Geographic and socioeconomic inequalities in the coverage of contraception in Uttar Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the most populous state in India, with a historically lower level of family planning coverage than the national average. In recent decades, family planning coverage in UP has significantly increased, yet there are considerable geographic and socio-economic inequalities. METHODS: The data used for the study is derived from a cross-sectional quantitative survey of 12,200 currently married women conducted during December 2020-February 2021 in UP by the Technical Support Unit. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed and equiplots were used to make visualizing inequalities easy. RESULTS: The findings of the study reveal significant variation in family planning coverage indicators amongst currently married women in reproductive ages by administrative divisions in UP. For instance, in the Jhansi division, it was 72.4%, while in Faizabad, it was 39.3%. Jhansi division experienced the highest modern contraceptive coverage with the lowest inequity compared to other divisions. However, the range of coverage within the division by Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) areas is 25% to 75%. In fact, for some ASHA areas in the Jhansi division, the family planning demand satisfied for modern contraception ranged from more than 85% to less than 22%. On the other hand, the Gonda division with the lowest coverage and lowest inequity for demand satisfied for modern contraception has some ASHA areas with less than 5% and some with more than 36%. The study also revealed intersectionality of education, wealth, place of residence and geographic divisions in identifying inequity patterns. For instance, in case of Mirzapur and Varanasi, the demand satisfied among the illiterates was 69% and the corresponding percentage for literates was 49%. With respect to place of residence, Basti division, where the coverage for modern contraception is extremely low, demand satisfied for modern contraceptive methods is 16.3% among rural residents compared to 57.9% in the case of urban residents. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed inequality in the modern family planning methods coverage in UP in both best and worst performing divisions. The inequalities exist even in extremely small geographies such as ASHA areas. Within the geographies as well, the socio-economic inequalities persisted. These inequalities at multiple levels are important to consider for effective resource allocation and utilization.

Declining fertility and increasing use of traditional methods of family planning: a paradox in Uttar Pradesh, India?

Uttar Pradesh (UP), with more than 220 million people, is the most populous state in India. Despite a high unmet need for modern family planning methods, the state has experienced a substantial decline in fertility. India has also seen a decline during this period which can be attributed to the increased prevalence of modern methods of family planning, particularly female sterilisation, but in UP, the corresponding increase was marginal. At the same time, Traditional Family Planning Methods (TMs) increased significantly in UP in contrast to India, where it was marginal. The trends in UP raise questions about the drivers in fertility decline and question the conventional wisdom that fertility declines are driven by modern methods, and the paper aims to understand this paradox. Fertility trends and family planning practices in UP were analysed using data from different rounds of National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) and the two UP Family Planning Surveys conducted by the UP Technical Support Unit to understand whether the use of TMs played a role in the fertility decline. As per NFHS-4, the prevalence of TM in India (6%) was less than half that of UP (13%). The UP Family Planning Survey in 25 High Priority Districts estimated that 22% of women used TMs. The analysis also suggested that availability and accessibiility of modern contraceptives might have played a role in the increased use of TMs in UP. If there are still couples who make a choice in favour of TMs, they should be well informed about the risks associated with the use of traditional methods as higher failure rate is observed among TMs users.

Suicidality among gender minorities in Karnataka, South India.

