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McDonald CM, Wessells KR, Stewart CP, Dewey KG, de Pee S, Rana R, Hafeez-Ur-Rehman H, Mwangi MN, Hess SY. Perinatal intervention strategies providing food with micronutrients to pregnant and breastfeeding women in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2024:e13681. [PMID: 38949186 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
In resource-constrained settings, pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls (PBW/G) are particularly vulnerable to undernutrition. Micronutrient-fortified balanced energy protein (BEP) supplementation may be provided to boost maternal nutritional status and improve birth and infant outcomes. We conducted a scoping review of the published literature to determine the impact of BEP and other related nutrition interventions that provided fortified food or cash along with a minimum of 3 micronutrients on maternal, birth, and infant/child outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a PubMed search using pre-defined keywords and controlled vocabulary search terms. All titles and abstracts were reviewed for eligibility by two independent reviewers, and data were extracted according to outcome type. We identified 149 eligible research articles that reported on a total of 21 trials and/or programme evaluations which assessed the health impact of one or more products (fortified lipid-based nutrient supplement [LNS, n = 12], fortified blended flours [n = 5], milk-based beverages [n = 2], and local food/snacks [n = 3]) that provided 118-750 kcal/day and varying levels of protein and micronutrients. Only one of these programme evaluations assessed the impact of the provision of cash and fortified food. Effects on maternal outcomes such as gestational weight gain and duration of gestation were promising but inconsistent. Birth outcomes were reported in 15 studies, and the effects on birthweight and birth length were generally positive. Seven studies demonstrated sustained benefits on infant and child growth out of the 15 studies that reported at least one of these outcomes, although data were sparse. Additional research is needed to investigate issues of dose, cost-effectiveness, and incorporation into multi-component interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M McDonald
- Departments of Pediatrics, and Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Institute for Global Nutrition and Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - K Ryan Wessells
- Institute for Global Nutrition and Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Christine P Stewart
- Institute for Global Nutrition and Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Kathryn G Dewey
- Institute for Global Nutrition and Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Saskia de Pee
- Nutrition Division, World Food Programme HQ, Rome, Italy
| | - Ritu Rana
- Nutrition Division, World Food Programme HQ, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Sonja Y Hess
- Institute for Global Nutrition and Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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Kirkwood EK, Khan J, Hasan MM, Iqbal A, Tahsina T, Huda T, Hoddinott JF, Laba TL, Muthayya S, Goodwin N, Islam M, Kingsley EA, Arifeen SE, Dibley MJ, Alam NA. Women's participation in household decision-making: Qualitative findings from the Shonjibon Trial in rural Bangladesh. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002907. [PMID: 38885288 PMCID: PMC11182512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
A key element of women's empowerment is the ability to participate in household decision-making. This study presents the qualitative results from the Shonjibon Cash and Counselling Trial baseline process evaluation with the aim of exploring the status of women's decision-making at the trial's outset and to facilitate the exploration of any changes in women's empowerment over the course of the trial. Between January and March 2021, we conducted forty-one in-depth interviews with pregnant women in rural Bangladesh. The research team translated, transcribed, coded, and discussed the interviews. We used thematic analysis to examine women's experience and perceptions on household decision-making. The key findings that emerged; women jointly participated in financial decision-making with their husbands; men made the final decision regarding seeking healthcare, and women solely made choices regarding infant and young child feeding. Our findings revealed that women felt that they needed to discuss their plans to go outside the house with their husbands, many perceived a lack of importance in the community towards women's participation in decision-making. This study documents current contextual information on the status of women's involvement in household decision-making and intrahousehold power dynamics at the start of the Shonjibon Cash and Counselling Trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K. Kirkwood
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jasmin Khan
- Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Mehedi Hasan
- Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Afrin Iqbal
- Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tazeen Tahsina
- Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tanvir Huda
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Frederick Hoddinott
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Tracey Lea Laba
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Sumithra Muthayya
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Sax Institute, Glebe, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicholas Goodwin
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Munirul Islam
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Shams E. Arifeen
- Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Michael J. Dibley
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Neeloy Ashraful Alam
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Marphatia A, Busert-Sebela L, Manandhar DS, Reid A, Cortina-Borja M, Saville N, Dahal M, Puri M, Wells JCK. Generational trends in the transition to womanhood in lowland rural Nepal: Changes in the meaning of early marriage. Am J Hum Biol 2024:e24088. [PMID: 38687248 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.24088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In South Asia, studies show secular trends toward slightly later women's marriage and first reproduction. However, data on related biological and social events, such as menarche and age of coresidence with husband, are often missing from these analyses. We assessed generational trends in key life events marking the transition to womanhood in rural lowland Nepal. METHODS We used data on 110 co-resident mother-in-law (MIL) and daughter-in-law (DIL) dyads. We used paired t-tests and chi-squared tests to evaluate generational trends in women's education, and mean age at menarche, marriage, cohabitation with husband, and first reproduction of MIL and DIL dyads. We examined norms held by MILs and DILs on a daughter's life opportunities. RESULTS On average, MIL was 29 years older than DIL (60 years vs. 31 years). Both groups experienced menarche at average age 13.8 years. MIL was married at average 12.4 years, before menarche, and cohabitated with husbands at average 14.8 years. DIL was simultaneously married and cohabitated with husbands after menarche, at average 15 years. DIL was marginally more educated than MIL but had their first child on average 0.8 years earlier (95% CI -1.4, -0.1). MIL and DIL held similar norms on daughters' education and marriage. CONCLUSION While social norms remain similar, the meaning of "early marriage" and use of menarche in marriage decisions has changed in rural lowland Nepal. Compared to DIL, MIL who was married earlier transitioned to womanhood more gradually. However, DIL was still married young, and had an accelerated trajectory to childbearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Marphatia
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - L Busert-Sebela
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - D S Manandhar
- Mother and Infant Research Activities, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - A Reid
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - M Cortina-Borja
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - N Saville
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - M Dahal
- Center for Research on Environment Health and Population Activities, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - M Puri
- Center for Research on Environment Health and Population Activities, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - J C K Wells
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
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Barnish MS, Tan SY, Robinson S, Taeihagh A, Melendez-Torres GJ. A realist synthesis to develop an explanatory model of how policy instruments impact child and maternal health outcomes. Soc Sci Med 2023; 339:116402. [PMID: 38000341 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116402] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child and maternal health, a key marker of overall health system performance, is a policy priority area by the World Health Organization and the United Nations, including the Sustainable Development Goals. Previous realist work has linked child and maternal health outcomes to globalization, political tradition, and the welfare state. It is important to explore the role of other key policy-related factors. This paper presents a realist synthesis, categorising policy instruments according to the established NATO model, to develop an explanatory model of how policy instruments impact child and maternal health outcomes. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies assessing the relationships between policy instruments and child and maternal health outcomes. Data were analysed using a realist framework. The first stage of the realist analysis process was to generate micro-theoretical initial programme theories for use in the theory adjudication process. Proposed theories were then adjudicated iteratively to produce a set of final programme theories. FINDINGS From a total of 43,415 unique records, 632 records proceeded to full-text screening and 138 papers were included in the review. Evidence from 132 studies was available to address this research question. Studies were published from 1995 to 2021; 76% assessed a single country, and 81% analysed data at the ecological level. Eighty-eight initial candidate programme theories were generated. Following theory adjudication, five final programme theories were supported. According to the NATO model, these were related to treasure, organisation, authority-treasure, and treasure-organisation instrument types. CONCLUSIONS This paper presents a realist synthesis to develop an explanatory model of how policy instruments impact child and maternal health outcomes from a large, systematically identified international body of evidence. Five final programme theories were supported, showing how policy instruments play an important yet context-dependent role in influencing child and maternal health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell S Barnish
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, United Kingdom.
| | - Si Ying Tan
- Alexandra Research Centre for Healthcare in the Virtual Environment (ARCHIVE), Alexandra Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Sophie Robinson
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, United Kingdom
| | - Araz Taeihagh
- Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - G J Melendez-Torres
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, United Kingdom
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Perumal N, Wang D, Darling AM, Liu E, Wang M, Ahmed T, Christian P, Dewey KG, Kac G, Kennedy SH, Subramoney V, Briggs B, Fawzi WW. Suboptimal gestational weight gain and neonatal outcomes in low and middle income countries: individual participant data meta-analysis. BMJ 2023; 382:e072249. [PMID: 37734757 PMCID: PMC10512803 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-072249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the associations between gestational weight gain (GWG) during pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in low and middle income countries. DESIGN Individual participant data meta-analysis. SETTING Prospective pregnancy studies from 24 low and middle income countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Nine neonatal outcomes related to timing (preterm birth) and anthropometry (weight, length, and head circumference) at birth, stillbirths, and neonatal death. ANALYSIS METHODS A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science which identified 53 prospective pregnancy studies published after the year 2000 with data on GWG, timing and anthropometry at birth, and neonatal mortality. GWG adequacy was defined as the ratio of the observed maternal weight gain over the recommended weight gain based on the Institute of Medicine body mass index specific guidelines, which are derived from data in high income settings, and the INTERGROWTH-21st GWG standards. Study specific estimates, adjusted for confounders, were generated and then pooled using random effects meta-analysis models. Maternal age and body mass index before pregnancy were examined as potential modifiers of the associations between GWG adequacy and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS Overall, 55% of participants had severely inadequate (<70%) or moderately inadequate (70% to <90%) GWG, 22% had adequate GWG (90-125%), and 23% had excessive GWG (≥125%). Severely inadequate GWG was associated with a higher risk of low birthweight (adjusted relative risk 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.51 to 1.72; 48 studies, 93 337 participants; τ2=0.006), small for gestational age (1.44, 1.36 to 1.54; 51 studies, 93 191 participants; τ2=0.016), short for gestational age (1.47, 1.29 to 1.69; 40 studies, 83 827 participants; τ2=0.074), and microcephaly (1.57, 1.31 to 1.88; 31 studies, 80 046 participants; τ2=0.145) compared with adequate GWG. Excessive GWG was associated with a higher risk of preterm birth (1.22, 1.13 to 1.31; 48 studies, 103 762 participants; τ2=0.008), large for gestational age (1.44, 1.33 to 1.57; 47 studies, 90 044 participants; τ2=0.009), and macrosomia (1.52, 1.33 to 1.73; 29 studies, 68 138 participants; τ2=0) compared with adequate GWG. The direction and magnitude of the associations between GWG adequacy and several neonatal outcomes were modified by maternal age and body mass index before pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Inadequate and excessive GWG are associated with a higher risk of adverse neonatal outcomes across settings. Interventions to promote optimal GWG during pregnancy are likely to reduce the burden of adverse neonatal outcomes, however further research is needed to assess optimal ranges of GWG based on data from low and middle income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandita Perumal
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dongqing Wang
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Anne Marie Darling
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Enju Liu
- Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Molin Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Nutrition & Clinical Services, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Parul Christian
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kathryn G Dewey
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Gilberto Kac
- Nutritional Epidemiology Observatory, Josué de Castro Nutrition Institute, Rio de Janeiro Federal University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stephen H Kennedy
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Brittany Briggs
- Certara USA, on behalf of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wafaie W Fawzi
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
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Morrison J, Basnet M, Sharma N. Eating for honour: A cultural-ecological analysis of food behaviours among adolescent girls in the southern plains of Nepal. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290405. [PMID: 37594955 PMCID: PMC10437861 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290405] [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: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Access to adequate and nutritious food is important for the current and future health of adolescent girls. Interventions often focus on the individual as responsible for their own health ignoring the complex structural issues that underlie optimal nutrition. In South Asia gender inequalities have been noted as an important determinant of poor nutrition among women and their young children, but analysis of adolescent girls' diets and what influences these are rarely undertaken. Therefore, we sought to analyse the factors affecting what and where girls' eat and what affects their behaviour in the plains of Nepal, using a cultural-ecological approach. We analysed a secondary qualitative dataset of focus group discussions with adolescent girls aged 12-19 years old, young mothers, mothers-in-law, and older female key informants. Eating was heavily influenced by patriarchal norms. Boys had preferential access to food, money, and freedom of movement to appreciate their future role in providing for the family. Food was an investment, and boys were perceived to have more nutritional need than girls. Girls were not perceived to be a good return on investment of food, and eating practices sought to prepare them for life as a subservient daughter-in-law and wife. Obedience and sacrifice were valued in girls, and they were expected to eat less and do more housework than boys. Girls' eating and behaviour was constrained to maintain self and family honour. Interventions should acknowledge cultural influences on eating and engage multiple actors in addressing harmful gender norms which limit eating and prevent girls from reaching their potential.
