Arab world. Using data from 608 ever-married women in rural Minya, Egypt who took part in the 2005 Egypt Demographic Health Survey (EDHS) and a 2012 follow-up survey, we assessed how a woman’s enabling resources and risk factors influenced the association of her exposure to IPV with her generalized anxiety. Results from multivariate regression models showed that proximity to natal kin, prior schooling, and engagement in market work 12 months before marriage had protective effects on generalized anxiety associated with IPV. Childhood abuse from mother also had a protective effect on this relationship. Similar abuse from the brother exacerbated the effects of anxiety when a woman was exposed to IPV. Empowerment programs can encourage women to attend school and engage in market or subsistence work, while suggesting strategies to improve the relationship of women with natal kin.

Association between high-risk fertility behaviours and the likelihood of chronic undernutrition and anaemia among married Bangladeshi women of reproductive age.

To explore the association between high-risk fertility behaviours and the likelihood of chronic undernutrition, anaemia and the coexistence of anaemia and undernutrition among women of reproductive age. The 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, conducted from 8 July to 27 December 2011. Selected urban and rural areas of Bangladesh. A total of 2197 ever-married women living with at least one child younger than 5 years. Exposure was determined from maternal reports of high-risk fertility behaviours. We considered three parameters, maternal age at the time of delivery, birth order and birth interval, to define the high-risk fertility behaviours. Chronic undernutrition, anaemia and the coexistence of anaemia and undernutrition among women were the outcome variables. A substantial percentage of women were exposed to have a high-risk fertility pattern (41·8 %); 33·0 % were at single high-risk and 8·8 % were at multiple high-risk. After adjusting for relevant covariates, high-risk fertility behaviours were associated with increased likelihood of chronic undernutrition (adjusted relative risk; 95 % CI: 1·22; 1·03, 1·44), anaemia (1·12; 1·00, 1·25) and the coexistence of anaemia and undernutrition (1·52; 1·17, 1·98). Furthermore, multiple high-risk fertility behaviours appeared to have more profound consequences on the outcome measured. Maternal high-risk fertility behaviours are shockingly frequent practices among women in Bangladesh. High-risk fertility behaviours are important predictors of the increased likelihood of women's chronic undernutrition, anaemia and the coexistence of anaemia and undernutrition.

Determinants Of Fertility And Fertility Preferences In Pakistan: Comparative Secondary Analysis Of PDHS 2007-2013

Fertility rate is on gradual decline in Pakistan like other developing countries with increased acceptance of family planning methods. Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys revealed a slow decline from 4.1 in 2007 to 3.8 children per woman in 2013. Despite availability of nationally representative primary data, empirical researches on demographic and health determinants of fertility and fertility preferences in Pakistan are rare. The aim of this study is to assess the major differences in factors determining fertility and fertility preferences in Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2006- 2007 and 2012-2013. Using two data sets Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2006-2007 and 2012-2013, researchers conducted a comparison of findings generated in secondary analyses. Researchers studied the association of social demographics, reproductive history and infant mortality with fertility and fertility preferences among ever-married women of reproductive age (15-49). Results are indicated using binary logistic regression and multivariate analysis. Findings support the association of social demographics of women, living sons, child mortality and reproductive history with ideal number of children; desire to reproduce more and number of living children. Injection induced labour pains, C-section deliveries, fistula problem, abortions and spotting during gestation are associated significantly with lower ideal number of children. Living sons are positively associated with ideal number of children and negatively associated with desire to reproduce more. The desire to reproduce more in association with women’s age 15-29, rural place of residence and C-section deliveries has reduced over time from 2007 to 2013 in country. Complications during pregnancies and delivery are important determinants of fertility and fertility preferences among women. Further research is needed to assess the association of pregnancy and delivery problems with fertility and fertility preferences in Pakistan.

Impact of the Mass Media in Changing Attitudes Towards Violence Against Women in Bangladesh: Findings from a National Survey

To date, there have been no nationally representative studies examining the influence of media on norms regarding violence against women (VAW) among the general population. Data for this study came from the 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys that completed 17,842 interviews with ever-married women. Results of logistic regressions showed that among the three media outlets (TV, radio, and newspaper), only TV had a very small significant effect on women’s attitudes towards VAW (r = .031; p < .01). Community gender norms mediate the effect of television on women’s support of gender equitable norms. Being younger, non-Muslims, educated, living in wealthy households, and having greater autonomy, were significantly associated with greater support for gender equitable norms. Since media did not have substantial influence on gender norms related to VAW, our findings implied that efforts to promote gender norms change in society need to consider other strategies.

Individual schooling and women's community-level media exposure: a multilevel analysis of normative influences associated with women's justification of wife beating in Bangladesh

BackgroundOur objective was to examine the multilevel correlates of women's justification of wife beating in Bangladesh, a form of intimate partner violence (IPV). We focus on individual-level schooling, community-level media...