BACKGROUND: It is argued that Indian gender minorities displayed differential mental health problems and suicide attempts. Hence, the study was intended to understand the prevalence of anxiety, depression and suicidality among this group, specifically those living in a metropolitan city in South India. METHODS: The data was generated from a cross-sectional study that employed a structured questionnaire to collect information about experiences of anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior among gender-diverse individuals in Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka state. The study used stratified simple random sampling of eligible individuals who were 18 years of age and older and who were enrolled in an HIV prevention program implemented for gender-diverse individuals run by the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust and the University of Manitoba at the time of the study (2012). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the relative contribution of various factors that affect suicide ideation or actual attempts among the gender diverse participants. RESULTS: Results showed that 62% whose main source of income was Basti (socially sanctioned practice of begging), 52% of Hijras, 56% who lived with their Gurus, 58% who were not happy with their physical appearance, 55% who consumed alcohol daily, and 63% who experienced high depression had ever thought of or attempted suicide in the month prior to the survey. However, multivariate analysis showed that respondents who were not happy with their physical appearance and thought of changing it had significantly higher odds (AOR = 2.861; CI 1.468,5.576; p = 0.002) of either having thoughts that it was better being dead or wished they died. Similarly, those who experienced high depression, their odds of either having had thoughts of or having attempted suicide increased by three times (AOR = 3.997; CI 1.976, 8.071; p < 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: It is observed that a high percentage of gender minorities had attempted suicide or thought of suicide during the month preceding the data collection. The findings bring new insights on the proximate determinant of physical appearance on the suicidality of gender minorities assigned male at birth and appropriate to account for this while addressing the mental health issues.

Association of identification of facility and transportation for childbirth with institutional delivery in high priority districts of Uttar Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: Timely and skilled care is key to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. Birth preparedness involves preparation for safe childbirth during the antenatal period to reach the appropriate health facility for ensuring safe delivery. Hence, understanding the factors associated with birth preparedness and its significance for safe delivery is essential. This paper aims to assess the levels of birth preparedness, its determinants and association with institutional deliveries in High Priority Districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between June-October 2018 in the rural areas of 25 high priority districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. Simple random sampling was used to select 40 blocks among 294 blocks in 25 districts and 2646 primary sampling units within the selected blocks. The survey interviewed 9458 women who had a delivery 2 months prior to the survey. Descriptive statistics were included to characterize the study population. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the determinants of birth preparedness and to examine the association of birth preparedness with institutional delivery. RESULTS: Among the 9458 respondents, 61.8% had birth preparedness (both facility and transportation identified) and 79.1% delivered in a health facility. Women in other caste category (aOR = 1.24, CI 1.06-1.45) and those with 10 or more years of education (aOR = 1.68, CI 1.46-1.92) were more likely to have birth preparedness. Antenatal care (ANC) service uptake related factors like early registration for ANC (aOR = 1.14, CI 1.04-1.25) and three or more front line worker contacts (aOR = 1.61, CI 1.46-1.79) were also found to be significantly associated with birth preparedness. The adjusted multivariate model showed that those who identified both facility and transport were seven times more likely to undergo delivery in a health facility (aOR = 7.00, CI 6.07-8.08). CONCLUSION: The results indicate the need for focussing on marginalized groups for improving birth preparedness. Increasing ANC registration in the first trimester of pregnancy, improving frontline worker contact, and optimum utilization of antenatal care check-ups for effective counselling on birth preparedness along with system level improvements could improve birth preparedness and consequently institutional delivery rates in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Increased blood glucose level following hysterectomy among reproductive women in India.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the hysterectomy, a surgical removal of the uterus, has received increased attention in health policy debates in India. The trigger for this was a series of media reports that highlighted an unusual surge in the number of women undergoing hysterectomies with a significant number of cases involving young and early menopausal women from low-income families. When menopause occurs as a result of hysterectomy, then the hormones such as estrogen and progesterone affect how the body cells respond to insulin. To date, we have not come across a national study following blood glucose levels among women who undergo a hysterectomy. METHODS: The study used the Indian fourth round of National Family Health Survey data, which is a cross-sectional nationally representative sample of 699,686 women in the age group 15-49 years and conducted during 2015-16. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine the effect of hysterectomy on blood glucose level of > 140 mg/dl among women of reproductive age groups. RESULTS: The blood glucose level of > 140 mg/dl was much higher among women who had undergone a hysterectomy (12.2%) compared to non-hysterectomy women (5.7%). The pattern holds true among relevant background characteristics such as age, place of residence, education, caste, religion, wealth, marital status, body mass index (BMI), anaemia and consumption of tobacco. The adjusted odds after controlling for significant background factors, women who underwent hysterectomy experienced 15% higher odds of blood glucose level of > 140 mg/dl compared those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated increased blood glucose level among women post hysterectomy. Hence, the government of India should consider developing evidence-based policies and programming to provide effective targeted interventions for the better reproductive health of women.