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Darling AM, Wang D, Perumal N, Liu E, Wang M, Ahmed T, Christian P, Dewey KG, Kac G, Kennedy SH, Subramoney V, Briggs B, Fawzi WW. Risk factors for inadequate and excessive gestational weight gain in 25 low- and middle-income countries: An individual-level participant meta-analysis. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004236. [PMID: 37486938 PMCID: PMC10406332 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many women experience suboptimal gestational weight gain (GWG) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but our understanding of risk factors associated with GWG in these settings is limited. We investigated the relationships between demographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, and clinical factors and GWG in prospectively collected data from LMICs. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted an individual participant-level meta-analysis of risk factors for GWG outcomes among 138,286 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies in 55 studies (27 randomized controlled trials and 28 prospective cohorts from 25 LMICs). Data sources were identified through PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science searches for articles published from January 2000 to March 2019. Titles and abstracts of articles identified in all databases were independently screened by 2 team members according to the following eligibility criteria: following inclusion criteria: (1) GWG data collection took place in an LMIC; (2) the study was a prospective cohort or randomized trial; (3) study participants were pregnant; and (4) the study was not conducted exclusively among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women or women with other health conditions that could limit the generalizability of the results. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) body mass index (BMI)-specific guidelines were used to determine the adequacy of GWG, which we calculated as the ratio of the total observed weight gain over the mean recommended weight gain. Study outcomes included severely inadequate GWG (percent adequacy of GWG <70), inadequate GWG (percent adequacy of GWG <90, inclusive of severely inadequate), and excessive GWG (percent adequacy of GWG >125). Multivariable estimates from each study were pooled using fixed-effects meta-analysis. Study-specific regression models for each risk factor included all other demographic risk factors measured in a particular study as potential confounders, as well as BMI, maternal height, pre-pregnancy smoking, and chronic hypertension. Risk factors occurring during pregnancy were further adjusted for receipt of study intervention (if any) and 3-month calendar period. The INTERGROWTH-21st standard was used to define high and low GWG among normal weight women in a sensitivity analysis. The prevalence of inadequate GWG was 54%, while the prevalence of excessive weight gain was 22%. In multivariable models, factors that were associated with a higher risk of inadequate GWG included short maternal stature (<145 cm), tobacco smoking, and HIV infection. A mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of ≥28.1 cm was associated with the largest increase in risk for excessive GWG (risk ratio (RR) 3.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.86, 3.19]). The estimated pooled difference in absolute risk between those with MUAC of ≥28.1 cm compared to those with a MUAC of 24 to 28.09 cm was 5.8% (95% CI 3.1% to 8.4%). Higher levels of education and age <20 years were also associated with an increased risk of excessive GWG. Results using the INTERGROWTH-21st standard among normal weight women were similar but attenuated compared to the results using the IOM guidelines among normal weight women. Limitations of the study's methodology include differences in the availability of risk factors and potential confounders measured in each individual dataset; not all risk factors or potential confounders of interest were available across datasets and data on potential confounders collected across studies. CONCLUSIONS Inadequate GWG is a significant public health concern in LMICs. We identified diverse nutritional, behavioral, and clinical risk factors for inadequate GWG, highlighting the need for integrated approaches to optimizing GWG in LMICs. The prevalence of excessive GWG suggests that attention to the emerging burden of excessive GWG in LMICs is also warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Marie Darling
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Dongqing Wang
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Nandita Perumal
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Enju Liu
- Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Molin Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Nutrition & Clinical Services, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh
| | - Parul Christian
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kathryn G. Dewey
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Gilberto Kac
- Nutritional Epidemiology Observatory, Josué de Castro Nutrition Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stephen H. Kennedy
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Brittany Briggs
- Certara USA, Inc. on behalf of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Wafaie W. Fawzi
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Quinones S, Lin S, Tian L, Mendola P, Novignon J, Adamba C, Palermo T. The dose-response association between LEAP 1000 and birthweight - no clear mechanisms: a structural equation modeling approach. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:364. [PMID: 37208642 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05707-1] [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: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Birthweight is an important indicator of maternal and fetal health globally. The multifactorial origins of birthweight suggest holistic programs that target biological and social risk factors have great potential to improve birthweight. In this study, we examine the dose-response association of exposure to an unconditional cash transfer program before delivery with birthweight and explore the potential mediators of the association. METHODS Data for this study come from the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) 1000 impact evaluation conducted between 2015 and 2017 among a panel sample of 2,331 pregnant and lactating women living in rural households of Northern Ghana. The LEAP 1000 program provided bi-monthly cash transfers and premium fee waivers to enroll in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). We used adjusted and unadjusted linear and logistic regression models to estimate the associations of months of LEAP 1000 exposure before delivery with birthweight and low birthweight, respectively. We used covariate-adjusted structural equation models (SEM) to examine mediation of the LEAP 1000 dose-response association with birthweight by household food insecurity and maternal-level (agency, NHIS enrollment, and antenatal care) factors. RESULTS Our study included a sample of 1,439 infants with complete information on birthweight and date of birth. Nine percent of infants (N = 129) were exposed to LEAP 1000 before delivery. A 1-month increase in exposure to LEAP 1000 before delivery was associated with a 9-gram increase in birthweight and 7% reduced odds of low birthweight, on average, in adjusted models. We found no mediation effect by household food insecurity, NHIS enrollment, women's agency, or antenatal care visits. CONCLUSIONS LEAP 1000 cash transfer exposure before delivery was positively associated with birthweight, though we did not find any mediation by household- or maternal-level factors. The results of our mediation analyses may serve to inform program operations and improve targeting and programming to optimize health and well-being among this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION The evaluation is registered in the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation's (3ie) Registry for International Development Impact Evaluations (RIDIESTUDY- ID-55942496d53af) and in the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202110669615387).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Quinones
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA.
| | - Shao Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, One University Place, 212D University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, One University Place, 212D University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| | - Lili Tian
- Department of Biostatistics, State University of New York, 717 Kimball Tower University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA
| | - Pauline Mendola
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA
| | - Jacob Novignon
- Department of Economics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Clement Adamba
- Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, University of Ghana-Legon, P.O. Box LG 74, Legon-Accra, Ghana
| | - Tia Palermo
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA
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9
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The role of education in child and adolescent marriage in rural lowland Nepal. J Biosoc Sci 2023; 55:275-291. [PMID: 35361308 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932022000074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Marriage during childhood and adolescence adversely affects maternal and child health and well-being, making it a critical global health issue. Analysis of factors associated with women marrying ≥18 years has limited utility in societies where the norm is to marry substantially earlier. This paper investigated how much education Nepali women needed to delay marriage across the range of ages from 15 to ≥18 years. Data on 6,406 women aged 23-30 years were analysed from the Low Birth Weight South Asia Trial on the early-marrying and low-educated Maithili-speaking Madhesi population in Terai, Nepal. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed the associations of women's education with marrying aged ≥15, ≥16, ≥17 and ≥18 years. Cox proportional hazards regression models quantified the hazard of marrying. Models adjusted for caste affiliation. Women married at median age of 15 years and three-quarters were uneducated. Women's primary and lower-secondary education were weakly associated with delaying marriage, whether the cut-off to define early marriage was 15, 16, 17 or 18 years, with stronger associations for secondary education. Caste associations were weak. Overall, models explained relatively little of the variance in the likelihood of marriage at different ages. The joint effects of lower-secondary and higher caste affiliation and of secondary/higher education and mid and higher caste affiliation reduced the hazard of marrying. In early-marrying and low-educated societies, changing caste-based norms are unlikely to delay women's marriage. Research on broader risk factors and norms that are more relevant for delaying marriage in these contexts is needed. Gradual increases in women's median marriage age and increased secondary education may, over time, reduce child and adolescent marriage.
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Quinones S, Mendola P, Tian L, Lin S, Novignon J, Angeles G, Palermo T. Ghana's Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (1000) Program Seasonally Impacts Birthweight: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis. Int J Public Health 2023; 68:1605336. [PMID: 36891221 PMCID: PMC9986251 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1605336] [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: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Low birthweight (LBW) prevalence remains high in African countries and evidence of cash transfer impacts on birthweight, particularly by season of infant birth, is limited. This study examines overall and seasonal cash transfer impacts on LBW in rural Ghana. Methods: Data come from a longitudinal, quasi-experimental impact evaluation of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) 1,000 unconditional cash transfer program for impoverished pregnant or lactating women in rural districts of Northern Ghana. LEAP1000 program impacts on average birthweight and LBW were estimated for a multiply imputed sample of 3,258 and a panel sample of 1,567 infants using differences-in-differences models and triple difference models to assess impacts by season. Results: LEAP1000 decreased LBW prevalence by 3.5 and 4.1 percentage points overall and in the dry season, respectively. LEAP1000 increased average birthweight by 94, 109, and 79 g overall, in the dry season, and in the rainy season, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings of positive LEAP1000 impacts on birthweight across seasons and on LBW in the dry season demonstrate the need to take seasonal vulnerabilities into account when designing and implementing programs for rural populations in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Quinones
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Pauline Mendola
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Lili Tian
- Department of Biostatistics, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Shao Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Jacob Novignon
- Department of Economics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Gustavo Angeles
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Tia Palermo
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States
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Olney DK, Gelli A, Kumar N, Alderman H, Go A, Raza A. Social assistance programme impacts on women's and children's diets and nutritional status. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2022; 18:e13378. [PMID: 35726357 PMCID: PMC9480902 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Deanna K. Olney
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Washington DC United States
| | - Aulo Gelli
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Washington DC United States
| | - Neha Kumar
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Washington DC United States
| | - Harold Alderman
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Washington DC United States
| | - Ara Go
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Washington DC United States
| | - Ahmed Raza
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Rome Italy
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Wells JCK, Marphatia AA, Cortina‐Borja M, Manandhar DS, Reid AM, Saville NM. Associations of maternal age at marriage and pregnancy with infant undernutrition: Evidence from first‐time mothers in rural lowland Nepal. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2022. [PMCID: PMC9539981 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Maternal factors shape the risk of infant undernutrition, however the contributions of age at marriage versus age at pregnancy are rarely disentangled. We explore these issues in a population from lowland rural Nepal, where median ages at marriage and first pregnancy are 15 and 17 years respectively and marriage almost always precedes pregnancy. Methods We analyzed data on first‐time mothers (n = 3002) from a cluster‐randomized trial (2012–2015). Exposures were ages at marriage and pregnancy, categorized into groups. Outcomes were z‐scores for weight (WAZ), length (LAZ), head circumference (HCAZ), and weight‐for‐length (WLZ), and prevalence of wasting and stunting, for neonates (<8 days) and infants (6–12 months). Mixed linear and logistic regression models tested associations of marriage and pregnancy ages with outcomes, adjusting for parental education, household assets, caste, landholding, seasonality, child sex, intervention arm, randomization strata and cluster. Results For neonates, pregnancy <18 years predicted lower LAZ, and <19 years predicted lower WAZ and HCAZ. Results were largely null for marriage age, however early pregnancy and marriage at 10–13 years independently predicted neonatal stunting. For infants, earlier pregnancy was associated with lower LAZ and HCAZ, with a trend to lower WAZ for marriage 10–13 years. Early pregnancy, but not early marriage, predicted infant stunting. Conclusions Early marriage and pregnancy were associated with poorer growth, mainly in terms of LAZ and HCAZ. Associations were stronger for neonatal than infant outcomes, suggesting pregnancy is more susceptible to these stresses. Early marriage and pregnancy may index different social and biological factors predicting child undernutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan C. K. Wells
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health London UK
| | | | - Mario Cortina‐Borja
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health London UK
| | | | - Alice M. Reid
- Department of Geography University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
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Diamond-Smith N, Mitchell A, Cornell A, Dahal M, Gopalakrishnan L, Johnson M, Weiser S, Puri M. The development and feasibility of a group-based household-level intervention to improve preconception nutrition in Nawalparasi district of Nepal. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:666. [PMID: 35387647 PMCID: PMC8984665 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12980-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In a setting such as Nepal with malnutrition and persistent poor maternal and infant health outcomes, developing interventions to improve the nutrition of preconception and pregnant women is essential. Objective The objectives of this paper are to describe the full design process of an intervention for newly married women, their husbands, and mothers-in-law to improve maternal nutrition and gender norms, and findings from the feasibility and acceptability pilot. Methods In this paper we describe the three phases of the design of an intervention in rural Nepal. We first conducted a mixed methods formative phase which included in depth interviews with newly married women, their husbands and mothers-in-law (N=60) and a longitudinal study for 18 months with 200 newly married women. We then designed of a household level, group, intervention, in close partnership with community members. Finally, we conducted a pilot intervention with 90 participants and collected both pre/post survey data and in-depth qualitative interviews with a subset (N= 30). All participants from all phases of the study lived in Nawalparasi district of Nepal. Qualitative data was analyzed using a thematic analysis, with inductive and deductive themes and quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Our formative work highlighted lack of awareness about nutrition, and how women eating last, limited mobility, household and community inequitable gender norms and poor household-level communication contributed to low quality diets. Thus we designed Sumadhur, an intervention that brought groups of households (newly married wife, husband, and mother-in-law) together weekly for four months to strengthen relationships and gain knowledge through interactive content. We found Sumadhur to be highly feasible and acceptable by all respondents, with most (83%) attending 80% of sessions or more and 99% reporting that they would like it to continue. Pre/post surveys showed a decrease in the proportion of women eating last and increase in knowledge about nutrition in preconception and pregnancy. Qualitative interviews suggested that respondents felt it made large impacts on their lives, in terms of strengthening relationships and trust, understanding each other, and changing behaviors. Conclusions We show how a designing an intervention in close partnership with the target recipients and local stakeholders can lead to an intervention that is able to target complicated and culturally held practices and beliefs, positively benefit health and wellbeing, and that is very well received. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04383847, registered 05/12/2020 Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-12980-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Diamond-Smith
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| | - Ashley Mitchell
- University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | | | - Minakshi Dahal
- Center for Research on Environment Health and Population Activities (CREHPA), P.O.Box. 9626, Kusunti (near Yatayat office), Lalitpur, Nepal
| | | | - Mallory Johnson
- University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Sheri Weiser
- University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Mahesh Puri
- Center for Research on Environment Health and Population Activities (CREHPA), P.O.Box. 9626, Kusunti (near Yatayat office), Lalitpur, Nepal
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Saville NM, Kharel C, Morrison J, Harris-Fry H, James P, Copas A, Giri S, Arjyal A, Beard BJ, Haghparast-Bidgoli H, Skordis J, Richter A, Baral S, Hillman S. Comprehensive Anaemia Programme and Personalized Therapies (CAPPT): protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial testing the effect women's groups, home counselling and iron supplementation on haemoglobin in pregnancy in southern Nepal. Trials 2022; 23:183. [PMID: 35232469 PMCID: PMC8886560 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06043-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaemia in pregnancy remains prevalent in Nepal and causes severe adverse health outcomes. METHODS This non-blinded cluster-randomised controlled trial in the plains of Nepal has two study arms: (1) Control: routine antenatal care (ANC); (2) Home visiting, iron supplementation, Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) groups, plus routine ANC. Participants, including women in 54 non-contiguous clusters (mean 2582; range 1299-4865 population) in Southern Kapilbastu district, are eligible if they consent to menstrual monitoring, are resident, married, aged 13-49 years and able to respond to questions. After 1-2 missed menses and a positive pregnancy test, consenting women < 20 weeks' gestation, who plan to reside locally for most of the pregnancy, enrol into trial follow-up. Interventions comprise two home-counselling visits (at 12-21 and 22-26 weeks' gestation) with iron folic acid (IFA) supplement dosage tailored to women's haemoglobin concentration, plus monthly PLA women's group meetings using a dialogical problem-solving approach to engage pregnant women and their families. Home visits and PLA meetings will be facilitated by auxiliary nurse midwives. The hypothesis is as follows: Haemoglobin of women at 30 ± 2 weeks' gestation is ≥ 0.4 g/dL higher in the intervention arm than in the control. A sample of 842 women (421 per arm, average 15.6 per cluster) will provide 88% power, assuming SD 1.2, ICC 0.09 and CV of cluster size 0.27. Outcomes are captured at 30 ± 2 weeks gestation. Primary outcome is haemoglobin concentration (g/dL). Secondary outcomes are as follows: anaemia prevalence (%), mid-upper arm circumference (cm), mean probability of micronutrient adequacy (MPA) and number of ANC visits at a health facility. Indicators to assess pathways to impact include number of IFA tablets consumed during pregnancy, intake of energy (kcal/day) and dietary iron (mg/day), a score of bioavailability-enhancing behaviours and recall of one nutrition knowledge indicator. Costs and cost-effectiveness of the intervention will be estimated from a provider perspective. Using constrained randomisation, we allocated clusters to study arms, ensuring similarity with respect to cluster size, ethnicity, religion and distance to a health facility. Analysis is by intention-to-treat at the individual level, using mixed-effects regression. DISCUSSION Findings will inform Nepal government policy on approaches to increase adherence to IFA, improve diets and reduce anaemia in pregnancy. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN 12272130 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi M Saville
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK.
