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Char land is well-known as a hard-to-reach community in Bangladesh where the basic health services are very pitiable. Drawing an example from two char land communities in Bangladesh, this study explored the status of the public health services and service gaps. The study collected data from 222 respondents (heads of the households) and used a quantitative research approach where a face-to-face structured interview schedule was employed for data collection. Results showed that the char land family members were suffering different types of diseases, but they did not have adequate scientific treatment facilities; manpower and institutional facilities for health services were lacking against needs; and the quality of health services was awfully poor. All of the respondents mentioned a high service gap between demand and supply on health tests, specialized services and emergency services. Findings would be important guidelines for policy makers, development practitioners, health providers, and health workers.

This study aimed to evaluate the academic performance and social surroundings of teenage smokers in Bengkulu City, Indonesia, utilizing a mixed research methodology that incorporated both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative data was obtained via structured interviews with 130 teenage smokers, while the qualitative data was obtained through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. The findings revealed that 51 out of 130 participants achieved a “top 10” rank in their academic performance, and 48 claimed to have achieved a “top 3 rank”. Moreover, 65% of participants reported that their family environment was supportive of their academic achievement, and there was a significant association between family environment and academic performance (OR = 10.795; p < 0.05). Additionally, 55% of participants reported that their peer environment was supportive of their academic achievement, and there was a significant association between peer environment and academic performance (OR = 10.706; p = 0.030). Furthermore, 58% of participants reported that the community environment supported their academic achievement, but there was no significant relationship between the community environment and academic performance (OR = 6.787; p = 0.148). Finally, 59% of participants reported that the work environment supported their academic achievement, but there was no significant relationship between workplace environment and academic performance (OR = 7.598; p = 0.107). The study recommends that parents and schools should focus on improving their children's academic performance, particularly in the context of peer relationships.

Taking unjust and unlawful benefits of children’s labour for someone’s gain or gratification can be termed as economic exploitations in child labour. The study aimed to explore the prevalence of economic exploitations and their determinants among child labourers (CLs). Lalbagh, Hazaribagh, and Kamrangirchar sub-districts of Dhaka district were rationally chosen as the areas of the study. The study adopted a mixed-method design, where a proportional probability sampling was used. A list of 1753 CLs comprising 543, 587 and 626 from the selected study areas was prepared through a short enumeration survey and 324 CLs were interviewed systematically from the list to collect quantitative data using a face-to-face structured interview schedule. The study also collected qualitative data through 15 in-depth case interviews (five from each sub-district). Multivariate logistic regression was employed to determine the associated factors with the economic exploitations. Thematic analysis was followed, and then a concurrent technique was employed for data analysis. Results showed that 97% of the CLs were economically exploited. The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that the socio-economic and occupational factors were significantly associated with these economic exploitations in different variables used in the study. On the other hand, the qualitative findings showed that the CLs were physically and verbally abused, engaged long working hours with less than minimum wage, involved in various hazardous jobs while hardly received treatment costs due to occupational injury. Finding would be an important guideline for the governmental and non-governmental organizations, policymakers, human rights workers and development practitioners in the related field.

In the context of generally limited research on the subject, this study aims to (i) unravel the nature, forms, and manifestations of socioeconomic and psychological vulnerabilities of the river erosion–affected coastal communities in Bangladesh and (ii) suggest a number of alternative livelihood options in order to reduce the vulnerabilities. It draws on a mixed-method approach. The fieldwork was conducted in three unions representing three upazilas (sub-districts) of the Bhola District. Quantitative data were collected using a structured interview schedule from 371 household heads, while the qualitative data were generated through in-depth case interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The results show that the river erosion wreaked havoc on the communities’ physical resources and increased their psychosocial vulnerabilities such as forced displacement, social insecurity, food insecurity, breakdown of socio-cultural bondage and networks, and decreased social esteem. The lack of livelihood options coupled with poor and fragile household conditions contribute to the reduced ability of the communities to cope with the post-disaster problems. The low level of participation of the river erosion–affected people in disaster construction, planning, and programs results in a weakened state of community resilience which further increases vulnerability in the future. Based on the overall observations of the study, a number of community-led alternative livelihood options are then suggested including adoption of innovative production and processing measures, formation of self-help groups, entrepreneurship development, priority basis livelihood options based on local context, and use of indigenous knowledge and skills-based coping strategies. The findings may provide useful lessons and ameliorative clues to the policy makers, and (disaster and development) practitioners.

