Determinants of happiness among pregnant women in Bangladesh

Maternal happiness, an important indicator of well-being, has also been linked to child stunting, child survival and other health outcomes. This study examined factors associated with happiness among 2,722 pregnant women in Bangladesh, using nationally representative data from the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between happiness status and selected covariates, and survey-weighted ordinal logistic regression models were applied to identify potential predictors of happiness. Women's age, education level, functional difficulties, mobile phone ownership, and total number of children born were significantly associated with happiness among pregnant women. For instance, younger pregnant women aged 15-19 years were 2.54 times more likely to report being happy than those aged 35-49 years. Women with no education and those with only primary education were 55 and 50% less likely, respectively, to report happiness compared to those with secondary or higher education. Women without functional difficulties and those with no previous children also had significantly higher odds of reporting greater happiness than their counterparts. This study identified key factors influencing maternal happiness in Bangladesh. Addressing disparities in education, physical functioning, and access to resources such as mobile technology may enhance emotional well-being during pregnancy. Promoting maternal happiness is essential not only for improving individual quality of life, but also for advancing child health outcomes.