Shahinur Akter
Associate Professor

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    Email:

    shahinur.akter@soc.ku.ac.bd


    Contact:

    +8801710860229

    Address:

    Room # 3368, Sociology Discipline, Social Science School, Kabi Jibanananda Das Academic Building, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh

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I am an Associate Professor of Sociology Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh. I did my PhD in Social Science from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. My research primarily focuses on the Sociology of Health, with particular interests in child health, public health, gender and health inequalities. My research work explores the social, cultural, and environmental determinants, with a special emphasis on vulnerable populations and coastal communities in Bangladesh. I am committed to advancing evidence-based research that informs health policy and contributes to improving public health and social well-being in developing country contexts. 


Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Science (2023-2026)

Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Thailand


Master of Social Science (MSS) in Sociology (2013-2014)

Sociology Discipline, Social Science School, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.


Bachelor of Social Science (Honors) in Sociology (2009-2012)

Sociology Discipline, Social Science School, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.


Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) (2008)

Chalna M. M. Degree College (Jessore Board)


Secondary School Certificate (SSC) (2006)

Chalna Abul Hossain Girls High School (Jessore Board)



Child Health; Public Health; Determinants of Health; Healthcare Utilization; Household Vulnerability and Health; Gender and Health 

Current Research Project/Collaboration

SL Title Research Role Awarded Date Completion Date Funding Agency
1 Factors Influencing Utilization of Child Health Services among Mothers in Khulna District of Bangladesh Principal Investigator November, 2019 December, 2021 National
2 Malnutrition among Under-five Children in Southwestern Coastal Region of Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Study on Prevalence and Associated Factors Principal Investigator January 2023 December 2023 National

Working Experience

Associate Professor, Sociology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna (30 April 2022 to present)

Assistant Professor, Sociology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna (30 April 2017 to 29 April 2022)

Lecturer, Sociology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna (30 April 2015 to 29 April 2017)

Part-time Lecturer, Sociology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna (12 June 2014 to 29 April 2015)


Other Working Experience

Assistant Provost, Aparajita Hall, Khulna University, Khulna (21 August 2019 to 30 June 2020)


Research Experience

  • Principal Investigator (2023) Malnutrition among Under-five Children in Southwestern Coastal Region of Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Study on Prevalence and Associated Factors. Funded by Research and Innovation Center, Khulna University (Ongoing).
  • Principal Investigator (2019-2020) Factors Influencing Utilization of Child Health Services among Mothers in Khulna District of Bangladesh. Khulna University, funded by Khulna University Research Cell.
  • Assistant Investigator (2015) Impact Assessment of the Family Based Care (FBC) upon the Beneficiaries at SOS Children’s Village Khulna, Funded by SOS Children’s Village Khulna.

1. CMU Presidential Scholarship, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

    Year: 2023

2. University Merit Scholarship, Sociology Discipline, Social Science School, Khulna University, Bangladesh

    Session: 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014

3. Merit Scholarship (2nd position in Jessore Board from Arts and Humanities), Jessore Board

    Year: 2006

4. Dutch-Bangla Bank Scholarship

    Year: 2006-2007

5. General Scholarship in Class 8, Jessore Board

    Year: 2003

No Data Available

coming soon...

Journal Articles:

26. Akter, S., Siriphon, A., Ayuttacorn, A, & Boonchieng, W*. (2026). Household livelihood vulnerability and child health in southwestern coastal Bangladesh: Determinants and implications. BMC Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-27565-0. (Q1: IF. 3.6)

25. Akter, S.*, Siriphon, A.; Ayuttacorn, A; & Boonchieng, W. (2026). Prevalence and determinants of undernutrition among children under five in coastal Bangladesh: A community-based study. Food Science & Nutrition, 14(2), e71573.  https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.71573. (Q1)

24. Nishu, N. A.*, Akter, S. & Ara, M. R. (2025). Prevalence and determinants of caesarean delivery among married women in coastal region of Bangladesh. Social Science Review, 3(1).

