Factors Affecting Anemia among Women of Reproductive Age in Mexico: A Mixed-Methods Country Case Study.

BACKGROUND: In Mexico, anemia prevalence among women of reproductive age (WRA) decreased from 16.4% in 2006 to 11.6% in 2012, only to increase to 18.3% in 2016. The factors associated with this fluctuation are uncertain. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic in-depth assessment of the quantitative and qualitative determinants of anemia among WRA in Mexico between 2006 and 2018. METHODS: Using multivariate stepwise linear regression, we analyzed Mexico's Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (ENSANUT) surveys from 2006, 2012, and 2018 to identify determinants of WRA anemia. We also conducted a review of anemia-relevant programs and policies, including financing documents, and conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders in Mexico. RESULTS: Among non-pregnant women (NPW) 15-49 years, mean hemoglobin (Hb) increased from 13.8 g/dL in 2006 to 14.0 g/dL in 2012, decreasing to 13.2 g/dL in 2018 (p<0.001). Inequities by geographical region and household wealth persisted throughout this period, with household wealth, urban residence and gravidity emerging as significant predictors of Hb among NPW. Qualitative analyses generally supported these findings. The most discussed program was Progresa-Oportunidades-Prospera (POP), where most resources for health were invested and most participants acknowledged that its cancellation in 2019 would lead to worsening in health and nutrition among the poor. Financing analyses showed a drop of funding for nutrition-related programs between 2014 and 2018. Cultural norms around gender roles were still prevalent, along with increasing rates of teenage pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia prevention efforts need to refocus on poverty alleviation, continuity of adequate coverage and financing of nutrition programs, especially with safety nets, and increase in uptake of family planning, especially among adolescent girls.

Understanding the determinants of anemia reduction among women of reproductive age: Exemplar country case studies' methodology.

BACKGROUND: Since 2000, only a few countries have substantially reduced the burden of anemia among women 15-49 y of age. The Exemplars in Anemia Reduction among Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) studied the determinants of success among these countries. OBJECTIVES: To describe the methodology used to determine the factors associated with anemia reduction in high-performing countries, with the aim to guide policy and programmatic decisions in other countries with similar sociodemographic and health indices. METHODS: This article describes the process used to identify countries with exemplary reduction in WRA anemia burden, compared with their peers. We describe the Exemplars in Global Health methodology, the mixed-methods approach used to identify and quantify the macro- and microlevel characteristics associated with anemia burden decline among WRA. Quantitative analyses include descriptive and equity analyses, multivariate linear regression, and Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis. Qualitative analyses include in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with national, subnational, and community stakeholders, as well as review of programs and policies with the potential to impact women's health and/or nutrition, enacted in the countries over the last 20 y. A technical advisory group oversaw all research activities. RESULTS: We identified 5 countries, namely, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Uganda, and Senegal, as anemia exemplars, after considering the magnitude of anemia decline between 2000 and 2018, availability of ≥2 nationally representative anemia surveys, geographical diversity to account for the complex etiology of anemia, regional representation, and logistics of in-country work. CONCLUSIONS: Exemplars in Anemia Reduction among WRA seeks to create awareness of how little anemia prevalence has changed globally and aims to inform and spur global efforts for improving women's health and nutrition.

Drivers of Anemia Reduction among Women of Reproductive Age in the Philippines: A Country Case Study.