Fertility and family planning in Uttar Pradesh, India: major progress and persistent gaps.

BACKGROUND: Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the most populous state in India with historically high levels of fertility rates than the national average. Though fertility levels in UP declined considerably in recent decades, the current level is well above the government's target of 2.1. DATA AND METHODS: Fertility and family planning data obtained from the different rounds of Sample Registration System (SRS) and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). We analyzed fertility and family planning trends in India and UP, including differences in methods mix, using SRS (1971-2016) and NFHS (1992-2016). Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used. RESULTS: From 2000, while the total fertility rate (TFR) declined in UP, it is still well above the national level in 2015-16 (2.7 vs 2.18, respectively). The demand for family planning satisfied increased from 52 to 72% during 1998-99 to 2015-16 in UP, compared to an increase from 75 to 81% in India. Traditional methods play a much greater role in UP than in India (22 and 9% of the demand satisfied respectively), while use of sterilization was relatively low in UP when compared to the national averages (18.0 and 36.3% of current married women 15-49 years in UP and India, respectively in 2015-16). Within UP, district fertility ranged from 1.6 to 4.4, with higher fertility concentrated in districts with low female schooling, predominantly located in north-central UP. Fertility declines were largest in districts with high fertility in the late nineties (B = 7.33, p < .001). Among currently married women, use of traditional methods increased and accounted for almost one-third of users in 2015-16. Use of sterilization declined but remained the primary method (ranging from 33 to 41% of users in high and low fertility districts respectively) while condom use increased from 17 and 16% in 1998-99 to 23 and 25% in 2015-16 in low and high fertility districts respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Greater reliance on traditional methods and condoms coupled with relatively low demand for modern contraception suggest inadequate access to modern contraceptives, especially in district with high fertility rates. Family planning activities need to be appropriately scaled according to need and geography to ensure the achievement of state-level improvements in family planning programs and fertility outcomes.

Going global: Indian adolescents' eating patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To describe adolescents' eating patterns of traditional, global/non-local and mixed foods, and the factors that may influence food consumption, access and preferences, in a globalizing city. DESIGN: A representative sample of school-going adolescents completed a cross-sectional survey including an FFQ designed to identify traditional and global foods. Student's t test and ordinal logistic regression were used to examine weekly food intake, including differences between boys and girls and between adolescents attending private and public schools. SETTING: Vijayapura city, Karnataka State, India. SUBJECTS: Adolescents (n 399) aged 13-16 years. RESULTS: Compared with dietary guidelines, adolescents consumed fruit, green leafy vegetables, non-green leafy vegetables and dairy less frequently than recommended and consumed energy-dense foods more frequently than recommended. Traditional but expensive foods (fruits, dairy, homemade sweets and added fat) were more frequently consumed by private-school students, generally from wealthier, more connected families, than by public-school students; the latter more frequently consumed both traditional (tea, coffee, eggs) and mixed foods (snack and street foods; P≤0·05). Girls reported more frequent consumption of global/non-local packaged and ready-to-eat foods, non-green leafy vegetables and added fat than boys (P≤0·05). Boys reported more frequent consumption of eggs and street foods than girls (P≤0·05). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents' eating patterns in a globalizing city reflect a combination of global/non-local and traditional foods, access and preferences. As global foods continue to appear in low- and middle-income countries, understanding dietary patterns and preferences can inform efforts to promote diversity and healthfulness of foods.

Pregnancy wastage among HIV infected women in a high HIV prevalence district of India.

