Not just red or green : an analysis of arsenic data in 15 upazilas in Bangladesh

This report presents an analysis of data collected through the UNICEF/DPHE 15 upazila arsenic mitigation programme, and in particular: Well screening data; Patient data; Results of a baseline and follow-up survey of arsenic related Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP); and Spatial data on wells and patients obtained through a dedicated GPS survey in three of the 15 upazilas.
One of the objectives of the data analysis was to document findings-showing the distribution of contaminated wells, the distribution of arsenic concentrations, affected population, levels of arsenic awareness, etc. The available data were examined for relationships within and between datasets in the expectation that patterns or relationships can be used to advantage in mitigation planning and policy development. Finally, there are a growing number of other countries in Asia and elsewhere which are also affected by higher than permissible arsenic concentrations in groundwater. For those countries there may be lessons that can be learned from the mass screening work done in Bangladesh, and for that reason the whole process of data collection and management is also described and analysed. All 15 upazilas are located in the southern half of Bangladesh, covering 10 administrative districts.