| | | | - Joanna Morrison
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Helen Harris-Fry
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
| | - Philip James
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
| | - Andrew Copas
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Santosh Giri
- HERD International, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | | | - Jolene Skordis
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Adam Richter
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sushil Baral
- HERD International, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal.,Health Research and Social Development Forum (HERD), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Sara Hillman
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
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Saville NM, Harris-Fry H, Marphatia A, Reid A, Cortina-Borja M, Manandhar DS, Wells JC. Differences in maternal and early child nutritional status by offspring sex in lowland Nepal. Am J Hum Biol 2022; 34:e23637. [PMID: 34228379 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE On average, boys grow faster than girls in early life but appear more susceptible to undernutrition. We investigated sex differences in early child growth, and whether maternal nutritional status and diet differed by offspring sex during and after pregnancy in an undernourished population. METHODS We analyzed longitudinal data from a cluster-randomized trial from plains Nepal, stratifying results by child or gestational age. Children's outcomes (0-20 months) were weight, length, and head circumference and their z-scores relative to WHO reference data in 2-monthly intervals (n range: 24837 to 25 946). Maternal outcomes were mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and body mass index (BMI) during pregnancy (12-40 weeks) (n = 5550 and n = 5519) and postpartum (n = 15 710 and n = 15 356), and diet in pregnancy. We fitted unadjusted and adjusted mixed-effects linear and logistic regression models comparing boys with girls. RESULTS Boys were larger than girls, however relative to their sex-specific reference they had lower length and head circumference z-scores from birth to 12 months, but higher weight-for-length z-scores from 0 to 6 months. Mothers of sons had higher MUAC and BMI around 36 weeks gestation but no other differences in pregnancy diets or pregnancy/postpartum maternal anthropometry were detected. Larger sex differences in children's size in the food supplementation study arm suggest that food restriction in pregnancy may limit fetal growth of boys more than girls. CONCLUSIONS Generally, mothers' anthropometry and dietary intake do not differ according to offspring sex. As boys are consistently larger, we expect that poor maternal nutritional status may compromise their growth more than girls. Copyright © 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi M Saville
- Institute for Global Health (IGH), University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Helen Harris-Fry
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Alice Reid
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mario Cortina-Borja
- Section of Clinical Epidemiology, Nutrition and Biostatistics, Population Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | | | - Jonathan C Wells
- Section of Clinical Epidemiology, Nutrition and Biostatistics, Population Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), University College London (UCL), London, UK
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Toolan M, Barnard K, Lynch M, Maharjan N, Thapa M, Rai N, Lavender T, Larkin M, Caldwell DM, Burden C, Manandhar DS, Merriel A. A systematic review and narrative synthesis of antenatal interventions to improve maternal and neonatal health in Nepal. AJOG GLOBAL REPORTS 2022; 2:100019. [PMID: 35252905 PMCID: PMC8883503 DOI: 10.1016/j.xagr.2021.100019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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17
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Marphatia AA, Saville NS, Manandhar DS, Cortina-Borja M, Reid AM, Wells JCK. Girls start life on an uneven playing field. Evol Med Public Health 2022; 10:339-351. [PMID: 35990287 PMCID: PMC9384836 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoac029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives Evolutionary research on the sex ratio at birth (SRB) has focused on explaining variability within and between populations, and whether parental fitness is maximized by producing daughters or sons. We tested predictors of SRB in a low-income setting, to understand whether girls differ from boys in their likelihood of being born into families with the capacity to invest in them, which has implications for their future health and fitness. Methodology We used data from a cluster randomized control trial from lowland rural Nepal (16 115 mother-child dyads). We applied principal component analysis to extract two composite indices reflecting maternal socio-economic and reproductive (parity, age) capital. We fitted mixed-effects logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios of having a girl in association with these individual factors and indices. Results The SRB was 112. Compared to the global reference SRB (105), there were seven missing girls per 100 boys. Uneducated, early-marrying, poorer and shorter mothers were more likely to give birth to girls. Analysing composite maternal indices, lower socio-economic and reproductive capital were independently associated with a greater likelihood of having a girl. Conclusions and implications In this population, girls start life facing composite disadvantages, being more likely than boys to be born to mothers with lower socio-economic status and reproductive capital. Both physiological and behavioural mechanisms may contribute to these epidemiological associations. Differential early exposure by sex to maternal factors may underpin intergenerational cycles of gender inequality, mediated by developmental trajectory, education and socio-economic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha A Marphatia
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 3EN, UK
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health , London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Naomi S Saville
- Institute for Global Health, University College London , London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | | | - Mario Cortina-Borja
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health , London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Alice M Reid
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 3EN, UK
| | - Jonathan C K Wells
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health , London WC1N 1EH, UK
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Wells JCK, Marphatia AA, Manandhar DS, Cortina-Borja M, Reid AM, Saville NS. Associations of age at marriage and first pregnancy with maternal nutritional status in Nepal. Evol Med Public Health 2022; 10:325-338. [PMID: 35935708 PMCID: PMC9346504 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoac025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives Women’s nutritional status is important for their health and reproductive fitness. In a population where early marriage is common, we investigated how women’s nutritional status is associated with their age at marriage (marking a geographical transfer between households), and at first pregnancy. Methodology We used data from a cluster-randomized control trial from lowland Nepal (n = 4071). Outcomes including body mass index (BMI) were measured in early pregnancy and trial endpoint, after delivery. We fitted mixed-effects linear and logistic regression models to estimate associations of age at marriage and age at pregnancy with outcomes, and with odds of chronic energy deficiency (CED, BMI <18.5 kg/m2), at both timepoints. Results BMI in early pregnancy averaged 20.9 kg/m2, with CED prevalence of 12.5%. In 750 women measured twice, BMI declined 1.2 (95% confidence interval 1.1, 1.3) kg/m2 between early pregnancy and endpoint, when CED prevalence was 35.5%. Early pregnancy was associated in dose-response manner with poorer nutritional status. Early marriage was independently associated with poorer nutritional status among those pregnant ≤15 years, but with better nutritional status among those pregnant ≥19 years. Conclusions and implications The primary determinant of nutritional status was age at pregnancy, but this association also varied by marriage age. Our results suggest that natal households may marry their daughters earlier if food insecure, but that their nutritional status can improve in the marital household if pregnancy is delayed. Marriage age therefore determines which household funds adolescent weight gain, with implications for Darwinian fitness of the members of both households.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan C K Wells
- Corresponding author. Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK. Tel: +44 207 905 2104; E-mail:
| | | | | | - Mario Cortina-Borja
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Alice M Reid
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EN, UK
| | - Naomi S Saville
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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Mahumud RA, Uprety S, Wali N, Renzaho AMN, Chitekwe S. The effectiveness of interventions on nutrition social behaviour change communication in improving child nutritional status within the first 1000 days: Evidence from a systematic review and meta‐analysis. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2022; 18:e13286. [PMID: 34842341 PMCID: PMC8710127 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rashidul A. Mahumud
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, School of Medicine and Health The University of Sydney Camperdown New South Wales Australia
- Centre for Health Research University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba Queensland Australia
- Department of Statistics Health Research Group Rajshahi Bangladesh
| | - Sophiya Uprety
- Former UNICEF Consultant and Public Health Nutritionist Kathmandu Nepal
| | - Nidhi Wali
- School of Social Sciences Western Sydney University Penrith New South Wales Australia
| | - Andre M. N. Renzaho
- Translational Health Research Institute School of Medicine Campbelltown New South Wales Australia
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program Burnet Institute Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Stanley Chitekwe
- Nutrition Section United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Kathmandu Nepal
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Harris-Fry H, Saville NM, Paudel P, Manandhar DS, Cortina-Borja M, Skordis J. Relative power: Explaining the effects of food and cash transfers on allocative behaviour in rural Nepalese households. JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS 2022; 154:102784. [PMID: 34824488 PMCID: PMC7612026 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2021.102784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
We estimate the effects of antenatal food and cash transfers with women's groups on household allocative behaviour and explore whether these effects are explained by intergenerational bargaining among women. Interventions were tested in randomised-controlled trial in rural Nepal, in a food-insecure context where pregnant women are allocated the least adequate diets. We show households enrolled in a cash transfer intervention allocated pregnant women with 2-3 pp larger shares of multiple foods (versus their mothers-in-law and male household heads) than households in a control group. Households in a food transfer intervention only increased pregnant women's allocation of staple foods (by 2 pp). Intergenerational bargaining power may partly mediate the effects of the cash transfers but not food transfers, whereas household food budget and nutrition knowledge do not mediate any effects. Our findings highlight the role of intergenerational bargaining in determining the effectiveness of interventions aiming to reach and/or empower junior women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Harris-Fry
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
- Corresponding author. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | - Naomi M. Saville
- UCL Institute for Global Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Puskar Paudel
- Mother and Infant Research Activities, PO Box 921, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Dharma S. Manandhar
- Mother and Infant Research Activities, PO Box 921, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Mario Cortina-Borja
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Jolene Skordis
- UCL Institute for Global Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
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Marphatia AA, Saville NM, Manandhar DS, Cortina-Borja M, Wells JCK, Reid AM. Quantifying the association of natal household wealth with women's early marriage in Nepal. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12324. [PMID: 35003910 PMCID: PMC8684741 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women's early marriage (<18 years) is a critical global health issue affecting 650 million women worldwide. It is associated with a range of adverse maternal physical and mental health outcomes, including early childbearing, child undernutrition and morbidity. Poverty is widely asserted to be the key risk factor driving early marriage. However, most studies do not measure wealth in the natal household, but instead, use marital household wealth as a proxy for natal wealth. Further research is required to understand the key drivers of early marriage. METHODS We investigated whether natal household poverty was associated with marrying early, independently of women's lower educational attainment and broader markers of household disadvantage. Data on natal household wealth (material asset score) for 2,432 women aged 18-39 years was used from the cluster-randomized Low Birth Weight South Asia Trial in lowland rural Nepal. Different early marriage definitions (<15, <16, <17 and <18 years) were used because most of our population marries below the conventional 18-year cut-off. Logistic mixed-effects models were fitted to estimate the probabilities, derived from adjusted Odds Ratios, of (a) marrying at different early ages for the full sample and for the uneducated women, and (b) being uneducated in the first place. RESULTS Women married at median age 15 years (interquartile range 3), and only 18% married ≥18 years. Two-thirds of the women were entirely uneducated. We found that, rather than poverty, women's lower education was the primary factor associated with early marriage, regardless of how 'early' is defined. Neither poverty nor other markers of household disadvantage were associated with early marriage at any age in the uneducated women. However, poverty was associated with women being uneducated. CONCLUSION When assets are measured in the natal household in this population, there is no support for the conventional hypothesis that household poverty is associated with daughters' early marriage, but it is associated with not going to school. We propose that improving access to free education would both reduce early marriage and have broader benefits for maternal and child health and gender equality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha A. Marphatia
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Naomi M. Saville
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mario Cortina-Borja
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan C. K. Wells
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice M. Reid
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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22
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Scoping Review of Intervention Strategies for Improving Coverage and Uptake of Maternal Nutrition Services in Southeast Asia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182413292. [PMID: 34948904 PMCID: PMC8701361 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Maternal undernutrition can lead to protein-energy malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, or anemia during pregnancy or after birth. It remains a major problem, despite evidence-based maternal-nutrition interventions happening on ground. We conducted a scoping review to understand different strategies and delivery mechanisms to improve maternal nutrition, as well as how interventions have improved coverage and uptake of services. An electronic search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar for published studies reporting on the effectiveness of maternal-nutrition interventions in terms of access or coverage, health outcomes, compliance, and barriers to intervention utilization. The search was limited to studies published within ten years before the initial search date, 8 November 2019; later, it was updated to 17 February 2021. Of 31 studies identified following screening and data extraction, 22 studies were included for narrative synthesis. Twelve studies were reported from India and eleven from Bangladesh, three from Nepal, two from both Pakistan and Thailand (Myanmar), and one from Indonesia. Nutrition education and counselling, home visits, directly observed supplement intake, community mobilization, food, and conditional cash transfer by community health workers were found to be effective. There is a need to incorporate diverse strategies, including various health education approaches, supplementation, as well as strengthening of community participation and the response of the health system in order to achieve impactful maternal nutrition programs.