BACKGROUND: Bagalkot district in Karnataka state is one of the highest HIV prevalence districts in India. A large proportion of the girls also marry at early age in the district and negative pregnancy outcomes among the HIV positive women likely to have large pregnancy wastages. Therefore, this study examined the pregnancy wastages and the associated factors among HIV positive women in a high prevalent district in India. METHODS: We used data from a cross-sectional survey conducted recently among randomly selected currently married HIV positive women, 15-29 years of age, in one of the high HIV prevalence districts in India. The study used the experience of reported pregnancy wastage as an outcome variable, and both bi-variate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to understand the factors associated with the pregnancy wastage among HIV infected women. RESULTS: Overall, 17% of the respondents reported pregnancy wastage, of which 81% were due to spontaneous abortions. Respondents who became pregnant since testing HIV positive reported significantly higher level of pregnancy wastage as compared to those were pregnant before they were tested for HIV. (AOR = 1.9; p = 0.00). While a positive association between duration of marriage and pregnancy wastage was noticed (AOR = 7.4; p = 0.01), there was a negative association between number of living children and pregnancy wastage (AOR = 0.24; p = 0.00). Living in a joint family was associated with increased reporting of pregnancy wastage as compared to those living in nuclear families (AOR = 1.7; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevention and care programs need to consider the reproductive health needs of HIV infected married women as a priority area since large proportion of these women reported negative pregnancy outcomes. There is also a need to explore ways to raise the age at marriage in order to stop women getting married before the legal age at marriage.

Is the quality of public health facilities always worse compared to private health facilities: Association between birthplace on neonatal deaths in the Indian states.

BACKGROUND: The role of place of delivery on the neonatal health outcomes are very crucial. Although the quality of care is being improved, there is no consensus about who is the better healthcare provider in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), public or private facilities. The aim of this study is to assess the differentials in neonatal mortality by the type of healthcare providers in India and its states. METHODS: We used the data from the fourth wave of the National Family Health Survey 2015-16 (NFHS-4). Information on 259,627 live births to women within the five years preceding the survey was examined. Neonatal mortality rates for state and national levels were calculated using DHS methodology. Multi-variate logistics regression was performed to find the effect of birthplace on neonatal deaths. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to evaluate the relationship between place of delivery and neonatal deaths to account for the bias attributable to observable covariates. RESULTS: The rise in parity of the women and purchasing power influences the choice of healthcare providers. Increased neonatal mortality was found in private hospital delivery compared to public hospitals in Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states using propensity score matching analysis. However, analysis on the standard of pre-natal and post-natal care indicates that private hospitals generally outperformed public hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The study observed a significant variation in neonatal mortality among public and private health care systems in India. Findings of the study urges that more attention be paid to the improve care at the place of delivery to improve neonatal health. There is a need of strengthened national health policy and public-private partnerships in order to improve maternal and child health care in both private and public health facilities.

Understanding out-migration among female sex workers in South India.

BACKGROUND: Migrant sex workers are known to be vulnerable to HIV. There is substantial female sex worker (FSW) mobility between the borders of Maharashtra and Karnataka, but little programming emphasis on migrant FSWs in India. We sought to understand the individual/cultural, structural, and contextual determinants of migration among FSWs from Karnataka. METHODS: A cross-sectional face-to-face interview of 1567 FSWs from 142 villages in 3 districts of northern Karnataka, India was conducted from January to June 2008. Villages having 10+ FSWs, a large number of whom were migrant, were selected following mapping of FSWs. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to identify characteristics associated with migrant (travelled for ≥ 2 weeks outside the district past year) and mobile (travelled for <2 weeks outside the district past year) FSWs; adjusting for age and district. RESULTS: Compared with nonmigrants, migrant FSWs were more likely to be brothel than street based (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 5.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.6-20.0), have higher income from sex work (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 42.2; 12.6-142.1), speak >2 languages (AOR: 5.6; 2.6-12.0), have more clients (AOR per client: 2.9; 1.2-7.2), and have more sex acts per day (AOR per sex act: 3.5; 1.3-9.3). Mobile FSWs had higher income from sex work (AOR: 13.2; 3.9-44.6) relative to nonmigrants, but not as strongly as for migrant FSWs. CONCLUSION: Out-migration of FSWs in Karnataka was strongly tied to sex work characteristics; thus, the structure inherent in sex work should be capitalized on when developing HIV preventive interventions. The important role of FSWs in HIV epidemics, coupled with the potential for rapid spread of HIV with migration, requires the most effective interventions possible for mobile and migrant FSWs.