The main objective of this paper was to examine the effects of smartphone addiction on bonding social capital among the university students in Bangladesh, for which measurement of smartphone addiction has been a correlated precondition of the study. In this connection, the main argument of this paper is that the accessibility of online-based smartphone apps alarmingly increases the compulsive use of smartphone mainly among the youth community in Bangladesh. The study employed a social survey method where data were collected through a face-to-face interview with a structured questionnaire. The study used a stratified random sampling with a sample size of 384 in the public and private university students in Bangladesh. Results show that 28 percent of the university students are addicted to the smartphone which has greater impacts on their primordial social relation as well as bonding social capital. The statistical findings also reveal that smartphone addiction weakens attachment to their family, close friends, and relatives despite having more communicational and interactional benefits from them. Specifically, the addictive use of smartphone reduces emotional sharing, interior intimacy, and responsibility toward the nearest one, but these adverse effects are highly predicted by the adaptive dysfunctions as social symptoms and by the psychological state of feeling panic and anxious without a smartphone. The study findings would be the important guideline for the policymakers, education and development practitioners, community development and youth welfare workers, social scientists, and human rights workers.

This paper looks at the dynamism of culture, poverty and development between two countries: India and Bangladesh. There is evidence that poverty is related with culture and this synergy is related with development and vice-versa. This evidence is much more unified within these two countries. A Qualitative Interpretative Meta-Synthesis (QIMS) was conducted to analyze the current literature on the dynamism of culture, poverty and development. Results showed that culture, poverty and development are interning each other, and this interning is a factual in India and Bangladesh. The paper clearly shows that due to the cultural backwardness in India and Bangladesh, many people could not come out from the poverty line. As a result, the achievement of the development indicators in both countries is still slow. This paper argues that culture in all its multiple forms is essential to address the poverty as well as development. The findings of the paper would be important guideline to the development practitioners, NGO workers and development policy makers.

The article derives data from a qualitative study conducted to address the essential skills competency in teaching among social work educators in Malaysian public universities. The study conducted in-depth case interviews with selected lecturers who teach social work education in public universities in Malaysia. The results showed that social work educators believe in communication skills, cognitive skills, analytical skills, hands-on practice and continuous training for quality social work education; nevertheless, they do not all possess such skills efficiently as per skills competency standards in Malaysia. The findings would be important guidelines for social work educators and policy makers in Malaysia.

This article makes an attempt to assess the process and outcomes of faith-based non-governmental organizations’ (FBNGOs) interventions toward community empowerment in social development. Data are derived from contemporary literature using a Qualitative Interpretative Meta-Synthesis (QIMS). Results show that there are very few publications that directly examine the contributions of FBNGOs toward community empowerment. There are some publications which indirectly examine the role of the components of community empowerment, such as community participation, community capacity building, local leadership development, or community resource mobilization, though these are mostly concentrated in Western and African countries. After 9/11, much literature has shown that the role of Islamic NGOs has emerged as a significant aspect in social development discourse. The findings will be of interest to policymakers, donors, and development practitioners.

In this research article, we discussed the economic and social well-being of the Asian labour migrants in Asia. We are arguing that this issue is rarely addressed in the literature. The major characteristics of the migrant workers in Asian countries are seriously exploited, marginalized, and infrequently looked from human rights perspective. A Qualitative Interpretative Meta-Synthesis was conducted to analyze the contextual socio-economic factors that characterized intra-Asian migrant workers’ economic and social well-being. It is perceived that in most of the recruiting countries, there are lacks of government commitments to the international protocols, conventions and laws that they ratified towards safeguarding migrant workers’ economic and social well-being. The review results showed that despite some opportunities, the migrant workers had lack of job security, poor salary, long working hours, low access to the public services, poor health, poor living and working conditions, lack of legal rights, and physical and mental threats towards their economic and social well-being. The finding would be important guideline to the governments, policy makers, legal rights practitioners, and human rights organizations.

This qualitative case study explored the voices of juvenile offenders in Malaysia who were plagued with poverty, and brought to light their plight. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of poverty on the delinquent character and behavioural development of the children on three major crime-enhancing themes – miserable family conditions, school failure and association with deviant peers – to get a broader view of how poverty could influence their life trajectory. The purposive maximum variation sampling method was used in the selection of six young offenders between the ages of 13 and 17 years from Sekolah Tunas Bakti Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A multiple data collection method that included observation, in-depth case study and document analysis was used for data collection. Results showed that three major crime-enhancing themes due to poverty were strongly related to children’s delinquent character and behavioural development. The knowledge gained from this study will further contribute to understanding the real-life experiences of juvenile offenders, particularly those who are experiencing extreme deprivation, and it is hoped that the insight gained could help in the prevention and control of juvenile delinquent behaviour in Malaysia.

