The Effect of Socio-Economic & Demographic Determinants on Children's Solid Food-Intake in India: A Study Based on NFHS-4

As nutrition is very critical and its access helps in the improvement of health and creates overall development, it is very vital for the children at their initial stages. In these period of rapid growth, India is still witnessing a huge discrimination regarding the children's solid food intake.<div>This paper seeks to find out the extent of these supplemental food inequality among children aged 6 to 59 months of age using the National Family Health Survey, round 4 data.</div><div>The results are very much evident to show the inequality among female children, along with discontinued breastfeeding. </div>

The Effect of Socio-Economic & Demographic Determinants on Children's Solid Food-Intake in India: A Study Based on NFHS-4

As nutrition is very critical and its access helps in the improvement of health and creates overall development, it is very vital for the children at their initial stages. In these period of rapid growth, India is still witnessing a huge discrimination regarding the children's solid food intake.<div>This paper seeks to find out the extent of these supplemental food inequality among children aged 6 to 59 months of age using the National Family Health Survey, round 4 data.</div><div>The results are very much evident to show the inequality among female children, along with discontinued breastfeeding. </div>

Association of maternal dietary patterns with child birth weight and size in India: Evidence from National Family Health Survey, 2005 to 2016

Background: Maternal dietary diversity during pregnancy is a major determinant of birth weight and birth size of infant. During pregnancy, mother diet is highly dependent on their topographical, cultural, and sociodemographic circumstances. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the association between the maternal dietary intake with child birth weight and birth size along with the sociodemographic factors in India. Materials and Methods: The data for this study were drawn from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 2005 to 2006 and 2015 to 2016 held in India. Inferential statistical analysis Chi-square was built to test was used to examine the association between maternal dietary patterns, and logistic regression model was used to analyze the effect of mother’s dietary patterns on child birth weight and size by controlling the sociodemographic factors. Results: Mother’s daily intake of fish, meat, green leafy vegetables, and fruits was associated with higher birth weight or size and lower risk of intrauterine growth retardation. Women with ?2 dietary diversity categories had significantly higher proportion of low birth weight (LBW) and size of babies comparatively to those in the ?2 dietary diversity categories, there were lesser chance of LBW and small size of babies with women’s dietary diversity 3 (odds ranges from 1.09 to 1.44) or ?4 (odds ranges from 1.15 to 1.59). Furthermore, low birth order, mother’s underweight status, low maternal education, and wealth status significantly have positive association with the poor birth outcomes. Conclusion: The birth weight and size of newborns were found positively associated with the mother’s dietary intake. To meet the aim of maternal dietary diversity and to achieve the double bonus, the government should focus more on supplementation and food security programs during pregnancy that also include nutritional education as well as behavioral and social change interventions strategies.

AN ANALYSIS OF HEALTH PROFILE OF THANJAVUR DISTRICT AS ENVISAGED BY NATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY 2019-21

National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) fieldwork for India was conducted in two phases, during the years between 2019 and 2021 by 17 Field Agencies and gathered information from 636,699 households, 724,115 women, and 101,839 men. Information was gathered from 27,929 households, 25,650 women, and 3,372 men from Tamil Nadu and in Thanjavur from 826 households, 687 women, and 83 men. This research paper points out the health indicators in which Thanjavur District improved over the earlier NFHS and over the State as well as Country level averages in the NFHS-5. As per The NFHS -4 the sex ratio has raised marginally to 1053 and in the NFHS-5, sharply raised to 1112. The sex ratio of the country is also remarkably high crossing 1000 mark, first time in the Indian statistical history in the NFHS-5. NFHS-5 reveals positive note that the child sex ratio restoration back to 934. It reflects the changing mindset proliferating in the district towards the female. Amidst the negative mindset towards upbringing girl children in the state of Tamil Nadu, revealed by the reduced child sex ratio of 878 in NFHS -5 from 954 in NFHS-4 in Tamil Nadu a sharp positive increase in the child sex ratio in Thanjavur is fair enough to the fair sex. On the other hand, the reason for the reduction in the child sex ratio in the rest of the state of Tamil Nadu needs an immediate attention comparing the previous NFHS. It is also to be noted here that even the country level child sex ratio also is in increasing trend as per the present NFHS comparing its earlier survey. KEYWORDS: National Family Health survey, Government sponsored health insurance schemes, health insurance, Sex ratio, child sex ratio, AB-PMJAY.

