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This research proposal examines the role of microfinance in reducing poverty and improving health care access in Gaibandha District, Bangladesh. It aims to assess the effectiveness of microfinance programs, explore their impact on health-seeking behaviors, and identify challenges faced by users. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to provide insights into the socioeconomic improvements facilitated by microfinance.

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2 views

Untitled document (1)

This research proposal examines the role of microfinance in reducing poverty and improving health care access in Gaibandha District, Bangladesh. It aims to assess the effectiveness of microfinance programs, explore their impact on health-seeking behaviors, and identify challenges faced by users. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to provide insights into the socioeconomic improvements facilitated by microfinance.

Uploaded by

Shafaat Shams
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Most Rima Akter Rakhi - 1911030

Title:
1. The Role of Microfinance in Reducing Poverty and Improving Health Care Access
in Gaibandha District

2. The Impact of Microfinance on Poverty Reduction and Health Care Access in


Gaibandha District, Bangladesh"

3. "Evaluating Microfinance as a Tool for Socioeconomic Improvement and Health


Care Access in Gaibandha District

I. Introduction
Microfinance has emerged as a critical development tool in addressing poverty and improving
livelihoods in rural regions of Bangladesh. In districts like Gaibandha, where poverty remains
persistent and access to health care is limited, microfinance institutions (MFIs) provide small-
scale financial services aimed at empowering low-income households (Yunus, 2003; Rahman &
Akter, 2020).

This research proposal seeks to explore the impact of microfinance programs on poverty
reduction and health care access in Gaibandha District. It will investigate whether microcredit
and related services help improve economic conditions and support better health-seeking
behaviors among rural populations (Hossain et al., 2021).

II. Key Research Questions


● How does microfinance affect poverty in Gaibandha District?

● What is the impact of microfinance on health care access in rural households?

● What challenges do microfinance users face in addressing health needs?

III. Research Objectives


● Assess the effectiveness of microfinance in reducing poverty in Gaibandha (Khandker,
2005).

● Examine microfinance’s impact on rural health care access.


● Explore the link between income changes and health outcomes for microfinance users.

● Identify challenges microfinance recipients face in using funds for health needs
(Chowdhury & Islam, 2020).

IV. Study Area


The proposed study focuses on Gaibandha District in northern Bangladesh, located within the
Rangpur Division. This region is characterized by high poverty rates, vulnerability to seasonal
flooding, and limited access to quality health services (BBS, 2022).

Gaibandha was selected due to its significant engagement with microfinance institutions, such as
Grameen Bank and BRAC, and the presence of diverse rural communities that depend on
agriculture and informal labor for livelihood (Ferdous & Hossain, 2021).

V. Methodology
This study will use a mixed-methods approach (Creswell, 2014):

● Quantitative survey: Household surveys of microfinance users and non-users to


measure income, spending, and health care use (Rahman & Hasan, 2019).

● Qualitative interviews: In-depth interviews with MFI staff, health workers, and
community members to explore experiences and challenges (Khan & Begum, 2020).

● Comparative analysis: Compare outcomes between microfinance participants and non-


participants using collected data.

VI. Literature Review


a) Microfinance and Poverty Alleviation

Numerous studies have found that microfinance improves household income, employment, and
asset accumulation, particularly in rural Bangladesh (Khandker, 2005; Mahmud, 2020).

b) Microfinance and Health Outcomes

Recent research suggests that financial inclusion through microfinance can lead to better health
care access by increasing household spending capacity and awareness (Ahmed, 2018; Sultana &
Karim, 2021).

c) Challenges in Microfinance Programs

Despite positive impacts, challenges such as debt cycles, insufficient health literacy, and misuse
of funds limit the potential benefits of microfinance in health improvement (Chowdhury &
Islam, 2020).
VII. Research Gaps
Although microfinance has been widely studied in Bangladesh, most research focuses on either
poverty or health separately, not both together (Ahmed, 2018; Sultana & Karim, 2021).

● Most studies focus on poverty or health separately, not both (Ahmed, 2018; Sultana &
Karim, 2021).

● Gaibandha District is under-researched despite active microfinance (Rahman & Akter,


2020).

● Limited knowledge on microfinance’s effect on rural health access (Chowdhury & Islam,
2020).

● This study will explore microfinance’s combined impact on poverty and health locally.

VIII. Significance / Expected Outcomes


● Provide empirical evidence on the link between microfinance participation and poverty
reduction in Gaibandha District (Mahmud, 2020).

● Evaluate whether microfinance improves health-seeking behavior and access to services


among rural populations (Ahmed, 2018).

● Inform policymakers and MFIs about effective strategies for integrating financial and
health interventions in development planning.

● Contribute to academic literature by offering a case study from an under-researched


district in northern Bangladesh.

XI. References
1. Yunus, M. (2003). Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World
Poverty. PublicAffairs.

2. Khandker, S.R. (2005). Microfinance and Poverty: Evidence Using Panel Data from
Bangladesh. World Bank Economic Review.

3. Ahmed, S.M. (2018). Microfinance and Health: Emerging Evidence from Bangladesh.
Journal of Health Economics.

4. Sultana, R., & Karim, M.A. (2021). Microfinance and Health Care Access: A Rural
Perspective. Bangladesh Journal of Social Research.

5. Rahman, A., & Akter, T. (2020). The Socioeconomic Impact of Microfinance in Northern
Bangladesh. Rural Development Review.
6. Chowdhury, M.H., & Islam, M.T. (2020). Barriers to Health Outcomes in Microfinance
Programs. Asian Journal of Development Studies.

7. Hossain, M.A., et al. (2021). Financial Inclusion and Social Welfare: Evidence from
Rural Bangladesh. Journal of Economic Development Studies.

8. BBS (2022). Statistical Yearbook of Bangladesh. Dhaka: Bangladesh Bureau of


Statistics.

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