scholarly journals Wasting and Associated Factors among Children under 5 Years in Five South Asian Countries (2014–2018): Analysis of Demographic Health Surveys

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4578
Author(s):  
Nidhi Wali ◽  
Kingsley E. E. Agho ◽  
Andre M. N. Renzaho
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Common Factor ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Sampling Weights

Child wasting continues to be a major public health concern in South Asia, having a prevalence above the emergency threshold. This paper aimed to identify factors associated with wasting among children aged 0–23 months, 24–59 months, and 0–59 months in South Asia. A weighted sample of 564,518 children aged 0–59 months from the most recent demographic and health surveys (2014–2018) of five countries in South Asia was combined. Multiple logistic regression analyses that adjusted for clustering and sampling weights were used to examine associated factors. Wasting prevalence was higher for children aged 0–23 months (25%) as compared to 24–59 months (18%), with variations in prevalence across the South Asian countries. The most common factor associated with child wasting was maternal BMI [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for 0–23 months = 2.02; 95% CI: (1.52, 2.68); AOR for 24–59 months = 2.54; 95% CI: (1.83, 3.54); AOR for 0–59 months = 2.18; 95% CI: (1.72, 2.77)]. Other factors included maternal height and age, household wealth index, birth interval and order, children born at home, and access to antenatal visits. Study findings suggest need for nutrition specific and sensitive interventions focused on women, as well as adolescents and children under 2 years of age.

scholarly journals Trends in stunting and overweight in Peruvian pre-schoolers from 1991 to 2011: findings from the Demographic and Health Surveys

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 2407-2418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helga Bjørnøy Urke ◽  
Maurice B Mittelmark ◽  
Martín Valdivia
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Wealth Quintile ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Sampling Weights ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Growth Standards ◽  
Low Educated

AbstractObjectiveTo examine trends in stunting and overweight in Peruvian children, using 2006 WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study criteria.DesignTrend analyses using nationally representative cross-sectional surveys from Demographic and Health Surveys (1991–2011). We performed logistic regression analyses of stunting and overweight trends in sociodemographic groups (sex, age, urban–rural residence, region, maternal education and household wealth), adjusted for sampling design effects (strata, clusters and sampling weights).SettingPeru.SubjectsChildren aged 0–59 months surveyed in 1991–92 (n 7999), 1996 (n 14 877), 2000 (n 11 754), 2007–08 (n 8232) and 2011 (n 8186).ResultsChild stunting declined (F(1, 5149) = 174·8, P ≤ 0·00) and child overweight was stable in the period 1991–2011 (F(1, 5147) = 0·4, P ≤ 0·54). Over the study period, levels of stunting were highest in rural compared with urban areas, the Andean and Amazon regions compared with the Coast, among children of low-educated mothers and among children living in households in the poorest wealth quintile. The trend in overweight rose among males in coastal areas (F(1, 2250) = 4·779, P ≤ 0·029) and among males in the richest wealth quintile (F(1, 1730) = 5·458, P ≤ 0·020).ConclusionsThe 2011 levels of stunting and overweight were eight times and three and a half times higher, respectively, than the expected levels from the 2006 WHO growth standards. The trend over the study period in stunting declined in most sociodemographic subgroups. The trend in overweight was stable in most sociodemographic subgroups.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Stunting among Children under 5 Years in Five South Asian Countries (2014–2018): Analysis of Demographic Health Surveys

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3875
Author(s):  
Nidhi Wali ◽  
Kingsley E. Agho ◽  
Andre M.N. Renzaho
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Sampling Weights ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Child Undernutrition ◽  
The Common ◽  
Nutrition Sensitive ◽  
Children Under 5

South Asia continues to be the global hub for child undernutrition with 35% of children still stunted in 2017. This paper aimed to identify factors associated with stunting among children aged 0–23 months, 24–59 months, and 0–59 months in South Asia. A weighted sample of 564,518 children aged 0–59 months from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (2014–2018) was combined of five countries in South Asia. Multiple logistic regression analyses that adjusted for clustering and sampling weights were used to examine associated factors. The common factors associated with stunting in three age groups were mothers with no schooling ([adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for 0–23 months = 1.65; 95% CI: (1.29, 2.13)]; [AOR for 24–59 months = AOR = 1.46; 95% CI: (1.27, 1. 69)] and [AOR for 0–59 months = AOR = 1.59; 95% CI: (1.34, 1. 88)]) and maternal short stature (height < 150 cm) ([AOR for 0–23 months = 2.00; 95% CI: (1.51, 2.65)]; [AOR for 24–59 months = 3.63; 95% CI: (2.87, 4.60)] and [AOR for 0–59 months = 2.87; 95% CI: (2.37, 3.48)]). Study findings suggest the need for a balanced and integrated nutrition strategy that incorporates nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions with an increased focus on interventions for children aged 24–59 months.