Assessing geographical and economic inequalities in caesarean section rates between the districts of Bihar, India: a secondary analysis of the National Family Health Survey

BackgroundIn Bihar, one of the most populous and poorest states in India, caesarean sections have increased over the last decade. However, an aggregated caesarean section rate at the state level may conceal inequities at the district level.ObjectivesThe primary aim of this study was to analyse the inequalities in the geographical and socioeconomic distribution of caesarean sections between the districts of Bihar. The secondary aim was to compare the contribution of free-for-service government-funded public facilities and fee-for-service private facilities to the caesarean section rate.SettingBihar, with a population in the 2011 census of approximately 104 million people, has a low GDP per capita (US$610), compared with other Indian states. The state has the highest crude birth rate (26.1 per 1000 population) in India, with one baby born every two seconds. Bihar is divided into 38 administrative districts, 101 subdivisions and 534 blocks. Each district has a district (Sadar) hospital, and six districts also have one or more medical college hospitals.MethodsThis retrospective secondary data analysis was based on open-source national datasets from the 2015 and 2019 National Family Health Surveys, with respective sample sizes of 45 812 and 42 843 women aged 15–49 years.ParticipantsSecondary data analysis of pregnant women delivering in public and private institutions.ResultsThe caesarean section rate increased from 6.2% in 2015 to 9.7% in 2019 in Bihar. Districts with a lower proportion of poor population had higher caesarean section rates (R2=0.45) among all institutional births, with 10.3% in private and 2.9% in public facilities. Access to private caesarean sections decreased (R2=0.46) for districts with poorer populations.ConclusionMarked inequalities exist in access to caesarean sections. The public sector needs to be strengthened to improve access to obstetric services for those who need it most.

Occurrence of Diarrheal diseases among under-five children and associated socio-demographic and household environmental factors: An Investigation Based on National Family Health Survey-4 in Rural India

Background: Diarrheal disease is a major population health problem that is the leading reason for mortality and morbidity among children aged 0-59 months in rural India. Therefore, the rationale of this study was to identify the socio-demographic, environmental predictors associated with diarrhea among under-five children in rural India. Methods: A total of 188,521 living children (0-59 months) were utilized from the National Family Health Survey-4, 2015–2016. Bivariate and binary logistic regression analysis was carried out from the available NFHS-4 data for selected socio-demographic and environmental predictors to identify the relationship of occurrence of diarrhea using STATA 13.1. Results: In rural India, children aged 12-23 months [AOR: 0.897, 95% CI (0.876, 0.983)], 24-35 months [AOR: 0.579, 95% CI (0.543, 0.617)], 36-47 months [AOR: 0.394, 95% CI (0.367, 0.424)], 48-59 months [AOR: 0.313, 95% CI (0.289, 0.339)] were significantly less likely to suffer diarrheal disease. Female children [AOR: 0.897, 95% CI (0.859, 0.937)], children belonged to Scheduled Tribe [AOR: 0.811, 95% CI (0.755, 0.872)], Other Backward Classes [AOR: 0.902, 95% CI (0.851, 0.956)] were less likelihood to experience diarrhea significantly. Diarrhea disease was also significantly more likely to occur among Muslim children [AOR: 1.217, 95% CI (1.128, 1.313)], other religion [AOR: 1.163, 95% CI (1.062, 1.272)] children in central region [AOR: 1.510, 95% CI (1.410, 1.617)], east region [AOR: 1.077, 95% CI (1.002, 1.157)], and west region [AOR: 1.201, 95% CI (1.095, 1.317)], children with low birth weight [AOR: 1.135, 95% CI (1.074, 1.149)], undernourished [AOR: 1.097, 95% CI (1.038, 1.197)], improper stool disposal [AOR: 1.061, 95% CI (1.002, 1.124)], and rudimentary roof materials [AOR: 1.113, 95% CI (1.048, 1.182)]. Conclusions: In the rural part of India, diarrhea has occurred frequently now. The different socio-demographic and environmental factors are influencing this disease. For reducing the vulnerability of diarrhea the socio-demographic and environmental factors should be improved or monitoring by effective community education. The government and different NGOs should focus on improved drinking water sources, sanitation facility which may reduce the vulnerability of the disease.

