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Nguyen PH, Neupane S, Pant A, Avula R, Herforth A. Diet Quality Among Mothers and Children in India: Roles of Social and Behavior Change Communication and Nutrition-Sensitive Social Protection Programs. J Nutr 2024:S0022-3166(24)00407-3. [PMID: 39053606 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited evidence exists on determinants of maternal and child diet quality. OBJECTIVES This study examined the role of social and behavior change communication (SBCC) and nutrition-sensitive social protection (NSSP) programs on maternal and child diet quality. METHODS Data were from cross-sectional phone survey on 6627 Indian mothers that took place in late 2021. The Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ) was used to measure maternal and child diet quality, including minimum dietary diversity (MDD), dietary diversity scores (DDSs), noncommunicable disease (NCD)-protect and NCD-risk scores, adherence to dietary guidelines (All-5 and India-All-6), and unhealthy child feeding. Multivariate regression models were used to explore the association between diet indicators and coverage of SBCC and NSSP programs. RESULTS Maternal and child diet quality was suboptimal, with more mothers (57%) achieving MDD than children (23%). SBCC was positively associated with healthy food consumption in children (odds ratio [OR]: 2.14 for MDD; β: 0.60 for DDS and 0.54 for NCD-protect) and mothers (β: 0.38 for DDS and 0.43 for NCD-protect). Cash transfers were associated with healthier diets in mothers (OR: 1.45 for MDD, 1.86 for All-5, and 2.14 for India-All-6; β: 0.43 for DDS and 0.26 for NCD-protect), but less associations noted for children (β: 0.14 for NCD-protect). Receiving food was associated not only with healthier diets in mothers (OR: 1.47 for MDD; β: 0.27 for DDS and 0.33 for NCD-protect) and children (β: 0.19 for DDS and 0.15 for NCD-protect) but also with unhealthy food in children (OR: 1.34). Exposure to multiple programs showed stronger associations with diet quality. CONCLUSIONS SBCC has greater positive impact on child feeding than food and cash transfers, while cash has a stronger association with improved maternal diets. Food and cash are also associated with unhealthy food consumption. Our study underscores the importance of interventions that combine education, resource provision, and targeted support to promote maternal and child diet quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Hong Nguyen
- Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States.
| | - Sumanta Neupane
- Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Anjali Pant
- Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Rasmi Avula
- Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Anna Herforth
- Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
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Summan A, Nandi A, Laxminarayan R. Analysis of anthropometric outcomes in Indian children during the COVID-19 pandemic using National Family Health Survey data. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2024; 4:127. [PMID: 38951653 PMCID: PMC11217468 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-024-00543-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disruptions in food, health, and economic systems during the COVID-19 pandemic may have adversely affected child health. There is currently limited research on the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on stunting, wasting, and underweight status of young children. METHODS We examine the short-term associations between the pandemic and anthropometric outcomes of under-5 children (n = 232,920) in India, using data from the National Family Health Survey (2019-2021). Children surveyed after March 2020 are considered as the post-COVID group, while those surveyed earlier are considered as pre-COVID. Potential biases arising from differences in socioeconomic characteristics of the two groups are mitigated using propensity score matching methods. RESULTS Post-COVID children surveyed in 2020 and 2021 have 1.2% higher underweight rates, 1.2% lower wasting rates, 0.1 lower height-for-age z-scores (HAZ), and 0.04 lower weight-for-height z-scores as compared with matched pre-COVID children. Post-COVID children surveyed in 2020 have 1.6%, 4.6%, and 2.4% higher stunting, underweight, and wasting rates, respectively, and 0.07 lower HAZ, as compared with matched pre-COVID children. Reductions in nutritional status are largest among children from households in the poorest wealth quintiles. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate a trend towards a recovery in child anthropometric outcomes in 2021 after the initial post-pandemic reductions. The resilience of health and food systems to shocks such as COVID-19 should be strengthened while immediate investments are required to decrease child malnutrition and improve broader child health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Summan
- One Health Trust, 5636 Connecticut Avenue NW, PO Box 42735, Washington, DC, 20015, USA
| | - Arindam Nandi
- One Health Trust, 5636 Connecticut Avenue NW, PO Box 42735, Washington, DC, 20015, USA.
- The Population Council, 1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, NY, 10017, USA.
| | - Ramanan Laxminarayan
- One Health Trust, Obeya Pulse, First Floor, 7/1, Halasur Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560042, India
- High Meadows Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Guyot Hall, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
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Ghosh-Jerath S, Dhasmana A, Nair SC, Kapoor R. Impact of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic on food security among Ho indigenous community of Jharkhand, India. AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY 2024; 13:s40066-024-00469-1. [PMID: 38855478 PMCID: PMC7616075 DOI: 10.1186/s40066-024-00469-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Background Food insecurity and hunger are global concerns further exacerbated by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need to understand the depth of this impact, especially among smallholder farmers, and recognize specific coping strategies that offered resilience to inform preparedness in future. The present cross-sectional study assessed the impact of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic on different dimensions of food security among smallholder farmers of Ho indigenous community of Jharkhand, India. It also explored potential resilient attributes of their food systems. Results Most of the respondents (67.2%) reported reduced food consumption at the household (HH) level. Majority faced difficulty in accessing food from different food sources; however, easier access to government food security programmes was highlighted. Around 40% reported change in their ability to purchase farming inputs. Market vendors reported disruptions in food procurement owing to travel restrictions; however, no change was reported for home-produced foods in agricultural lands/kitchen gardens. Prices of indigenous foods produced locally decreased/remained same; however, for cereals, pulses, and other HH staples, prices increased during second wave. Difficulty in accessing wild food environment (OR: 1.7, CI 0.40, 7.75), change in food prices (OR: 19.9, CI 5.25, 76.02), decrease in HH income (OR: 9.2, CI 2.99, 28.60) were found to be significantly associated with reduction in HH food consumption (p < 0.01). The coping strategies adopted by the community included sale of cultivated and wild produce in local weekly markets to ensure additional income. Conclusions The findings highlight the need to reinforce the traditional ecological knowledge of the Ho community and focus on practices around their food systems, engrained into their socio-cultural ecosystems that may offer resilience against future stresses. In addition, the need of systemic support to ensure the social and economic well-being of the community needs to be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Swati C. Nair
- The George Institute for Global Health, Delhi, India
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Omotayo AO, Ogunniyi AI. COVID-19 induced shocks and its implications for human capital development. Int J Equity Health 2024; 23:30. [PMID: 38365738 PMCID: PMC10870588 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-024-02119-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 has delivered an enormous shock to the global economy, triggering the deepest recession in eight decades, almost three times as deep as the 2009 global recession. Of all the nations in Africa, Nigeria remains one of the nations with a huge and significant impact on the human capital. METHODS Hence, here we employed the recent nationally representative data from Nigeria - the COVID-19 National Longitudinal Phone Survey 2020-World Bank Living Standards Measurement Study Integrated Agriculture Survey (LSMS-ISA), a harmonized dataset to explore how the COVID-19 induced shocks affected households' human capital development (using health and education outcomes). RESULTS The results indicate that the COVID-19 induced shocks impact on both health and education in Nigeria. Interestingly, access to social safety nets had a positive association with the health and education outcomes. The study concludes that households' access to social safety nets, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic aids in the development of the nation's human capital. Therefore, effectively enhancing household's resilience and strengthening human capital development require positive and considerable innovation, maybe over a period of years. Hence, just an access to the national social safety nets programs or social programs may not be as effective as expected. Therefore, it may not be as successful as intended to just have access to national social safety net programs or social programs that contribute or transfer negligible amounts to the vulnerable recipients over short time frames.