Indicators of mobility, socio-economic vulnerabilities and HIV risk behaviours among mobile female sex workers in India.

This paper examines the relationship between indicators of mobility, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and HIV risk behaviours among 5,498 mobile female sex workers (FSWs) living in the four high HIV prevalence states in India. Female sex workers with greater degree of mobility reported significantly more often than the FSWs with lesser degree of mobility that they experienced physical violence, and consumed alcohol prior to sex. Further, FSWs with greater degree of mobility reported significantly more often than the FSWs with lesser degree of mobility that they had inconsistent condom use in sex with clients, even after controlling for several demographic characteristics and socio-economic vulnerabilities including experiences of violence. Additionally, short duration visits and visit to the Jatra (religious fairs) places found to have significant association with their inconsistent condom use in sex with clients as well as continuation of sex despite having STI symptoms. These findings suggest the need for screening FSWs for higher degree of mobility and to mobilize them to form community networks so as to deal with violence, reduce alcohol use and promote consistent condom use along the routes of mobility. HIV prevention interventions aimed at FSWs require an increased attention to address the socio-economic vulnerabilities including alcohol use, with particular emphasis on those FSWs who are on the move in India and elsewhere.

Characterizing sexual histories of women before formal sex-work in south India from a cross-sectional survey: implications for HIV/STI prevention.

BACKGROUND: Interventions designed to prevent HIV and STIs in female sex-workers (FSWs) reach women after they formally enter the sex-trade. We aimed to characterize the pattern of sexual behaviour among FSWs from first-sex to when they identify as sex-workers (transition period) in a region with traditional (historically characterized by dedication into sex-work at first-sex) and non-traditional forms of sex-work. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 246 traditional and 765 non-traditional FSWs across three districts in Karnataka, India. We performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression to profile FSWs most likely to engage in a commercial first-sex before identifying as a sex-worker. Sexual life-course patterns were distinguished using univariate and multivariate linear regression based on key events associated with length of transition period. RESULTS: Overall, 266 FSWs experienced a commercial first-sex, of whom 45.9% (95% CI: 38.2,53.7) continued a long-term relationship with the first partner. In adjusted analysis, traditional FSWs were more likely to experience a commercial first-sex (AOR 52.5, 95% CI: 27.4,100.7). The average transition time was 8.8 years (SD 3.9), but there was considerable variability between respondents. Among women who experienced a commercial first-sex, a slower transition was independently associated with non-traditional sex-work, the presence of long-term partnerships during the transition period, and ongoing partnerships at time of entry into sex-work. In the absence of a commercial first-sex, a faster transition was associated with traditional sex-work and the dissolution of long-term partnerships, while a slower transition was associated with the presence of long-term partnerships and widowhood. Only 18.5% (95% CI: 12.7,26.2) and 47.3% (95% CI: 32.7,62.3) of women reported 'always' condom use with their long-term and occasional partners during the transition period, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: FSWs identify as sex-workers several years after becoming sexually active, even when the first-sex is commercial in nature. Long-term partnerships are common after a commercial first-sex, and are associated with a delay in formally entering the sex-trade. The findings call for a better understanding of HIV/STI risk before FSWs identify as sex-workers, and an adaptive programme to reach this period of vulnerability.

Low Birth Weight, the Differentiating Risk Factor for Stunting among Preschool Children in India.