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23
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Miller FA, Marphatia AA, Wells JC, Cortina-Borja M, Manandhar DS, Saville NM. Associations between early marriage and preterm delivery: Evidence from lowland Nepal. Am J Hum Biol 2021; 34:e23709. [PMID: 34862821 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Preterm delivery (<37 weeks gestation) is the largest cause of child mortality worldwide. Marriage and pregnancy during adolescence have been associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery. We investigate independent associations of age at marriage and age at first pregnancy with preterm delivery in a cohort of women from rural lowland Nepal. METHODS We analyzed data from 17 974 women in the Low Birth Weight South Asia Trial. Logistic regression models tested associations of age at marriage and age at first pregnancy with preterm delivery, for primigravida (n = 6 243) and multigravida (n = 11 731) women. Models were adjusted for maternal education, maternal caste, and household asset score. RESULTS Ninety percent of participants had married at <18 years and 58% had their first pregnancy at <18 years. 20% of participants delivered preterm. Primigravida participants married at ≤14 years had higher odds of preterm delivery than those married ≥18 years, when adjusting for study design (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.45, 95% CI: 1.15-1.83), confounders (aOR 1.28: 1.01-1.62) and confounders + age at pregnancy (aOR 1.29: 1.00-1.68). Associations were insignificant for multigravida women. No significant associations were observed between age at first pregnancy and preterm delivery. DISCUSSION In this population, early marriage, rather than pregnancy, is a risk factor for preterm delivery. We hypothesize that psychological stress, a driver of preterm delivery which is increased among those marrying young, rather than physiological immaturity, drives this association. Further research into the psychological consequences of child marriage in Nepal is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith A Miller
- Institute for Global Health (IGH), University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Akanksha A Marphatia
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Jonathan C Wells
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Mario Cortina-Borja
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | | | - Naomi M Saville
- Institute for Global Health (IGH), University College London (UCL), London, UK
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24
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Sethi V, Choedon T, Chowdhury R, Bhatia N, Dinachandra K, Murira Z, Bhanot A, Baswal D, de Wagt A, Bhargava M, Meshram II, Babu GR, Kulkarni B, Divakar H, Jacob CM, Killeen SL, McAuliffe F, Vergehese M, Ghosh S, Hanson M. Screening and management options for severe thinness during pregnancy in India. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2021; 155:357-379. [PMID: 34724206 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.13939] [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: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This paper answers research questions on screening and management of severe thinness in pregnancy, approaches that may potentially work in India, and what more is needed for implementing these approaches at scale. A desk review of studies in the last decade in South Asian countries was carried out collating evidence on six sets of strategies like balanced energy supplementation (BEP) alone and in combination with other interventions like nutrition education. Policies and guidelines from South Asian countries were reviewed to understand the approaches being used. A 10-point grid covering public health dimensions covered by World Health Organization and others was created for discussion with policymakers and implementers, and review of government documents sourced from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Eighteen studies were shortlisted covering Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. BEP for longer duration, preconception initiation of supplementation, and better pre-supplementation body mass index (BMI) positively influenced birthweight. Multiple micronutrient supplementation was more effective in improving gestational weight gain among women with better pre-supplementation BMI. Behavior change communication and nutrition education showed positive outcomes on dietary practices like higher dietary diversity. Among South Asian countries, Sri Lanka and Nepal are the only two countries to have management of maternal thinness in their country guidelines. India has at least nine variations of supplementary foods and three variations of full meals for pregnant women, which can be modified to meet additional nutritional needs of those severely thin. Under the National Nutrition Mission, almost all of the globally recommended maternal nutrition interventions are covered, but the challenge of reaching, identifying, and managing cases of maternal severe thinness persists. This paper provides four actions for addressing maternal severe thinness through available public health programs, infrastructure, and human resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vani Sethi
- Nutrition Section, United Nations Children's Fund, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Ranadip Chowdhury
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India
| | - Neena Bhatia
- NITI Aayog, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Zivai Murira
- Regional Office for South Asia, UNICEF, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Dinesh Baswal
- Programmes, Mamta Health Institute for Mother and Child, New Delhi, India
| | - Arjan de Wagt
- Nutrition Section, United Nations Children's Fund, New Delhi, India
| | - Madhavi Bhargava
- Department of Community Medicine, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Giridhara R Babu
- Department of Epidemiology, Indian Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru, India
| | - Bharati Kulkarni
- Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Nutrition, Telangana, India
| | | | - Chandni Maria Jacob
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Sarah Louise Killeen
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fionnuala McAuliffe
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Mark Hanson
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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25
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Leroy JL, Koch B, Roy S, Gilligan D, Ruel M. Social Assistance Programs and Birth Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Assessment of Nutrition and Health Pathways. J Nutr 2021; 151:3841-3855. [PMID: 34590144 PMCID: PMC8643580 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxab292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor birth outcomes are an important global public health problem. Social assistance programs that provide cash or in-kind transfers, such as food or vouchers, hold potential to improve birth outcomes but the evidence on their effectiveness has not been reviewed. OBJECTIVES We systematically reviewed studies that used experimental or quasi-experimental methods to evaluate the impacts of social assistance programs on outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) system was used to assess the certainty of the evidence for birth weight and neonatal mortality (most common outcomes reported). We summarized the evidence on hypothesized nutrition and health pathways of impact. RESULTS We included 6 evaluations of 4 different cash transfer programs and 1 evaluation of a community-based participatory learning and action program that provided food and cash transfers. The 4 studies that assessed birth weight impacts found significant (P < 0.05) effects ranging from 31 to 578 g. Out of 3 studies that assessed neonatal mortality impacts, 2 found significant effects ranging from 0.6 to 3.1 deaths/1000 live births. The certainty of the evidence for both outcomes was rated as very low due to several methodological limitations. In terms of potential pathways, some studies documented positive effects on maternal diet, antenatal care (ANC) utilization, and delivery in a health facility. CONCLUSIONS Better-designed evaluations are needed to strengthen the evidence base on these programs. Evaluation studies should elucidate underlying mechanisms of impact by including outcomes related to maternal diet, ANC seeking, use of skilled delivery, and women's empowerment in nutrition and health domains. Studies should also assess potential unintended negative consequences of social assistance, such as reduced birth spacing and excess pregnancy weight gain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bastien Koch
- Poverty, Health, and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Shalini Roy
- Poverty, Health, and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Daniel Gilligan
- Poverty, Health, and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Marie Ruel
- Poverty, Health, and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
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26
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Saville NM, Cortina-Borja M, De Stavola BL, Pomeroy E, Marphatia A, Reid A, Manandhar DS, Wells JCK. Comprehensive analysis of the association of seasonal variability with maternal and neonatal nutrition in lowland Nepal. Public Health Nutr 2021; 25:1-16. [PMID: 34420531 PMCID: PMC9991647 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980021003633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide a comprehensive seasonal analysis of pregnant mothers' eating behaviour and maternal/newborn nutritional status in an undernourished population from lowland rural Nepal, where weather patterns, agricultural labour, food availability and disease prevalence vary seasonally. DESIGN Secondary analysis of cluster-randomised Low Birth Weight South Asia Trial data, applying cosinor analysis to predict seasonal patterns. OUTCOMES Maternal mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), BMI, dietary diversity, meals per day, eating down and food aversion in pregnancy (≥31 weeks' gestation) and neonatal z-scores of length-for-age (LAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ) and head circumference-for-age (HCAZ) and weight-for-length (WLZ). SETTING Rural areas of Dhanusha and Mahottari districts in plains of Nepal. PARTICIPANTS 2831 mothers aged 13-50 and 3330 neonates. RESULTS We found seasonal patterns in newborn anthropometry and pregnant mothers' anthropometry, meal frequency, dietary diversity, food aversion and eating down. Seasonality in intake varied by food group. Offspring anthropometry broadly tracked mothers'. Annual amplitudes in mothers' MUAC and BMI were 0·27 kg/m2 and 0·22 cm, with peaks post-harvest and nadirs in October when food insecurity peaked. Annual LAZ, WAZ and WLZ amplitudes were 0·125, 0·159 and 0·411 z-scores, respectively. Neonates were the shortest but least thin (higher WLZ) in winter (December/January). In the hot season, WLZ was the lowest (May/June) while LAZ was the highest (March and August). HCAZ did not vary significantly. Food aversion and eating down peaked pre-monsoon (April/May). CONCLUSIONS Our analyses revealed complex seasonal patterns in maternal nutrition and neonatal size. Seasonality should be accounted for when designing and evaluating public heath nutrition interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi M Saville
- Institute for Global Health (IGH), University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Mario Cortina-Borja
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Bianca L De Stavola
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Emma Pomeroy
- Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Alice Reid
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Jonathan CK Wells
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), University College London (UCL), London, UK
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27
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Morrison J, Giri R, Arjyal A, Kharel C, Harris‐Fry H, James P, Baral S, Saville N, Hillman S. Addressing anaemia in pregnancy in rural plains Nepal: A qualitative, formative study. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2021; 17 Suppl 1:e13170. [PMID: 34241951 PMCID: PMC8269150 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Maternal anaemia prevalence in low-income countries is unacceptably high. Our research explored the individual-, family- and community-level factors affecting antenatal care uptake, iron folic acid (IFA) intake and consumption of micronutrient-rich diets among pregnant women in the plains of Nepal. We discuss how these findings informed the development of a home visit and community mobilisation intervention to reduce anaemia in pregnancy. We used a qualitative methodology informed by the socio-ecological framework, conducting semi-structured interviews with recently pregnant women and key informants, and focus group discussions with mothers-in-law and fathers. We found that harmful gender norms restricted women's access to nutrient-rich food, restricted their mobility and access to antenatal care. These norms also restricted fathers' role to that of the provider, as opposed to the caregiver. Pregnant women, mothers-in-law and fathers lacked awareness about iron-rich foods and how to manage the side effects of IFA. Fathers lacked trust in government health facilities affecting access to care and trust in the efficacy of IFA. Our research informed interventions by (1) informing the development of intervention tools and training; (2) informing the intervention focus to engaging mothers-in-law and men to enable behaviour change; and (3) demonstrating the need to work in synergy across individual, family and community levels to address power and positionality, gender norms, trust in health services and harmful norms. Participatory groups and home visits will enable the development and implementation of feasible and acceptable strategies to address family and contextual issues generating knowledge and an enabling environment for behaviour change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Morrison
- UCL Institute for Global HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | | | | | | | - Helen Harris‐Fry
- Department of Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Philip James
- Department of Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | | | - Naomi Saville
- UCL Institute for Global HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Sara Hillman
- UCL Institute for Women's HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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28
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Harris-Fry H, O'Hearn M, Pradhan R, Krishnan S, Nair N, Rath S, Rath S, Koniz-Booher P, Danton H, Aakesson A, Pradhan S, Mishra NK, Kumar A, Upadhay A, Prost A, Kadiyala S. How to design a complex behaviour change intervention: experiences from a nutrition-sensitive agriculture trial in rural India. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 5:bmjgh-2020-002384. [PMID: 32513863 PMCID: PMC7282327 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Many public health interventions aim to promote healthful behaviours, with varying degrees of success. With a lack of existing empirical evidence on the optimal number or combination of behaviours to promote to achieve a given health outcome, a key challenge in intervention design lies in deciding what behaviours to prioritise, and how best to promote them. We describe how key behaviours were selected and promoted within a multisectoral nutrition-sensitive agriculture intervention that aimed to address maternal and child undernutrition in rural India. First, we formulated a Theory of Change, which outlined our hypothesised impact pathways. To do this, we used the following inputs: existing conceptual frameworks, published empirical evidence, a feasibility study, formative research and the intervention team’s local knowledge. Then, we selected specific behaviours to address within each impact pathway, based on our formative research, behaviour change models, local knowledge and community feedback. As the intervention progressed, we mapped each of the behaviours against our impact pathways and the transtheoretical model of behaviour change, to monitor the balance of behaviours across pathways and along stages of behaviour change. By collectively agreeing on definitions of complex concepts and hypothesised impact pathways, implementing partners were able to communicate clearly between each other and with intervention participants. Our intervention was iteratively informed by continuous review, by monitoring implementation against targets and by integrating community feedback. Impact and process evaluations will reveal whether these approaches are effective for improving maternal and child nutrition, and what the effects are on each hypothesised impact pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Harris-Fry