BACKGROUND: Anemia prevalence among women of reproductive age (WRA) in the Philippines was 25% in 2000, decreasing to 13% in 2018. To date, an in-depth assessment of the determinants associated with this decline has not been conducted. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic in-depth assessment of the quantitative and qualitative determinants of anemia among WRA in the Philippines between 2008 and 2018. METHODS: Employing standard Exemplars methodology, we conducted quantitative analyses using the Philippines' National Nutrition Survey, the Expanded National Nutrition Survey, and the Philippines National Demographic and Health Surveys. Qualitative analyses included a comprehnsive literature review, program/policy analysis, and interviews with stakeholders to understand country-level enablers and barriers to WRA anemia decline in the Philippines. A final Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis (OBDA) evaluated the relative contribution of direct and indirect factors. RESULTS: Among non-pregnant women (NPW), mean hemoglobin (Hb) increased from 12.7 g/dL in 2008 to 13.1 g/dL in 2018 (p<0.01), corresponding to an 11%-point decline in anemia prevalence (23% to 12%). Inequities by geographical region, household wealth, and women's educational attainment narrowed considerably during this time. Important direct and indirect nutrition programs were introduced during our study period, including universal healthcare and food fortification. Country experts interviewed credited programs focused on alleviating micronutrient deficiencies and poverty, and improvements in women's health and well-being, for the country's extraordinary success. OBDA explained ∼50% of the observed change in mean Hb among NPW, with family planning (35%), household socio-demographics (29%), and improvement in women's nutrition (23%) emerging as critical drivers of anemia decline, corroborating our qualitative and policy analyses. CONCLUSIONS: To protect these gains, WRA anemia prevention efforts in the Philippines should continue to focus on universal healthcare access, women's empowerment, and poverty alleviation.

Drivers of Anemia Reduction among Women of Reproductive Age in Senegal: A Country Case Study.

BACKGROUND: In Senegal, anemia prevalence among women of reproductive age (WRA) decreased from 59% in 2005 to 54% in 2017. However, determinants of reduction in disease burden under challenging public health conditions have not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic in-depth assessment of the quantitative and qualitative determinants of anemia reduction among WRA in Senegal between 2005 and 2017. METHODS: Standard Exemplars in Global Health methodology was used for quantitative analyses using Senegal's Demographic and Health Surveys. Qualitative analyses included a systematic literature review, program/policy analysis, and interviews with key stakeholders. A final Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis (OBDA) evaluated the relative contribution of direct and indirect factors. RESULTS: Among non-pregnant women (NPW), mean hemoglobin (Hb) increased from 11.4 g/dL in 2005 to 11.7 g/dL in 2017 (p<0.0001), corresponding to a 5%-point decline in anemia prevalence (58% to 53%). However, inequities by geographical region, household wealth, women's educational attainment, urban compared to rural residence, and antenatal care (ANC) during last pregnancy continue to persist. During this time period, several indirect nutrition programs were implemented, with stakeholders acknowledging the importance of these programs, but agreeing there needs to be more consistency, evaluation, and oversight for them to be effective. Our OBDA explained 59% of the observed change in mean Hb, with family planning (25%), malaria prevention programs (17%), use of iron and folic acid (IFA) during last pregnancy (17%), and improvement in women's empowerment (12%) emerging as drivers of anemia decline, corroborating our qualitative and policy analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a reduction in anemia prevalence, anemia remains a severe public health problem in Senegal. To protect the gains achieved to date, as well as accelerate reduction in WRA anemia burden, focused efforts to reduce gender and social disparities, and improve coverage of health services, such as family planning, IFA, and antimalarial programs, are needed.

Pivoting school health and nutrition programmes during COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review.