Background: The prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) is a major public health issue in India; however, the optimal growth pattern for such infants is not clear. The purpose of this study is to understand the causal association between LBW and stunting of preschool children in India. Methods: The National Family Health Survey-4 is a large cross-sectional survey based on a nationally representative sample of 699,686 women in the age group of 15−49 years and was conducted during 2015−2016 in India. The study used the children's file with a sample of 259,002 of 0−59 months for investigation. Results: The data revealed that 38.7% of the children in India were stunted. The bivariate analysis revealed that, of the women who did not attend any antenatal care (ANC) meetings, 46.8% had stunted children compared to the women who attended more than three ANC meetings, which 30.7% had stunted children. The low birth weight children experienced a much higher chance of stunting compared to children with a normal birth weight (44.3% vs. 33.8%). The multivariable odds ratios of logistic regression, after adjusting for the confounding characteristics, showed that pregnant women attending more than three ANC meetings compared to not attending any ANC meetings experienced a 19% lower adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of having stunted children (AOR = 0.81; CI 0.78, 0.85; p < 0.001). Another important variable, such as women with underweight body mass index (BMI) compared with normal BMI, had 6% higher odds of having stunted children (AOR = 1.06; CI 1.03, 1.10; p < 0.001). Similarly, women who belong to the Scheduled Caste compared to the General Caste had 36% higher odds of having stunted children (AOR = 1.36; CI 1.30, 1.42; p < 0.001); and children aged 13−23 months compared to children up to one-year-old or younger had 141% higher odds of being stunted (AOR = 2.41; CI 2.32, 2.51; p < 0.001). The conspicuous finding is that LBW babies, after adjusting for other important confounding factors, such as BMI and ANC, experienced 19% higher odds of stunted children (AOR = 1.19; CI 1.14, 1.24; p < 0.001) compared to normal birth weight babies. Conclusions: The results revealed LBW is associated with stunting of preschool children in India.

Relationship between reported prior condom use and current self-perceived risk of acquiring HIV among mobile female sex workers in southern India.

BACKGROUND: With the evolution of Health Belief Model, risk perception has been identified as one of several core components of public health interventions. While female sex workers (FSWs) in India continue to be at most risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV, little is known about their perception towards risk of acquiring HIV and how this perception depends upon their history of consistent condom use behavior with different type of partners. The objective of this study is to fill this gap in the literature by examining this relationship among mobile FSWs in southern India. METHODS: We analyzed data for 5,413 mobile FSWs from a cross-sectional behavioral survey conducted in 22 districts from four states in southern India. This survey assessed participants' demographics, condom use in sex with different types of partners, continuation of sex while experiencing STI symptoms, alcohol use before having sex, and self-perceived risk of acquiring HIV. Descriptive analyses and multilevel logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between risky sexual behaviors and self-perceived risk of acquiring HIV; and to understand the geographical differences in HIV risk perception. RESULTS: Of the total mobile FSWs, only two-fifths (40%) perceived themselves to be at high risk of acquiring HIV; more so in the state of Andhra Pradesh (56%) and less in Maharashtra (17%). FSWs seem to assess their current risk of acquiring HIV primarily on the basis of their past condom use behavior with occasional clients and less on the basis of their past condom use behaviors with regular clients and non-paying partners. Prior inconsistent condom use with occasional clients was independently associated with current perception of high HIV risk (adjusted odds ratio [aOR)] = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7-2.6). In contrast, prior inconsistent condom use with non-paying partners was associated with current perception of low HIV risk (aOR= 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9). The congruence between HIV risk perception and condom use with occasional clients was high: only 12% of FSWs reported inconsistent condom use with occasional clients but perceived themselves to be at low risk of acquiring HIV. CONCLUSION: The association between high risk perception of acquiring HIV and inconsistent condom use, especially with regular clients and non-paying partners, has not been completely internalized by this high risk group of mobile FSWs in India. Motivational efforts to prevent HIV should emphasize the importance of accurately assessing an individual's risk of acquiring HIV based on condom use behavior with all types of partners: occasional and regular clients as well as non-paying partners; and encourage behavior change based on an accurate self-assessment of HIV risk.

Motivations for entry into sex work and HIV risk among mobile female sex workers in India.