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Meghan O'Hearn
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Sneha Krishnan
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Audrey Prost
- University College London Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Suneetha Kadiyala
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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29
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Lassi ZS, Padhani ZA, Rabbani A, Rind F, Salam RA, Bhutta ZA. Effects of nutritional interventions during pregnancy on birth, child health and development outcomes: A systematic review of evidence from low- and middle-income countries. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2021; 17:e1150. [PMID: 37131924 PMCID: PMC8356342 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Optimal nutrition plays a crucial role in pregnancy. Poor maternal nutrition and maternal obesity has risk factors for serious fetal complications and neonatal outcomes, including intrauterine growth restriction, congenital abnormalities, stillbirth, low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth, fetal macrosomia, increased risk of neonatal infections, neonatal hypothermia, and neonatal death. The prevalence of maternal malnutrition is higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (10-19%) when compared with high-income countries, with variation by region and by country. Several behavioral interventions, including dietary control and exercise, have been found to reduce the risk of these adverse outcomes. However, none has reviewed dietary interventions to prevent maternal obesity in pregnant women. Objectives The review aims to assess the effectiveness of balanced energy protein (BEP) supplementation, food distribution programs (FDPs), and dietary interventions to prevent maternal obesity during pregnancy on birth, child health, and developmental outcomes. Search Methods We searched Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and 12 other databases, and trials registers for ongoing studies up until April 2019. We also searched for gray literature from different sources and for citations on Google Scholar and Web of Sciences. We also checked the reference lists of included studies and relevant reviews and contacted the authors of studies for any ongoing and unpublished studies. The search was followed by title/abstract screening, full-text screening and data extraction. Selection Criteria We included randomized control trials, and quasi experimental trials to evaluate the impact of nutritional interventions (BEP, FDP, and dietary interventions to prevent maternal obesity) compared to control or standard of care, among healthy pregnant women of any age living in LMICs. Data Collection and Analysis Two review authors independently assessed and screened studies for eligibility, extracted data, and assessed quality of the studies included in the review. We conducted a meta-analysis of all reported primary and secondary outcomes. Subgroup analysis and GRADE assessment was performed for all reported primary outcomes. Main Results The review included 15 studies, of these, eight were on BEP supplementation, five on FDP, and two on interventions for obesity prevention. BEP supplementation may show a reduction in the rate of stillbirths by 61% (risk ratio [RR], 0.39; 95% CI, 0.19-0.80; three studies, n = 1913; low quality on GRADE), perinatal mortality by 50% (RR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.30-0.84; one study, n = 1446; low quality on GRADE), LBW infants by 40% (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.41-0.86; three studies, n = 1830; low quality of evidence on GRADE); small for gestational age (SGA) by 29% (RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54-0.94; five studies, n = 1844) and increased birth weight by 107.28 g (mean difference [MD], 107.28 g; 95% CI, 68.51-146.04, eight studies, n = 2190). An increase of 107.28 g of birthweight is clinically significant in the countries where the intervention was provided. BEP supplementation had no effect on miscarriage, neonatal mortality, infant mortality, preterm birth, birth length, and head circumference. FDP may show improvement in mean birth weight by 46 g (MD, 46.00 g; 95% CI, 45.10-46.90, three studies, n = 5272), in birth length by 0.20 cm (MD, 0.20 cm; 95% CI, 0.20-0.20, three studies, n = 5272), and reduction in stunting by 18% (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71-0.94; two studies; n = 4166), and wasting by 13% (RR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.78-0.97; two studies, n = 3883). There was no effect of FDP on miscarriage, maternal mortality, perinatal mortality, neonatal mortality, infant mortality, preterm birth, LBW, SGA, head circumference, and underweight babies. Studies on interventions for obesity prevention among pregnant women failed to report on the primary outcomes. The studies showed a 195.57 g reduction in mean birth weight (MD, -195.57 g, 95% CI, -349.46 to -41.68, two studies, n = 180), and had no effect on birth length, and macrosomia. Authors' Conclusions Our review highlights improvement in maternal, birth, and child outcomes through BEP supplementation and FDP during pregnancy. But, due to the small number of included studies and low quality of evidence, we are uncertain of the effect of BEP supplementation, FDP and dietary interventions for prevention of obesity on maternal, and child outcomes. Thus, further good quality research is recommended to assess the effect of these interventions on maternal, child and developmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohra S. Lassi
- Robinson Research InstituteUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaSA 5005Australia
| | - Zahra A. Padhani
- Center of Excellence in Women and Child HealthAga Khan University HospitalKarachiPakistan
| | - Amna Rabbani
- Center of Excellence in Women and Child HealthAga Khan University HospitalKarachiPakistan
| | - Fahad Rind
- Center of Excellence in Women and Child HealthAga Khan University HospitalKarachiPakistan
| | - Rehana A. Salam
- Center of Excellence in Women and Child HealthAga Khan University HospitalKarachiPakistan
| | - Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
- Center of Excellence in Women and Child HealthAga Khan University HospitalKarachiPakistan
- Centre for Global Child HealthThe Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoCanada
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30
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Kadiyala S, Harris-Fry H, Pradhan R, Mohanty S, Padhan S, Rath S, James P, Fivian E, Koniz-Booher P, Nair N, Haghparast-Bidgoli H, Mishra NK, Rath S, Beaumont E, Danton H, Krishnan S, Parida M, O'Hearn M, Kumar A, Upadhyay A, Tripathy P, Skordis J, Sturgess J, Elbourne D, Prost A, Allen E. Effect of nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions with participatory videos and women's group meetings on maternal and child nutritional outcomes in rural Odisha, India (UPAVAN trial): a four-arm, observer-blind, cluster-randomised controlled trial. Lancet Planet Health 2021; 5:e263-e276. [PMID: 33811818 PMCID: PMC8099729 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(21)00001-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Almost a quarter of the world's undernourished people live in India. We tested the effects of three nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) interventions on maternal and child nutrition in India. METHODS We did a parallel, four-arm, observer-blind, cluster-randomised trial in Keonjhar district, Odisha, India. A cluster was one or more villages with a combined minimum population of 800 residents. The clusters were allocated 1:1:1:1 to a control group or an intervention group of fortnightly women's groups meetings and household visits over 32 months using: NSA videos (AGRI group); NSA and nutrition-specific videos (AGRI-NUT group); or NSA videos and a nutrition-specific participatory learning and action (PLA) cycle meetings and videos (AGRI-NUT+PLA group). Primary outcomes were the proportion of children aged 6-23 months consuming at least four of seven food groups the previous day and mean maternal body-mass index (BMI). Secondary outcomes were proportion of mothers consuming at least five of ten food groups and child wasting (proportion of children with weight-for-height Z score SD <-2). Outcomes were assessed in children and mothers through cross-sectional surveys at baseline and at endline, 36 months later. Analyses were by intention to treat. Participants and intervention facilitators were not blinded to allocation; the research team were. This trial is registered at ISRCTN, ISRCTN65922679. FINDINGS 148 of 162 clusters assessed for eligibility were enrolled and randomly allocated to trial groups (37 clusters per group). Baseline surveys took place from Nov 24, 2016, to Jan 24, 2017; clusters were randomised from December, 2016, to January, 2017; and interventions were implemented from March 20, 2017, to Oct 31, 2019, and endline surveys done from Nov 19, 2019, to Jan 12, 2020, in an average of 32 households per cluster. All clusters were included in the analyses. There was an increase in the proportion of children consuming at least four of seven food groups in the AGRI-NUT (adjusted relative risk [RR] 1·19, 95% CI 1·03 to 1·37, p=0·02) and AGRI-NUT+PLA (1·27, 1·11 to 1·46, p=0·001) groups, but not AGRI (1·06, 0·91 to 1·23, p=0·44), compared with the control group. We found no effects on mean maternal BMI (adjusted mean differences vs control, AGRI -0·05, -0·34 to 0·24; AGRI-NUT 0·04, -0·26 to 0·33; AGRI-NUT+PLA -0·03, -0·3 to 0·23). An increase in the proportion of mothers consuming at least five of ten food groups was seen in the AGRI (adjusted RR 1·21, 1·01 to 1·45) and AGRI-NUT+PLA (1·30, 1·10 to 1·53) groups compared with the control group, but not in AGRI-NUT (1·16, 0·98 to 1·38). We found no effects on child wasting (adjusted RR vs control, AGRI 0·95, 0·73 to 1·24; AGRI-NUT 0·96, 0·72 to 1·29; AGRI-NUT+PLA 0·96, 0·73 to 1·26). INTERPRETATION Women's groups using combinations of NSA videos, nutrition-specific videos, and PLA cycle meetings improved maternal and child diet quality in rural Odisha, India. These components have been implemented separately in several low-income settings; effects could be increased by scaling up together. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UK AID from the UK Government, and US Agency for International Development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneetha Kadiyala
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Helen Harris-Fry
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Shibanath Padhan
- Voluntary Association for Rural Reconstruction and Appropriate Technology, Kendrapara, India
| | | | - Philip James
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Emily Fivian
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Naba Kishor Mishra
- Voluntary Association for Rural Reconstruction and Appropriate Technology, Kendrapara, India
| | | | - Emma Beaumont
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Sneha Krishnan
- Environment, Technology and Community Health Consultancy Service, Mumbai, India; Jindal School of Environment and Sustainability, Jindal Global University, Haryana, India
| | | | - Meghan O'Hearn
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jolene Skordis
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Joanna Sturgess
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Diana Elbourne
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Audrey Prost
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Allen
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Wells JCK, Marphatia AA, Cortina-Borja M, Manandhar DS, Reid AM, Saville N. Maternal physical, socioeconomic, and demographic characteristics and childbirth complications in rural lowland Nepal: Applying an evolutionary framework to understand the role of phenotypic plasticity. Am J Hum Biol 2021; 33:e23566. [PMID: 33452758 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evolutionary perspectives on human childbirth have primarily focused on characteristics of our species in general, rather than variability within and between contemporary populations. We use an evolutionary framework to explore how physical and demographic characteristics of mothers shape the risks of childbirth complications in rural lowland Nepal, where childbearing typically commences in adolescence and chronic undernutrition is widespread, though maternal overweight is increasing in association with nutrition transition. METHODS We conducted secondary analyses of data from a cluster-randomized trial. Women aged 14-35 years were categorized by age, number of previous pregnancies, height, body mass index (BMI), husband's education, and household wealth. Multivariable logistic regression models tested whether these characteristics independently predicted risks of episiotomy and cesarean section (CS, n = 14 261), and obstructed labor (OL, n = 5185). RESULTS Risks were greatest among first-time adolescent mothers, though associations with age varied by outcome. Independent of age and parity, short stature and high BMI increased risks of CS and OL, whereas associations were weaker for episiotomy. Male offspring had increased risk of CS and OL but not episiotomy. Wealth was not associated with OL, but lower wealth and lower husband's education were associated with lower likelihood of episiotomy and CS. CONCLUSIONS At the individual level, the risk childbirth complications is shaped by trade-offs between fertility, growth, and survival. Some biological markers of disadvantage (early childbearing, short stature) increased the risk, whereas low socio-economic status was associated with lower risk, indicating reduced access to relevant facilities. Independent of these associations, maternal age showed complex effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan C K Wells
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | | | - Mario Cortina-Borja
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | | | - Alice M Reid
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Marphatia AA, Saville NM, Manandhar DS, Cortina-Borja M, Reid AM, Wells JCK. Independent associations of women's age at marriage and first pregnancy with their height in rural lowland Nepal. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2020; 174:103-116. [PMID: 33166434 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In many South Asian communities, the majority of women are married during adolescence and reproduce before 20 years. Early reproduction may adversely affect maternal nutrition and linear growth, however whether early marriage has similar effects is unknown. Shorter women might also be preferentially chosen for earlier marriage. We hypothesized that early marriage and early pregnancy may each be associated with women's shorter height, independent of any selection effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed cross-sectional data on 7,146 women aged 20-30 years from rural lowland Nepal. Linear regression models tested associations of early marriage and early reproduction with height, adjusting for women's education and husbands' characteristics (education and wealth) that might index preferential selection of short young women for marriage. RESULTS Median ages at marriage and first pregnancy were 15 and 18 years, respectively, with 20% pregnant <16 years. Both early marriage and early pregnancy were independently associated with shorter stature, accounting for a decrement of 1.4 cm, which decreased to 1 cm after adjusting for women's education. Effects of early marriage and reproduction persisted after adjusting for the tendency of poorer and less educated men to marry young and short women, indicating a role for social selection. DISCUSSION The decrements in height associated with early marriage and reproduction are indicative of broader adverse effects on maternal metabolism during a "critical period" of growth and maturation in the life-course of women. Although the magnitudes of effect are relatively small, they affect large numbers of women in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Naomi M Saville
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | | | - Mario Cortina-Borja
- University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Alice M Reid
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jonathan C K Wells