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Webster J, Moala A, McKenzie B, Santos JA, Palu A, Deo A, Lolohea S, Sanif M, Naivunivuni P, Kumar S, Vimatemate E, Tawakilai H, Seru L, Woodward M, Patay D, Nand D, Kama A, Reeve E, Waqa G, Bell C. Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji - a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults. Global Health 2023; 19:99. [PMID: 38082363 PMCID: PMC10712026 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-023-01004-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Food insecurity is associated with inadequate nutrition and increased rates of chronic disease. The primary aim of this study was to assess self-reported food insecurity and the perceived impact of COVID-19 on food security, in two regional districts of Central Fiji, as part of a broader program of work on strengthening and monitoring food policy interventions. The secondary aim was to explore the relationship between food insecurity and salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intake. METHODS Seven hundred adults were randomly sampled from the Deuba and Waidamudamu districts of Viti Levu, Fiji. Interview administered surveys were conducted by trained research assistants with data collected electronically. Information was collected on demographics and health status, food security, the perceived impact of COVID-19 on food security, and dietary intake. Food insecurity was assessed using nine questions adapted from Fiji's 2014/5 national nutrition survey, measuring markers of food insecurity over the last 12 months. Additional questions were added to assess the perceived effect of COVID-19 on responses. To address the secondary aim, interview administered 24-hour diet recalls were conducted using Intake24 (a computerised dietary recall system) allowing the calculation of salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intakes for each person. Weighted linear regression models were used to determine the relationship between food insecurity and salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intake. RESULTS 534 people participated in the survey (response rate 76%, 50.4% female, mean age 42 years). 75% (75.3%, 95% CI, 71.4 to 78.8%) of people reported experiencing food insecurity in the 12 months prior to the survey. Around one fifth of people reported running out of foods (16.8%, 13.9 to 20.2%), having to skip meals (19.3%, 16.2 to 22.9%), limiting variety of foods (19.0%, 15.9 to 22.5%), or feeling stressed due to lack of ability to meet food needs (19.5%, 16.4 to 23.0%). 67% (66.9%, 62.9 to 70.7%) reported becoming more food insecure and changing what they ate due to COVID-19. However, people also reported positive changes such as making a home garden (67.8%, 63.7 to 71.6%), growing fruit and vegetables (59.5%, 55.6 to 63.8%), or trying to eat healthier (14.7%, 12.0 to 18.0%). There were no significant associations between food insecurity and intakes of salt, sugar or fruit and vegetables. CONCLUSION Participants reported high levels of food insecurity, exceeding recommendations for salt and sugar intake and not meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations, and becoming more food insecure due to COVID-19. Most participants reported making home gardens and/or growing fruit and vegetables in response to the pandemic. There is an opportunity for these activities to be fostered in addressing food insecurity in Fiji, with likely relevance to the Pacific region and other Small Island Developing States who face similar food insecurity challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqui Webster
- The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Briar McKenzie
- The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | - Aliyah Palu
- The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mark Woodward
- The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Dori Patay
- The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Erica Reeve
- Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Gade Waqa
- C-POND, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | - Colin Bell
- Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Gebeyehu DT, East L, Wark S, Islam MS. A systematic review of the direct and indirect COVID-19's impact on food security and its dimensions: pre-and post-comparative analysis. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2298. [PMID: 37986174 PMCID: PMC10662791 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17104-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since its emergence, the COVID-19 pandemic has compromised the food security both directly by impacting food supply chain and indirectly by overwhelming the individual health and/or personal financial situation. The overarching aim of the current study is to assess aspects of the food security crisis that have arisen due to COVID-19 and to identify which, if any, food security dimensions were specifically compromised. METHODS Primary research articles were initially identified through four online databases (Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science), with the references of each paper then also reviewed for additional article. The food security status of individuals and the wider community, both before and after the emergence of COVID-19, were examined. RESULTS Of the 2,057 studies initially identified, a total of ten were included in the final review. The included studies confirmed that COVID-19 had substantially impacted food security, with individuals, households and the wider community experiencing food insecurity. Nine of the included studies aruged that the food accessibility dimension was the most compromised. CONCLUSION To address the identified direct and indirect food security issues associated with COVID-19, it is proposed that a combination of prevention practices and proactive food security activities is required. Integrating food security interventions, supporting and facilitating food security resilience, and conducting further studies on the food security of COVID-19 are also recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Teshome Gebeyehu
- School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, Australia.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
| | - Leah East
- School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia
| | - Stuart Wark
- School of Rural Medicine, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
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K. C. D, Shrestha N, Shrestha R, Sunuwar DR, Poudyal A. Household food security access and dietary diversity amidst COVID-19 pandemic in rural Nepal; an evidence from rapid assessment. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293514. [PMID: 37910536 PMCID: PMC10619797 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic led to surging concerns about food insecurity status throughout the world. In response to global and national concerns on food and nutrition security, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and determining factors of household food insecurity and dietary diversity among people from selected rural municipalities of Lalitpur district, Nepal. METHODS A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 432 households. Pretested structured questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, household income; influence of COVID-19 on their income and livelihood, household's access to food and dietary diversity. Food insecurity was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). A multivariable analysis was done using binary logistic regression model following a bivariate analysis to assess the association between the dependent and independent variables. RESULTS More than one-third (36%) of the households reported some form of food insecurity. The overall mean score for Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) was 6.0 (±1.1). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that participants aged 41-64 years (aOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.21-0.59), those over 64 years (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07-0.66), as well as those in service occupation (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06-0.77) were associated with lower odds of HFIAS. Conversely, Participants belonging to a disadvantaged ethnic group (aOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.23-6.07), having no education (aOR = 3.70, 95% CI: 1.16-11.71) or primary education (aOR = 3.67, 95% CI: 1.23-9.89), and those suffering from chronic illness (aOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.53-6.35) were associated with higher odds of HFIAS. As for HDDS, participants aged 41-64 years (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.28-0.83) were associated with lower odds of HDDS, while participants having no education (aOR = 10.05, 95% CI: 4.05-24.01) were associated with significantly higher odds of HDDS. CONCLUSION Owing to the pandemic, our study showed a substantial prevalence of food insecurity among diverse community residing in rural outskirts of Kathmandu Valley, particularly among disadvantaged ethnic group and people with lower level of education. Interventions targeting these particular groups may help in improving HFIAS and HDDS among them during emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirghayu K. C.