Marriage Before 16 or 18 years: The Effect of Marital Age on Women’s Educational Attainment in Bangladesh

In spite of the high prevalence of child marriage in Bangladesh, studies of its effect on the educational attainment of women are limited. We sought to answer the following questions: To what extent does the effect of child marriage on educational attainment vary for women married below 16 and below 18 years of age? Secondly, how does age at first marriage affect a woman’s length of participation in school? Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted by using the 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, which included 17,749 respondents who were ever-married women aged 15-49. Child marriage before age 16 (as compared with 18) leads to a higher rate of incomplete secondary education, and a lower rate of educational attainment for women. A one-year decrease in age at first marriage leads to six months loss of education for women. For this reason, we recommend that the government refrain from fixing the legal age of marriage at age 16 for women.

Magnitude and factors associated with intimate partner violence in mainland Tanzania

BackgroundIn Tanzania like in many sub-Saharan countries the data about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) are scarce and diverse. This study aims to determine the magnitude of IPV and associated factors among ever partnered women in urban mainland Tanzania.MethodsData for this report were extracted from a big quasi-experimental survey that was used to evaluate MAP (MAP - Men as Partners) project. Data were collected using standard questions as those in big surveys like Demographic and Health Surveys. Data analyses involved descriptive statistics to characterize IPV. Associations between IPV and selected variables were based on Chi-square test and we used binary logistic regression to assess factors associated with women’s perpetration to physical IPV and Odds Ratio (OR) as outcome measures with their 95 % confidence intervals (CI).ResultsThe lifetime exposure to IPV was 65 % among ever-married or ever–partnered women with 34, 18 and 21 % reporting current emotional, physical and sexual violence respectively. Seven percent of women reported having ever physically abused partners. The prevalence of women perpetration to physical IPV was above 10 % regardless to their exposure to emotional, physical or sexual IPV.ConclusionsIPV towards women in this study was high. Although rates are low, there is some evidence to suggest that women may also perpetrate IPV against their partners. Based on hypothesis of IPV and HIV co-existence, there should be strategies to address the problem of IPV especially among women.

Women Living with HIV/AIDs in Manipur: Relations with Family and Neighbourhood

This study documents the experiences of 100 ever-married women having children and living with HIV in four districts in Manipur, India. The study analyses everyday stigma and discrimination faced by the sample, women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA), in different settings following disclosure of their HIV status. Often families do not accept that women have been infected by their husbands. If a woman tests positive and the man negative, the situation becomes even worse, especially if confidentiality is breached. Most of the women reported that both natal and affinal families subjected them to rejection and discrimination, refusing to give them a share of the property or even provide financial, let alone emotional support.

Association between intimate partner violence and poor child growth: results from 42 demographic and health surveys.

ObjectiveTo determine the impact of intimate partner violence against women on children’s growth and nutritional status in low- and middle-income countries.MethodsWe pooled records from 42 demographic and health surveys in 29 countries. Data on maternal lifetime exposure to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were collected. We used logistic regression models to determine the association between intimate partner violence and child stunting and wasting.FindingsPrior exposure to intimate partner violence was reported by 69 652 (34.1%) of the 204 159 ever-married women included in our analysis. After adjusting for a range of characteristics, stunting in children was found to be positively associated with maternal lifetime exposure to only physical (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 1.11; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.09–1.14) or sexual intimate partner violence (aOR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.05–1.13) and to both forms of such violence (aOR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05–1.14). The associations between stunting and intimate partner violence were stronger in urban areas than in rural ones, for mothers who had low levels of education than for women with higher levels of education, and in middle-income countries than in low-income countries. We also found a small negative association between wasting and intimate partner violence (aOR: 0.94; 95%CI: 0.90–0.98).ConclusionIntimate partner violence against women remains common in low- and middle-income countries and is highly detrimental to women and to the growth of the affected women’s children. Policy and programme efforts are needed to reduce the prevalence and impact of such violence.

SOCIOECONOMIC VARIATIONS IN INDUCED ABORTION IN TURKEY.

This study aimed to identify the levels of, and socioeconomic variations in, income-related inequality in induced abortion among Turkish women. The study included 15,480 ever-married women of reproductive age (15-49) from the 2003 and 2008 waves of the Turkish Demographic and Health Survey. The measured inequalities in abortion levels and their changes over time were decomposed into the percentage contributions of selected socioeconomic factors using ordinary least square analysis and concentration indices were calculated. The inequalities and their first difference (difference in inequalities between 2003 and 2008) were decomposed using the approaches of Wagstaff et al. (2003). Higher socioeconomic characteristics (such as higher levels of wealth and education and better neighbourhood) were found to be associated with higher rates of abortion. Inequality analyses indicated that although deprived women become more familiar with abortion over time, abortion was still more concentrated among affluent women in the 2008 survey. The decomposition analyses suggested that wealth, age, education and level of regional development were the most important contributors to income-related inequality in abortion. Therefore policies that (i) increase the level of wealth and education of deprived women, (ii) develop deprived regions of Turkey, (iii) improve knowledge about family planning and, especially (iv) enhance the accessibility of family planning services for deprived and/or rural women, may be beneficial for reducing socioeconomic variations in abortion in the country.