Background: Preventive and promotive interventions delivered by schools can support a healthy lifestyle, positive development, and well-being in children and adolescents. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented unique challenges to school health and nutrition programmes due to closures and mobility restrictions. Methods: We conducted a scoping review to examine how school health and nutrition programmes pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide summative guidance to stakeholders in strategic immediate and long-term response efforts. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and grey literature sources for primary (observational, intervention, and programme evaluations) and secondary (reviews, best practices, and recommendations) studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries from January 2020 to June 2023. Programmes that originated in schools, which included children and adolescents (5-19.9 years) were eligible. Results: We included 23 studies in this review. They varied in their adaptation strategy and key programmatic focus, including access to school meals (n = 8), health services, such as immunisations, eye health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene-related activities (n = 4), physical activity curriculum and exercise training (n = 3), mental health counselling and curriculum (n = 3), or were multi-component in nature (n = 5). While school meals, physical activity, and mental health programmes were adapted by out-of-school administration (either in the community, households, or virtually), all health services were suspended indefinitely. Importantly, there was an overwhelming lack of quantitative data regarding modified programme coverage, utilisation, and the impact on children and adolescent health and nutrition. Conclusions: We found limited evidence of successful adaptation of school health and nutrition programme implementation during the pandemic, especially from Asia and Africa. While the adoption of the World Health Organization health-promoting school global standards and indicators is necessary at the national and school level, future research must prioritise the development of a school-based comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to track key indicators related to both health and nutrition of school-aged children and adolescents.

Dietary Strategies for Complementary Feeding between 6 and 24 Months of Age: The Evidence.

Suboptimal complementary feeding practices remain highly prevent. This review aims to comprehensively synthesize new emerging evidence on a set of topics related to the selection and consumption of complementary foods. We synthesized evidence related to five key topics focused on nutritional interventions that target the complementary feeding period, based on four systematic reviews that include updated evidence to February 2022. While there have been many studies examining interventions during the complementary feeding period, there is an overall lack of relevant information through which to draw conclusions on the ideal feeding schedule by food type. Similarly, few studies have examined the effects of animal milk versus infant formula for non-breastfed infants (6-11 months), though those that did found a greater risk of anemia among infants who were provided cow's milk. This review highlights a number of interventions that are successful at improving micronutrient status and anthropometry during the complementary feeding period, including fortified blended foods, locally and commercially produced supplementary foods, and small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements. Complementary feeding education for caregivers can also be used to improve nutrition outcomes among infants in both food secure and insecure populations.

Assessing the hidden burden and costs of COVID-19 pandemic in South Asia: Implications for health and well-being of women, children and adolescents.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected vulnerable populations. With its intensity expected to be cyclical over the foreseeable future, and much of the impact estimates still modeled, it is imperative that we accurately assess the impact to date, to help with the process of targeted rebuilding of services. We collected data from administrative health information systems in six South Asian countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), to determine essential health services coverage disruptions between January-December 2020, and January-June 2021, compared to the same calendar months in 2019, and estimated the impact of this disruption on maternal and child mortality using the Lives Saved Tool. We also modelled impact of prolonged school closures on continued enrollment, as well as potential sequelae for the cohort of girls who have likely dropped out. Coverage of key maternal and child health interventions, including antenatal care and immunizations, decreased by up to 60%, with the largest disruptions observed between April and June 2020. This was followed by a period of recovery from July 2020 to March 2021, but a reversal of most of these gains in April/May 2021, likely due to the delta variant-fueled surge in South Asia at the same time. We estimated that disruption of essential health services between January 2020 and June 2021 potentially resulted in an additional 19,000 maternal and 317,000 child deaths, an increase of 19% and 13% respectively, compared to 2019. Extended school closures likely resulted in 9 million adolescents dropping out permanently, with 40% likely being from poorest households, resulting in decreased lifetime earnings. A projected increase in early marriages for girls who dropped out could result in an additional 500,000 adolescent pregnancies, 153,000 low birthweight births, and 27,000 additional children becoming stunted by age two years. To date, the increase in maternal and child mortality due to health services disruption has likely exceeded the overall number of COVID-19 deaths in South Asia. The indirect effects of the pandemic were disproportionately borne by the most vulnerable populations, and effects are likely to be long-lasting, permanent and in some cases inter-generational, unless policies aimed at alleviating these impacts are instituted at scale and targeted to reach the poorest of the poor. There are also implications for future pandemic preparedness.

Accelerating action to reduce anemia: Review of causes and risk factors and related data needs.

