scholarly journals Women’s empowerment is associated with maternal nutrition and low birth weight: Evidence from Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alamgir Kabir ◽  
Md Mahbubur Rashid ◽  
Kamal Hossain ◽  
Md Arifuzzaman Khan ◽  
Shegufta Shefa Shikder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Wealth Quintile ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Demographic Health Survey ◽  
Maternal Undernutrition

Abstract Background The burden of maternal undernutrition and low birth weight (LBW) incurs enormous economic costs due to their adverse consequences. Women’s empowerment is believed to be one of the key factors for attaining maternal and child health and nutritional goals. Our objective was to investigate the association of women’s empowerment with maternal undernutrition and LBW. Methods We used nationally representative data from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey for 2011 and 2014. We analysed 27,357 women and 9,234 mother-child pairs. A women’s empowerment index (WEI) was constructed using principal component analysis. We estimated odds ratios as the measure of association between the WEI and the outcome measures using generalized estimating equations to account for the cluster level correlation. Results The overall prevalence of maternal undernutrition was 20% and LBW was 18%. The WEI was significantly associated with both maternal undernutrition and LBW with a dose-response relationship. The adjusted odds of having a LBW baby was 32% [AOR (95% CI):0.68 (0.57, 0.82)] lower in the highest quartile of the WEI relative to the lowest quartile. Household wealth significantly modified the effect of the WEI on maternal nutrition.; in the highest wealth quintile, the odds of maternal undernutrition was 54% [AOR (95% CI): 0.46 (0.33, 0.64)] lower while in the lowest wealth quintile the odds of undernutrition was only 18% [AOR (95% CI): 0.82 (0.67, 1.00)] lower comparing the highest WEI quartile with the lowest WEI quartile. However, the absolute differences in prevalence of undernutrition between the highest and lowest WEI quartiles were similar across wealth quintiles (6-8%). Conclusions This study used a comprehensive measure of women’s empowerment and provides strong evidence that low levels of women’s empowerment is associated with maternal undernutrition as well as with delivering LBW babies in Bangladesh. Therefore, policies to increase empowerment of women would contribute to improved public health.

scholarly journals Women’s empowerment is associated with maternal nutrition and low birth weight: Evidence from Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alamgir Kabir ◽  
Md Mahbubur Rashid ◽  
Kamal Hossain ◽  
Md Arifuzzaman Khan ◽  
Shegufta Shefa Sikder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Wealth Quintile ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Demographic Health Survey ◽  
Maternal Undernutrition

Abstract Background The burden of maternal undernutrition and low birth weight (LBW) incurs enormous economic costs due to their adverse consequences. Women’s empowerment is believed to be one of the key factors for attaining maternal and child health and nutritional goals. Our objective was to investigate the association of women’s empowerment with maternal undernutrition and LBW. Methods We used nationally representative data from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey for 2011 and 2014. We analysed 27,357 women and 9,234 mother-child pairs. A women’s empowerment index (WEI) was constructed using principal component analysis with five groups of indicators: a) education, b) access to socio-familial decision making, c) economic contribution and access to economic decision making, d) attitudes towards domestic violence and e) mobility. We estimated odds ratios as the measure of association between the WEI and the outcome measures using generalized estimating equations to account for the cluster level correlation. Results The overall prevalence of maternal undernutrition was 20% and LBW was 18%. The WEI was significantly associated with both maternal undernutrition and LBW with a dose-response relationship. The adjusted odds of having a LBW baby was 32% [AOR (95% CI):0.68 (0.57, 0.82)] lower in the highest quartile of the WEI relative to the lowest quartile. Household wealth significantly modified the effect of the WEI on maternal nutrition.; in the highest wealth quintile, the odds of maternal undernutrition was 54% [AOR (95% CI): 0.46 (0.33, 0.64)] lower while in the lowest wealth quintile the odds of undernutrition was only 18% [AOR (95% CI): 0.82 (0.67, 1.00)] lower comparing the highest WEI quartile with the lowest WEI quartile. However, the absolute differences in prevalence of undernutrition between the highest and lowest WEI quartiles were similar across wealth quintiles (6-8%). Conclusions This study used a comprehensive measure of women’s empowerment and provides strong evidence that low levels of women’s empowerment is associated with maternal undernutrition as well as with delivering LBW babies in Bangladesh. Therefore, policies to increase empowerment of women would contribute to improved public health.

scholarly journals Women’s empowerment is associated with maternal nutrition and low birth weight: Evidence from Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alamgir Kabir ◽  
Md Mahbubur Rashid ◽  
Kamal Hossain ◽  
Md Arifuzzaman Khan ◽  
Shegufta Shefa Shikder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Wealth Quintile ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Demographic Health Survey ◽  
Maternal Malnutrition

