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Yalcin SS, Aydin Aksoy E, Yalcin S, Eryurt MA. Breastfeeding status and determinants of current breastfeeding of Syrian refugee children in Turkey. Int Breastfeed J 2023; 18:10. [PMID: 36721151 PMCID: PMC9890821 DOI: 10.1186/s13006-022-00538-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Turkey hosts the highest number of refugees in the World including 65% of Syrian refugees who reside in Turkey. Mothers and children were the most negatively affected among the Syrian refugees who had to migrate from their countries as a result of the civil war in Syria. One of the most important issues in terms of child health is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding in migrants should be promoted worldwide to mitigate infant mortality and diseases. The aim of this study is to examine the association between breastfeeding status in Syrian refugee children under two years and socio-demographic characteristics of Syrian refugee mothers with further analysis of Turkey Demographic and Health Survey-Syrian Migrant-2018 (TDHS-SM-2018) data. METHODS: The data source is the TDHS-SM-2018. Data for the last-born children with a gestational duration greater than 32 weeks from the mothers' singleton pregnancy, aged less than two years old and living with the mother were included (unweighted n = 744). The dependent variable was the breastfeeding status (breastfeeding in the last 24 h during the study period) in children under two years. Complex sample logistic regression evaluated the associations. RESULTS The percentage of breastfeeding in children under the age of two years was found to be 62.4%, and the total median breastfeeding duration was 14.6 months. Univariate analysis showed that the earlier mothers immigrated to Turkey, the higher the current breastfeeding rate. Breastfeeding rates were found to be higher among people living in the South and East regions (65.2% and 65.1% respectively). Multivariable binary complex sample logistic regression revealed that breastfeeding status at the study period was associated with long preceding birth interval; delivery in a public hospital; absence of prelacteal feeding; being non-pregnant; and the region and age of the child. No relationship for current breastfeeding was found with maternal activities, maternal life satisfaction, financial satisfaction, and educational status. CONCLUSION Current breastfeeding in our sample was more likely among mothers with a longer birth interval who avoided prelacteal feeding. The Baby-Friendly approach and family planning services should be integrated into refugee health centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddika Songül Yalcin
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Esin Aydin Aksoy
- grid.14442.370000 0001 2342 7339Departmant of Social Pediatrics, Institute of Child Health, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Suzan Yalcin
- grid.17242.320000 0001 2308 7215Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ali Eryurt
- grid.14442.370000 0001 2342 7339Institute of Population Studies, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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Gyamfi A, Jefferson UT, O'Neill B, Lucas R, Spatz DL, Henderson WA. Disparities in 6 Month Exclusive Breastfeeding in Ghana, Africa: A Scoping Review. J Hum Lact 2022:8903344221130988. [PMID: 36305494 DOI: 10.1177/08903344221130988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exclusive breastfeeding practice for 6 months is a critical global public health goal. In 2020, only 44% of infants globally, 31% in Central and West Africa, and 43% in Ghana, were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. RESEARCH AIM To critically evaluate disparities in exclusive breastfeeding practice for 6 months in Ghana. METHODS The scoping review was guided by Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) six-stage scoping review process. The online databases of American Psychological Association PsychInfo (APA PsychInfo), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, and Scopus were searched with keywords inclusive of Ghana, exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding, infant feeding, lactation, lactating, and exclusive. Eligibility criteria included full-text, peer-reviewed research articles written in the English language without limitation to specific years. Data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS Initially, 317 records were identified, and 15 full-text articles were eligible for the scoping review. Four main themes emerged as disparities in exclusive breastfeeding practice in Ghana. The themes were healthcare (prenatal clinic visits, delivery place, exclusive breastfeeding knowledge), personal (maternal age, Human Immunodeficiency Virus status, parity, type of delivery, breast problem), employment (unemployed, formal, or informal sector worker), and sociocultural (ethnicity/region, family support, religious beliefs, cultural practices). CONCLUSION Disparities in exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana warrant the collaborative efforts of stakeholders for successful mitigation. Future researchers should explore the role of religion and sociocultural practices to protect, promote, and support 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adwoa Gyamfi
- St Michael's Midwifery Training School, Ashanti Region, Ghana.,School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | | | - Barbara O'Neill
- School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Ruth Lucas
- School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.,School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Diane Lynn Spatz
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wendy A Henderson