This paper assesses the reasons for entry into sex work and its association with HIV risk behaviours among mobile female sex workers (FSWs) in India. Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 22 districts across four high HIV prevalence states in India during 2007-2008. Analyses were limited to 5498 eligible mobile FSWs. The reasons given by FSWs for entering sex work and associations with socio-demographic characteristics were assessed. Reported reasons for entering sex work include poor or deprived economic conditions; negative social circumstances in life; own choice; force by an external person; and family tradition. The results from multivariate analyses indicate that those FSWs who entered sex work due to poor economic conditions or negative social circumstances in life or force demonstrated elevated levels of current inconsistent condom use as well as in the past in comparison with those FSWs who reported entering sex work by choice or family tradition. This finding indicates the need for a careful assessment of the pre-entry contexts among HIV prevention interventions since these factors may continue to hinder the effectiveness of efforts to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in India and elsewhere.

Understanding drivers of family planning in rural northern India: An integrated mixed-methods approach.

BACKGROUND: Family planning is a key means to achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals. Around the world, governments and partners have prioritized investments to increase access to and uptake of family planning methods. In Uttar Pradesh, India, the government and its partners have made significant efforts to increase awareness, supply, and access to modern contraceptives. Despite progress, uptake remains stubbornly low. This calls for systematic research into understanding the 'why'-why people are or aren't using modern methods, what drives their decisions, and who influences them. METHODS: We use a mixed-methods approach, analyzing three existing quantitative data sets to identify trends and geographic variation, gaps and contextual factors associated with family planning uptake and collecting new qualitative data through in-depth immersion interviews, journey mapping, and decision games to understand systemic and individual-level barriers to family planning use, household decision making patterns and community level barriers. RESULTS: We find that reasons for adoption of family planning are complex-while access and awareness are critical, they are not sufficient for increasing uptake of modern methods. Although awareness is necessary for uptake, we found a steep drop-off (59%) between high awareness of modern contraceptive methods and its intention to use, and an additional but smaller drop-off from intention to actual use (9%). While perceived access, age, education and other demographic variables partially predict modern contraceptive intention to use, the qualitative data shows that other behavioral drivers including household decision making dynamics, shame to obtain modern contraceptives, and high-risk perception around side-effects also contribute to low intention to use modern contraceptives. The data also reveals that strong norms and financial considerations by couples are the driving force behind the decision to use and when to use family planning methods. CONCLUSION: The finding stresses the need to shift focus towards building intention, in addition to ensuring access of trained staff, and commodities drugs and equipment, and building capacities of health care providers.

Increased hypertension following hysterectomy among reproductive women in India.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, hysterectomy has received increased attention in health policy debates in India. On the other hand, based non-communicable disease specific data for India, in 2011, WHO portray a grim picture and recommended to the government a 20% reduction in hypertension by 2020; however, the trends show that it is increasing. Yet, to date, there has not been a single nationally representative study of hypertension prevalence among women who undergo a hysterectomy. METHODS: The study has used the Indian fourth round of National Family Health Survey data, which is a cross-sectional nationally representative sample of 699,686 women in the age group 15-49 years and conducted during 2015-16. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine the effect of hysterectomy on increased odds of hypertension among women of reproductive age groups. RESULTS: The age adjusted prevalence of hypertension was higher among women those who undergone hysterectomy (11.9%) compared to non-hysterectomy women (10.6%). The pattern holds true among relevant background characteristics such as age, place of residence, education, caste, religion, wealth, family size, years since hysterectomy, body mass index (BMI), anaemia and consumption of tobacco. The adjusted odds of hypertension among women who underwent hysterectomy compared to those who did not was 1.72 (95% CI: 1.14-2.58). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated increased hypertension level among hysterectomy women. However, these results are based on a cross-sectional study, and hence, further through investigation based on a prospective study is necessary before undertaking any policy changes. Meanwhile, the government of India may like to suggest surveillance to the general practitioners as well as obstetricians and gynaecologists following a hysterectomy in order to better understand the effect of hysterectomy on hypertension.