- Public Health Promotion and Development Organization, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Namuna Shrestha
- Public Health Promotion and Development Organization, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Rachana Shrestha
- Public Health and Environment Research Center, (PERC), Kathmandu, Nepal
- Knowledge To Action (K2A), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Dev Ram Sunuwar
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Nepal Armed Police Force Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Anil Poudyal
- Public Health Promotion and Development Organization, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Travasso SM, Joseph S, Swaminathan S, Manivannan JR, Webb P, Kurpad A, Thomas T. A longitudinal survey on changes in employment and food consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural Bihar, India. J Nutr 2023; 153:2985-2993. [PMID: 37479115 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a need for empirical evidence on changes in employment and food consumption during pandemic situations in households belonging to the informal economy. OBJECTIVE To examine changes in food insecurity, household diet diversity, and employment in agriculture during the pre-COVID-19 (2019-early 2020) and COVID-19 pandemic (September 2021) periods. METHODS A total of 1632 households from a face-to-face pre-COVID-19 survey and 621 of those followed up by a telephonic survey during COVID-19 in Bihar, India, were included in the analyses. Household food insecurity, household diet diversity score (HDDS), and employment change (agriculture or nonagriculture) were assessed during both periods. Food insecurity and diet diversity in the 2 periods were examined by logistic regression. A change in the odds of being food insecure or having low HDDS was examined as an interaction between time and employment status. RESULTS Prevalence of food insecurity increased from 21% to 55%, and low diet diversity increased from 47% to 69% in households assessed in both surveys. Employment status was not associated with food insecurity or low HDDS during the baseline survey. However, during the pandemic, ∼30% of households changed their employment from agriculture to nonagriculture and were more likely to be food insecure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1. 78-4.32) and have low HDDS (aOR: 1.66; 95%CI: 1.05-2.61), than those who remained in agriculture. Similarly, those who retained nonagricultural employment during the pandemic were more likely to be food insecure (aOR: 2.23; 95%CI: 1.45-3.43) and have low HDDS (aOR: 1.73; 95%CI: 1.11-2.70), compared to those who remained in agriculture. In propensity score-adjusted interaction analysis of time and employment, food insecurity and low HDDS remained significantly associated with nonagricultural employment during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Enhanced support to rural households in agricultural occupations could buffer them from unexpected crises, which may also protect their nutritional intake.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Patrick Webb
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, USA
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Yazew T, Daba A, Hordofa L, Garedew G, Negash A, Merga G, Bakala T. Covid-19 related factors to food security and dietary diversity among urban households in western Oromia, Ethiopia. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14476. [PMID: 36942244 PMCID: PMC10008806 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aims to assess factors associated with food security and dietary diversity among poor urban households of western Oromia, Ethiopia, after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Method A cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted in May to June 2021 with 361 poor urban households in the Horo Guduru Wollega zone, western Oromia, Ethiopia. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Twenty-four hour reminder points were used to assess household dietary diversity, and household food security was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale tool. Data were evaluated using the statistical software SPSS version 25.0. Results This study showed a prevalence of food insecurity in households of 59.6%. The mean and standard deviation of household dietary diversity values were 4.19 ± 1.844. Family size (AOR = 8.5; 95% CI:3.295-21.92), monthly income (AOR = 3.52; 95% CI; 1.771-6.986), dietary diversity (AOR = 8.5; 95% CI; 3.92-18.59), knowledge (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.08-)8.347), attitude (AOR = 8.35, 95% CI:3.112-22.39) and practices against Covid-19 (AOR = 2.12; 95% CI:1.299-11.4) were factors significantly associated with food insecurity. Variables like educational status (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI:1.44-8.312), increased family size after the Covid-19 pandemic (AOR = 2.26; 95% CI:1.02-5.04), food security (AOR = 6.7; 95% CI:4.01-19.01), knowledge (AOR = 3.96; 95% CI:1.57-10.0), attitude (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI:1.75-8.82) and practices toward coronavirus (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI:2.18-23.95) were predictors significantly associated with dietary diversity. Conclusion This study concluded that family size, monthly income, and dietary diversity were factors contributed to household food security. On the other hand, variables such as educational status, family size, and food security were highly relevant factors for dietary diversity after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices were also variables related to both household food security and dietary diversity. Therefore, immediate interventions such as nutrition-specific interventions can be suggested to address food insecurity and problems of inadequate food intake in poor urban households. In addition, governmental and non-governmental organizations should raise awareness and policies to support those at higher risk by developing affordable, sustainable and targeted social protection systems that ensure food security and adequate dietary intake at the household level.
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Key Words
- AOR, Adjusted Odd Ratio
- Associated factors
- CI, Confidence Level
- COR, Crude Odd Ratio
- Covid-19
- Dietary diversity
- EU, European Union
- Ethiopia
- Food security
- HFIAS, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale
- NPC, National Planning Commission
- SPSS, Statistical Package for Social Sciences
- UN, United Nations
- USD, United states Dollar
- USDA, United States Department of Agriculture
- Urban
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamiru Yazew
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fitche, 245, Ethiopia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Agama Daba
- Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Wollega University, Nekemte, 395, Ethiopia
| | - Lelisa Hordofa
- Department of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Resource Management and Economics, Wollega University, Nekemte, 395, Ethiopia
| | - Girma Garedew
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fitche, 245, Ethiopia
| | - Abdi Negash
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fitche, 245, Ethiopia
| | - Gizachew Merga
- Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Salale University, Fitche, 245, Ethiopia
| | - Tasama Bakala
- Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Wollega University, Nekemte, 395, Ethiopia
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Penna AL, de Aquino CM, Pinheiro MSN, do Nascimento RLF, Farias-Antúnez S, Araújo DABS, Mita C, Machado MMT, Castro MC. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental health, early childhood development, and parental practices: a global scoping review. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:388. [PMID: 36823592 PMCID: PMC9950022 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In March 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), generating stark economic and social repercussions that directly or indirectly affected families' wellbeing and health status. AIMS This review aims at mapping the existing evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental health, early childhood development, and parental practices, worldwide, to identify evidence gaps and better inform future delivery of care and health policy measures. METHODS Following the protocol defined by PRISMA-ScR, this scoping review has searched for relevant studies published between January 2020 and June 2021, selecting evidence sources based on pre-established criteria. From a total of 2,308 articles, data were extracted from 537 publications from 35 countries on all three health domains. RESULTS The combined stressors brought forth by the pandemic have exerted a heavy burden on the mental health of mothers and the development of young children, partly mediated by its impact on parental practices. CONCLUSIONS Despite remaining gaps, we have identified sufficient evidence pointing to an urgent need for more concerted global research efforts and rapid policy responses to timely address severe and pervasive negative impacts to the mental health of mothers and children at a key developmental stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luiza Penna
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA.