Anemia is a major public health concern. Young children, menstruating adolescent girls and women, and pregnant women are among the most vulnerable. Anemia is the consequence of a wide range of causes, including biological, socioeconomic, and ecological risk factors. Primary causes include: iron deficiency; inherited red blood cell disorders; infections, such as soil-transmitted helminthiasis, schistosomiasis, and malaria; gynecological and obstetric conditions; and other chronic diseases that lead to blood loss, decreased erythropoiesis, or destruction of erythrocytes. The most vulnerable population groups in low- and middle-income countries are often at the greatest risk to suffer from several of these causes simultaneously as low socioeconomic status is linked with an increased risk of anemia through multiple pathways. Targeted and effective action is needed to prevent anemia. Understanding the causes and risk factors of anemia for different population subgroups within a country guides the design and implementation of effective strategies to prevent and treat anemia. A coordinated approach across various expert groups and programs could make the best use of existing data or could help to determine when newer and more relevant data may need to be collected, especially in countries with a high anemia burden and limited information on the etiology of anemia.

Critical assessment of the current indicator for antenatal iron-containing supplementation coverage: Insights from a mixed-methods study.

Daily consumption of iron-containing supplements is recommended for all pregnant women but there is no approved global standard indicator for assessing supplementation coverage. Furthermore, the validity of commonly used coverage indicators for iron-containing supplement consumption is questionable. The WHO-UNICEF Technical Expert Advisory Group on Nutrition Monitoring, and partners, have systematically worked to identify a feasible and valid indicator of iron-containing supplement coverage for reporting by countries. In 2019, we conducted key informant interviews with respondents in eight countries, fielded an online survey (in three languages using SurveyMonkey) to which 142 nutrition professionals from 52 countries responded, and used Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data from four countries to assess determinants of the quality of iron-containing supplement coverage data. Less than half (45%) of online survey respondents were satisfied with the current methods for collecting iron-containing supplement coverage data in their context. Recommended changes by study respondents include recall period <5 years, adding questions about counselling, including other beneficiary groups, and assessing supply chain functionality. The DHS analysis suggested an association between time since pregnancy and data quality. Data heaping on multiples of 30 was observed in 40%-75% of data. There is a clear demand for a revised indicator and measurement guidance for coverage of iron-containing supplementation during pregnancy. Future research should continue the development and validation of a global indicator, to more precisely validate the quality of recall data, including the distinction between distribution and consumption using various question formulations.

Anemia among Women of Reproductive Age: An Overview of Global Burden, Trends, Determinants, and Drivers of Progress in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Relatively little progress has been made in reducing anemia prevalence among women of reproductive age (WRA anemia). Interventions, policies and programs aimed at reducing WRA anemia have the potential to improve overall not only women's, but also children's health and nutrition outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first review that aimed to compile evidence on the determinants and drivers of WRA anemia reduction in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We synthesized the available evidence on the determinants and drivers, including government policies and programs, of WRA anemia and their mitigation strategies across a wide range of countries and geographies, thus contributing to the complex and multifactorial etiology of anemia. We carried out a systematic review of published peer-reviewed and grey literature assessing national or subnational decline in WRA anemia prevalence and the associated drivers in LMICs. Among the 21 studies meeting our inclusion criteria, proximal determinants of healthcare utilization, especially during pregnancy and with the use of contraceptives, were strong drivers of WRA anemia reduction. Changes in other maternal characteristics, such as an increase in age at first pregnancy, BMI, birth spacing, and reduction in parity, were associated with modest improvements in anemia prevalence. Access to fortified foods, especially iron-fortified flour, was also a predictor of a decrease in WRA anemia. Of the intermediate determinants, an increase in household wealth, educational attainment and access to improved sanitation contributed significantly to WRA anemia reduction. Although several common determinants emerged at the proximal and intermediate levels, the set of anemia determinants and the strength of the association between each driver and WRA anemia reduction were unique in each setting included in this review. Further research is needed to provide targeted recommendations for each country and region where WRA anemia prevalence remains high.