23. Nishu, N. A., Roy, T., Razu, S. R., & Akter, S.* (2025). Barriers to accessing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services for Persons with Disabilities in the Southwestern Region of Bangladesh. Sage Open, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251380013. (Q2: IF. 2.0)

22. Akter, S.*, Mila, S. I., Rahman, M. H., & Razu, S. R.  (2025). Occupational challenges in nursing: A qualitative study from Bangladesh. Discover Public Health, 22, 570, doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00969-w

21. Akter, S., Siriphon, A.*; Ayuttacorn, A; & Boonchieng, W. (2025). Prevalence of ARI, fever, and diarrhea among under-five children and the influencing factors in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. BMC Public Health, 25, 2951. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24415-3 (Q1: IF. 3.6)

20. Jahan, N., Akter, S., Islam, M. A., Nishu, N. A., Khan, L., Shuha, T. T., Anam, S., Helaluzzaman, M., Sumi, M. K. Y., Dipa, S. S., & Hossain, M. T.* (2025). Predictors of computer anxiety: A cross-sectional study on university students in Bangladesh. Heliyon, 11(4), e42705. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42705 (Q1: IF. 3.4)

19. Akter, S.* & Nishu, N. A. (2025). Malnutrition among under-5 children and its determinants in the Southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh: A community-based study. BMJ Open, 15:e090174. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-090174. (Q1; IF.3.007)

18. Banerjee, S., Talukder, A., Akter, S. & Razu, S. R.* (2024). “They make me feel like I am being favored:” Revisiting the social model of disability at the workplace. International Journal on Disability and Human Development (Q4), 2024;23(4):361-369.

17. Arif, T. B., Akter, S., Jahan, I.*, & Razu, S. R. (2024). Barriers to cervical cancer screening among women in Bangladesh: A qualitative study. International Journal of Child & Adolescent Health, 17 (2), 165-175. (Q4)

16. Nessa, K., Akter, S., Faruk, M. G., & Raihan, F. (2024). Teaching competence and academic achievement on higher secondary students in Satkhira district. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), VIII (IIIS), 446-456. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.803030S

15. Akter, S.* & Saha, S. (2024). Impact of legal recognition on the lives of the third gender: A study in Khulna district of Bangladesh. Heliyon,10(7), e28671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28671. (Q1: IF. 3.776).
14. Hossain, M. T., Akter, S., Nishu, N. A., Khan, L., Shuha, T. T., Jahan, N., Rahman, M. M., & Khatun, M. T. (2023). The gender divide in digital competence: A cross-sectional study on university students in southwestern Bangladesh. Frontiers in Education, 8. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2023.1258447. (Q2: IF. 2.3)

13. Akter, S.*, Azad, T., Rahman, M. H., & Raihan, M. F. (2023). Morbidity patterns and determinants of healthcare-seeking behavior of elderly women in selected rural areas of Bangladesh. Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Journal, 5, 70–79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44229-023-00033-2

12. Jahan, N., Akter, S., Heme, M. A., Chandra, D., Polly, A., Siddiqua, L., Rahman, R., Mohsin, K. F., & Hossain, M. T.* (2022). Healthcare seeking behavior of marginalized older people in urban slums: a cross-sectional survey study in Khulna city, Bangladesh. BMJ Open, 12 (11), e066376. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066376. (Q1: IF.3.007)

11. Akter, S.* (2022). Factors influencing health service utilization among mothers for under-five children: A cross-sectional study in Khulna district of Bangladesh. PLoS One, 17(9): e0274449. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274449.(Q1:IF.3.24)

10. Akter, S.* & Bristy, T. A. (2022). Lifestyle factors and risk of obesity among the school children in Khulna City. Khulna University Studies, 19(2), 235-244.doi: https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2022.19.02.2147-ss . 