| | - Camila Machado de Aquino
- grid.8395.70000 0001 2160 0329Department of Community Health, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | | | - Simone Farias-Antúnez
- grid.411237.20000 0001 2188 7235Department of Health Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Araranguá, Brazil
| | | | - Carol Mita
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XCountway Library, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | | | - Marcia C. Castro
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
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Azevedo FM, de Morais NDS, Silva DLF, Candido AC, Morais DDC, Priore SE, Franceschini SDCC. Food insecurity and its socioeconomic and health determinants in pregnant women and mothers of children under 2 years of age, during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1087955. [PMID: 36761119 PMCID: PMC9902714 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1087955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced access to adequate food in terms of quality and quantity, especially for the most vulnerable population groups. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Food Insecurity and its main socioeconomic and health determinants in pregnant women and mothers of children under 2 years of age, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) and registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42021278033). The descriptors "Pregnant Woman", "Postpartum Women", "Breastfeeding Women", "COVID-19", "Food Insecurity", "Food Security" were combined in Scopus (Elsevier), Medline/PubMed (via National Library of Medicine), Embase (Elsevier), Web of Science and Science Direct independently by two researchers in September 2022. Original articles about Food Insecurity in households with pregnant women and mothers of children under 2 years of age during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. The meta-analysis of the prevalence of Food Insecurity was conducted using the RStudio software (4.0.4). Results The initial search resulted in 539 records, and 10 articles met the proposed criteria and were included in this review. The prevalence of Food Insecurity ranged from 11.5 to 80.3% and in the meta-analysis it was 51% (IC: 30-71) (I 2 = 100.0%). The main socioeconomic and health determinants were ethnicity, domain language, low education, low income, informal employment, unemployment, occurrence of mental disorders, domestic violence, in addition to the unavailability of food in markets and lack of transport. The inclusion of studies with data collection by telephone stands out as a limitation, due to the non-inclusion of vulnerable groups without access to this means of communication. Conclusion It is necessary to implement and strengthen specific public policies for the maternal and child group with the objective of protecting and strengthening the rights of women to maintain the physical and mental integrity of this group and guarantee Food Security.
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12
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Orjiakor EC, Adediran A, Ugwu JO, Nwachukwu W. Household living conditions and food insecurity in Nigeria: a longitudinal study during COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e066810. [PMID: 36604138 PMCID: PMC9826925 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study set out to investigate the risk of household food insecurity in Nigeria during the novel COVID-19 pandemic using a harmonised dataset of Nigeria's prepandemic face-to-face survey and two waves of the COVID-19 National Longitudinal Phone Survey (NLPS). SETTING Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS A representative sample of 1674 households is used in the analysis. DESIGN A longitudinal study. RESULTS Our longitudinal study reveals a significant increase in the prevalence of food insecurity in Nigeria during the COVID-19 crisis. For a sample of 1674 households used in the analysis, nearly 32% were moderately food insecure in the baseline survey (ie, the prepandemic period), compared with 74% and 72% that faced the same degree of food insecurity in the two waves of the COVID-19 phone survey. In like manner, not up to 4% of the households faced severe food insecurity in the prepandemic period, compared with 43% and 22% that experienced the same level of food insecurity during the period of the pandemic. Based on the available information in the dataset, we construct a composite non-monetary measure (or index) of household well-being and employ the binary logistic model to investigate the objects under study. The empirical results show that the well-being index has a strong negative association with household food insecurity. Further investigation reveals that the risk of being food insecure increases for households in relatively poor living conditions compared with those in the middle category and conversely declines for households in much better living conditions. CONCLUSION This study informs an understanding of the prevalence and risk of household food insecurity in Nigeria during the novel COVID-19 pandemic and provides insights that can guide policy actions in responding to the current wave of food crises in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jamesclement Onyekachi Ugwu
- Economics, University of Nigeria Faculty of Social Sciences, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- Corporate Alliance Research and Statistics (CARES), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Wisdom Nwachukwu
- Economics, University of Nigeria Faculty of Social Sciences, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- Qaval Research Ltd, Enugu, Nigeria
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Pyne S, Guha S, Das S, Ray M, Chandra H. Food insecurity in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic plain: Taking a closer look. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279414. [PMID: 36602961 PMCID: PMC9815573 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Food security is an important policy issue in India. As India recently ranked 107th out of 121 countries in the 2022 Global Hunger Index, there is an urgent need to dissect, and gain insights into, such a major decline at the national level. However, the existing surveys, due to small sample sizes, cannot be used directly to produce reliable estimates at local administrative levels such as districts. DESIGN The latest round of available data from the Household Consumer Expenditure Survey (HCES 2011-12) done by the National Sample Survey Office of India used stratified multi-stage random sampling with districts as strata, villages as first stage and households as second stage units. SETTING Our Small Area Estimation approach estimated food insecurity prevalence, gap, and severity of each rural district of the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain (EIGP) region by modeling the HCES data, guided by local covariates from the 2011 Indian Population Census. PARTICIPANTS In HCES, 5915 (34429), 3310 (17534) and 3566 (15223) households (persons) were surveyed from the 71, 38 and 18 districts of the EIGP states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal respectively. RESULTS We estimated the district-specific food insecurity indicators, and mapped their local disparities over the EIGP region. By comparing food insecurity with indicators of climate vulnerability, poverty and crop diversity, we shortlisted the vulnerable districts in EIGP. CONCLUSIONS Our district-level estimates and maps can be effective for informed policy-making to build local resiliency and address systemic vulnerabilities where they matter most in the post-pandemic era. ADVANCES Our study computed, for the Indian states in the EIGP region, the first area-level small area estimates of food insecurity as well as poverty over the past decade, and generated a ranked list of districts upon combining these data with measures of crop diversity and climatic vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumyadipta Pyne
- Department of Statistics and Applied Probability, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
- Health Analytics Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Saurav Guha
- Health Analytics Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Sumonkanti Das
- School of Demography, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Meghana Ray
- Health Analytics Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Hukum Chandra
- Health Analytics Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, India
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14
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Khandelwal S, Mehra M, Singh A. Impact on Public Health Nutrition Services Due to COVID-19 Pandemic in India: A Scoping Review of Primary Studies on Health and Social Security Determinants Affecting the First 1000 Days of Life. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192113973. [PMID: 36360851 PMCID: PMC9656542 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT COVID-19 was declared 'a global pandemic' by the World Health Organization in March 2020. India's lockdown, one of the harshest in the world, came with additional challenges for women. This paper aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic-related pathways on the first thousand days of life in the Integrated Child Development Scheme and the public distribution ecosystem in India. DATA SOURCES Using Cochrane guidelines, electronic databases, namely Google Scholar and PubMed-NCBI, were searched for evidence between 1 March 2020 and 1 May 2022. A total of 73 studies were identified in initial search; 20 met the inclusion criteria and, thus, were included in the research analysis. Primary studies were conducted throughout pan-India in rural, urban, and semi-urban areas to study the impact of COVID-19 pandemic-related pathways on the first 1000 days of life. The impact of social security, food insecurity, service delivery, nutrition of pregnant and nursing mothers (P&NMs), and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) varied between geographies and within geographies. Most of the primary studies were conducted at small scale, while only three studies were pan-Indian. The majority of studies were conducted on the mental health of P&NMs and pre-natal and post-natal service delivery disruption. The paucity of the available literature highlights the need to undertake research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic-related pathways on 1000 days of life in India and worldwide. The best implementation practices were observed where cross-sectional programs were carried out in relation to health services and social security for P&NMs and children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ayushi Singh
