Decomposing the rural-urban disparities in overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obese women face various reproductive and other health challenges, and in some cases, even mortality. Despite evidence of rural-urban disparities in overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age, there is limited evidence regarding the predictors of these disparities. This study aims to investigate the factors associated with overweight and obesity and examine the contributors to rural-urban disparities in overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. METHODS: We utilized the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey dataset. The survey employed a two-stage cluster sampling technique based on Nigeria's 2006 census enumeration areas for sample selection. Overweight and obesity were defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25. Data analyses were conducted using the Logistic Regression Model and the threefold Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition model (α0.05). RESULTS: The study revealed that older women (OR = 2.44; CI = 2.11-2.83), those with higher wealth (OR = 2.05; CI = 1.81-2.31), contraceptive users (OR = 1.41; CI = 1.27-1.57), and residents of the South-South region (OR = 1.24; CI = 1.07-1.45) were more likely to be overweight/obese. The decomposition analysis indicated that the mean predicted prevalence of overweight and obesity is 35.5% in urban areas, compared to 21.1% in rural areas of Nigeria. Factors such as wealth status, educational level, media exposure, and contraceptive use were identified as significant contributors to these disparities. CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities when designing healthcare interventions to reduce the burden of overweight and obesity, particularly in urban areas. Prioritizing these factors can facilitate efforts to promote healthier lifestyles and enhance overall well-being.

Determinants of Kangaroo Mother Care among low-birth-weight infants in low resource settings.

Kangaroo Mother Care involves direct contact between a baby's bare skin and a caregiver, typically the mother. It has many benefits for both baby and caregiver and is often used to regulate body temperature, promote breastfeeding, enhance growth, and bonding. This study aims to explore factors associated with Kangaroo Mother Care uptake in low-resource countries for babies born with low-birth-weight. Demographic and Health Survey data from 34 low- and middle- income countries were analyzed. Cross-sectional data of 57,223 children were pooled and analyzed. Hierarchical multivariable analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with skin-to-skin contact. Statistical significance was set to 5%. The prevalence of Kangaroo Mother Care ranged from 11.04% to 84.36%; highest in Benin (84.36%), Tajikistan (80.88%), and Uganda (80.86%) and lowest in Burundi (11.04%), Bangladesh (16.58%), and Pakistan (19.24%). Higher odds of Kangaroo Mother Care were estimated among low-birth-weight infants who were put to breast immediately, had low-birth-weight (≥1.5kg), born through normal delivery, born at health facility, those whose mothers were exposed to media, had high antenatal care visits, had formal education, and in the younger age bracket. Also, women living in communities with high illiteracy, countries in the lower-middle income region had higher odds of Kangaroo Mother Care. Women domiciled in Europe and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and The Caribbeans, and East Asia and Pacific had lower odds of Kangaroo Mother Care. This study found a low uptake of Kangaroo Mother Care in countries with limited resources, which is a concerning issue that requires urgent attention. Increasing awareness, education, and support for mothers and families to practice Kangaroo Mother Care, as well as training healthcare practitioners, can lead to better outcomes for newborns and reduce neonatal death.