Aquatic Animal Foods for Nutrition Security and Child Health

2021 ◽  
pp. 037957212110619
Author(s):  
Lora L. Iannotti ◽  
Ivy Blackmore ◽  
Rachel Cohn ◽  
Feng Chen ◽  
Emmanuel A. Gyimah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Aquatic Animal ◽  
Child Stunting ◽  
Child Health Outcomes

Background: Aquatic animal source foods (AASF) can provide vital nutrients and bioactive factors essential for human health, yet disparities in consumption patterns prevail globally. Limited evidence exists for the implications of AASF access on child health outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to examine global AASF intakes longitudinally in association with critical nutrient intakes and childhood stunting and anemia. Methods: The analysis draws from compiled longitudinal country data (1993-2013) based on a constructed conceptual framework encompassing social and ecological factors that influence fish consumption and human health. Longitudinal generalized linear models were used to estimate the association of apparent AASF intake on country-level nutrient availability (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA], choline, vitamin B12, iron, and zinc) and prevalence of undernourishment, child stunting, and child anemia. Results: Across 175 countries, the median per capita daily apparent intake of all AASF was 37.87 g, with marginally significant differences observed between countries with low (46.65 g) versus high child mortality (23.50 g). The combined category of all AASF was significantly associated with increased total apparent intakes of DHA, choline, and vitamin B12 and reduced child stunting. Finfish (pelagic and demersal) and crustaceans inversely correlated with child stunting, while apparent intakes of mollusks and crustaceans were associated with reduced child anemia. Conclusions: This study uniquely showed that AASF were associated with improved child health outcomes and the critical nutrients necessary for growth, development, and maintaining health throughout the life course. Policies should ensure increased access to AASF across food systems and within sustainable healthy diets globally.

scholarly journals In-utero exposure to antihypertensive medication and neonatal and child health outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (11) ◽  
pp. 2123-2137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine A. Fitton ◽  
Markus F.C. Steiner ◽  
Lorna Aucott ◽  
Jill P. Pell ◽  
Daniel F. Mackay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Antihypertensive Medication ◽  
In Utero ◽  
In Utero Exposure ◽  
Child Health Outcomes ◽  
And Child Health

Liberalising Health-seeking Behaviour of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Sect in Manicaland, Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
pp. 097206342110652
Author(s):  
Steven Masvaure
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Child Health Outcomes ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
Religious Sects ◽  
And Child Health ◽  
Apostolic Church

Religious rights as enshrined in the Zimbabwean constitution are sacrosanct, however, when church doctrine bars followers from seeking modern medical care, they start infringing on health rights especially of the ‘lesser beings’ the women and children who are members of these religious sects. The ‘lesser beings’ are bearing the brunt of high maternal and neonatal mortality as they depend on unsafe traditional birth attendants and unconventional medicine. This study is ethnographic and presents lessons learnt from a programme aiming to improve maternal, newborn and child health outcomes among the Apostolic Church of Johanne Marange members in Manicaland province, Zimbabwe. The findings show that despite the stringent doctrine and barriers placed on apostolic members who want to access conventional medicine, the women and children are using clandestine approaches to circumvent the doctrine and barriers. This article argues that a barrage of unconventional and conventional approaches can lead to changes in health-seeking behaviour of the apostolic church and ultimately maternal and child health outcomes. The article argues that the intransigence of the apostolic can only be overcome by covert approaches to providing health services and save lives.

scholarly journals Increased Rural Connectivity and its Effects on Health Outcomes

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (Special Edition) ◽  
pp. 271-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadia Majid
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Road Network ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Health Practices ◽  
Child Health Outcomes ◽  
Rural Pakistan

This paper examines the effects of increased connectivity in rural areas on child health outcomes. In particular, it studies whether improved access to markets for rural areas through an upgraded road network and greater openness, as measured by village electrification status, has had a positive impact on child health outcomes and awareness of health practices such as immunization and prenatal care. Using a 16-year panel dataset from rural Pakistan, we estimate two iterations of a probit model, where one examines the probability of child i being vaccinated and the second estimates the incidence of use of prenatal care. The results support the hypothesis that greater connectivity, as measured by road connectivity and electrification, improves health outcomes by increasing the likelihood of immunization and uptake of prenatal care.

Developing key performance indicators for a tertiary children’s hospital network

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Elliot ◽  
Cheryl Mcullagh ◽  
Michael Brydon ◽  
Karen Zwi
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Strategic Plan ◽  
Key Performance Indicators ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Process Measures ◽  
Children's Hospital ◽  
Child Health Outcomes ◽  
Priority Populations

Objective The aim of this study is to describe the experience of developing key performance indicators (KPIs) for Sydney Children’s Hospital Network (SCHN), the largest paediatric healthcare entity in Australia. Methods Beginning with a published methodology, the process of developing KPIs involved five phases: (1) identification of potential KPIs referencing the organisational strategic plan and pre-existing internal and external documents; (2) consolidation into a pragmatic set; (3) analysis of potential KPIs against selection criteria; (4) mapping these back against the strategic plan and management structure; and (5) presentation to key stakeholders to ensure suitability and traction. Consistent with the strategic plan, a subset of indicators was selected to address quality of care for children from priority populations. Results A pragmatic list of 60 mandated and 50 potential KPIs was created from the 328 new and 397 existing potentially relevant KPIs generated by the executive team. Of these, 20 KPIs were selected as the most important; 65% were process measures. The majority of mandated KPIs were process measures. Of the KPIs selected to highlight inequities, there were proportionately more outcome measures (44% outcome, 27% process). Less than one-third could currently be measured by the organisation and were thus aspirational. Conclusion Developing a KPI suite requires substantial time, effort and organisational courage. A structured approach to performance measurement and improvement is needed to ensure a balanced suite of KPIs that can be expected to drive an organisation to improve child health outcomes. Future directions for SCHN include a systematic approach to implementation beyond the mandated KPIs, including KPIs that reflect equity and improved outcomes for priority populations, development of meaningful measures for the aspirational KPIs, adding structure KPIs and measurement of changes in child health outcomes related to the development of this KPI process. What is known about the topic? Health services are increasingly required to demonstrate accountability through KPIs. There is a body of literature on both theoretical frameworks for measuring performance and a long list of possible measures, however developing a meaningful suite of KPIs remains a significant challenge for individual organisations. What does this paper add? This paper describes lessons learned from the practical, pragmatic application of a published methodology to develop a suite of KPIs for the largest paediatric healthcare entity in Australia. It provides a select list of the highest-level KPIs selected by the organisation to stimulate further discussion among similar organisations in relation to KPI selection and implementation. What are the implications for practitioners? Developing and implementing a suite of meaningful KPIs for a large organisation requires courage, an understanding of health informatics, stakeholder engagement, stamina and pragmatism. The process we describe can be replicated and/or modified as needed, with discussion of key lessons learned to help practitioners plan ahead.

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