Family Planning Practices in Kerala: A Critical Appraisal Using National Family Health Survey Data

Background Adequate attention to family planning can not only reduce poverty and hunger in countries with high birth rates but also avert maternal and childhood deaths. Kerala, the southernmost state of India, has achieved its replacement level fertility rate far ahead of India. The study aims to analyze the contraceptive prevalence of the state over the years and also at the district level and the choices of different family planning methods in the state. Methodology This study is a secondary data analysis using the available information from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) available from “The demographic health survey program’s data distribution system.” Results The contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) of Kerala showed an initial increase followed by a sudden fall by more than 10% in 10 years period during the 2015 survey, thereafter stabilized in 2019. Among the modern contraceptive methods, the most commonly used method consistently over the years was female sterilization (46.6%) and the least common method was male sterilization (0.1%). The unmet needs in family planning in the state varied across the districts from as high as 19.3% to 5.6% though it was reduced by 1.2 percentage units as compared to NFHS-4 data. Conclusion The findings contradict the assumption that the use of modern spacing techniques will increase with female literacy and a higher standard of living. Female-oriented nature of family planning practices in the state should be revisited and strategies should be brought to bring equal participation of males and females. Districts with reduced CPR should be prioritized and region-specific policy recommendations are necessary to address specific needs.

Anemia Prevalence in India Over Two Decades: Evidence from National Family Health Survey (NFHS)

Anemia is the most prevalent deficiency disease and one among the major nutrition related goals globally. Children and women of reproductive age are the most vulnerable groups for anemia everywhere. While there are various nutritional and non-nutritional factors causing anemia, Iron deficiency is the most prominent of them. In India, more than half population of preschool age children and reproductive age women is suffering from anemia. Indian government had started anemia prophylaxis efforts a half century ago and still continuing to battle with this ever prevalent disease to bring down its occurrence. National Family Health Survey is the large-scale survey conducted in India to provide high-quality data on health and family welfare and related emerging issues. The data provided not only helps in formulation, revision and monitoring of the policies and programs but in situating the development of India globally. Studying the time trend for anemia prevalence and other related parameters reported in NFHS surveys helps how well India has performed until now and how far is from its goal to become Anemia free country. Keywords: Anemia, iron deficiency, health survey, child health, maternal health.

How Lonely are Older Americans Act National Family Caregiver Support Program Participants?

Older Americans Act (OAA) family caregiver services connect family members caring for older adults with a diversity of community-based resources and supports. Social isolation and loneliness are known public health threats, and family caregivers may face greater vulnerability to loneliness given the often-intensive time demands of care provision. Policy stakeholders and aging services providers are increasingly focused on combating loneliness among older adults and family caregivers. To inform efforts to reduce loneliness, we conducted descriptive analyses to identify characteristics of the participants in the OAA National Family Caregiver Support Program associated with higher rates of loneliness, measured with the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Using data from the 2019 National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants, we examined how caregiver loneliness varied based on caregiver age, gender, income, race and ethnicity, living alone, rurality, and self-reported health, as well as care recipients’ health status and difficulties with ADLs. Among our sample of 1,824 family caregivers, rates of loneliness were high overall (70%). Loneliness was significantly higher for caregivers with poor health (71.4%), incomes less than $20,000 (75.3%), living alone (75.4%), aged 65 or older (73.2%), Hispanic caregivers (82.2%) and caregivers for care recipients with 3 or more ADLs (76.0%). Findings underscore the importance of increasing social engagement opportunities for family caregivers. Policies and programs focused on reducing caregiver loneliness should be accessible to all family caregivers but should prioritize outreach and engagement for groups at higher risk of loneliness.