Determinants of Malnutrition Among Ever-married Women in Bangladesh

Underweight and overweight problems have serious consequences on the health status of women in Bangladesh. The objective of this study is to find the important factors that may influence a woman for being underweight, overweight and obese. Multinomial logistic regression model is fitted for this purpose. The stepwise variable selection procedure is used to select covariates for the model. Information of ever-married 15,323 non-pregnant women is extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2014 data. Seven covariates (region, living place, wealth index, respondent‟s marital status, current working status, education, and current age) are selected finally for the model from the initially considered thirteen variables. The results of the study demonstrate that the women living in Sylhet region, rural area, widowed or divorced, having less education and younger age are more likely to become underweight. Conversely, the women are living in Khulna region, urban area, married, not working, having more than 10 years of schooling and age 35-49 are at higher risk of experiencing overweight or obesity. Thus, the Government of Bangladesh should take proper initiatives to improve underweight and overweight problem of women considering the findings of this study. Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 69(1): 7-13, 2021 (January)

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A Stepwise Variable Selection Procedure for Nonlinear Regression Models

Biometrics ◽

10.2307/2530219 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 511 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

P. N. Peduzzi ◽

R. J. Hardy ◽

T. R. Holford

Keyword(s):

Variable Selection ◽

Nonlinear Regression ◽

Regression Models ◽

Selection Procedure ◽

Nonlinear Regression Models ◽

Stepwise Variable Selection ◽

Variable Selection Procedure

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Equity Style Payoffs And Stock Return Predictability: Evidence From The South African JSE Securities Exchange

Journal of Applied Business Research (JABR) ◽

10.19030/jabr.v28i4.7044 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 605

Author(s):

Kathleen Hodnett ◽

Heng-Hsing Hsieh ◽

Paul Van Rensburg

Keyword(s):

Selection Procedure ◽

Sample Period ◽

Font Size ◽

Information Ratio ◽

Stock Return Predictability ◽

Expected Return ◽

Multifactor Models ◽

Stepwise Variable Selection ◽

Variable Selection Procedure ◽

Out Of Sample

This paper undertakes to examine the structure of the payoffs to style attributes on the JSE Securities Exchange over the period from 1997 to 2007. Adopting the methodology of Haugen and Baker (1996), two expected return multifactor models are constructed to predict forward monthly returns of sample stocks using style attributes as model inputs. The Grinold model has an objective of selecting model inputs that will maximize the in-sample Grinold (1989) information ratio while the QH model has an objective of maximizing the in-sample Qian and Hua (2003) information ratio. The out-of-sample predictions of the models and their corresponding model inputs are evaluated over the period from 2002 to 2007. The permutations of the style attributes for the models are updated every 12 months based on training over the prior 60 months under the stepwise variable selection procedure proposed by Van Rensburg and Robertson (2003). The examination of the style attributes selected by the respective models reveal that most of the style attributes that exhibit significant univariate mean payoffs in our prior study are selected by the expected return multifactor models in this research. In addition, the value attributes with the most consistent univariate payoffs are found to be the most important contributors to equity return forecasting. It is also found that models that account for multicollinearity tend to outperform the models that fail to address this issue over the out-of-sample period. Overall, the QH model outperforms the Grinold model in terms of both information ratios over the out-of-sample period. The out-of-sample performance scores of the respective models are consistent with their corresponding in-sample performance scores, which suggest that successful expected return multifactor models, based on style attributes, can be developed to forecast ex-ante JSE equity returns.

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Public Response, Anxiety and Behaviour during the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094628 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4628

Author(s):

Amani Salem Alqahtani ◽

Meshael Mohammed Alrasheed ◽

Ada Mohammed Alqunaibet

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional ◽

Protective Measures ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Public Response ◽