9.   Akter, S.*  Humaira, A., Nessa, K., & Razu, S. R. (2022). Factors associated with age at menopause: A cross-sectional study in Khulna district. Khulna University Studies,19(1), 155-163. https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2022.19.01.2145-s

8.  Akter, S.*, Rahman, M. H., & Razu, S. R. (2020). Socioeconomic factors associated with obesity among primary school children: A cross-sectional survey from Khulna District of Bangladesh. Journal of Population and Development, 2, 84-96.

7.  Akter, S.*, & Biswas, A. (2018). Effects of parental guidance on academic achievement of secondary students in Dumuria Upazila of Khulna District, Bangladesh. Khulna University Studies, 15(1):105-116.

6.  Akter, S.*,  Afrin, S., & Razu, S. R. (2018). Teaching techniques and students’ satisfaction in tertiary education: A study from Bangladesh. Journal of Teacher Education and Research, 13(1): 32-40. doi: 10.5958/2454-1664.2018.00003.4. http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=jter&volume=13&issue=1&article=003

5.  Akter, S.*, Chanda, S. K., Mamum, A. A.,  & Razu, S. R. (2018). Role of education in women empowerment: A study from Khulna District of Bangladesh. International Journal of Innovative Research, 3(1): 19-23. ISSN: 2520-5919 (Online). http://www.irsbd.org/papers/4.IJIR_3(1)_18_Razu_.pdf.

4.   Akter, S.*, Jabbar, M. A., & Khatun, M. T. (2018). Factors affecting career choice of the female secondary students in Khulna district of Bangladesh. Khulna University Studies, 15(1):91-103. https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2018.15.1and2.1706-S

3.   Razu, S. R.*, Akter, S., & Afrin, S. (2018). Factors affecting academic performance in tertiary education: A case study from Khulna University of Bangladesh. Pabna University of Science and Technology Studies, 3(1):87-91. ISSN: 2308-6246 (Online).

2.   Razu, S. R.*, Jabbar, M. A., Hossain, M. Z., Islam, M. A., & Akter, S. (2018). Health effects of water salinity in coastal regions: A study from south-western Bangladesh. International Journal of Business, Social and Scientific Research, 6(2):31-38. ISSN: 2309-7892 (Online), 2519-5530 (Print), Retrieve from http://www.ijbssr.com/currentissueview/14013253.

1.   Akter, S.*, & Khatun, M. T. (2017). Factors affecting child rights: A socioeconomic study in Bangladesh. The Jahangirnagar Review, Part II: Social Sciences, Vol. XXXVII, 2013, 231-242, ISSN 1682-422.


Conference

4.   Shahinur Akter* & Aranya Siriphon (2025, August 29-30). Prevalence of diarrhea among under-five children and the influencing factors in southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. [Conference Presentation]. International Conference on Lan Na and Beyond, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
3.  Shahinur Akter* & Aranya Siriphon (2025, May 14-15). Healthcare seeking behavior of the caregivers for childhood communicable diseases and the influencing factors in southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. [Conference Presentation]. 1st International Conference on Social Sciences (ICSS) 2025,Faculty of Social Sciences, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur,  Bangladesh.
2.   Md. Tanvir Hossain, Nusrat Jahan, M. T., Akter, S., Nishana Afrin Nishu, Lubaba Khan, Tasnia Tahsin Shuha, Sarkar Tamzid Rahman, and Bijoy Kumar Mondal. (2023, October 30-31). What determines the gender divide in Digital competence of university students? A cross-sectional study in public university of southwestern Bangladesh. [Conference Presentation]. Second International Conference on South Asia in the Post-COVID-19 Global Crisis: Politics, Economy, and Society 2023. Faculty of Social Science, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
1.   Shahinur Akter* & Tuhin Roy  (2023, January 27-28). Nutritional status of under-five children in Bangladesh: A systematic review. [Conference Presentation]. The 1st International Conference on Social Sciences Issues (ICSSI) 2023, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh.




[* indicates the role as a Corresponding Author/Presenter]
[† indicates that the authors contributed equally to this work and shared the first authorship]