- ASER Centre—Pratham Education Foundation, New Delhi 110029, India
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15
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Husain Z, Ghosh S, Dutta M. Changes in dietary practices of mother and child during the COVID-19 lockdown: Results from a household survey in Bihar, India. FOOD POLICY 2022; 112:102372. [PMID: 36248313 PMCID: PMC9550658 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2022.102372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19, and the national-level lockdown to contain it, were expected to disrupt supply chains, lead to livelihood loss, and reduce household income. Studies anticipated a decline in food security in India, leading to a near famine-like situation. In this study, we examine the change in Dietary Score (number of food groups consumed out of a possible eight) and proportion of respondents complying with Minimum Dietary Diversity norms (consuming at least four food groups) among women aged 15-49 years and their youngest child (aged between 7 and 36 months) during the lockdown. The present study also analyses whether ownership of ration cards and contacts with the party in power locally helped the household to tide over the crisis. The data was collected through a two-phase primary survey undertaken in January-March 2020 (pre-lockdown period) and October-November 2020 (post-lockdown period). It was undertaken in six districts of Bihar, a state with a history of poor maternal and child health outcomes and dysfunctional delivery of health services. We find that dietary practices of women deteriorated, while that of children remained the same. The deterioration is less among households owning ration cards or having political contacts. The analysis suggests that, during pandemics or similar crisis periods, the need to supplement the supply of staple items through the Public Distribution System with a direct transfer of cash will allow households to maintain diversity in the consumption basket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zakir Husain
- Economics Department, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073, India
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16
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Grosso G. The Global Burden of Food Insecurity Due to COVID-19. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14173582. [PMID: 36079839 PMCID: PMC9460288 DOI: 10.3390/nu14173582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The insurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that no country or region was prepared to face such a devastating emergency, nor have researchers uncovered permanent solutions to solve this everlasting crisis thus far [...]
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Grosso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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17
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Factors Associated with Food Insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean Countries: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 13 Countries. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14153190. [PMID: 35956365 PMCID: PMC9370137 DOI: 10.3390/nu14153190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is the region with the second highest figures for food insecurity (FI) globally, with a prevalence of 40.9% in the entire region. This cross-sectional study analyzes the household factors associated with FI across 13 LAC countries. We used data from the first round of high-frequency phone surveys, conducted by the World Bank. Approximately 4 out of 10 people in LAC experienced FI during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. FI was positively associated with the number of individuals aged from 5 to 18 years, the number of men, the illness, accident, or death of an income-earning household member, and health expenditure due to COVID-19 or other illnesses, as well as the increase in food prices, reduced family income, and job loss by a member of the household. On the other hand, households located in capital cities and those with more bedrooms were less likely to have experienced FI. The design of social policies must focus on the economic deficiencies experienced by the LAC population, with unemployment, reduced income, and high food costs being the main factors that must be addressed to ensure adequate nutrition.
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18
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Kundu S, Sayeed A, Azene AG, Rezyona H, Banna MHA, Khan MSI. Exploring the Factors Associated with Dietary Diversity of Children Aged 6-59 Months in Some Rural and Slum Areas of Bangladesh amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Effect Regression Analysis. Curr Dev Nutr 2022; 6:nzac109. [PMID: 35957740 PMCID: PMC9362760 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzac109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dietary diversity (DD) is a key component of diet quality, and malnutrition due to poor diet quality leads to child morbidity and mortality. However, in Bangladesh, there is a lack of information on childhood DD (for children aged 6-59 mo) amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the minimum DD and its associated factors among children aged 6-59 mo during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in 6 districts of Bangladesh. A total of 1190 respondents were included using cluster random sampling. The Individual Dietary Diversity Score (IDDS) for children was used to assess the children's DD. Factors associated with DD of children were identified using a multilevel binary logistics regression model. Results About 70% of the children aged 6-59 mo had minimum DD during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Children who belonged to slum areas [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.45; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.83], family income 12,000-15,000 Bangladeshi taka (BDT) (AOR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.06, 3.05) and >15,000 BDT (AOR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.47, 4.57), mothers aged 26-30 y (AOR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.62) and >30 y (AOR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.85), respondents who had 2 children <5 y old (AOR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.66), and children aged 12-23 mo (AOR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.20) were significantly associated with DD among children aged 6-59 mo. Conclusions The findings of this study highlight the need for food and nutrition-related intervention, particularly targeting mothers of younger age and with >2 children <5 y old, mothers from slum regions, and fathers who were unemployed, to improve children's DD practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyajit Kundu
- Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Abu Sayeed
- Department of Post-Harvest Technology and Marketing, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Abebaw Gedef Azene
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Humayra Rezyona
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Government College of Applied Human Science, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Hasan Al Banna
- Department of Food Microbiology, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Md Shafiqul Islam Khan
- Department of Food Microbiology, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh
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19