Social Events ◽

Phone Survey ◽

Younger Age ◽

Low Levels ◽

The Government

This study aims to investigate public response attitude, anxiety, practices and trust in the authorities’ mitigation plan during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. A national cross sectional phone survey was conducted among Saudi residents aged 16 years and above. A total of 90,421 (45.2%) individuals participated in the study. Of those, the overall rate of COVID-19 correct knowledge was 82% (mean: 9.84); social media was the most reported source of knowledge. Younger age, low levels of education and foreign residents were associated with poor knowledge. Overall, 49.5% scored 5 or more on the GAD-7 test, indicating anxiety symptoms, 19.2% of them scored 10 and above, suggesting moderate to severe anxiety. Majority of participants (>78%) trusted and supported the interventions implemented by the government to control COVID-19. Social distancing practices among participants was as following, 72.5% stayed at home and avoid going out for nonessential business and 49.5% avoided attending social events and family gatherings. Trust in authorities, being anxious, worry and levels of knowledge about the disease, were the most common factors affecting adoption of the recommended practices. Continuous evaluation of public response about COVID-19, and the effectiveness of protective measures is essential to better inform policy-makers and identify ways of encouraging behaviour change among public during pandemic.

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Predictors of iron consumption for at least 90 days during pregnancy: Findings from National Demographic Health Survey, Pakistan (2017–2018)

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-021-03825-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sumera Aziz Ali ◽

Savera Aziz Ali ◽

Shama Razzaq ◽

Nayab Khowaja ◽

Sarah Gutkind ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Survey ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Iron Supplementation ◽

Wealth Index ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Deficiency Anemia ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Demographic Health Survey ◽

Sampling Weights ◽

The Government

Abstract Background Iron supplementation is considered an imperative strategy for anemia prevention and control during pregnancy in Pakistan. Although there is some evidence on the predictors of iron deficiency anemia among Pakistani women, there is a very limited understanding of factors associated with iron consumption among Pakistani pregnant women. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the predictors of iron consumption for at least ≥90 days during pregnancy in Pakistan. Methods We analyzed dataset from the nationally representative Pakistan Demographic Health Survey 2017–2018. The primary outcome of the current study was the consumption of iron supplementation for ≥90 days during the pregnancy of the last birth. Women who had last childbirth 5 years before the survey and who responded to the question of iron intake were included in the final analysis (n = 6370). We analyzed the data that accounted for complex sampling design by including clusters, strata, and sampling weights. Results Around 30% of the women reported consumed iron tablets for ≥90 days during their last pregnancy. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, we found that factors such as women’s age (≥ 25 years) (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.42–1.62)], wealth index (rich/richest) (aPR = 1.25; [95% CI: 1.18–1.33]), primary education (aPR = 1.33; [95% CI: 1.24–1.43), secondary education (aPR = 1.34; [95% CI: 1.26–1.43), higher education (aPR = 2.13; [95% CI: 1.97–2.30), women’s say in choosing husband (aPR = 1.68; [95% CI: 1.57–1.80]), ≥ five antenatal care visits (aPR =2.65; [95% CI (2.43–2.89]), history of the last Caesarian-section (aPR = 1.29; [95% CI: 1.23–1.36]) were significantly associated with iron consumption for ≥90 days. Conclusion These findings demonstrate complex predictors of iron consumption during pregnancy in Pakistan. There is a need to increase the number of ANC visits and the government should take necessary steps to improve access to iron supplements by targeting disadvantaged and vulnerable women who are younger, less educated, poor, and living in rural areas.

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Prevalence of malnutrition among women and adolescent girls: impact of urbanization in rural–urban interface of Bangalore

British Food Journal ◽

10.1108/bfj-03-2021-0281 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Veerabhadrappa Bellundagi ◽

K.B. Umesh ◽

B.C. Ashwini ◽

K.R. Hamsa

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Wealth Index ◽

Total Sample ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Double Burden ◽

Content Type ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression Analysis