Microcredit is an influential intervention used to alleviate poverty and improve social well-being in rural communities in Sabah, Malaysia. This study examined the effects of a microcredit scheme, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), on the well-being of these communities. Using a survey method, a pre-tested interview schedule was administered to 277 AIM recipients in Sabah, Malaysia. Social well-being was examined based on the three indicators of Midgley's social development approach: the management of problems, the fulfillment of basic needs, and social opportunities provided. AIM microcredit schemes were successful in improving the well-being of AIM recipients, although the recipients faced a number of problems, including unemployment, lack of education, and access to public services and healthcare facilities. The findings of this study represent a useful guideline to the AIM authority, development practitioners, policymakers, and governmental organization and non-governmental organization workers.

The main objective of this study was to explore the nature of population shifting, possible risks, and social work interventions of the street children in Asia. This article used a qualitative interpretative meta-synthesis (QIMS), a unique method of qualitative data analysis. The results revealed that the street children constitute a dynamic population shifting moving in and out of other designated categories. They may have been trafficked, escaped to the street, but then may fall prey to even worse circumstances. This paper apprehended the efficiency of social work interventions in the lines of vocational training, shelters (and child protection), resettlement, and reintegration. The finding would be an important guideline to the policy makers, human rights practitioners, and social workers.

The main objective of this study was to explore the types and nature of climate induced human displacement and migration, and their socioeconomic consequences in the agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh. The study followed a qualitative research design, where six agro-ecological zones were selected purposively from different parts of Bangladesh. A multi-method data collection method was applied, where the study conducted six participatory rural appraisals (PRAs), eight focus group discussions (FGDs), 24 key informant interviews (KIIs) and 12 in-depth case studies. Data were collected in 2012, and the study used a thematic approach for data analysis. Results showed that the dramatic onset disasters usually caused mass displacement, while the slow onset disasters affected the environment, local ecosystem services and employment opportunities that forced people to undergo routine economic migration at first, followed later by permanent migration. This permanent migration had long-term negative consequences on their livelihoods in terms of poverty, and especially for women, the elderly and those with a disability. It is concluded that while the study focuses on Bangladesh, the implications are international in scope. The findings serve as important guidelines to policy makers, disaster managers and development practitioners.

The main research objective was to explore the causes and nature of the char peoples’ migration decisions due to their livelihood vulnerabilities related to climate change and natural disasters in Bangladesh. Based on a mixed method approach, this study employed a multimethod data collection approach including face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, in-depth case studies, community mapping, and participant observations. The study was conducted on 28 chars in the three Northern Districts that is, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Pabna. Results showed that the char people encountered multiple causes assorted with climate change and natural disasters, as well as socio-economic vulnerabilities that reinforced their decision to migrate from one char to another char. The study found that floods, river bank erosion, lack of employment, and fiscal deficits were prominent factors for their migration. These findings provide an important guideline for the governmental and non-governmental organizations working in disaster prevention, policy makers, and development practitioners.

This study aimed to uncover the influential factors of community participation in a rural poverty alleviation programme in Malaysia. A quantitative approach was used, and data were collected through a self-administered survey questionnaire from 260 respondents of the Iban community in Malaysia. The study considered 22 influential factors (18 as independent variables and 4 as dependent variables) to measure the level of community participation in decision-making, implementation, benefits sharing and evaluation. The study explored how these influential factors interacted with participation in a rural poverty alleviation programme. The results found a diversity of interacting factors within the forms of participation at the implementation level. The article contributes a dynamic and multi-dimensional understanding of how influential factors shape community participation processes. The findings are an important indicator to policy-makers and development practitioners.

Despite significant contributions from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in socio-economic development in Bangladesh, the evidence in community development is little known. The findings of this article are based on two NGOs working with two indigenous communities. The study used a qualitative case study research approach, where a multi-method data collection procedure was applied. The analysis of the findings underscored the role of these two NGOs in four ingredients of community development: improving participation, social networking, partnership and development ownership. The results showed that the NGOs’ contributions in community development were credible. The findings provide important guidelines for social workers, NGO workers and development practitioners.

The objective of this article was to explore the practice of child rights among the indigenous communities of Bangladesh. We used a mixed method approach to collect data from four ethnic communities in the Bandarban District of the Chittagong Division in Bangladesh. We questioned children, parents, community members, local leaders, and service providers of those communities on a number of child rights issues, for example, child education, child labor, child recreation and culture, parents' guidance to children for capacity development, and access to child rights at home and in the community according to Convention on the Rights of the Child treaty. The results showed that while the community was aware of child rights, financial vulnerability and a lack of social support meant that these rights could not be upheld in practice. The paper urges improvement of social support, including income generation activities for indigenous communities.