Abstract Background The burden of maternal malnutrition and low birth weight (LBW) incurs enormous economic costs due to their adverse consequences. Women’s empowerment is believed to be one of the key factors for attaining maternal and child health and nutritional goals. Our objective was to investigate the association of women’s empowerment with maternal malnutrition and LBW.Methods We used nationally representative data from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey for 2011 and 2014. We analysed 27,357 women and 9,234 mother-child pairs. A women’s empowerment index (WEI) was constructed using principal component analysis. We estimated odds ratios as the measure of association between the WEI and the outcome measures using generalized estimating equations to account for the cluster level correlation.Results The overall prevalence of maternal malnutrition was 20% and LBW was 18%. The WEI was significantly associated with both maternal malnutrition and LBW with a dose-response relationship. The adjusted odds of having a LBW baby was 32% [AOR (95% CI):0.68 (0.57, 0.82)] lower in the highest quartile of the WEI relative to the lowest quartile. Household wealth significantly modified the effect of the WEI on maternal nutrition.; in the highest wealth quintile, the odds of maternal malnutrition was 54% [AOR (95% CI): 0.46 (0.33, 0.64)] lower while in the lowest wealth quintile the odds of malnutrition was only 18% [AOR (95% CI): 0.82 (0.67, 1.00)] lower comparing the highest WEI quartile with the lowest WEI quartile. However, the absolute differences in prevalence of malnutrition between the highest and lowest WEI quartiles were similar across wealth quintiles (6-8%).Conclusions This study used a comprehensive measure of women’s empowerment and provides strong evidence that low levels of women’s empowerment is associated with maternal malnutrition as well as with delivering LBW babies in Bangladesh. Therefore, policies to increase empowerment of women would contribute to improved population health.

scholarly journals Women’s empowerment is associated with maternal nutrition and low birth weight: Evidence from Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alamgir Kabir ◽  
Md Mahbubur Rashid ◽  
Kamal Hossain ◽  
Md Arifuzzaman Khan ◽  
Shegufta Shefa Sikder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Wealth Quintile ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Demographic Health Survey ◽  
Maternal Undernutrition

Abstract Background : The burden of maternal undernutrition and low birth weight (LBW) incurs enormous economic costs due to their adverse consequences. Women’s empowerment is believed to be one of the key factors for attaining maternal and child health and nutritional goals. Our objective was to investigate the association of women’s empowerment with maternal undernutrition and LBW. Methods : We used nationally representative data from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey for 2011 and 2014. We analysed 27,357 women and 9,234 mother-child pairs. A women’s empowerment index (WEI) was constructed using principal component analysis with five groups of indicators: a) education, b) access to socio-familial decision making, c) economic contribution and access to economic decision making, d) attitudes towards domestic violence and e) mobility. We estimated odds ratios as the measure of association between the WEI and the outcome measures using generalized estimating equations to account for the cluster level correlation. Results: The overall prevalence of maternal undernutrition was 20% and LBW was 18%. The WEI was significantly associated with both maternal undernutrition and LBW with a dose-response relationship. The adjusted odds of having a LBW baby was 32% [AOR (95% CI):0.68 (0.57, 0.82)] lower in the highest quartile of the WEI relative to the lowest quartile. Household wealth significantly modified the effect of the WEI on maternal nutrition.; in the highest wealth quintile, the odds of maternal undernutrition was 54% [AOR (95% CI): 0.46 (0.33, 0.64)] lower while in the lowest wealth quintile the odds of undernutrition was only 18% [AOR (95% CI): 0.82 (0.67, 1.00)] lower comparing the highest WEI quartile with the lowest WEI quartile. However, the absolute differences in prevalence of undernutrition between the highest and lowest WEI quartiles were similar across wealth quintiles (6-8%). Conclusions: This study used a comprehensive measure of women’s empowerment and provides strong evidence that low levels of women’s empowerment is associated with maternal undernutrition as well as with delivering LBW babies in Bangladesh. Therefore, policies to increase empowerment of women would contribute to improved public health.

scholarly journals Women’s empowerment is associated with maternal nutrition and low birth weight: evidence from Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alamgir Kabir ◽  
Md Mahbubur Rashid ◽  
Kamal Hossain ◽  
Arifuzzaman Khan ◽  
Shegufta Shefa Sikder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Demographic Health Survey

scholarly journals Prevalence of and socioeconomic gradient in low birth weight in Ethiopia: further analysis of the 2016 demographic and health survey data

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gebretsadik Shibre ◽  
Mulugeta Tamire
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Socioeconomic Position ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Demographic And Health Survey ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Socioeconomic Gradient