Maternal knowledge and attitudes towards complementary feeding in relation to timing of its initiation in rural Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Initiation of complementary feeding is often delayed in Bangladesh and likely contributes to the high burden of infant undernutrition in the country. METHODS: Pregnant women at 28­32 weeks' gestation were recruited for a cohort-based evaluation of a community-based nutrition education program. To identify predictors of the timing of introduction of solid/semi-solid/soft foods (complementary feeding initiation), we prospectively interviewed 2078women (1042 from intervention area, 1036 from control area) at time of recruitment and at child age 3 and 9 mo. Maternal knowledge and attitudes towards complementary feeding, nutritional importance and cost of complementary foods were assessed at child age 3 months. Two scales were created from the sum of correct responses. Tertiles were created for analysis (Knowledge: 0­7, 8­9, 10­15; Attitudes: 18­25, 26, 27­34). Infant age at complementary feeding initiation was characterized as early (≤4 months), timely (5­6 months) or late (≥7 months), based on maternal recall at child age 9 mo. We used stratified polytomous logistic regression, adjusted for socioeconomic status, infant gender, maternal age, literacy and parity to identify predictors of early or late vs. timely complementary feeding initiation. RESULTS: Complementary feeding initiation was early for 7%, timely for 49%, and late for 44% of infants. Only 19% of mothers knew the WHO recommended age for complementary feeding initiation. The knowledge score was not associated with timely complementary feeding initiation. Mothers with the most favorable attitudes (highest attitudes score tertile) were more likely to initiate late complementary feeding compared to those with the lowest attitudes score tertile (adjusted OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1­4.4). CONCLUSION: Late introduction of complementary foods is still widely prevalent in Bangladesh. Improved maternal knowledge or favorable attitudes towards complementary feeding were not associated with timely introduction of complementary foods, indicating other factors likely determine timing of complementary feeding initiation. This presents an avenue for future research.

A Nutrition Education Program in Rural Bangladesh Was Associated with Improved Feeding Practices but Not with Child Growth.

Background: Childhood undernutrition is a major public health problem in Bangladesh. Evaluating child nutrition programs is a priority.Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate a community-based nutrition education program (implemented from 2011 to 2013) aimed at improving infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and growth in rural Bangladesh.Methods: A cohort-based evaluation was conducted that included 2400 women (1200 from Karimganj, the intervention subdistrict, and 1200 from Katiadi, the control subdistrict) enrolled at 28-31 wk gestation in 3 waves between January and October 2011. Follow-up occurred at 3, 9, 16, and 24 mo of offspring age. The main outcomes were exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), measured at 3 mo, timing of complementary feeding (CF) initiation and minimum acceptable diet (MAD), measured at 9 mo, and child growth [assessed via length-for-age z score (LAZ) and weight-for-length z score], measured at all follow-ups. The main exposures were subdistrict of residence and wave of enrollment. For IYCF practices as outcome, logistic regressions were used. Generalized estimating equations were used for child growth as outcome.Results: EBF rates at 3 mo remained unchanged between waves 1 and 3 in Karimganj (55.6% compared with 57.3%), but the proportion of infants receiving timely CF initiation and MAD at 9 mo increased significantly (CF: 27.1-54.7%; MAD: 8.4-35.3%). Mean LAZ at 24 mo remained unchanged between waves 1 and 3 in Karimganj (-2.18 compared with -1.98).Conclusions: The program was successful in improving the quality of infant diet at 9 mo and timely CF initiation, but not EBF at 3 mo or LAZ. These findings support the case for implementing simple messages in all programs aimed at improving infant diet, especially in settings in which supplementing overall household diet may not be feasible.

Minimum Acceptable Diet at 9 Months but Not Exclusive Breastfeeding at 3 Months or Timely Complementary Feeding Initiation Is Predictive of Infant Growth in Rural Bangladesh.