PurposeIndia is facing a double burden of malnutrition, i.e. undernutrition and obesity. Women and adolescent health and nutrition are very relevant issues which have not received much attention it deserves in India, especially in the context of a girl child. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess malnutrition among women and adolescent girls as well as the associated factors.Design/methodology/approachAn attempt was made to assess malnutrition among women and adolescent girls and associated factors. The required data was collected from the north (616) and south transects (659) sample households of Bangalore constituting a total sample size of 1,275. The data was analyzed by adopting multiple linear regression and multinomial logistic regression analysis using STATA software.FindingsThe effects of this study simply confirmed that, urbanization had an instantaneous effect on dietary repute of women and adolescent girls, while transferring throughout the gradient from rural to urban with the growing significance of weight problems and obese. In adolescent girls, about 31% were underweight followed by normal weight and overweight across rural–urban interface of Bangalore. The factors such as education, consumption of meat and animal products, a dummy for urban, diabetes and blood pressure were significantly and positively influencing the nutritional status (Body Mass Index) of women across rural–urban interface. While consumption of vegetables, wealth index and per capita income had a positive and significant influence on the nutritional status of adolescent girls.Originality/valueWith limited studies and data available in Karnataka, especially in Bengaluru, one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Against this backdrop, the study was conducted to assess the prevalence of malnutrition among women and adolescents and its association with various socio-economic variables.

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Factors Associated with Nutritional Status of the Under Five Children

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3126/ajms.v1i1.2927 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 6-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Amita Pradhan

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Body Mass ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Wealth Index ◽

Significant Variable ◽

Under Five ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Female Headed Households ◽

Size At Birth

Objective: To identify factors associated to the nutritional status of under five children.Method: The data used in this analysis are from Demographic and Health Survey 2006 conducted in Nepal. Total 5262 cases are included in the present study. A multinomial logistic regression model is used to study the relation between various factors and nutritional status.Results: Increasing body mass index of mothers and wealth index shows decreasing likelihood of malnutrition among children. Rural children show insignificant higher likelihood of different forms of underweight and wasting as compared to urban area. Frequency of listening radio does not show significant association in case of mild and moderate wasting and shown very high unusual odds ratio in case of severe wasting. Similarly, lower frequency of watching television also does not show significantly higher likeliness of different form of stunting, underweight and wasting. Female children are more likely to be stunted, underweight and wasted as compared to male. Female headed households are more likely to have moderately and mildly stunted children and mixed results are observed for underweight and wasting. The likelihood for all forms of malnutrition is higher among children with smaller than average size at birth as compared to average or bigger size at birth. Mixed results are observed regarding likelihood of different forms of malnutrition among children with mothers having different educational level.Conclusion: Body mass index of mothers is found significant variable while explaining children's nutritional status. Similarly, Size at birth is significantly associated with nutrition during the childhood.Keywords: Stunting; wasting; under weight; under five childrenDOI: 10.3126/ajms.v1i1.2927Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.1(1) 2010 p.6-8

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Factors That Matter for Financial Inclusion: Evidence from Sub-Sharan Africa - The Zimbabwe Case

Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies ◽

10.36941/ajis-2021-0152 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 48

Author(s):

David Mhlanga

Keyword(s):

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Multinomial Logit Model ◽

Financial Inclusion ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Farm Income ◽

Smallholder Farming ◽

Hand Off ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The Government

The study intended to investigate the factors that are important in influencing the financial inclusion of smallholder farming households in Sub-Saharan Africa with a specific focus on Zimbabwe. Motivated by the fact that there is an increase in the evidence of the importance of financial inclusion in fighting poverty and the fact that by merely having a bank account, financial inclusion cannot be guaranteed, the study went further to interrogate factors that influence smallholder farmers to have a transaction account, to borrow and to have insurance. Since the dependent variable of financial inclusion had more than two categories, with three unordered categories, transaction account, savings/credit account, and insurance, the multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the determinants of financial inclusion from these three categories of the dependent variable. The multinomial logit model results, with insurance as the reference category, indicated that the size of the household, transaction costs, gender and agricultural extension service were the factors influencing the demand for a household to open a transaction account. On the other hand, off-farm income and age of the household were the only two factors significantly influencing households to borrow. Therefore, it is imperative for, the government of Zimbabwe to come up with more policies that encourage farmers to participate in the formal financial market as financial inclusion can help to fight poverty and the general developments of societies. Received: 28 April 2021 / Accepted: 31 August 2021 / Published: 5 November 2021

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Hesitation and Refusal Factors in Individuals' Decision-Making Processes Regarding a Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.626852 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Arcadio A. Cerda ◽