- University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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Park JJH, Harari O, Siden E, Zoratti M, Dron L, Zannat NE, Lester RT, Thorlund K, Mills EJ. Interventions to improve birth outcomes of pregnant women living in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Gates Open Res 2020; 3:1657. [PMID: 33134854 PMCID: PMC7520556 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13081.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Improving the health of pregnant women is important to prevent adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm birth and low birthweight. We evaluated the comparative effectiveness of interventions under the domains of micronutrient, balanced energy protein, deworming, maternal education, and water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for their effects on these adverse birth outcomes. Methods: For this network meta-analysis, we searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of interventions provided to pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We searched for reports published until September 17, 2019 and hand-searched bibliographies of existing reviews. We extracted data from eligible studies for study characteristics, interventions, participants’ characteristics at baseline, and birth outcomes. We compared effects on preterm birth (<37 gestational week), low birthweight (LBW; <2500 g), and birthweight (continuous) using studies conducted in LMICs. Results: Our network meta-analyses were based on 101 RCTs (132 papers) pertaining to 206,531 participants. Several micronutrients and balanced energy food supplement interventions demonstrated effectiveness over standard-of-care. For instance, versus standard-of-care, micronutrient supplements for pregnant women, such as iron and calcium, decreased risks of preterm birth (iron: RR=0.70, 95% credible interval [Crl] 0.47, 1.01; calcium: RR=0.76, 95%Crl 0.56, 0.99). Daily intake of 1500kcal of local food decreased the risks of preterm birth (RR=0.36, 95%Crl 0.16, 0.77) and LBW (RR=0.17, 95%Crl 0.09, 0.29), respectively when compared to standard-of-care. Educational and deworming interventions did not show improvements in birth outcomes, and no WASH intervention trials reported on these adverse birth outcomes. Conclusion: We found several pregnancy interventions that improve birth outcomes. However, most clinical trials have only evaluated interventions under a single domain (e.g. micronutrients) even though the causes of adverse birth outcomes are multi-faceted. There is a need to combine interventions that of different domains as packages and test for their effectiveness. Registration: PROSPERO
CRD42018110446; registered on 17 October 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay J H Park
- MTEK Sciences, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1J5, Canada.,Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Ofir Harari
- MTEK Sciences, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1J5, Canada
| | - Ellie Siden
- MTEK Sciences, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1J5, Canada.,Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Michael Zoratti
- Department of Health Research Methodology, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Louis Dron
- MTEK Sciences, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1J5, Canada
| | | | - Richard T Lester
- Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Kristian Thorlund
- MTEK Sciences, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1J5, Canada.,Department of Health Research Methodology, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Edward J Mills
- MTEK Sciences, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1J5, Canada.,Department of Health Research Methodology, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
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Khan MMA, Mustagir MG, Islam MR, Kaikobad MS, Khan HT. Exploring the association between adverse maternal circumstances and low birth weight in neonates: a nationwide population-based study in Bangladesh. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e036162. [PMID: 33109640 PMCID: PMC7592295 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study is concerned with helping to improve the health and care of newborn babies in Bangladesh by exploring adverse maternal circumstances and assessing whether these are contributing towards low birth weight (LBW) in neonates. STUDY DESIGNS AND SETTINGS Data were drawn and analysed from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2014. Any association between LBW and adverse maternal circumstances were assessed using a Chi-square test with determinants of LBW identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. PARTICIPANTS The study is based on 4728 children aged below 5 years and born to women from selected households. RESULTS The rate of LBW was around 19.9% (199 per 1000 live births) with the highest level found in the Sylhet region (26.2%). The rate was even higher in rural areas (20.8%) and among illiterate mothers (26.6%). Several adverse maternal circumstances of the women included in the survey were found to be significant for increasing the likelihood of giving birth to LBW babies. These circumstances included the women being underweight (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.26, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.49); having unwanted births (AOR 1.22, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.44); had previous pregnancies terminated (AOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.57); were victims of intimate partner violence (AOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.45) and taking antenatal care <4 times (AOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.48). Other important risk factors that were revealed included age at birth <18 years (AOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.83) and intervals between the number of births <24 months (AOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.55). When taking multiple fertility behaviours together such as, the ages of the women at birth (<18 years with interval <24 months (AOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.57) and birth order (>3 with interval <24 months (AOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.37), then the risk of having LBW babies significantly increased. CONCLUSION This study finds that adverse maternal circumstances combined with high-risk fertility behaviours are significantly associated with LBW in neonates. This situation could severely impede progress in Bangladesh towards achieving the sustainable development goal concerned with the healthcare of newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mostaured Ali Khan
- Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
- MEL and Research, Practical Action, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Golam Mustagir
- Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Rafiqul Islam
- Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Sharif Kaikobad
- Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Hafiz Ta Khan
- Professor of Public Health & Statistics, College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare, University of West London, Brentford TW8 9GB, UK
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Park JJH, Harari O, Siden E, Zoratti M, Dron L, Zannat NE, Lester RT, Thorlund K, Mills EJ. Interventions to improve birth outcomes of pregnant women living in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Gates Open Res 2020; 3:1657. [PMID: 33134854 PMCID: PMC7520556 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13081.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Improving the health of pregnant women is important to prevent adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm birth and low birthweight. We evaluated the comparative effectiveness of interventions under the domains of micronutrient, balanced energy protein, deworming, maternal education, and water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for their effects on these adverse birth outcomes. Methods: For this network meta-analysis, we searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of interventions provided to pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We searched for reports published until September 17, 2019 and hand-searched bibliographies of existing reviews. We extracted data from eligible studies for study characteristics, interventions, participants' characteristics at baseline, and birth outcomes. We compared effects on preterm birth (<37 gestational week), low birthweight (LBW; <2500 g), and birthweight (continuous) using studies conducted in LMICs. Results: Our network meta-analyses were based on 101 RCTs (132 papers) pertaining to 206,531 participants. Several micronutrients and balanced energy food supplement interventions demonstrated effectiveness over standard-of-care. For instance, versus standard-of-care, micronutrient supplements for pregnant women, such as iron and calcium, decreased risks of preterm birth (iron: RR=0.70, 95% credible interval [Crl] 0.47, 1.01; calcium: RR=0.76, 95%Crl 0.56, 0.99). Daily intake of 1500kcal of local food decreased the risks of preterm birth (RR=0.36, 95%Crl 0.16, 0.77) and LBW (RR=0.17, 95%Crl 0.09, 0.29), respectively when compared to standard-of-care. Educational and deworming interventions did not show improvements in birth outcomes, and no WASH intervention trials reported on these adverse birth outcomes. Conclusion: We found several pregnancy interventions that improve birth outcomes. However, most clinical trials have only evaluated interventions under a single domain (e.g. micronutrients) even though the causes of adverse birth outcomes are multi-faceted. There is a need to combine interventions that of different domains as packages and test for their effectiveness. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42018110446; registered on 17 October 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay J. H. Park
- MTEK Sciences, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1J5, Canada
- Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Ofir Harari
- MTEK Sciences, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1J5, Canada
| | - Ellie Siden
- MTEK Sciences, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1J5, Canada
- Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Michael Zoratti
- Department of Health Research Methodology, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Louis Dron
- MTEK Sciences, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1J5, Canada
| | | | - Richard T. Lester
- Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Kristian Thorlund
- MTEK Sciences, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1J5, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methodology, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Edward J. Mills
- MTEK Sciences, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1J5, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methodology, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
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Mueller S, Soriano D, Boscor A, Saville N, Arjyal A, Baral S, Fordham M, Hearn G, Le Masson V, Kayastha R, Kostkova P. MANTRA: development and localization of a mobile educational health game targeting low literacy players in low and middle income countries. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1171. [PMID: 32723317 PMCID: PMC7385876 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09246-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile technology is increasingly important for delivering public health interventions to remote populations. This research study developed, piloted, and assessed a serious game for mobile devices that teaches geohazard, maternal, and neonatal health messages. This unique mHealth intervention aimed at low-literacy audiences in low resource settings is part of the Maternal and Neonatal Technologies in Rural Areas (MANTRA) project: Increasing maternal and child health resilience before, during, and after disasters using mobile technology in Nepal. METHODS The serious game was developed through a co-creation process between London and Kathmandu based researchers by email and video-calling, and face-to-face with local stakeholders in Nepal. The process identified core needs, developed appropriate pictograms and mechanics, and tailored the pilot serious game to the local cultural context. Evaluations and feedback from end users took place in rural villages and suburban Kathmandu in Province Three. Field evaluation sessions used mixed methods. Researchers observed game play and held focus group discussions to elicit qualitative feedback and understand engagement, motivation, and usability, and conducted a paired pre- and post-game knowledge assessment. RESULTS The MANTRA serious game is contextualized to rural Nepal. The game teaches 28 learning objectives in three modules: maternal health, neonatal health, and geohazards, through picture matching with immediate audio and visual feedback. User feedback from focus groups demonstrated high engagement, motivation, and usability of the game. CONCLUSIONS This MANTRA study is a unique mHealth intervention of a serious game to teach core health and geohazards messages to low-literacy audiences in rural Nepal. Although the mobile game is tailored for this specific context, the developmental process and insights could be transferable to the development of other games-based interventions and contextualized for any part of the world. Successfully targeting this low-literacy and illiterate audience makes the MANTRA development process the first of its kind and a novel research endeavor with potential for widespread impact and adoption following further game development. TRIAL REGISTRATION This project was approved by the University College London Ethics Committee in London, United Kingdom [10547/001], and the Nepal Health Research Council in Kathmandu, Nepal [Reg. No. 105/2017]. All participants provided informed written consent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Mueller
- Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
- Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE), University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Delphine Soriano
- Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE), University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Andrei Boscor
- Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE), University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Naomi Saville
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Abriti Arjyal
- Health Research and Social Development Forum, Prasuti Griha Marg, Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Sushil Baral
- Health Research and Social Development Forum, Prasuti Griha Marg, Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Maureen Fordham
- Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Centre for Gender and Disaster, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | - Virginie Le Masson
- Overseas Development Institute, 203 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ, UK
| | - Rachya Kayastha
- Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Patty Kostkova
- Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE), University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
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Abstract
Objective: To model the potential impact and equity impact of fortifying rice on nutritional adequacy of different subpopulations in Nepal. Design: Using 24-h dietary recall data and a household consumption survey, we estimated: rice intakes; probability of adequacy (PA) of eight micronutrients commonly fortified in rice (vitamin A, niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), cobalamin (B12), thiamin (B1), folate (B9), Fe and Zn) plus riboflavin (B2), vitamin C and Ca and mean probability of adequacy (MPA) of these micronutrients. We modelled: no fortification; fortification of purchased rice, averaged across all households and in rice-buying households only. We compared adequacy increases between population subgroups. Setting: (i) Dhanusha and Mahottari districts of Nepal (24-h recall) and (ii) all agro-ecological zones of Nepal (consumption data). Participants: (i) Pregnant women (n 128), mothers-in-law and male household heads; (ii) households (n 4360). Results: Unfortified diets were especially inadequate in vitamins B12, A, B9, Zn and Fe. Fortification of purchased rice in rice-purchasing households increased PA > 0·9 for thiamin, niacin, B6, folate and Zn, but B12 and Fe remained inadequate even after fortification (PA range 0·3–0·9). Pregnant women’s increases exceeded men’s for thiamin, niacin, B6, folate and MPA; men had larger gains in vitamin A, B12 and Zn. Adequacy improved more in the hills (coefficient 0·08 (95 % CI 0·05, 0·10)) and mountains (coefficient 0·07 (95 % CI 0·01, 0·14)) but less in rural areas (coefficient −0·05 (95 % CI −0·09, −0·01)). Conclusions: Consumption of purchased fortified rice improves adequacy and gender equity of nutrient intake, especially in non-rice-growing areas.