The association between suboptimal infant feeding practices and growth faltering is well-established. However, most of this evidence comes from cross-sectional studies. To prospectively assess the association between suboptimal infant feeding practices and growth faltering, we interviewed pregnant women at 28-32 weeks' gestation and followed-up their offspring at postnatal months 3, 9, 16 and 24 months in rural Bangladesh. Using maternal recall over the past 24 hours, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) status at 3 months, age at complementary feeding (CF) initiation, and receipt of minimum acceptable diet (MAD; as defined by WHO) at 9 months were assessed. Infant length and weight measurements were used to produce length-for-age (LAZ) and weight-for-length (WLZ) z-scores at each follow-up. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate associations of LAZ and WLZ with infant feeding practices. All models were adjusted for baseline SES, infant sex, maternal height, age, literacy and parity. Follow-up was completed by 2189, 2074, 1969 and 1885 mother-child dyads at 3, 9, 16 and 24 months, respectively. Stunting prevalence increased from 28% to 57% between infant age 3 and 24 months. EBF at 3 months and age at CF initiation were not associated with linear infant growth, but receipt of MAD at 9 months was. By age 24 months, infants receiving MAD had attained a higher LAZ compared to infants who did not receive MAD (adjusted ß = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.13-0.37). Although prevalence of stunting was already high at age 3 months, ensuring infants receive a diverse, high quality diet from 6 months onwards may reduce rates of stunting in the second year of life.

Household food security and infant feeding practices in rural Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between household food security and infant complementary feeding practices in rural Bangladesh. DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study using structured home interviews during pregnancy and 3 and 9 months after delivery. We used two indicators of household food security at 3-months' follow-up: maternal Food Composition Score (FCS), calculated via the World Food Programme method, and an HHFS index created from an eleven-item food security questionnaire. Infant feeding practices were characterized using WHO definitions. SETTING: Two rural sub-districts of Kishoreganj, Bangladesh. SUBJECTS: Mother-child dyads (n 2073) who completed the 9-months' follow-up. RESULTS: Complementary feeding was initiated at age ≤4 months for 7 %, at 5-6 months for 49 % and at ≥7 months for 44 % of infants. Based on 24 h dietary recall, 98 % of infants were still breast-feeding at age 9 months, and 16 % received ≥4 food groups and ≥4 meals (minimally acceptable diet) in addition to breast milk. Mothers' diet was more diverse than infants'. The odds of receiving a minimally acceptable diet for infants living in most food-secure households were three times those for infants living in least food-secure households (adjusted OR=3·0; 95 % CI 2·1, 4·3). Socio-economic status, maternal age, literacy, parity and infant sex were not associated with infant diet. CONCLUSIONS: HHFS and maternal FCS were significant predictors of subsequent infant feeding practices. Nevertheless, even the more food-secure households had poor infant diet. Interventions aimed at improving infant nutritional status need to focus on both complementary food provision and education.

Maternal prenatal attitudes and postnatal breast-feeding behaviours in rural Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationships between maternal breast-feeding intention, attitudes, self-efficacy and knowledge at 7 months' gestation with exclusive or full breast-feeding at 3 months postpartum. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with structured home interviews during pregnancy and 3 months after delivery. SETTING: Two rural sub-districts of Kishoreganj district, Bangladesh. SUBJECTS: Mother-infant dyads. RESULTS: Over 80 % of 2178 pregnant women intended to exclusively breast-feed (EBF). Maternal positive attitudes, self-efficacy and knowledge about breast-feeding were positively associated with EBF intention (all P<0.05). All mothers except one reported initiating breast-feeding and 99.6 % of children were still breast-fed at 3 months. According to 24 h dietary recalls, we categorized 985 (45.2 %) infants as EBF at 3 months (47.8 % among mothers with EBF intention; 31.7 % among mothers with no EBF intention; P<0.05) and 551 (25.3 %) infants as predominantly breast-fed at 3 months (24.2 % among mothers with EBF intention; 30.8 % among mothers with no EBF intention; P<0.05). Prenatal EBF intention was associated with EBF (OR=1.48, 95 % CI 1.14, 1.91) and with full breast-feeding (OR=1.34, 95 % CI 1.04, 1.72) at age 3 months. EBF at age 3 months was not associated with maternal breast-feeding knowledge, attitudes or self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Despite widespread expressed maternal EBF intention and universal breast-feeding initiation, prevalence of both exclusive and full breast-feeding at 3 months remains lower than WHO recommendations. EBF intention predicts breast-feeding behaviours, suggesting the importance of prenatal counselling to improve infant feeding behaviours.