Leidy Y. García

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Health Belief ◽

Hygiene Measures ◽

Logistic Regression Method ◽

Decision Making Processes ◽

The Government ◽

Using Data ◽

Belief Model ◽

Available Information

Introduction: Considering the global prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a vaccine is being developed to control the disease as a complementary solution to hygiene measures—and better, in social terms, than social distancing. Given that a vaccine will eventually be produced, information will be needed to support a potential campaign to promote vaccination.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the variables affecting the likelihood of refusal and indecision toward a vaccine against COVID-19 and to determine the acceptance of the vaccine for different scenarios of effectiveness and side effects.Materials and Methods: A multinomial logistic regression method based on the Health Belief Model was used to estimate the current methodology, using data obtained by an online anonymous survey of 370 respondents in Chile.Results: The results indicate that 49% of respondents were willing to be vaccinated, with 28% undecided or 77% of individuals who would potentially be willing to be inoculated. The main variables that explained the probability of rejection or indecision were associated with the severity of COVID-19, such as, the side effects and effectiveness of the vaccine; perceived benefits, including immunity, decreased fear of contagion, and the protection of oneself and the environment; action signals, such as, responses from ones' family and the government, available information, and specialists' recommendations; and susceptibility, including the contagion rate per 1,000 inhabitants and relatives with COVID-19, among others. Our analysis of hypothetical vaccine scenarios revealed that individuals preferred less risky vaccines in terms of fewer side effects, rather than effectiveness. Additionally, the variables that explained the indecision toward or rejection of a potential COVID-19 vaccine could be used in designing public health policies.Conclusions: We discovered that it is necessary to formulate specific, differentiated vaccination-promotion strategies for the anti-vaccine and undecided groups based on the factors that explain the probability of individuals refusing or expressing hesitation toward vaccination.

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Demographic and socio-economic factors affecting birth preparation and complication readiness (BPCR) practices in Nepal

Nepal Population Journal ◽

10.3126/npj.v18i17.26374 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (17) ◽

pp. 23-32

Author(s):

Sunil Kumar Acharya

Keyword(s):

Economic Status ◽

Economic Factors ◽

Data Set ◽

Complication Readiness ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Logistics Regression ◽

Analysis Technique ◽

The Government ◽

Status Of Women ◽

Socio Economic Factors

BPCR practices by women in Nepal are still low. Still a relatively high percentage of women do not make BPCR to its fullest extent. Researches in developing countries show that various demographic, social and economic factors influence the BPCR practices by pregnant women. This paper examines the likelihood of BPCR practices based on women’s demographic, social and economic status in Nepal. NDHS 2011 data set has been utilized by applying bivariate logistics regression analysis technique to examine the effects of these variables on BPCR practices in Nepal. The analysis result shows high variations and gaps in BPCR practice based on demographic, social and economic status of women. Against this finding the study recommends implementation of appropriate policy and program measures by the government and other agencies to address the existing variations and gaps in BPCR practices among subgroups of women in Nepal. Further research studies focusing on the existing barriers on BPCR practice need to be conducted in Nepal especially among the women who are disadvantaged and marginalized.

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Socioeconomic and Demographic Determinants of Body Mass Index in Sudan: A Predictive Model

The Open Public Health Journal ◽

10.2174/1874944502114010478 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 478-483

Author(s):

Ahmed Abdallah ◽

Mohammed Mohammed ◽

Dawit Ayele

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Wealth Index ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Children Under Five ◽

Under Five ◽

Body Mass Index Status ◽

Mother’S Education ◽

Mother's Education

Background: This paper aimed to determine the socioeconomic and demographic determinants related to Body Mass Index (BMI) for children under five years in Sudan. The objective of the study was to identify the factors of BMI for under-five children. Methods: This study used the Sudan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in the year 2014. The multinomial logistic regression model was adopted. Results: Results revealed that the prevalence of underweight infants under five years was 86.3% in females and 85.3% in males, while the proportion of the normal weight of infants under five years of age for males was slightly higher than females; there was a correlation amid geographic determinants, state, and BMI status. Also, there was a significant association between the mother’s education and body mass index status and the wealth index and body mass index status. The variables place of residence and sex did not show a statistically significant relationship with body mass index status for children under five years of age in Sudan. Conclusion: The risk factors significantly associated with body mass were the state, whether the child had ever been breastfed, sex, mother’s education, wealth index, and age in the month.

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