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Ravula P, Kasala K, Pramanik S, Selvaraj A. Stunting and Underweight among Adolescent Girls of Indigenous Communities in Telangana, India: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:731. [PMID: 38474859 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050731] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
India's indigenous groups remain vulnerable to malnutrition, despite economic progress, reflecting the reliance on traditional agriculture and the problems of poverty and inadequate education and sanitation. This mixed-methods study analyzed the incidence, causes and determinants of chronic malnutrition, measured through stunting, thinness and underweight among adolescent indigenous girls in Telangana. Using 2017 data on 695 girls aged 11-18 years from 2542 households, the analysis showed that 13% had normal nutritional status, while 87% were stunted, underweight or thin. Early adolescents (11-14 years) had higher underweight prevalence (24.4%), while late adolescents (15-18 years) showed greater stunting (30%). Regressions identified key influencing factors. Higher education levels of heads of households and the girls themselves alongside household toilet access significantly improved nutritional status and reduced stunting and underweight. The sociocultural emphasis on starchy staple-based diets and early marriage also impacted outcomes. Tackling this crisis requires mainstreaming nutrition across development agendas via comprehensive policies, education, communication and community participation. Further research can guide context-specific solutions. But, evidence-based investments in indigenous education, livelihoods, sanitation and women's empowerment are the first steps. Nutrition-sensitive development is indispensable for indigenous groups to fully participate in and benefit from India's progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padmaja Ravula
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad 502324, India
| | - Kavitha Kasala
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad 502324, India
| | - Soumitra Pramanik
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad 502324, India
| | - Aravazhi Selvaraj
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad 502324, India
- World Vegetable Center, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad 502324, India
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Ahankari A, Hayter M, Whitfield C, Ali P, Giridhari S, Tambe S, Kabra P, Rayamane K, Ovseiko P. aDolescents gEnder surVey, rEsponsible coupLes evaluatiOn, and capacity building Project in India (DEVELOP): a study protocol. F1000Res 2019; 8:958. [PMID: 33968370 PMCID: PMC8080941 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.19521.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Gender-based violence against women is a serious concern in India. This affects the health and wellbeing of victims and their dependents. Published evidence has documented a variety of reasons for such violence in Indian societies, paving a pathway to design, implement, and evaluate intervention models to address this issue. DEVELOP is a research study designed by UK and Indian research teams to plan future projects to address gender-based discrimination and violence against women and girls in India. This study protocol provides detailed information on the objectives, research methods, data collection, storage, analysis, and dissemination plans of the DEVELOP. The first component is a survey of adolescent boys and girls from rural areas of Maharashtra state of India to understand their gender equality related knowledge and beliefs. The insight gathered will be used to design interventions targeted at adolescent populations through future research and development programmes. Secondly, an evaluation of the 'Responsible Couples' project will be conducted to assess its success and challenges, and to design suitable programme activities and models. The 'Responsible Couples' project is implemented in 40 villages of Maharashtra state to improve relationships in married couples, prevent violence against women, intervene during violence, and to provide support services for women and their family members. Research findings will be disseminated though public engagement events in India, international conferences, and peer reviewed publications. This will impact on the policy and work models of Indian partners to plan future project investments. Research findings will be also useful for local government authorities and non-government agencies striving to advance gender equality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Ahankari
- School of Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, Yorkshire, HU6 7RX, UK
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7YH, UK
| | - Mark Hayter
- School of Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, Yorkshire, HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Clare Whitfield
- School of Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, Yorkshire, HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Parveen Ali
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2LA, UK
| | | | - Shruti Tambe
- Department of Sociology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India
| | - Pratyush Kabra
- Department of Community Medicine, Ashwini Rural Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Solapur, Maharashtra, 413006, India
| | - Kranti Rayamane
- Halo Medical Foundation, Andur, Osmanabad, Maharashtra, 413603, India
| | - Pavel Ovseiko
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
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Ahankari A, Hayter M, Whitfield C, Ali P, Giridhari S, Tambe S, Kabra P, Rayamane K, Ovseiko P. aDolescents gEnder surVey, rEsponsible coupLes evaluatiOn, and capacity building Project in India (DEVELOP): a study protocol. F1000Res 2019; 8:958. [PMID: 33968370 PMCID: PMC8080941 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.19521.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic violence and assault (DVA) against women is a serious concern in India. This affects the health and wellbeing of victims and their dependents. Published evidence has documented a variety of reasons for such violence in Indian societies, paving a pathway to design, implement, and evaluate intervention models to address this issue. DEVELOP is a research study designed by UK and Indian research teams to plan future projects to address gender-based discrimination and DVA against women and girls in India. This study protocol provides detailed information on the objectives, research methods, data collection, storage, analysis, and dissemination plans of the DEVELOP phase 1 work (2018-19). The first component is a survey of adolescent boys and girls from rural areas of the Maharashtra state of India to understand their gender equality related knowledge and beliefs. The insight gathered will be used to design interventions targeted at adolescent populations through future research and development programmes. Secondly, an evaluation of the 'Responsible Couples' project will be conducted to assess its success and challenges, and to inform future programme activities and strategy. The 'Responsible Couples' project is implemented in 40 villages of Maharashtra state to improve relationships in married couples, prevent violence against women, intervene during violence, and to provide support services for women and their family members. Research findings will be disseminated though public engagement events in India, international conferences, and peer reviewed publications. Secondly, our two key partners (SWISSAID and HMF) will benefit from such evidence to inform their on-going as well as forthcoming projects on gender equality in India. Research findings will be also useful for local government authorities and non-government agencies striving to advance gender equality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Ahankari
- School of Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, Yorkshire, HU6 7RX, UK
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7YH, UK
| | - Mark Hayter
- School of Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, Yorkshire, HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Clare Whitfield
- School of Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, Yorkshire, HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Parveen Ali
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2LA, UK
| | | | - Shruti Tambe
- Department of Sociology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India
| | - Pratyush Kabra
- Department of Community Medicine, Ashwini Rural Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Solapur, Maharashtra, 413006, India
| | - Kranti Rayamane
- Halo Medical Foundation, Andur, Osmanabad, Maharashtra, 413603, India
| | - Pavel Ovseiko
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
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