- School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.,School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
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Agyekum MW, Codjoe SNA, Dake FAA, Abu M. Enablers and inhibitors of exclusive breastfeeding: perspectives from mothers and health workers in Accra, Ghana. Int Breastfeed J 2022; 17:21. [PMID: 35313914 PMCID: PMC8935745 DOI: 10.1186/s13006-022-00462-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the health and economic benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, there is evidence of a decline globally and in Ghana. Previous studies addressing this problem are mostly quantitative with only a few of such studies using qualitative or mixed methods to examine the predictors, benefits, ways of improving and managing exclusive breastfeeding, and the challenges associated with exclusive breastfeeding from the perspective of exclusive and nonexclusive breastfeeding mothers, and health workers. This study employs the health belief model to examine the experiences of mothers and health workers regarding exclusive breastfeeding to fill this gap in the literature. Methods A cross-sectional qualitative study involving in-depth interviews was conducted among health workers and mothers attending child welfare clinic at two polyclinics in Madina, Accra-Ghana in 2019. Purposive sampling was used to select health facilities and participants for the study. Twenty participants comprising ten exclusive breastfeeding mothers, six non-exclusive breastfeeding mothers and four health workers were interviewed for the study. The data were analyzed based on emerging themes from inductive and deductive coding. Results The decision to practice exclusive breastfeeding was based on mothers’ work, advertisement on exclusive breastfeeding and education on breastfeeding provided by health workers. Insufficient flow of breast milk, pressure from family and friends, and insufficient breast milk for infants were among the reasons for discontinuing exclusive breastfeeding. The factors that help improve exclusive breastfeeding include eating healthy food and breastfeeding on demand, while counselling and monitoring, restricting advertisement on infant formula and granting maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers were identified as factors that can facilitate the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion Different levels of experience affect and shape exclusive breastfeeding practice in Ghana. The decision to practice exclusive breastfeeding, as well as the challenges and strategies employed in managing exclusive breastfeeding, emanates from mothers’ personal experiences and interactions with institutional factors. In view of this, there should be counselling on the management of challenges associated with exclusive breastfeeding and provision of accurate information on exclusive breastfeeding to enable mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13006-022-00462-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Wiredu Agyekum
- Institute for Educational Research and Innovation Studies, University of Education, Winneba, P. O. Box 25, Winneba, Ghana. .,Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 96, Legon-Accra, Ghana.
| | - Samuel N A Codjoe
- Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 96, Legon-Accra, Ghana
| | - Fidelia A A Dake
- Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 96, Legon-Accra, Ghana
| | - Mumuni Abu
- Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 96, Legon-Accra, Ghana
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Abstract
Background We evaluated (a) opinion of Syrian and Turkish healthcare workers (HCWs), and perceptions and attitudes of Syrian refugee mothers, pregnant women, fathers and grandmothers on age-appropriate breastfeeding, (b) the effect of cultural characteristics, migration and pandemics on Syrian’s infant nutrition, and (c) the suggestions of HCWs and Syrian family members to improve breastfeeding practices in the Syrian refugee society in a qualitative study. Methods The qualitative study consisting of structured focus group discussions (FGDs) was held in four provinces in Turkey where Syrian refugees live intensely in September and October 2020. Seven different types of online FGDs were held with Turkish HCWs working in maternity hospitals, Syrian HCWs working in Refugee Health Centers (RHCs), Syrian pregnant women, mothers, fathers, and grandmothers. In total, we carried out 46 FGDs with 335 individuals. Thematic analysis of the transcripts in a deductive-inductive fashion was carried out with MAXQDA 11. Results Most Syrian HCWs did not get any training on breastfeeding counseling. The short duration of breastfeeding in Syrian refugees was seen to be related to the cultural characteristics, and migration. Some cultural characteristics can be summarized as “believing that breastfeeding harms mother’s health”, “adolescent marriages”, “wanting to have as many children as possible”, “giving anise to infants and not breastfeeding at night”, “prelacteal feeding”, “believing that milk is not enough”, “over controlling mother–child interaction by grandmothers, which limits the interaction”, “short pregnancy intervals”, and “not using modern family planning techniques”. We found out that migration increased the tendency for adolescent pregnancies, deepened the poverty, and decreased family social support. We did not observe any change in breastfeeding practices during pandemics. Conclusions Breastfeeding counseling programs should be designed in consideration of cultural characteristics of Syrian HCWs and family members. Continuing health education programs for family members with socially appropriate interventions to prevent adolescent marriages are important.