Gender differences in the risk factors for high and very high blood glucose levels: A study of Kerala.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Worldwide, lifestyle is a significant risk factor for diabetes. Lifestyle changes can lead to differences in the extent of risk of diabetes among women and men. Kerala, a state with one of the best health indicators in India, has a high prevalence of diabetes. This study aimed at comparing the variations in the risk factors for HBG and VHBG among adult women and men in Kerala. METHODS: Data from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey (2015-16) used to examine the differences in the risk factors for HBG and VHBG in men and women aged 15-49 years. We used bivariate, multivariate and Population Attributable Risk (PAR) techniques for analysing the data. RESULTS: Bivariate results have shown the pattern of HBG and VHBG prevalence in women and men was same among all the age groups; however, men show a higher HBG and VHBG than women in all the age groups. Prevalence of HBG and VHBG was higher in women with a primary education, who were poor and not working as compared to their male counterparts. PARs results show that the prevalence of VHBG was higher among obese men and women as compared to normal men and underweight women. Prevalence of HBG was higher among men as compared to women due to alcohol use and weekly consumption of non-vegetarian food. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that there is an urgent need for targeted intervention programs to address the problem of HBG and VHBG in both men and women in Kerala to control blood glucose levels.

Assessing HIV risk in workplaces for prioritizing HIV preventive interventions in Karnataka State, India.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a model for prioritizing economic sectors for HIV preventive intervention programs in the workplace. METHODS: This study was undertaken in Karnataka state, India. A 3-stage survey process was undertaken. In the first stage, we reviewed secondary data available from various government departments, identified industries in the private sector with large workforces, and mapped their geographical distribution. In the second stage, an initial rapid risk assessment of industrial sectors was undertaken, using key-informant interviews conducted in relation to a number of enterprises, and in consultation with stakeholders. In the third stage, we used both quantitative (polling booth survey) and qualitative methods (key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions) to study high-risk sectors in-depth, and assessed the need and feasibility of HIV workplace intervention programs. RESULTS: The highest risk sectors were found to be mining, garment/textile, sugar, construction/infrastructure, and fishing industries. Workers in all sectors had at best partial knowledge about HIV/AIDS, coupled with common misconceptions about HIV transmission. There were intersector and intrasector variations in risk and vulnerability across different geographical locations and across different categories of workers. This has implications for the design and implementation of workplace intervention programs. CONCLUSIONS: There is tremendous scope for HIV preventive interventions in workplaces in India. Given the variation in HIV risk across economic sectors and limited available resources, there will be increased pressure to prioritize intervention efforts towards high-risk sectors. This study offers a model for rapidly assessing the risk level of economic sectors for HIV intervention programs.

The female sex work typology in India in the context of HIV/AIDS.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a critical review of the typology of female sex work in India. METHOD: Published and unpublished studies (1986-2008) were identified through electronic databases, hand searching and contacting experts. RESULTS: The review assesses the appropriateness of the existing typologies from a programmatic perspective and identifies their strengths and limitations. It indicates there is conceptual confusion around the typology and that none of the existing typologies are exhaustive, in that none includes all types of sex work documented in India. The typology developed by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) is the most comprehensive. The typology is based on the primary place of solicitation and categorizes female sex workers (FSWs) as brothel-based, street-based, home-based, lodge-based, dhaba-based and highway-based FSWs. However, this typology has its limitations. First, it does not include all categories of FSWs documented in the literature, such as indirect-primary (primarily solicit clients at their places of work, which are venues where facilitating sex work is their main purpose e.g. massage parlours, bars), indirect-secondary (primarily solicit clients at their places of work, which are in non-sex work related industries e.g. agriculture, construction) and phone-based FSWs (primarily solicit clients through phones). Second, the methodology used to develop the typology proposed by NACO or by any other researchers is not explicit. In addition, the extent to which the typology captures the HIV risk variability between FSWs types is not explored. CONCLUSION: There is a need to develop an evidence-based, inclusive typology which takes account of HIV risk for researchers and programmers.