Maternal knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy in relation to intention to exclusively breastfeed among pregnant women in rural Bangladesh.

Achieving optimal exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) remains a challenge. Because intention is a precursor of practice, we examined factors associated with EBF intention during pregnancy in two rural sub-districts of Kishoreganj district, Bangladesh. We studied 2,400 pregnant women in their third trimester (26-32 weeks gestation). We assessed knowledge (6 items, scale range 0-6), attitudes (15 items, scale range 15-75) and self-efficacy (6 items, scale range 6-30) by interview using a standardized questionnaire. 83.9 % of pregnant women reported EBF intention. Mean breastfeeding knowledge was 3.5 (SD 1.3), mean attitude was 55.8 (SD 8.1) and mean self-efficacy was 25.6 (SD 3.4). Knowledge was associated with EBF intention (OR 2.47, 95 % CI 1.74, 3.51), attitudes toward EBF (OR 1.68, 95 % CI 1.31, 2.16) and self-efficacy (OR 1.72, 95 % CI 1.23, 2.40) were independently associated with EBF intention in the model in which all three constructs were entered simultaneously. Receipt of breastfeeding counseling during pregnancy and being literate were each associated with EBF knowledge and EBF intention (all p < 0.05). Increasing maternal knowledge, positive attitudes, and self-efficacy regarding EBF were associated with prenatal EBF intention. These results reinforce the importance of appropriate counseling to increase EBF prevalence .

Ethnic disparities in routine immunization coverage: a reason for persistent poliovirus circulation in Karachi, Pakistan?

Karachi is the only mega city in the world with persistent poliovirus transmission. We determined routine childhood immunization rates in Karachi and identified predictors of vaccine completion. A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Karachi between August and September 2008. Data on demographics, socioeconomic, and DTP3 vaccination status in children 12 to 23 months old were collected. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of vaccination completion. Overall, 1401 participants were approached; 1391 consented to participate. Of these, 1038 (75%) were completely vaccinated. Punjabi families had the highest DTP3 coverage (82%), followed by Urdu-speaking families (79%). Pashtun (67%) and Bengali (48%) families had the lowest vaccine coverage. Children of mothers with ≥ 12 years of schooling (OR = 25.4; 95% CI = 5.7-113.1) were most likely to be vaccinated. A quarter of study participants were unvaccinated. Targeted strategies for boosting DTP3 rates in communities with low immunization coverage are essential for polio eradication in Karachi.