scholarly journals Double burden of malnutrition in children aged 24-59 months by socioeconomic status in five South Asian countries: evidence from Demographic and Health Surveys

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fariha Binte Hossain ◽  
Md Shajedur Rahman Shawon ◽  
Md Shehab Uddin Al-Abid ◽  
Sultan Mahmood Sami ◽  
Gourab Adhikary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Socioeconomic Conditions ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Double Burden Of Malnutrition

ABSTRACTBackgroundDeveloping countries are now facing double burden of undernutrition and overnutrition among children and adults. We aimed to explore the double burden of malnutrition among children aged 24-59 months by household’s socioeconomic status in South Asian context.MethodsChildren with valid information on height and weight from the latest Demographic and Health Survey from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Maldives, and Nepal were included in this study. Underweight and overweight were defined according to definitions of World Health Organisation and International Obesity Task Force, respectively. We used multiple logistic regressions to estimate the association of socioeconomic status with childhood underweight and overweight.ResultsSouth Asian countries had significant burden of underweight, ranging from 19% in Maldives to 38% in India. Bangladesh, India, and Nepal had prevalence of overweight between 2% and 4%, whereas Pakistan and Maldives had prevalence of 7% and 9%, respectively. Households with higher wealth index and education were consistently associated with lower odds of underweight children. When compared to poorest households, richest households had higher odds of being overweight in Bangladesh (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.27-3.02) and India (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.41-1.66) while lower odds of being overweight in Pakistan (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.34). Households with higher education were more likely to have overweight children in Bangladesh and India.ConclusionsChildhood underweight is associated with lower socioeconomic conditions while there is a substantial burden of childhood overweight in higher socioeconomic groups. These disparities by socioeconomic conditions should be considered while developing national nutrition programs and strategies.KEY MESSAGESIn South Asia, there is a substantial burden of undernutrition among under-five children while a differential burden of overnutrition is also seen.Household wealth and educational attainment were inversely associated with childhood underweight.Children in households with higher levels of wealth and educational attainment were more likely to be overweight in Bangladesh and India, while evidence supporting such association was not clear for other South Asian countries.The urban-rural difference in the burden of childhood underweight and overweight can be explained by the distributions of households’ socioeconomic status.

scholarly journals Prevalence of unintended pregnancy and its associated factors: Evidence from six south Asian countries

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0245923
Author(s):  
Alamgir Sarder ◽  
Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam ◽  
Maniruzzaman ◽  
Ashis Talukder ◽  
Benojir Ahammed
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Unintended Pregnancy ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Unintended Pregnancies

Aim Unintended pregnancy is a significant public health concern in South Asian countries because of its negative association with the socioeconomic and health outcomes for both children and mothers. The present study aimed to explore the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and explore its determinants among women of reproductive age in six South Asian countries. Methods Nationwide latest demography and health survey data from six South Asian countries, including Bangladesh (2014), Pakistan (2017–2018), Nepal (2016), Afghanistan (2015), Maldives (2016–2017) and India (2015–2016) were pooled for the present study. Multivariate analysis was performed to explore the association between unintended pregnancy and its associated factors. Results Amongst the total women (n = 41,689), overall, 19.1% pregnancies were reported as unintended (ranging from 11.9% in India to 28.4% in Bangladesh). The logistic regression model showed that younger women (15–19 years) had 1.42 times higher chance of unintended pregnancies. The odds of unintended pregnancies was 1.24 times higher for poorest women and 1.19 times higher for poorer women. Further, urban women (aOR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.50–0.80), women having no children (aOR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.09–0.12), smaller (≤4) family (aOR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.67–0.78), those who intent to use contraceptive (aOR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.60–0.86), currently living with partner (aOR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.81–0.99), first cohabitation in teenage (≤19 years) (aOR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.78–0.92) were less likely to report unintended pregnancies. Conclusions This study has showed that women’s age, wealth index, place of residence, number of children, family size, the intention of contraceptive use, living with a partner, and first cohabitation age are essential determinants of unintended pregnancy. These factors should be considered when trying to reduce unintended pregnancy in six South Asian countries. However, there is a need to improve health education, counselling, skills-building, sex education, modern contraceptive use and its access in this region. Intervention programs regarding reproductive health and policies are warranted to reduce rates of unintended pregnancy in South Asian countries.