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Ovental A, Doyev R, Mangel L, Herzlich J, Hadanny A, Marom R. Neonatal morbidity among African refugee women in Israel: a case-control study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e050778. [PMID: 34880015 PMCID: PMC8655578 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Reports on neonatal morbidity (NM) among refugees in developed countries remain inconsistent. We aimed to compare NM among infants of African refugees in Israel to the native population based on a large population sample. DESIGN A case-control study. SETTING A tertiary hospital in Israel. PARTICIPANTS Data on hospital-based live births of refugee women and their newborns who were born in 2014 and 2017 were retrieved from medical records. Perinatal and neonatal data were compared between the refugee group and the native residents matched for gestational age and year of birth as well as within the refugee group. PRIMARY OUTCOME Prevalence of NM among African refugees in Israel. RESULTS Newborns delivered by 357 refugee women (mean age 30.2 years) and 357 controls (mean age 32.2 years) were analysed. Both groups were similar for the newborns' weight and gestational age. There were no significant differences in NM between the groups. A within-refugee comparison conducted between 2014 and 2017 yielded significant differences in birth weight (3051.4 vs 3373.6 gr, p<0.001, 95% CI (198.3 to 446.2), d=0.56), the number of twin deliveries (10 vs 4, p=0.002, Φ=0.173), the number of neonates evaluated as small for gestational age (15 vs 10, p=0.003, Φ=0.167) and the use of human milk (71% vs 93%, p<0.001, Φ=-0.298). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that NM among neonates born to refugee mothers was not higher than that of neonates born to native Israeli mothers. We suggest that successful implementation of health policies for refugees has improved their accessibility to mother-child health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Ovental
- Department of Neonatology, Dana Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Reut Doyev
- Department of Neonatology, Dana Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Laurence Mangel
- Department of Neonatology, Dana Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jacky Herzlich
- Department of Neonatology, Dana Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Amir Hadanny
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ronella Marom
- Department of Neonatology, Dana Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Sidze EM, Wekesah FM, Kisia L, Abajobir A. Inequalities in Access and Utilization of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Services in sub-Saharan Africa: A Special Focus on Urban Settings. Matern Child Health J 2021; 26:250-279. [PMID: 34652595 PMCID: PMC8888372 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-021-03250-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this paper is to share the results of a systematic review on the state of inequalities in access to and utilization of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services in the sub-Saharan African region. The focus of the review was on urban settings where growing needs and challenges have been registered over the past few years due to rapid increase in urban populations and urban slums. METHODS The review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies published in English between 2000 and 2019 were included. A narrative synthesis of both qualitative and quantitative data was undertaken. The record for registration in PROSPERO was CRD42019122066. RESULTS The review highlights a great variation in MNCH services utilization across urban sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The main aspects of vulnerability to unequal and poor MNCH services utilization in urban settings of the region include poverty, low level of education, unemployment, lower socioeconomic status and poor livelihoods, younger maternal age, low social integration and social support, socio-cultural taboos, residing in slums, and being displaced, refugee, or migrant. At the health system level, persistent inequalities are associated with distance to health facility, availability of quality services and discriminating attitudes from health care personnel. CONCLUSION Context-specific intervention programs that aim at resolving the identified barriers to access and use MNCH services, particularly for the most vulnerable segments of urban populations, are essential to improve the overall health of the region and universal health coverage (UHC) targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Sidze
- African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), APHRC Campus, 2nd Floor, Manga Close off Kirawa Road, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - F M Wekesah
- African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), APHRC Campus, 2nd Floor, Manga Close off Kirawa Road, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - L Kisia
- African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), APHRC Campus, 2nd Floor, Manga Close off Kirawa Road, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - A Abajobir
- African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), APHRC Campus, 2nd Floor, Manga Close off Kirawa Road, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