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Avula R, Nguyen PH, Ashok S, Bajaj S, Kachwaha S, Pant A, Walia M, Singh A, Paul A, Singh A, Kulkarni B, Singhania D, Escobar-Alegria J, Augustine LF, Khanna M, Krishna M, Sundaravathanam N, Nayak PK, Sharma PK, Makkar P, Ghosh P, Subramaniam S, Mala S, Giri R, Jain S, Banjara SK, Nair S, Ghosh S, Das S, Patil S, Mahapatra T, Forissier T, Nanda P, Krishnan S, Menon P. Disruptions, restorations and adaptations to health and nutrition service delivery in multiple states across India over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020: An observational study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269674. [PMID: 35895693 PMCID: PMC9328539 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modeling studies estimated severe impacts of potential service delivery disruptions due to COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child nutrition outcomes. Although anecdotal evidence exists on disruptions, little is known about the actual state of service delivery at scale. We studied disruptions and restorations, challenges and adaptations in health and nutrition service delivery by frontline workers (FLWs) in India during COVID-19 in 2020. METHODS We conducted phone surveys with 5500 FLWs (among them 3118 Anganwadi Workers) in seven states between August-October 2020, asking about service delivery during April 2020 (T1) and in August-October (T2), and analyzed changes between T1 and T2. We also analyzed health systems administrative data from 704 districts on disruptions and restoration of services between pre-pandemic (December 2019, T0), T1 and T2. RESULTS In April 2020 (T1), village centers, fixed day events, child growth monitoring, and immunization were provided by <50% of FLWs in several states. Food supplementation was least disrupted. In T2, center-based services were restored by over a third in most states. Administrative data highlights geographic variability in both disruptions and restorations. Most districts had restored service delivery for pregnant women and children by T2 but had not yet reached T0 levels. Adaptations included home delivery (60 to 96%), coordinating with other FLWs (7 to 49%), and use of phones for counseling (~2 to 65%). Personal fears, long distances, limited personal protective equipment, and antagonistic behavior of beneficiaries were reported challenges. CONCLUSIONS Services to mothers and children were disrupted during stringent lockdown but restored thereafter, albeit not to pre-pandemic levels. Rapid policy guidance and adaptations by FLWs enabled restoration but little remains known about uptake by client populations. As COVID-19 continues to surge in India, focused attention to ensuring essential services is critical to mitigate these major indirect impacts of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmi Avula
- International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Phuong Hong Nguyen
- International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Sattvika Ashok
- International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | | | - Shivani Kachwaha
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Anjali Pant
- International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Ayushi Singh
- ASER Centre- Pratham Education Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Prerna Makkar
- ASER Centre- Pratham Education Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Sai Mala
- Independent Consultant, New Delhi, India
| | - Rakesh Giri
- National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Priya Nanda
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Purnima Menon
- International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
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20
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Patil SV, Bhadake M, Acharya A. ‘Dengue-COVID-19 overlap’: Is it an ‘antigenic mimicry’ or coexistent two different viral genotypic diseases? Prospective, observational study in tertiary care setting in India. ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF GENERAL MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.29333/ejgm/12279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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21
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Thankachan P, Selvam S, Narendra AR, Mishra HN, Sachdev HS, Thomas T, Kurpad AV. There should always be a free lunch: the impact of COVID-19 lockdown suspension of the mid-day meal on nutriture of primary school children in Karnataka, India. BMJ Nutr Prev Health 2022; 5:364-366. [PMID: 36619337 PMCID: PMC9813612 DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph-2021-000358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020 resulted in school closures with eventual suspension of the mid-day meal programme, biannual deworming and iron-folic acid supplements. One year into the lockdown, we evaluated the impact of the withdrawal of these programmes on the nutritional status of rural primary-school children, aged 6-12 years, in Karnataka, India. Methods Anthropometry, haemoglobin, serum ferritin and C reactive protein were measured in 290 children at two time points, 1 year apart, starting from just before the lockdown (February 2020 to February 2021). Results The prevalence of anaemia doubled from 21% to 40% (p<0.0001) with more pronounced changes in older girls (10%-53%); however, the prevalence of iron deficiency did not change (48.8%-51.9%), despite cessation of deworming and iron/folic acid supplements. Conclusion The increase in anaemia was due to limiting intakes of other erythropoietic nutrients, possibly due to a lower dietary diversity. The mid-day lunch meal at school (MDM) is an important part of daily food intake in rural school children, and it is important to maintain dietary diversity through the delivery of MDM for such vulnerable groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sumithra Selvam
- Division of Nutrition, St John’s Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Agnita R Narendra
- Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health, Karnataka Health Promotion Trust, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Hari N Mishra
- Agricultural and Food Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
| | - Harshpal S Sachdev
- Paediatrics, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Health and Research, Delhi, India
| | - Tinku Thomas
- Department of Biostatistics, St John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Anura V Kurpad
- Division of Nutrition, St John’s Research Institute, Bengaluru, India,Department of Physiology, St John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, India
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22
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Makkar S, Manivannan JR, Swaminathan S, Travasso SM, John AT, Webb P, Kurpad AV, Thomas T. Role of cash transfers in mitigating food insecurity in India during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study in the Bihar state. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060624. [PMID: 35760544 PMCID: PMC9237649 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are scant empirical data on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security across the globe. India is no exception, with insights into the impacts of lockdown on food insecurity now emerging. We contribute to the empirical evidence on the prevalence of food insecurity in Bihar state before and after lockdown, and whether the government's policy of cash transfer moderated negative effects of food insecurity or not. DESIGN This was a longitudinal study. SETTINGS The study was conducted in Gaya and Nalanda district of Bihar state in India from December 2019 to September 2020. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1797 households were surveyed in survey 1, and about 52% (n=939) were followed up in survey 2. Valid data for 859 households were considered for the analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, we found that household conditions were compared before and after lockdown. The effect of cash transfers was examined in a quasi-experimental method using a longitudinal study design. Logistic regression and propensity score adjusted analyses were used to identify factors associated with food insecurity. RESULTS Household food insecurity worsened considerably during lockdown, rising from 20% (95% CI 17.4 to 22.8) to 47% (95% CI 43.8 to 50.4) at the sample mean. Households experiencing negative income shocks were more likely to have been food insecure before the lockdown (adjusted OR 6.4, 95% CI 4.9 to 8.3). However, households that received cash transfers had lower odds of being food insecure once the lockdown was lifted (adjusted OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.99). CONCLUSION These findings provide evidence on how the swift economic response to the pandemic crises using targeted income transfers was relatively successful in mitigating potentially deep impacts of food insecurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanchit Makkar
- Division of Nutrition, St John's Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Sumathi Swaminathan
- Division of Nutrition, St John's Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sandra M Travasso
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, St John's Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Anjaly Teresa John
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, St John's Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Patrick Webb
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anura V Kurpad
- Department of Physiology, St John's Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Tinku Thomas
- Department of Biostatistics, St John's Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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23
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Nabihah AS, Suminah, Lestari A. Household Food Security, Health Workers' Support, and Their Association With Complementary Feeding Practice During COVID-19 Outbreak. Asia Pac J Public Health 2022; 34:667-670. [PMID: 35722952 DOI: 10.1177/10105395221106620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Asma Syifa Nabihah
- Department of Human Nutrition, Postgraduate School, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia
| | - Suminah
- Faculty of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia
| | - Anik Lestari
- Faculty of Medicine and P4GKM LPPM, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia
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24