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Rai A, Khan MN, Thapa S. Trends and determinants of anaemia in women of Nepal: a multilevel analysis. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2020; 16:e13044. [PMID: 32627381 PMCID: PMC7507699 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In Nepal, the prevalence of anaemia decreased by 1% from 2006 to 2011 but increased by 6% from 2011 to 2016. In this study, we examined the changes in prevalence by possible factors from 2006 to 2016 along with the factors associated with anaemia among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) using the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data from years 2006, 2011 and 2016. We used rate of change analysis to explore average annual rate of change (AARC) in anaemia prevalence and concentration curves and indices to assess unequal distribution of anaemia prevalence among socio‐economic quintiles. Multilevel regression was performed to examine the association of multilevel factors with anaemia. Our results showed higher AARC increase in anaemia prevalence from 2006 to 2016, among women aged 30–39 years, with secondary or higher education, who had two or fewer children, not working women, from higher wealth quintiles and who were overweight or obese. Shifting of concentration curve from ‘above the line of equality’ in 2006 and 2011 to ‘under the line of equality’ in 2016 was observed. Women aged 20–29 years, with more than four children, who underwent female sterilization, had experienced violence and from Provinces 1, 2 and 5 were at higher risk of anaemia. Overweight and obese women using hormonal contraception and from lowest wealth quintiles were at lower risk. The change in trends and the associated multilevel factors identified should be considered in designing multilevel interventions that particularly target women at risk for sustainable anaemia reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana Rai
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Md Nuruzzaman Khan
- Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Population Sciences, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Subash Thapa
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Ojha S, Szatkowski L, Sinha R, Yaron G, Fogarty A, Allen SJ, Choudhary S, Smyth AR. Rojiroti microfinance and child nutrition: a cluster randomised trial. Arch Dis Child 2020; 105:229-235. [PMID: 31601571 PMCID: PMC7041497 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2018-316471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether Rojiroti microfinance, for poor Indian women, improves child nutrition. DESIGN Cluster randomised trial. SETTING Tolas (village communities) in Bihar State. PARTICIPANTS Women and children under 5 years. INTERVENTIONS With Rojiroti microfinance, women form self-help groups and save their money to provide loans to group members. After 6 months, they receive larger external loans. Tolas were randomised to receive Rojiroti immediately or after 18 months. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary analysis compared the mean weight for height Z score (WHZ) of children under 5 years in the intervention versus control tolas who attended for weight and height measurement 18 months after randomisation. Secondary outcomes were weight for age Z score (WAZ), height for age Z score, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), wasting, underweight and stunting. RESULTS We randomised 28 tolas to each arm and collected data from 2469 children (1560 mothers) at baseline and 2064 children (1326 mothers) at follow-up. WHZ was calculated for 1718 children at baseline and 1377 (674 intervention and 703 control) at follow-up. At 18 months, mean WHZ was significantly higher for intervention (-1.02) versus controls (-1.37; regression coefficient adjusted for clustering β=0.38, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.61, p=0.001). Significantly fewer children were wasted in the intervention group (122, 18%) versus control (200, 29%; OR=0.46, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.74, p=0.002). Mean WAZ was better in the intervention group (-2.13 vs -2.37; β=0.27, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.43, p=0.001) as was MUAC (13.6 cm vs 13.4 cm; β=0.22, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.40, p=0.02). In an analysis adjusting for baseline nutritional measures (259 intervention children and 300 control), only WAZ and % underweight showed significant differences in favour of the intervention. CONCLUSION In marginalised communities in rural India, child nutrition was better in those who received Rojiroti microfinance, compared with controls. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01845545.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Ojha
- Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Lisa Szatkowski
- Division of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ranjeet Sinha
- Department of Community Medicine, Patna Medical College, Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Gil Yaron
- GY Associates Ltd and Trustee, Harpenden, UK
| | - Andrew Fogarty
- Division of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Stephen John Allen
- Department of Child Health, The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sunil Choudhary
- Centre for Promoting Sustainable Livelihood (CPSL), Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Alan Robert Smyth
- Division of Child Health, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Nottingham University, Nottingham, UK
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Janmohamed A, Sohani N, Lassi ZS, Bhutta ZA. The Effects of Community Home Visit and Peer Group Nutrition Intervention Delivery Platforms on Nutrition Outcomes in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2020; 12:E440. [PMID: 32050577 PMCID: PMC7071285 DOI: 10.3390/nu12020440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Weak delivery systems reduce the potential of evidence-supp orted interventions to improve nutrition. We synthesized the evidence for the effectiveness of nutrition-specific intervention delivery platforms for improving nutrition outcomes in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). A systematic literature search for studies published from 1997 to June 2018 resulted in the inclusion of 83 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-randomized, and controlled before-after studies across a variety of delivery platforms. In this paper, we report on meta-analysed outcomes for community health worker (CHW) home visits and mother/peer group delivery platforms. Compared to care as usual, CHW home visits increased early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.99; n = 10 RCTs) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) (OR: 4.42; 95% CI: 2.28, 8.56; n = 9 RCTs) and mother/peer groups were effective for improving children's minimum dietary diversity (OR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.17, 4.70; n = 4) and minimum meal frequency (OR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.61, 3.31; n = 3). Pooled estimates from studies using both home visit and group platforms showed positive results for EIBF (OR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.12, 4.05; n = 9), EBF (OR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.70, 3.46; n = 12), and < 5 wasting (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.89; n = 4). Our findings underscore the importance of interpersonal community platforms for improving infant and young child feeding practices and children's nutritional status in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amynah Janmohamed
- Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 2L3, Canada; (A.J.); (N.S.)
| | - Nazia Sohani
- Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 2L3, Canada; (A.J.); (N.S.)
| | - Zohra S Lassi
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5006, Australia;
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 2L3, Canada; (A.J.); (N.S.)
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Taneja S, Chowdhury R, Dhabhai N, Mazumder S, Upadhyay RP, Sharma S, Dewan R, Mittal P, Chellani H, Bahl R, Bhan MK, Bhandari N. Impact of an integrated nutrition, health, water sanitation and hygiene, psychosocial care and support intervention package delivered during the pre- and peri-conception period and/or during pregnancy and early childhood on linear growth of infants in the first two years of life, birth outcomes and nutritional status of mothers: study protocol of a factorial, individually randomized controlled trial in India. Trials 2020; 21:127. [PMID: 32005294 PMCID: PMC6995212 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-4059-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The period from conception to two years of life denotes a critical window of opportunity for promoting optimal growth and development of children. Poor nutrition and health in women of reproductive age and during pregnancy can negatively impact birth outcomes and subsequent infant survival, health and growth. Studies to improve birth outcomes and to achieve optimal growth and development in young children have usually tested the effect of standalone interventions in pregnancy and/or the postnatal period. It is not clearly known whether evidence-based interventions in the different domains such as health, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and psychosocial care, when delivered together have a synergistic effect. Further, the effect of delivery of an intervention package in the pre and peri-conception period is not fully understood. This study was conceived with an aim to understand the impact of an integrated intervention package, delivered across the pre and peri-conception period, through pregnancy and till 24 months of child age on birth outcomes, growth and development in children. Methods An individually randomized controlled trial with factorial design is being conducted in urban and peri-urban low- to mid-socioeconomic neighbourhoods in South Delhi, India. 13,500 married women aged 18 to 30 years will be enrolled and randomized to receive either the pre and peri-conception intervention package or routine care (first randomization). Interventions will be delivered until women are confirmed to be pregnant or complete 18 months of follow up. Once pregnancy is confirmed, women are randomized again (second randomization) to receive either the intervention package for pregnancy and postnatal period or to routine care. Newborns will be followed up till 24 months of age. The interventions are delivered through different study teams. Outcome data are collected by an independent outcome ascertainment team. Discussion This study will demonstrate the improvement that can be achieved when key factors known to limit child growth and development are addressed together, throughout the continuum from pre and peri-conception until early childhood. The findings will increase our scientific understanding and provide guidance to nutrition programs in low- and middle-income settings. Trial registration Clinical Trial Registry – India #CTRI/2017/06/008908; Registered 23 June 2017, http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=19339&EncHid=&userName=society%20for%20applied%20studies
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Taneja
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, 45, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi, India
| | - Ranadip Chowdhury
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, 45, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi, India
| | - Neeta Dhabhai
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, 45, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi, India
| | - Sarmila Mazumder
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, 45, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi, India
| | - Ravi Prakash Upadhyay
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, 45, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi, India
| | - Sitanshi Sharma
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, 45, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi, India
| | - Rupali Dewan
- Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Pratima Mittal
- Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Harish Chellani
- Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maharaj Kishan Bhan
- Knowledge Integration and Translational Platform (KnIT), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, New Delhi, India.,Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Nita Bhandari
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, 45, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi, India.
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Marphatia AA, Saville NM, Amable GS, Manandhar DS, Cortina-Borja M, Wells JC, Reid AM. How Much Education Is Needed to Delay Women's Age at Marriage and First Pregnancy? Front Public Health 2020; 7:396. [PMID: 31993411 PMCID: PMC6964653 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Early childbirth is associated with adverse maternal and child health outcomes. In South Asia, where women generally marry before having children, public health efforts need to focus on delaying marriage. Female education is widely considered the primary means to achieve this. However, it remains unclear how much education is required to delay marriage to the universal minimum age of 18 years, or what predicts marriage age in women lacking any education. This is crucial to address in the Terai region of Nepal which has the highest proportion of children out of school and where girls marry and have their first pregnancy early. Methods: We analyzed data from 6,406 women aged 23–30 years from a cluster-randomized trial in lowland Terai Nepal. Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, multivariable logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models, we investigated associations between women's education level and age at marriage and first pregnancy, and the interval between these events. Among the uneducated women, we investigated associations of husband's education level with the same outcomes. Results: Compared to uneducated women, educated women had a greater probability of delaying marriage until the age of 18 years and of pregnancy until 20 years. Women needed to complete grade 9, and ideally 11, to substantially increase their odds of marrying after 18 years. Delaying first pregnancy to 20 years was largely due to marrying later; education had little extra effect. The association of marriage with first pregnancy age worked independently of education. However, later-marrying women, who generally had completed more education, had their first pregnancy sooner after marriage than earlier marrying women. Most uneducated women, regardless of their husbands' level of education, still married under the legal age of marriage. Conclusion: Delaying marriage to majority age requires greater efforts to ensure girls get to school in the first place, and complete secondary education. Since currently only 36% of girls in the Terai attend secondary school, parallel efforts to delay marriage are crucial to prevent early childbearing. Sexual and reproductive health programmes in school and in women's groups for married and uneducated adolescents may help prepare for marriage and pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha A Marphatia
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Naomi M Saville
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriel S Amable
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mario Cortina-Borja
- Population, Policy and Practice Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan C Wells
- Population, Policy and Practice Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice M Reid
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Eboreime EA, Idika O, Omitiran K, Eboreime O, Ibisomi L. Primary healthcare planning, bottleneck analysis and performance improvement: An evaluation of processes and outcomes in a Nigerian context. EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING 2019; 77:101712. [PMID: 31521008 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Operational planning of interventions defines roadmaps, timelines and resources necessary for translating policies into expected health outcomes along the evidence-policy-implementation continuum. However, bottlenecks often hinder the attainment of objectives and the timely delivery of intervention packages leading to sub-optimal performance of health systems. Bottleneck identification, analysis and removal approaches to planning, which requires key stakeholders' participation, have been recommended to improve health system outcomes in LMICs. This study demonstrates how integration of participatory action research (PAR) within a quality improvement model can help navigate the complexities of health system bottleneck analyses, planning and performance improvement in a Nigerian sub-national context. The study is based on data collected between June 2016 and June 2017, from Chikun LGA in Kaduna State Nigeria. PAR was integrated into a quality improvement model called DIVA (Diagnose-Intervene-Verify-Adjust) applied across selected interventions (eMTCT, Antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, immunization and Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses). PAR was used to identify and analyse health system bottlenecks, as well as develop, monitor implementation and follow-up on action plans to address them. Evaluations were conducted involving 2 cycles of DIVA. The outputs (bottleneck analysis charts, driver diagrams, operational plans, M/E reports, etc.) from each cycle of the DIVA process were collated and analysed. Bottlenecks identified include availability of human resources for health, availability of health commodities as well as geographical accessibility. These had implications on acceptability and quality of services. Mean Improvements recorded were 20.4%, 14.0% and 10.8% and 11.2%, 7.5%; 5.5% (across eMTCT, maternal health and child health interventions) in the 1 st and 2nd DIVA cycles respectively. This study highlights processes and outcomes of integrating PAR in quality improvement design and operations in health intervention programmes with a focus on health systems strengthening in a Nigerian context. Implementing the DIVA model using a PAR approach may be considered an effective strategy for planning and implementing health interventions in comparable settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ejemai Amaize Eboreime
- Department of Planning, Research and Statistics, National Primary Healthcare Development, Agency. 681/682 Port Harcourt Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 13-103 Clinical Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2G3.
| | - Obinna Idika
- Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. P.M.B 13, Ile-Ife Osun, 220282, Nigeria.
| | - Kasarachi Omitiran
- Health Systems Unit, Lumiere Health Research Consulting. P.O. Box 3460, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.
| | - Oghenekome Eboreime
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Evaluation (CIDRE). P.O. Box 18449, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.