scholarly journals Trends and determinants of stunting among under-5s: evidence from the 1995, 2001, 2006 and 2011 Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 2915-2928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Ying Yang ◽  
Gabriella Kaddu ◽  
David Ngendahimana ◽  
Hope Barkoukis ◽  
Darcy Freedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Surveys ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Sampling Weights ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Childhood Stunting

AbstractObjectiveTo describe trends of childhood stunting among under-5s in Uganda and to assess the impact of maternal education, wealth and residence on stunting.DesignSerial and pooled cross-sectional analyses of data from Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys (UDHS) of 1995, 2001, 2006 and 2011. Prevalence of stunting and mean height-for-age Z-score were computed by maternal education, wealth index, region and other sociodemographic characteristics. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were fitted to survey-specific and pooled data to estimate independent associations between covariates and stunting or Z-score. Sampling weights were applied in all analyses.SettingUganda.SubjectsChildren aged <5 years.ResultsWeighted sample size was 14 747 children. Stunting prevalence decreased from 44·8% in 1995 to 33·2% in 2011. UDHS reported stunting as 38% in 1995, underestimating the decline because of transitioning from National Center for Health Statistics/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards to WHO standards. Nevertheless, one in three Ugandan children was still stunted by 2011. South Western, Mid Western, Kampala and East Central regions had highest odds of stunting. Being born in a poor or middle-income household, of a teen mother, without secondary education were associated with stunting. Other persistent stunting predictors included small birth size, male gender and age 2–3 years.ConclusionsSustained decrease in stunting suggests that child nutrition interventions have been successful; however, current prevalence does not meet Millennium Development Goals. Stunting remains a public health concern and must be addressed. Customizing established measures such as female education and wealth creation while targeting the most vulnerable groups may further reduce childhood stunting.

Age heaping among individuals in selected South Asian countries: evidence from Demographic and Health Surveys

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Manish Singh ◽  
Gyan Chandra Kashyap ◽  
Madhumita Bango
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Digit Preference ◽  
Innovative Methods ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Rural Place ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Age misreporting is a common phenomenon in Demographic and Health Surveys, and there are numerous reasons for this. The trend and pattern of disparity in age heaping vary between countries. The present study assesses age heaping in the selected South Asian countries of Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan using data from the most recent round of the Demographic and Health Survey. The respondent sample sizes were 203,703 for Afghanistan, 2,869,043 for India, 49,064 for Nepal, 81,618 for Bangladesh and 100,868 for Pakistan. Age heaping was assessed by respondent’s age, education level, sex and level of education. Whipple’s index was calculated to assess systematic heaping on certain ages as a result of digit preference. Bangladesh, Afghanistan and India showed stronger preference for ages ending with the digits ‘0’ and ‘5’ compared with Pakistan and Nepal among uneducated respondents. On the other hand, strong avoidance of ages ending in the digits ‘1’, ‘4’ and ‘9’ was observed in Bangladesh, Afghanistan and India. However, urban–rural place of residence was not found to be associated with digit preference in the study countries. Among males, age misreporting with the final digits ‘0’ and ‘5’ was highest in Bangladesh, followed by Afghanistan and India, and Nepal showed the least displacement. Strong digit preference and avoidance, and upper age displacement, were witnessed in the surveys conducted in Bangladesh, Afghanistan and India on the parameters of sex and education level. Innovative methods of data collection with the measurement and minimization of errors using statistical techniques should be used to ensure accuracy of age data.

scholarly journals Double burden of malnutrition in children aged 24 to 59 months by socioeconomic status in five South Asian countries: evidence from demographic and health surveys

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e032866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fariha Binte Hossain ◽  
Md Shajedur Rahman Shawon ◽  
Md Shehab Uddin Al-Abid ◽  
Sultan Mahmood ◽  
Gourab Adhikary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequalities ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Overweight Children ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Double Burden

ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the socioeconomic inequalities in the burden of underweight and overweight among children in South Asia. We also examined other factors that were associated with these outcomes independently of household’s socioeconomic status.DesignNationally-representative surveys.SettingsDemographic and Health Surveys from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Maldives and Nepal, which were conducted between 2009 and 2016.ParticipantsChildren aged 24 to 59 months with valid measurement for height and weight (n=146 996).Primary exposure and outcome measuresPrimary exposures were household’s wealth index and level of education. Underweight and overweight were defined according to the WHO and International Obesity Task Force definitions, respectively.ResultsUnderweight prevalence was 37% in Bangladesh, 38% in India, 19% in Maldives, 29% in Nepal and 28% in Pakistan. Bangladesh, India and Nepal had similar overweight prevalence (between 2% and 4%) whereas Pakistan (7%) and Maldives (9%) had higher prevalence. Households with higher wealth index or education had lower odds of having underweight children. Adjusted ORs of underweight for richest versus poorest households were 0.4 (95% CI: 0.3 to 0.5), 0.5 (95% CI: 0.5 to 0.6), 0.5 (95% CI: 0.2 to 1.4), 0.5 (95% CI: 0.3 to 0.8) and 0.7 (95% CI: 0.5 to 1.1) for Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan, respectively. Compared with poorest households, richest households were more likely to have overweight children in all countries except Pakistan, but such associations were not significant after adjustment for other factors. There were higher odds of having overweight children in households with higher education in Bangladesh (OR 2.1 (95% CI: 1.3 to 3.5)), India (OR 1.2 (95% CI: 1.2 to 1.3)) and Pakistan (OR 1.8 (95% CI: 1.1 to 2.9)) when compared with households with no education. Maternal nutritional status was consistently associated with children’s nutritional outcomes after adjustments for socioeconomic status.ConclusionsOur study provides evidence for socioeconomic inequalities for childhood underweight and overweight in South Asian countries, although the directions of associations for underweight and overweight might be different.

scholarly journals Agroforestry to Achieve Global Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Targets: Are South Asian Countries Sufficiently Prepared?

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 303
Author(s):  
Shalini Dhyani ◽  
Indu K Murthy ◽  
Rakesh Kadaverugu ◽  
Rajarshi Dasgupta ◽  
Manoj Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Adaptation And Mitigation

Traditional agroforestry systems across South Asia have historically supported millions of smallholding farmers. Since, 2007 agroforestry has received attention in global climate discussions for its carbon sink potential. Agroforestry plays a defining role in offsetting greenhouse gases, providing sustainable livelihoods, localizing Sustainable Development Goals and achieving biodiversity targets. The review explores evidence of agroforestry systems for human well-being along with its climate adaptation and mitigation potential for South Asia. In particular, we explore key enabling and constraining conditions for mainstreaming agroforestry systems to use them to fulfill global climate mitigation targets. Nationally determined contributions submitted by South Asian countries to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change acknowledge agroforestry systems. In 2016, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation’s Resolution on Agroforestry brought consensus on developing national agroforestry policies by all regional countries and became a strong enabling condition to ensure effectiveness of using agroforestry for climate targets. Lack of uniform methodologies for creation of databases to monitor tree and soil carbon stocks was found to be a key limitation for the purpose. Water scarcity, lack of interactive governance, rights of farmers and ownership issues along with insufficient financial support to rural farmers for agroforestry were other constraining conditions that should be appropriately addressed by the regional countries to develop their preparedness for achieving national climate ambitions. Our review indicates the need to shift from planning to the implementation phase following strong examples shared from India and Nepal, including carbon neutrality scenarios, incentives and sustainable local livelihood to enhance preparedness.

Suicide methods in South Asia over two decades (2001–2020)

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110157
Author(s):  
S M Yasir Arafat ◽  
Syeda Ayat-e-Zainab Ali ◽  
Vikas Menon ◽  
Fahad Hussain ◽  
Daniyal Shabbir Ansari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
English Language ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Pubmed Central ◽  
Suicide Methods ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Quantitative Studies

Background: Suicide is a global preventable public health problem. About a quarter of all suicides in the world occur in South Asia. As means restriction is an important suicide prevention strategy, gaining knowledge of the common suicide methods and their changing trends in each country and region is crucial. Aims: We aimed to assess the suicide methods in South Asian countries over the last two decades. Methods: A search was performed in PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Google Scholar with the search terms. Original articles of quantitative studies, published in the English language, from 2001 to 2020, with full-accessible text, that rank different methods of suicide in eight South Asian countries, were included. Results: A total of 68 studies were found eligible for review. The Maximum number of studies were found from India ( n = 38), followed by Bangladesh ( n = 12), Pakistan ( n = 9), Sri Lanka ( n = 6), and Nepal ( n = 3). Hanging ( n = 40, 55.8%) and poisoning ( n = 24, 35.3%) were the two most common suicide methods reported, in that order. Hanging followed by poisoning were the commonest suicide methods in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan while in Sri Lanka, poisoning was the preferred method to hanging. There is a decline in suicide by poisoning and an increase in suicide by hanging in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India. Although hanging is still the commonest method in Pakistan, the use of firearms is growing in recent years (2011–2020). Conclusions: There is a steady decline in the incidence of suicides by poisoning following pesticide regulations in South Asian countries. However, there is heterogeneity of study methods, probable under-reporting of suicide, and lack of robust suicide data.

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