Association of iron supplementation and deworming with early childhood development: analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys in ten low- and middle-income countries.

PURPOSE: We assessed the associations of iron supplementation and deworming separately or combined with improved early childhood development (ECD) status. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were analyzed for 29,729 children aged 36-59 months surveyed using the Demographic and Health Surveys in ten low- and middle-income countries, where iron supplementation and deworming are recommended by the World Health Organization. In each country, we estimated linear regression models for the effects of iron supplementation and deworming individually or combined on the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) z score, and whether this association differed between various ECD domains and the sex and residence of the child. Estimates were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses. RESULTS: Compared with receiving neither of the two interventions, iron supplementation plus deworming was associated with an increased ECDI z score (ß = 0.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03-0.22, p = 0.009), particularly in rural residences. However, iron supplementation and deworming, individually, were not associated with the ECDI z score. Iron supplementation plus deworming was associated with higher odds of on-track development in literacy-numeracy (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.24-2.01, p < 0.001) and learning domains (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.09-1.48, p = 0.003), but not with development in the social-emotional and physical domains. CONCLUSION: Iron supplementation plus deworming, particularly for populations who are more susceptible to iron deficiency and intestinal worm infections, could be an important intervention for improving ECD. These findings may inform the argument for the necessity of implementing iron supplementation and deworming for preschool-age children.

Incidence, risk factors and consequences of preterm birth - findings from a multi-centric observational study for 14 months in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth is a worldwide epidemic and a leading cause of neonatal mortality. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors and consequences of preterm birth in Nepal. METHODS: This was an observational study conducted in 12 public hospitals of Nepal. All the babies born during the study period were included in the study. Babies born < 37 weeks of gestation were classified as preterm births. For the association and outcomes for preterm birth, univariate followed by multiple regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The incidence of preterm was found to be 93 per 1000 live births. Mothers aged less than 20 years (aOR 1.26;1.15-1.39) had a high risk for preterm birth. Similarly, education of the mother was a significant predictor for preterm birth: illiterate mothers (aOR 1.41; 1.22-1.64), literate mothers (aOR 1.21; 1.08-1.35) and mothers having basic level of education (aOR 1.17; 1.07-1.27). Socio-demographic factors such as smoking (aOR 1.13; 1.01-1.26), use of polluted fuel (aOR 1.26; 1.17-1.35) and sex of baby (aOR 1.18; 1.11-1.26); obstetric factors such as nulliparity (aOR 1.33; 1.20-1.48), multiple delivery (aOR 6.63; 5.16-8.52), severe anemia during pregnancy (aOR 3.27; 2.21-4.84), antenatal visit during second trimester (aOR 1.13; 1.05-1.22) and third trimester (aOR 1.24; 1.12-1.38), < 4 antenatal visits during pregnancy (aOR 1.49; 1.38-1.61) were found to be significant risk factors of preterm birth. Preterm has a risk for pre-discharge mortality (10.60; 9.28-12.10). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found high incidence of preterm birth. Various socio-demographic, obstetric and neonatal risk factors were associated with preterm birth. Risk factor modifications and timely interventions will help in the reduction of preterm births and associated mortalities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN30829654.

Increased immunization coverage addresses the equity gap in Nepal.

OBJECTIVE: To compare immunization coverage and equity distribution of coverage between 2001 and 2014 in Nepal. METHODS: We used data from the Demographic and Health Surveys carried out in 2001, 2006 and 2011 together with data from the 2014 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. We calculated the proportion, in mean percentage, of children who had received bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, three doses of polio vaccine, three doses of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) vaccine and measles vaccine. To measure inequities between wealth quintiles, we calculated the slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII) for all surveys. FINDINGS: From 2001 to 2014, the proportion of children who received all vaccines at the age of 12 months increased from 68.8% (95% confidence interval, CI: 67.5-70.1) to 82.4% (95% CI: 80.7-84.0). While coverage of BCG, DPT and measles immunization statistically increased during the study period, the proportion of children who received the third dose of polio vaccine decreased from 93.3% (95% CI: 92.7-93.9) to 88.1% (95% CI: 86.8-89.3). The poorest wealth quintile showed the greatest improvement in immunization coverage, from 58% to 77.9%, while the wealthiest quintile only improved from 84.8% to 86.0%. The SII for children who received all vaccines improved from 0.070 (95% CI: 0.061-0.078) to 0.026 (95% CI: 0.013-0.039) and RII improved from 1.13 to 1.03. CONCLUSION: The improvement in immunization coverage between 2001 and 2014 in Nepal can mainly be attributed to the interventions targeting the disadvantaged populations.