Use of reproductive health care services among urban migrant women in Bangladesh

BackgroundRecent internal migration flows from rural to urban areas pose challenges to women using reproductive health care services in their migratory destinations. No studies were found which examined the relationship between migration, migration-associated indicators and reproductive health care services in Bangladesh.MethodsWe analyzed the 2006 Bangladesh Urban Health Survey (data made publically available in June 2013) of 14,191 ever-married women aged 10–59 years. Cross tabulations and logistic regression were conducted.ResultsMigrants and non-migrants did not differ significantly in their use of modern contraceptives and treatment for STI but were less likely to receive ANC even after controlling for a range of variables. Compared to non-migrants, more migrants had home births, did not take vitamin A after delivery, and had no medical exam post-birth. Migrant women being village-born (rather than urban-born) were associated with risk of diminished: use of ANC; treatment for STI; medical exam post-birth; vitamin A post-birth. Migrating for work or education (rather than other reasons) was associated with risk of diminished: use of ANC; use of modern facilities for birth; and medical exam post-birth. Each additional year lived in urban areas was associated with a greater likelihood of receiving ANC.ConclusionsWomen who migrated to urban areas in Bangladesh were significantly less likely than non-migrants to use reproductive health care services related to pregnancy care. Pro-actively identifying migrant women, especially those who originated from villages or migrated for work or education may be warranted to ensure optimal use of pregnancy-related services.

Single motherhood and neonatal and infant mortality in Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Burundi

BackgroundChildhood mortality is a stubborn problem and remains highest in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Existing research on childhood mortality in SSA indicate that most of the childhood deaths are from preventable causes such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, measles, malaria, HIV and underlying malnutrition, acute respiratory infections, whooping cough, tuberculosis, bronchopneumonia, dirty feeding bottles and utensils, inadequate disposal of household refuse and poor storage of drinking water. However, insufficient attention has been given to maternal marital status and childhood mortality relationships. Understanding the implications of maternal marital status for childhood mortality can add to our knowledge of the correlates of neonatal and infant mortality and furnish insights to support the design and delivery of interventions to address the problem. ObjectiveTo document and examine the extent to which the association between neonatal and infant mortality varies between single and ever-married mothers in Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, and Burundi. A single mother is defined in this study as a woman who has either lived with a partner, married before, widowed, separated during the survey periods and has given at least one life birth. Ever-married woman is woman who has been married at least once in their lives although their current marital status may not be married. Study designData for this study were drawn from the latest Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone and Burundi. The selected datasets came from 2010 Burkina Faso DHS (BFDHS), 2008 Sierra Leone DHS (SLDHS) and 2010 Burundi DHS (EDSB II). MethodsThe relevant data for this study (women age 15–49 years who had at least one live birth within the five years preceding the survey) were extracted from the whole dataset of each country (Burkinabe (n = 17,087), Sierra Leonean (n = 7374) and Burundian (n = 9389). Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to assess the association between neonatal and infant mortality and maternal marital status. All data were analysed using STATA Version 11. ResultsThe multivariate logistic regression analyses yielded significantly increased risk of neonatal and infant mortality among single mothers. ConclusionsNeonates and infants of single mothers are at increased risk of neonatal and infant mortality compared to those of ever-married women.

Determinants of overweight or obesity among ever-married adult women in Bangladesh.

BackgroundThe prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in Bangladesh. It is higher among Bangladeshi women than among men. This study was conducted to assess a host of demographic and socioeconomic correlates of overweight and obesity, separately for the urban and rural women of Bangladesh.MethodsWe used data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2011. The BDHS provides cross-sectional data on a wide range of indicators relating to population, health, and nutrition. We analyzed nutrition-related data to identify the factors associated with being overweight or obese among ever-married women aged 18–49 years.ResultsOf 16,493 women, about 18 % (95 % CI 17 · 80–18 · 99) were overweight or obese. Unemployed urban women were at 1 · 44 (95 % CI 1 · 18–1 · 76, p < 0 · 001) times higher risk of being overweight or obese than those women who were involved in manual-labored work. Watching television at least once a week was another significant predictor among urban women (OR 1 · 49; 95 % CI 1 · 24–1 · 80; p < 0 · 001) and rural women (OR 1 · 31; 95 % CI 1 · 14–1 · 51; p < 0 · 001). Household wealth index and food security were also strongly associated with overweight or obesity of both rural and urban women.ConclusionsThe findings of the study indicate that a large number of women in Bangladesh are suffering from being overweight or obese, and multiple factors are responsible for this including, older age, being from wealthy households, higher education, being from food-secured households, watching TV at least once a week, and being an unemployed urban woman. Given the anticipated long-term effects, the factors that are associated with being overweight or obese should be considered while formulating an effective intervention for the women of Bangladesh.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40608-016-0093-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.