The objective of this study was to examine the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in the Children Homes under the Social Welfare Department (SWD) in Malaysia. Data was collected from 402 registered children who were staying in six Children Homes across the country. This study employed self-report surveys where multiple data collection methods, such as face-to-face structured interviews, key informant interviews (KIIs), and documentation survey, were used. The study found that the SWD failed to comply with most of the commitments of CRC in Children Homes at its implementation level, and it is still needs based. The findings of this study present important guidelines for government and policy makers in improving child welfare services in the Children Homes in Malaysia.

This paper presented two non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs’) social capital development initiatives for social welfare in Bangladesh. This study was based on a qualitative case study approach using a multi-method data collection procedure, where a semi-structured interview, social mapping, participant observation, in-depth case study, focus group discussion (FGD), and documentation survey were employed. The study selected two NGOs such as Proshika and Practical Action Bangladesh (PAB) working with two indigenous communities, e.g. blacksmiths and goldsmiths. This paper considered the application of the main elements of social capital such as collective actions, social trust, coordination and cooperation of mutual benefits, and sharing norms and values. The findings showed that in many cases, NGOs’ social capital development initiatives for social welfare were successful. The findings would be useful for the social workers, policy makers, development practitioners, and NGO managers.

The objective of this article is to explore the situation of forced eviction from homes in Bangladesh and its implications in undermining poverty eradication. We argue that it should be considered as a human rights violation. Little is available in literature on forced eviction, and this article focuses on Bangladesh to illustrate a global problem. The main research question was how forced eviction from homes is related to poverty and violation of human rights. To answer this, the article focuses on the nature and causes of forced eviction and its impacts on the livelihoods of the evictees. We conclude that forced eviction arises from poverty, but is also a cause of poverty and human rights violations. We believe that while the study focuses on Bangladesh, the implications are international in scope. We outline a number of social work interventions which could address forced eviction and the struggle for respect of human rights. Our findings are relevant to policy makers, human rights practitioners, government and non-government organizations (GOs–NGOs), and social workers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate contributions by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to social capital and community empowerment that facilitate community development. A multi-method research approach was conducted, where a number of qualitative data collection methods were employed. Data was collected from two indigenous communities, goldsmith and blacksmith, served by two NGOs—Proshika and Practical Action Bangladesh (PAB). The findings showed that both NGOs played a substantial role in social capital development and community empowerment toward community development. The findings of this study will provide valuable input to the community development field.

This paper exposed the major challenges that the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) face in improving development ownership among vulnerable people in community empowerment projects in Bangladesh. The finding, based on a qualitative research approach, used multi-method data collection procedures. Data were collected from two NGOs, Proshika and Practical Action Bangladesh (PAB), working with two vulnerable communities—blacksmiths and goldsmiths. The results showed that NGOs faced a number of challenges, including lack of understanding about the local context, initiatives to localize global development tools, developing partnership, and space for local people in the development processes. The paper argued that, without securing development ownership, the NGOs’ activities toward community empowerment of vulnerable people would not be possible. The findings of the paper would be valuable guidelines for policy makers, development practitioners, NGO workers, and academicians.

The purpose of this study is to identify the stresses and coping strategies of five mothers in caring for their chronically ill and disabled children. These mothers were receiving services from a nonprofit hospital in Malaysia. Through an in-depth case study design, the findings indicated that emotional stress caused high levels of depression, which decreased life satisfaction that led to poorer physical health. Issues explored included employment, noncooperation of family members, as well as factors related to the mother's individual abilities and how these factors might affect maternal caregiving. Recommendations for future research include identifying probable psychosocial stresses and other associated factors while emphasizing the importance of community-based programs that minimize these stresses.

This paper presents a pen picture about the changes of livelihood patterns to the char people, mostly living under poverty in Bangladesh. The study was conducted on the three Northern Districts such as Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Pabna in Bangladesh, where the Char Resources Mobilization project was provided by an international non-government organization—Concern Worldwide Bangladesh. The study used mixed method approach where quantitative data were collected from 378 households (126 from each District) using structured interview schedule. A number of qualitative data collection methods such as focus group discussion, participant observation, community mapping, case study, and key informants interview guidelines were used to collect data about the conditions of the Char people in terms of understanding its connection with their livelihoods and socio-economic consequences. This study compares the changes with influential factors with a baseline survey conducted in 2007. Findings showed that there were a number of areas such as education, income, family assets and properties, annual household income, employment, savings, improving market chain, food intake and food security, presence of governmental and non-governmental organizations’ services and awareness about disaster and vulnerability and coping strategies were found positive. The study also observed some negative changes on assets base and livelihood options. The paper argues that the findings on these changes will help to formulate policy on poverty alleviation for the government and non-government authorities who implement the similar type of programmes.