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Shuvo SD, Hossain MS, Riazuddin M, Mazumdar S, Roy D. Factors influencing low-income households' food insecurity in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 lockdown. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267488. [PMID: 35536850 PMCID: PMC9089875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic and countrywide lockdown could negatively impact household food insecurity among low-income households. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of household food insecurity and its influencing factors among low-income people in Bangladesh during the lockdown of COVID-19. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted through face-to-face interviews from 500 low-income households during the countrywide COVID-19 lockdown. A pretested, structured and validated questionnaire was used to collect socioeconomic characteristics, household income conditions, and food accessibility. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) were used to measure food insecurity. Multinomial logistic regression models were estimated to evaluate and predict risk factors that influence food insecurity. RESULTS The study found that above 67% of households was mild-to-moderate food insecure while 23% experienced severe food insecurity. Significantly, 88%, 97.4%, and 93.4% of the households had anxiety and uncertainty, inadequate quality, and inadequate quantity of food, respectively. The regression analysis revealed the age 36-50 years (RRR: 4.86; 95% CI: 2.31-7.44, RRR: 4.16; 95% CI: 2.25-6.10) and monthly income <58.3 USD (RRR: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.12-5.14, RRR: 3.26; 95% CI: 1.79-4.71) were significantly associated with food insecurity (p <0.001). Likewise, less-income (RRR: 3.87; 95% CI: 1.37-6.46, RRR: 2.99; 95% CI: 1.16-4.83), increase in food prices (RRR: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.32-2.33, RRR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.05-1.12), and those who did not have same type of earning as before during the COVID-19 lockdown (RRR: 3.41; 95% CI: 1.33-5.62, RRR: 2.60; 95% CI: 0.99-4.24) were potential risk factor for MMFI and FI. CONCLUSION This study found that households become more susceptible to food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown period. Based on the findings, we suggest some essential food policies and adequate food assistance to mitigate these negative consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvasish Das Shuvo
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Sakhawot Hossain
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Riazuddin
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Sanaullah Mazumdar
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Deepa Roy
- Department of Mathematics, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
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Jeyakumar A, Dunna D, Aneesh M. Loss of Livelihood, Wages, and Employment During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Selected Districts of Chhattisgarh in India, and Its Impact on Food Insecurity and Hunger. Front Public Health 2022; 10:810772. [PMID: 35602125 PMCID: PMC9120657 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.810772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing food insecurity in developing nations. The cumulative effect of restricted mobility to curtail the spread of the infection, loss of livelihood and income, worst affected the economically weaker sections. Our work examined the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food during the first wave of the pandemic using the FAO, HFIAS questionnaire, in a random sample (N = 401) from Kanker and Narayanpur districts in Chattisgarh, an Empowered Action Group state, in India. Total food security scores were derived by summing the individual scores. Percentages above and below the median scores were used to assess food insecurity. Proportion Z test was used to compare settings and a generalized linear model was used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. Of the 63% non-tribal population, a greater percent experienced income loss (13.4%) and worried about not having sufficient food (40%). A significantly higher proportion from the non-tribal regions reported food scarcity in the household (34%) and experienced hunger (15%). Non-tribal participants (77%) scored ≤ median (score 8) demonstrating high food insecurity. The odds of poor food access increased in the non-tribal settings (B: 0.024, 95% CI: 0.011–0.051, P < 0.001), income between Rs. 10,000–29,000/- per month (B: 0.385, 95% CI: 0.146–1.014, P < 0.05) and among those experiencing total or partial income loss (B: 0.505, 95% CI: 0.252–1.011, P < 0.05). Urban residence increased the odds of poor food availability (B: 15.933, 95% CI: 3.473–73.096, P < 0.001). Being male (B: 0.450, 95% CI: 0.208–0.972, P < 0.05), and not experiencing income loss (B: 0.367, 95% CI: 0.139–0.969, P < 0.05) decreased the odds of poor availability and affordability (B: 0.153, 95% CI: 0.067–0.349, P < 0.001). Non-tribal setting increased the odds of poor affordability (B: 11.512, 95% CI: 5.577–23.765, P < 0.001) and hunger (B: 19.532, 95% CI: 7.705–49.515, P < 0.001). Being male (B: 0.445, 95% CI: 0.277–0.715, P < 0.05) and higher age (B: 0.936, 95% CI: 0.936–0.906, P < 0.001) decreased the odds of food insecurity as per the total food security score. While India is likely to experience multiple waves, actions urgent and targeted toward the needs of the vulnerable sections be prioritized to endure and overcome the impact of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeline Jeyakumar
- School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
- School of Hospitality and Tourism, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Angeline Jeyakumar
| | - Devishree Dunna
- School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Mitravinda Aneesh
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, India
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26
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Vu K, Vuong NDT, Vu-Thanh TA, Nguyen AN. Income shock and food insecurity prediction Vietnam under the pandemic. WORLD DEVELOPMENT 2022; 153:105838. [PMID: 35194296 PMCID: PMC8849200 DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2022.105838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As COVID-19 threatens the food security of vulnerable populations across the globe, there is an increasing need to identify places that are affected most in order to target aid. We propose a two-step approach to predict changes in food insecurity risk caused by income shocks at a granular level using existing household-level data and external information on aggregate income shocks. We apply this approach to assess changes in food insecurity risk during the pandemic in Vietnam. Using national household survey data between 2010 and 2018, we first estimate that a 10% decrease in income leads to a 3.5% increase in food insecurity. We then use the 2019 national Labor Force Survey to predict changes in the share of food-insecure households caused by the income shocks during the pandemic for 702 districts. We find that the small, predicted change in food insecurity risk at the national level masks substantial variation at the district level, and changes in food insecurity risk are larger among young children. Food relief policies, therefore, should prioritize a small number of districts predicted to be severely affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khoa Vu
- Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, United States
| | - Nguyen Dinh Tuan Vuong
- Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States
| | - Tu-Anh Vu-Thanh
- Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management, Fulbright University Vietnam, Vietnam
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27
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Zhu PH, Mhango SN, Vinnakota A, Mansour M, Coss-Bu JA. Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutritional Status, Feeding Practices, and Access to Food Among Infants and Children in Lower and Middle-Income Countries: a Narrative Review. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2022; 9:197-206. [PMID: 36249489 PMCID: PMC9549037 DOI: 10.1007/s40475-022-00271-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review The COVID-19 pandemic has affected children across the planet and the consequences on their health, nutritional status, and social structure have been more pronounced in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This review will focus on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on infant growth and feeding practices and access to food and obesity prevalence among children in LMICs. An electronic search was performed on MEDLINE and Embase to identify relevant articles in the English language. Recent Findings A higher prevalence of infections by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and a lower mortality rate were found in children in LMICs compared to western countries. In 2020, 22% and 52% of the wasting and deaths in children under 5 years of age in LMICS came from the sub-Saharan Africa region, respectively. Despite the decrease in stunting from 40% in 1990 to 24.2% in 2019, the prevalence remains above 30% in LMICs. Regarding breastfeeding practices in LMICs, many organizations recommend breastfeeding for infants and children born to infected mothers with SARS-CoV-2. This pandemic has resulted in higher food insecurity and disruption to access to health care and nutrition-related programs from schools; this situation has been more detrimental for younger children from LMICs. Summary Given the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nutritional status, higher food insecurity, and lack of access to health care for infants and children in LMICs, efforts from government, world organizations, and non-for-profit institutions should be implemented to ameliorate the effects of this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Hong Zhu
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA ,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA
| | - Susan Nita Mhango
- Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Anirudh Vinnakota
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA
| | - Marwa Mansour
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA ,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA
| | - Jorge A. Coss-Bu
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA ,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX USA
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Kang Y, Baidya A, Aaron A, Wang J, Chan C, Wetzler E. Differences in the early impact of COVID-19 on food security and livelihoods in rural and urban areas in the Asia Pacific Region. GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY 2021; 31:100580. [PMID: 36570721 PMCID: PMC9765004 DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Lockdowns due to COVID-19 in early 2020 had health, economic, and social consequences globally. Using survey data collected as part of a rapid assessment among non-governmental organization- (NGO) supported communities in six Asia Pacific countries (n = 13,522), this study examined if the early impacts of COVID-19 on job loss or reduced income, food expenditure, food availability at households and markets, and affordability of essential items, differed between rural and urban areas. Job loss or reduced income was higher in urban areas than in rural areas in India (91.2% vs. 82.5%), Myanmar (72.0% vs. 48.6%), and Vietnam (76.5% vs. 44.9%). While there was a significant decline in food expenditure in all six countries, there were significantly larger reductions in food expenditures in urban areas versus rural areas in India (35.2% vs. 24.0%), Myanmar (30.8% vs. 8.5%), and Vietnam (31.0% vs. 2.3%). Food stocks were less available in urban areas than in rural areas in Bangladesh (18.8% vs. 37.8%), India (91.5% vs.76.0%), and Myanmar (72.0% vs. 59.0%). Foods and essential items were largely available at markets, without significant differences between rural and urban areas, except in Vietnam. Full affordability was only 20%-30% for most items, with a trend of higher affordability of some items in urban areas than in rural areas. Recommendations to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 include promoting urban agriculture with efficient food distribution and cash support and supporting small-holder farmers for procurement and adequate functioning of the supply chain system in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhee Kang
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA,Corresponding author
| | - Anurima Baidya
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alec Aaron
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Johns Hopkins School of Education, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christabel Chan
- World Vision Asia Pacific Regional Office, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
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Rider EA, Ansari E, Varrin PH, Sparrow J. Mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents during the covid-19 pandemic. BMJ 2021; 374:n1730. [PMID: 34429302 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n1730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Rider
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; and Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eman Ansari
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; and Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Joshua Sparrow
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; and Brazelton Touchpoints Center, Division of Developmental Medicine, and Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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30
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Tsheten T, Clements ACA, Gray DJ, Adhikary RK, Wangdi K. Clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 and dengue co-infection: a systematic review. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:729. [PMID: 34340682 PMCID: PMC8327042 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06409-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dengue is the most common arboviral disease in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Like other regions, dengue-endemic areas have faced the additional public health and socio-economic impact of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 and dengue co-infections have been reported, with complicated patient management and care requirements. This review aimed to collate and synthesise current knowledge on the clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 and dengue virus co-infection, a potentially important new dimension to be considered in public health management of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases from 1st January to 21st November 2020. The key search terms used were "dengue" and "coronavirus". Descriptive analysis with graphical illustrations were used to present the clinical and laboratory parameters of the co-infection. RESULTS Thirteen published papers and four news articles were included in the review. Most studies were case reports with a detailed description of the clinical and laboratory characteristics of the co-infection. All cases were in adults with the exception of a six-year old child. The common symptoms of co-infection were fever, dyspnea, headache, and cough. Common laboratory results included thrombocytopenia, lymphocytopenia, elevated transaminases, and leukopenia. Serious outcomes of co-infection included septic shock, acute respiratory disease syndrome and multi-organ failure, leading to death in some patients. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 and dengue co-infection was associated with severe disease and fatal outcomes. The correct diagnosis and treatment of co-infection poses a substantial challenge due to the overlapping clinical and laboratory parameters. Therefore, confirmative diagnostic tests are necessary for accurate and timely diagnosis and patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsheten Tsheten
- Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- Royal Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | | | - Darren J. Gray
- Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Ripon K. Adhikary
- Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Kinley Wangdi
- Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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31
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Nguyen PH, Kachwaha S, Pant A, Tran LM, Walia M, Ghosh S, Sharma PK, Escobar-Alegria J, Frongillo EA, Menon P, Avula R. COVID-19 Disrupted Provision and Utilization of Health and Nutrition Services in Uttar Pradesh, India: Insights from Service Providers, Household Phone Surveys, and Administrative Data. J Nutr 2021; 151:2305-2316. [PMID: 34236434 PMCID: PMC8195077 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxab135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may substantially affect health systems, but little primary evidence is available on disruption of health and nutrition services. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to 1) determine the extent of disruption in provision and utilization of health and nutrition services induced by the pandemic in Uttar Pradesh, India; and 2) identify how adaptations were made to restore service provision in response to the pandemic. METHODS We conducted longitudinal surveys with frontline workers (FLWs, n = 313) and mothers of children <2 y old (n = 659) in December 2019 (in-person) and July 2020 (by phone). We also interviewed block-level managers and obtained administrative data. We examined changes in service provision and utilization using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests. RESULTS Compared with prepandemic, service provision reduced substantially during lockdown (83-98 percentage points, pp), except for home visits and take-home rations (∼30%). Most FLWs (68%-90%) restored service provision in July 2020, except for immunization and hot cooked meals (<10%). Administrative data showed similar patterns of disruption and restoration. FLW fears, increased workload, inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and manpower shortages challenged service provision. Key adaptations made to provide services were delivering services to beneficiary homes (∼40%-90%), social distancing (80%), and using PPE (40%-50%) and telephones for communication (∼20%). On the demand side, service utilization reduced substantially (40-80 pp) during the lockdown, but about half of mothers received home visits and food supplementation. Utilization for most services did not improve after the lockdown, bearing the challenges of limited travel (30%), nonavailability of services (26%), and fear of catching the virus when leaving the house (22%) or meeting service providers (14%). CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 disrupted the provision and use of health and nutrition services in Uttar Pradesh, India, despite adaptations to restore services. Strengthening logistical support, capacity enhancement, performance management, and demand creation are needed to improve service provision and utilization during and post-COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong H Nguyen
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA,Address correspondence to PHN (e-mail: mailto:)
| | - Shivani Kachwaha
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Anjali Pant
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Monika Walia
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | | | - Edward A Frongillo
- Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Purnima Menon
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Rasmi Avula
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, India
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