| | - Latifat Ibisomi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Research Unit, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), 6, Edmund Crescent off Murtala Mohammed Way P.M.B 2013, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
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Rai A, Maharjan MR, Harris Fry HA, Chhetri PK, Wasti PC, Saville NM. Consumption of rice, acceptability and sensory qualities of fortified rice amongst consumers of social safety net rice in Nepal. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222903. [PMID: 31581257 PMCID: PMC6776338 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in Nepal where starchy foods constitute a large proportion of diets and consumption of micronutrient-rich foods is inadequate. We conducted a study to determine whether rice would be an appropriate vehicle for micronutrient fortification in Nepal. Materials and methods In Bajura in remote rural Nepal, we conducted a household survey to characterize rice intakes in 195 households, and a double-blinded acceptability test with 177 social safety net rice consumers ≥18 years of age. Of these, 168 tasted fortified and unfortified rice to assess whether respondents could differentiate between fortified and non-fortified rice and their sensory properties. Rice was fortified by blending hot extruded kernels containing 6 micronutrients together with non-fortified rice at a 1:99 ratio. We used binomial tests to assess whether participants could correctly differentiate fortified rice, from non-fortified rice and paired t-tests to compare scores for sensory qualities of cooked fortified and non-fortified rice. We used multiple regression to test associations between per capita consumption and age, gender, wealth and food security. Results Per capita consumption of rice (median 216g/day, IQR 144.0, 288.0) did not vary by wealth but was +52.08g, (95% CI 10.43, 93.72) higher amongst moderately to severely food insecure households compared with food secure / mildly food insecure. Most respondents could not differentiate fortified rice from non-fortified rice: 37.5% identified uncooked fortified rice and 39.3% cooked rice, which was not different from the 33% expected by chance (p = 0.22 and p = 0.09 respectively). The sensory qualities of fortified rice were acceptable (scoring 3.9 out of 5) and did not differ from non-fortified rice (p>0.05). Conclusion A rice fortification programme implemented through the Nepal Food Corporation’s social safety nets has potential because purchase and consumption of rice is high and fortified rice is acceptable among consumers in remote food insecure areas of Nepal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana Rai
- Nutrition Section, UN World Food Programme Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Helen A. Harris Fry
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, England, United Kingdom
| | | | - Purna Chandra Wasti
- Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Naomi M. Saville
- Nutrition Section, UN World Food Programme Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, England, United Kingdom
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Lassi ZS, Imdad A, Ranjit D, Saint Surin GS, Salam RA, Bhutta ZA. PROTOCOL: Effects of nutritional interventions during pregnancy on birth, child health, and development outcomes: A systematic review of evidence from low- and middle-income countries. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2019; 15:e1019. [PMID: 37131465 PMCID: PMC8533798 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zohra S. Lassi
- Robinson Research InstituteUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustalia
| | - Aamer Imdad
- SUNY Upstate Medical UniversitySyracuseNew York
| | | | | | - Rehana A. Salam
- Department of PediatricsAga Khan UniversityKarachiSindhPakistan
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Haghparast-Bidgoli H, Skordis J, Harris-Fry H, Krishnan S, O'Hearn M, Kumar A, Pradhan R, Mishra NK, Upadhyay A, Pradhan S, Ojha AK, Cunningham S, Rath S, Palmer T, Koniz-Booher P, Kadiyala S. Protocol for the cost-consequence and equity impact analyses of a cluster randomised controlled trial comparing three variants of a nutrition-sensitive agricultural extension intervention to improve maternal and child dietary diversity and nutritional status in rural Odisha, India (UPAVAN trial). Trials 2019; 20:287. [PMID: 31133067 PMCID: PMC6537168 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3388-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Undernutrition causes around 3.1 million child deaths annually, around 45% of all child deaths. India has one of the highest proportions of maternal and child undernutrition globally. To accelerate reductions in undernutrition, nutrition-specific interventions need to be coupled with nutrition-sensitive programmes that tackle the underlying causes of undernutrition. This paper describes the planned economic evaluation of the UPAVAN trial, a four-arm, cluster randomised controlled trial that tests the nutritional and agricultural impacts of an innovative agriculture extension platform of women’s groups viewing videos on nutrition-sensitive agriculture practices, coupled with a nutrition-specific behaviour-change intervention of videos on nutrition, and a participatory learning and action approach. Methods The economic evaluation of the UPAVAN interventions will be conducted from a societal perspective, taking into account all costs incurred by the implementing agency (programme costs), community and health care providers, and participants and their households, and all measurable outcomes associated with the interventions. All direct and indirect costs, including time costs and donated goods, will be estimated. The economic evaluation will take the form of a cost-consequence analysis, comparing incremental costs and incremental changes in the outcomes of the interventions, compared with the status quo. Robustness of the results will be assessed through a series of sensitivity analyses. In addition, an analysis of the equity impact of the interventions will be conducted. Discussion Evidence on the cost and cost-effectiveness of nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions is scarce. This limits understanding of the costs of rolling out or scaling up programs. The findings of this economic evaluation will provide useful information for different multisectoral stakeholders involved in the planning and implementation of nutrition-sensitive agriculture programmes. Trial registration ISRCTN65922679. Registered on 21 December 2016 Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3388-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jolene Skordis
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Helen Harris-Fry
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT,, UK
| | - Sneha Krishnan
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT,, UK
| | - Meghan O'Hearn
- Tufts University, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, 150 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Abhinav Kumar
- Digital Green, S-26 to 28, 3rd Floor, Green Park Extension Market, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Ronali Pradhan
- Digital Green, S-26 to 28, 3rd Floor, Green Park Extension Market, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Naba Kishore Mishra
- VARRAT (Voluntary Association for Rural Reconstruction and Appropriate Technology), Boulakani Baradang, Mahakalpara Kendrapad, Odisha, 754224, India
| | - Avinash Upadhyay
- Digital Green, S-26 to 28, 3rd Floor, Green Park Extension Market, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Shibananth Pradhan
- VARRAT (Voluntary Association for Rural Reconstruction and Appropriate Technology), Boulakani Baradang, Mahakalpara Kendrapad, Odisha, 754224, India
| | - Amit Kumar Ojha
- Ekjut, 556 B-Ward No 17-Potka, Chakradharpur, Jharkhand, 833102, India
| | - Sarah Cunningham
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115,, USA
| | - Shibanand Rath
- Ekjut, 556 B-Ward No 17-Potka, Chakradharpur, Jharkhand, 833102, India
| | - Tom Palmer
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Peggy Koniz-Booher
- Strengthening Partnerships, Results, and Innovations in Nutrition Globally, JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc., 1616 Fort Myer Drive 16th Floor, Arlington, VA, 22209, USA
| | - Suneetha Kadiyala
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT,, UK
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Rai A, Gurung S, Thapa S, Saville NM. Correlates and inequality of underweight and overweight among women of reproductive age: Evidence from the 2016 Nepal Demographic Health Survey. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216644. [PMID: 31075139 PMCID: PMC6510472 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Understanding socio-economic correlates and inequality of underweight and overweight is crucial to develop interventions to prevent adverse health outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analysed Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016 data from 6,069 women aged 15-49 years. WHO cut-offs for Body Mass Index categorised as: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5kg/m2 to 24.9kg/m2) and overweight/ obesity (> = 25.0 kg/m2) were used. We used multinomial logistic regression to explore associations of factors with Body Mass Index and concentration indices to estimate socio-economic inequalities. RESULTS Higher risk of underweight was found in age group 15-19 (RRR 3.08, 95% CI: 2.29-4.15), 20-29 (RRR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.29-2.08) and in lowest (RRR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.03-2.47) and second wealth quintiles (RRR 1.77 (95% CI: 1.18-2.64). Education, occupation, urban/rural residence and food security were not associated with underweight (p>0.05). Lower risk of overweight/obesity was found in age group 15-19 (RRR 0.07, 95% CI: 0.05-0.10), 20-29 (RRR 0.40, 95% CI: 0.32-0.51), in manual occupation (RRR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.46-0.74) and in lower quintiles. Women with primary (RRR 1.91, 95% CI: 1.36-2.67), secondary education (RRR 1.42, 95% CI 1.00, 2.01) were at increased risk of overweight/obesity. Household food security and urban/rural residence were not associated with overweight/obesity (p>0.05). Socioeconomic inequalities were detected, with overweight/obesity strongly concentrated (concentration index: 0.380) amongst the higher quintiles and underweight concentrated (concentration index: -0.052) amongst the poorest. CONCLUSION Nutrition programmes should target younger and poor women to address undernutrition and higher wealth group women to address overnutrition. Equity based nutrition interventions improving socio-economic status of poor households may benefit undernourished women. Interventions to encourage physical activity as women age and among wealthier women as well as healthy eating for prevention of under- and over-nutrition are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana Rai
- Independent researcher, Kathmandu, Nepal
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Subash Thapa
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Visiting Researcher, Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz Health Research Centre, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naomi M. Saville
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Gram L, Skordis-Worrall J, Saville N, Manandhar DS, Sharma N, Morrison J. 'There is no point giving cash to women who don't spend it the way they are told to spend it' - Exploring women's agency over cash in a combined participatory women's groups and cash transfer programme to improve low birthweight in rural Nepal. Soc Sci Med 2019; 221:9-18. [PMID: 30553120 PMCID: PMC6327149 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cash transfer programmes form an integral part of nutrition, health, and social protection policies worldwide, but the mechanisms through which they achieve their health and nutritional impacts are incompletely understood. We present results from a process evaluation of a combined participatory women's groups and cash transfer programme to improve low birth weight in rural Nepal. We explored the ways in which context, implementation, and mechanism of the intervention affected beneficiary women's agency over cash transfers. Informed by a grounded theory framework, we conducted and analysed semi-structured interviews with 22 beneficiary women, 15 of their mothers-in-law, 3 of their elder sisters-in-law and 20 husbands, as well as a focus group discussion with 7 supervisors of the women's group intervention. Our study reveals how women's group facilitators, their supervisors and community members developed a shared dynamic around persuading and compelling recipients of unconditional cash transfers into spending them according to criteria developed by the group. We found these dynamics effectively constituted 'soft conditions' on beneficiary spending which restricted women's ability to make decisions over their cash transfers, but also increased their likelihood of spending them on their own pregnancy. Our findings demonstrate the importance of understanding how programmes are implemented and responded to in order to understand their implications for beneficiary agency and empowerment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Gram
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom.
| | - Jolene Skordis-Worrall
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom.
| | - Naomi Saville
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom.
| | - Dharma S Manandhar
- Mother Infant Research Activities, YB Bhawan, Thapathali, Kathmandu, 921, Nepal.
| | - Neha Sharma
- Mother Infant Research Activities, YB Bhawan, Thapathali, Kathmandu, 921, Nepal.
| | - Joanna Morrison
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom.
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Gram L, Morrison J, Saville N, Yadav SS, Shrestha B, Manandhar D, Costello A, Skordis-Worrall J. Do Participatory Learning and Action Women's Groups Alone or Combined with Cash or Food Transfers Expand Women's Agency in Rural Nepal? THE JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES 2019; 55:1670-1686. [PMID: 31218298 PMCID: PMC6540743 DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2018.1448069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Participatory learning and action women's groups (PLA) have proven effective in reducing neonatal mortality in rural, high-mortality settings, but their impacts on women's agency in the household remain unknown. Cash transfer programmes have also long targeted female beneficiaries in the belief that this empowers women. Drawing on data from 1309 pregnant women in a four-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial in Nepal, we found little evidence for an impact of PLA alone or combined with unconditional food or cash transfers on women's agency in the household. Caution is advised before assuming PLA women's groups alone or with resource transfers necessarily empower women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Gram
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- Correspondence Address: Lu Gram Institute of Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, WC1N 1EH, UK.
| | - Joanna Morrison
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Naomi Saville
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Anthony Costello
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Gram L, Daruwalla N, Osrin D. Understanding participation dilemmas in community mobilisation: can collective action theory help? J Epidemiol Community Health 2018; 73:90-96. [PMID: 30377247 PMCID: PMC6839791 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2018-211045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Community mobilisation interventions have been used to promote health in many low-income and middle-income settings. They frequently involve collective action to address shared determinants of ill-health, which often requires high levels of participation to be effective. However, the non-excludable nature of benefits produced often generates participation dilemmas: community members have an individual interest in abstaining from collective action and free riding on others’ contributions, but no benefit is produced if nobody participates. For example, marches, rallies or other awareness-raising activities to change entrenched social norms affect the social environment shared by community members whether they participate or not. This creates a temptation to let other community members invest time and effort. Collective action theory provides a rich, principled framework for analysing such participation dilemmas. Over the past 50 years, political scientists, economists, sociologists and psychologists have proposed a plethora of incentive mechanisms to solve participation dilemmas: selective incentives, intrinsic benefits, social incentives, outsize stakes, intermediate goals, interdependency and critical mass theory. We discuss how such incentive mechanisms might be used by global health researchers to produce new questions about how community mobilisation works and conclude with theoretical predictions to be explored in future quantitative or qualitative research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Gram
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nayreen Daruwalla
- SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action), Mumbai, India
| | - David Osrin
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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