Maternal and antenatal risk factors for stillbirths and neonatal mortality in rural Bangladesh: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify maternal and antenatal factors associated with stillbirths and neonatal deaths in rural Bangladesh. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study is being conducted to evaluate a maternal and child nutrition program in rural Bangladesh. Cases were all stillbirths and neonatal deaths that occurred in the cohort between March 7, 2011 and December 30, 2011. Verbal autopsies were used to determine cause of death. For each case, four controls were randomly selected from cohort members alive at age 3-months. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with these deaths. RESULTS: Overall, 112 adverse pregnancy outcomes (44 stillbirths, 19/1,000 births; 68 neonatal deaths, 29/1,000 live births) were reported. Of the stillbirths 25 (56.8%) were fresh. The main causes of neonatal death were birth asphyxia (35%), sepsis (28%) and preterm birth (19%). History of bleeding during pregnancy was the strongest risk factor for stillbirths (adjusted odds ratio 22.4 [95% confidence interval 2.5, 197.5]) and neonatal deaths (adjusted odds ratio 19.6 [95% confidence interval 2.1, 178.8]). Adequate maternal nutrition was associated with decreased risk of neonatal death (adjusted odds ratio 0.4 [95% confidence interval 0.2, 0.8]). CONCLUSIONS: Identifying high-risk pregnancies during gestation and ensuring adequate antenatal and obstetric care needs to be a priority for any community-based maternal and child health program in similar settings.

Pakistan's expanded programme on immunization: an overview in the context of polio eradication and strategies for improving coverage.

Since its inception in 1978, Pakistan's Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has contributed significantly towards child health and survival in Pakistan. However, the WHO-estimated immunization coverage of 88% for 3 doses of Diptheria-Tetanus-Pertussis vaccine in Pakistan is likely an over-estimate. Many goals, such as polio, measles and neonatal tetanus elimination have not been met. Pakistan reported more cases of poliomyelits in 2011 than any other country globally, threatening the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Although the number of polio cases decreased to 58 in 2012 through better organized supplementary immunization campaigns, country-wide measles outbreaks with over 15,000 cases and several hundred deaths in 2012-13 underscore sub-optimal EPI performance in delivering routine immunizations. There are striking inequities in immunization coverage between different parts of the country. Barriers to universal immunization coverage include programmatic dysfunction at lower tiers of the program, socioeconomic inequities in access to services, low population demand, poor security, and social resistance to vaccines among population sub-groups. Recent conflicts and large-scale natural disasters have severely stressed the already constrained resources of the national EPI. Immunization programs remain low priority for provincial and many district governments in the country. The recent decision to devolve the national health ministry to the provinces has had immediate adverse consequences. Mitigation strategies aimed at rapidly improving routine immunization coverage should include improving the infrastructure and management capacity for vaccine delivery at district levels and increasing the demand for vaccines at the population level. Accurate vaccine coverage estimates at district/sub-district level and local accountability of district government officials are critical to improving performance and eradicating polio in Pakistan.

Does improving maternal knowledge of vaccines impact infant immunization rates? A community-based randomized-controlled trial in Karachi, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: In Pakistan, only 59-73% of children 12-23 months of age are fully immunized. This randomized, controlled trial was conducted to assess the impact of a low-literacy immunization promotion educational intervention for mothers living in low-income communities of Karachi on infant immunization completion rates. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-six mother-infant pairs, with infants aged ≤ 6 weeks, were enrolled and randomized into either the intervention or control arm between August - November 2008. The intervention, administered by trained community health workers, consisted of three targeted pictorial messages regarding vaccines. The control group received general health promotion messages based on Pakistan's Lady Health Worker program curriculum. Assessment of DPT/Hepatitis B vaccine completion (3 doses) was conducted 4-months after enrollment. A Poisson regression model was used to estimate effect of the intervention. The multivariable Poisson regression model included maternal education, paternal occupation, ownership of home, cooking fuel used at home, place of residence, the child's immunization status at enrollment, and mother's perception about the impact of immunization on child's health. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics among the two groups were similar. At 4 month assessment, among 179 mother-infant pairs in the intervention group, 129 (72.1%) had received all 3 doses of DPT/Hepatitis B vaccine, whereas in the control group 92/178 (51.7%) had received all 3 doses. Multivariable analysis revealed a significant improvement of 39% (adjusted RR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.06-1.81) in DPT-3/Hepatitis B completion rates in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: A simple educational intervention designed for low-literate populations, improved DPT-3/Hepatitis B vaccine completion rates by 39%. These findings have important implications for improving routine immunization rates in Pakistan.