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Salami B, Fernandez-Sanchez H, Fouche C, Evans C, Sibeko L, Tulli M, Bulaong A, Kwankye SO, Ani-Amponsah M, Okeke-Ihejirika P, Gommaa H, Agbemenu K, Ndikom CM, Richter S. A Scoping Review of the Health of African Immigrant and Refugee Children. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18073514. [PMID: 33800663 PMCID: PMC8038070 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Migration is a growing phenomenon around the world, including within the African continent. Many migrants, especially African children, face challenges related to health and social inclusion and can face increased health risks. A systematic scoping review of available literature on the health of African migrant children across the globe was conducted to offer insight into these health risks. The review was conducted over a 15-month period from January 2019 to April 2020, yielding 6602 articles once duplicates were removed. This search included electronic databases, reference lists of articles reviewed, and searches of libraries of relevant organisations. A total of 187 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 159 were quantitative, 22 were qualitative, and 6 used mixed methods. The findings reveal decreased health in this population in areas of nutrition, infectious diseases, mental health, birth outcomes, sexual and reproductive health, physical and developmental health, parasitic infections, oral health, respiratory health, preventative health, endocrine disorders, health care services, and haematological conditions. The findings offer insights into factors influencing the health of African immigrant and refugee children. Further studies, especially qualitative studies, are needed to determine barriers to service access after migration and to investigate other underexplored and overlooked health concerns of African migrant children, including pneumonia and child maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bukola Salami
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, 11405 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 0Z7, Canada; (H.F.-S.); (M.T.); (A.B.); (S.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Higinio Fernandez-Sanchez
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, 11405 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 0Z7, Canada; (H.F.-S.); (M.T.); (A.B.); (S.R.)
| | - Christa Fouche
- Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand;
| | - Catrin Evans
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK;
| | - Lindiwe Sibeko
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, 204 Chenoweth Laboratory, Amherst, MA 01003-9282, USA;
| | - Mia Tulli
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, 11405 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 0Z7, Canada; (H.F.-S.); (M.T.); (A.B.); (S.R.)
| | - Ashley Bulaong
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, 11405 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 0Z7, Canada; (H.F.-S.); (M.T.); (A.B.); (S.R.)
| | - Stephen Owusu Kwankye
- Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 96, Legon, Accra GA184, Ghana;
| | - Mary Ani-Amponsah
- School of Nursing, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 43, Legon, Accra GA184, Ghana;
| | | | - Hayat Gommaa
- Department of Nursing Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Sokoto Road, PMB 06, Zaria 810107, Nigeria;
| | - Kafuli Agbemenu
- School of Nursing, The State University of New York (SUNY), University at Buffalo, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA;
| | | | - Solina Richter
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, 11405 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 0Z7, Canada; (H.F.-S.); (M.T.); (A.B.); (S.R.)
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Woldeghebriel M, Hromi-Fiedler A, Lartey A, Gallego-Perez D, Sandow A, Pérez-Escamilla R. Length of time in Ghana is associated with the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding among Liberian refugees living in Buduburam. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2016; 13. [PMID: 27726291 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
While literature describing immigrant's breastfeeding practices exists, especially among those living within developed countries, there is a significant gap in knowledge on how the host culture may influence the EBF behaviors of refugees, especially those living in protracted situations within sub-Saharan Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Buduburam Refugee Settlement in Ghana from July-August 2008 to explore the association between the amount of time living in Ghana and exclusive breastfeeding practices among Liberian refugees and Ghanaians in surround villages. The study included 480 women: 239 Liberians living in 12 settlement zones (in two of which Liberians and Ghanaians co-exist), 121 Ghanaians living in two settlement zones, and 120 Ghanaians living in nearby urban village of Awutu. Liberian mothers who lived in Ghana at least eight years were significantly more likely to exclusively breastfeed (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.09) compared to Ghanaian mothers living in Awutu. These findings suggest that increased time living in Buduburam improved the chances of EBF success among Liberians, perhaps as a result of unique EBF education/support opportunities offered in the settlement to Liberian refugees that were not readily available to Ghanaians. Further research to understand the "mechanisms" explaining exclusive breastfeeding differences as a function of time spent in host country is needed for improving breastfeeding support in refugee settlements and host communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meley Woldeghebriel
- Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Amber Hromi-Fiedler
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Anna Lartey
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Daniel Gallego-Perez
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Buduburam Nutrition Program, National Catholic Secretariat, Accra, Ghana
| | - Adam Sandow
- Buduburam Nutrition Program, National Catholic Secretariat, Accra, Ghana
| | - Rafael Pérez-Escamilla
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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