Abstract Background Evidence suggests appearance of socioeconomic gradient in the probability of low birth weight (LBW). Such evidence, however, is scanty in Ethiopia. The study aimed to examine the prevalence of and socioeconomic gradient in LBW in Ethiopia. Method Data for the study were drawn from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2016. The 2016 EDHS is the fourth wave in the series of nationally representative household surveys carried out in the country to deliver up-to-date health and demographic indicators for the Ethiopian population. Women aged 15 to 49 years were the main focus of the survey, with data also gathered from men aged 15 to 59 years and under five children. The study pursued complex sampling strategy to draw samples representative at national as well as at urban and rural levels. The data are available to the public domain and were accessed from the MEASURE DHS following registration. Multivariable logistic regression model and marginal standardization were used to estimate socioeconomic gradient in the probability of LBW. We performed sensitivity analysis to evaluate variation of LBW according to different categories of socioeconomic position. Maternal education and household wealth were used as measures of the socioeconomic position in the study. Results 13.2% (95% confidence interval = 10.73, 15.65) of births were complicated by LBW. The findings showed that socioeconomic gradient was evident between maternal education and LBW; as education increases from no education to secondary education, the probability of occurrence of LBW consistently declined. However, no gradient in LBW was detected for household wealth. Conclusions We have identified education gradient in LBW, with the highest burden of LBW occurring among the non-educated women. To redress the observed education disparity in LBW, targeted interventions need to be implemented with greater emphasis placed on illiterate women.

scholarly journals Regular antenatal care visits were associated with low risk of low birth weight among newborns in Rwanda: Evidence from the 2014/2015 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey (RDHS) Data

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 402
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Biracyaza ◽  
Samuel Habimana ◽  
Donat Rusengamihigo ◽  
Heather Evans
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Demographic Health Survey ◽  
Maternal Complications ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Maternal Characteristics

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) remains the global unfinished agenda in most countries of the world especially in low- and middle-income countries. LBW subsequently has harmful effects on the lifestyle, psychosocial and physiological development of the child. Although it is known that antenatal care (ANC) visits are important interventions contributing to prediction of newborn birth weight, little has been conducted on effect of ANC visits on birth weight in Rwanda. This study aimed at determining the association between regular ANC visits and risk of LBW among newborns in Rwanda. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted to analyse the effects of ANC on LBW using the 2014/2015 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey. Associations of socio-demographic, socio-economic, and individual factors of the mother with LBW newborns were performed using bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: Prevalences of LBW and macrosomia were 5.8% and 17.6%, respectively. Newborns delivered from mothers attending fewer than four ANC visits were at almost three-times greater risk of having LBW [aOR=2.8; 95%CI (1.5–5.4), p=0.002] compared to those whose mothers attending four or more ANC visits. Residing in a rural area for pregnant women was significantly associated with LBW [aOR=1.1; 95%CI (0.7–1.6), p=0.008]. Maternal characteristics, such as anemia, predicted an increase in LBW [aOR=3.5; 95%CI (1.5–5.4), p<0.001]. Those who received no nutritional counseling [aOR=2.5; 95%CI (2–8.5), p<0.001] and who were not told about maternal complications [aOR=3.3; 95%CI (1.5–6.6), p=0.003] were more prone to deliver newborns with LBW than those who received them. Pregnant women who received iron and folic acid were less likely to have LBW newborns [aOR=0.5; 95%CI (0.3–0.9), p=0.015]. Conclusion: ANC visits significantly contributed to reducing the incidence of LBW. This study underscores the need for early, comprehensive, and high-quality ANC services to prevent LBW in Rwanda.

Impact of maternal undernutrition on diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk in adult offspring

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Le Clair ◽  
Tina Abbi ◽  
Heather Sandhu ◽  
Paramjit S. Tappia
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Adult Disease ◽  
Maternal Undernutrition ◽  
The Impact

Epidemiological, clinical, and experimental observations have led to the hypothesis that the risk of developing chronic diseases in adulthood is influenced not only by genetic and adult lifestyle factors, but also by environmental factors during early life. Low birth weight, a marker of intrauterine stress, has been linked to predisposition to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. The compelling animal evidence and significant human data to support this conclusion are reviewed. Specifically, the review discusses the role of maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy, placental insufficiencies and epigenetic changes in the increased predisposition to diabetes and CVD in adult life. The impact of low birth weight and catch-up growth as they pertain to risk of disease in adult life is also discussed. In addition, adult disease risk in the overnourished fetus is also mentioned. Reference is made to some of the mechanisms of the induction of diabetes and CVD phenotype. It is proposed that fetal nutrition, growth and development through efficient maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy could constitute the basis for nutritional strategies for the primary prevention of diabetes and CVD.

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