Abstract
Since 2015, Bangladesh has transitioned from a low-income to a lower-middle-income economy. Despite this advancement, a significant portion of the population continues to live below the poverty line in substandard and unhealthy conditions. This study aims to examine the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on urban settlements in Bangladesh, with a specific focus on the Rajshahi Division. Data were collected from 484 slum-dwelling households, and the Cost of Basic Needs (CBN) method was used to assess poverty levels. To identify key determinants of household poverty, a logistic regression analysis was conducted. Findings indicate that households whose head was infected with COVID-19 experienced greater financial hardship than those whose head remained uninfected. The probability of a household being poor also increased with the number of infected members within the household. Furthermore, limited access to healthcare services was linked to higher poverty rates. The study also revealed that urban households were generally poorer than their rural counterparts. These outcomes highlight the pressing issue of inadequate healthcare infrastructure in urban slums, which exacerbates vulnerability to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases while also perpetuating poverty through reduced household incom
Authors
- Khandaker — Mursheda Farhana;
- Md. Mehedi — Hassan