Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Victoria von Salmuth, Eilise Brennan, Marko Kerac, Marie McGrath, Severine Frison, Natasha Lelijveld
Summary: Maternal-focused interventions have shown to be effective in improving infant growth and feeding outcomes, including breastfeeding promotion, education, support and counselling interventions. Maternal mental health may also have a positive impact on infant growth, though further research is needed to explore this relationship in depth.
Review
Pediatrics
Emily C. Keats, Jai K. Das, Rehana A. Salam, Zohra S. Lassi, Aamer Imdad, Robert E. Black, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: Research evidence shows that malnutrition continues to affect women and children, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. Effective interventions for malnutrition, such as antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation, supplementary food, and community-based approaches, have been identified. Additionally, integrated interventions are highlighted as the most effective for preventing and managing childhood obesity.
LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lynda Stranix-Chibanda, Camlin Tierney, Mauricio Pinilla, Kathleen George, Jim Aizire, Godwin Chipoka, Macpherson Mallewa, Megeshinee Naidoo, Teacler Nematadzira, Bangani Kusakara, Avy Violari, Tapiwa Mbengeranwa, Boniface Njau, Lee Fairlie, Gerard Theron, Mwangelwa Mubiana-Mbewe, Sandhya Khadse, Renee Browning, Mary Glenn Fowler, George K. Siberry
Summary: In HEUs, postnatal exposure to mART in breastmilk and iNVP had comparable effects on length, weight, and head circumference, with no clinically relevant differences between the groups. Despite breastfeeding into the second year of life, length and weight were below reference population means at all ages in both arms.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nathaniel Z. Counts, Margaret R. Kuklinski, Kelly J. Kelleher, Y. Claire Wang
Summary: Payment reform in healthcare should encourage investments in place-based, population-level preventive interventions. This study uses economic modeling to estimate the long-term benefits and sector-specific improvements associated with enhancing population health indicators in childhood. Such information could motivate policymakers to invest in prevention and guide contracting to align incentives for implementing preventive interventions.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Zerina Lokmic-Tomkins, Dinesh Bhandari, Jessica Watterson, Wendy E. Pollock, Lindy Cochrane, Eddie Robinson, Tin Tin Su
Summary: There is growing evidence that extreme weather events caused by climate change adversely affect maternal and child health. This scoping review aims to map the available evidence on multilevel interventions implemented to protect maternal and child health from the adverse effects of climate change.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Meghan Bruce Kumar, Jason J. Madan, Peter Auguste, Miriam Taegtmeyer, Lilian Otiso, Christian B. Ochieng, Nelly Muturi, Elizabeth Mgamb, Edwine Barasa
Summary: This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of using community-level quality improvement to reduce maternal and infant mortality in Kenya. Results showed that the quality improvement intervention was more cost-effective compared to standard community healthcare, with improvements in antenatal care uptake and skilled delivery. Quality improvement interventions may be a good investment and yield benefits in other health areas.
Article
Geography
Lea-Sophie Hansen, Grace Wothaya Kihagi, Erick Agure, Erick M. O. Muok, Isabel Mank, Ina Danquah, Raissa Sorgho
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the perceptions and experiences of rural caregivers and local stakeholders in Siaya County, Kenya, regarding home gardening. The research found that home gardens were seen as beneficial for the nutrition, finances, and empowerment of households. However, challenges such as water scarcity, limited financial capital, demanding physical labor, limited land availability/control, and lack of knowledge and technical support were identified.
JOURNAL OF RURAL STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Azka Rehman, Ping Qing, Xia Cui
Summary: This study aims to identify historical trends in nutrition and key drivers of change in different regions of Pakistan. Results showed a significant reduction in stunted growth in Balochistan and the highest progress for underweight children in Punjab. Maternal nutritional status and household wealth were found to have a more pronounced impact on reducing child malnutrition. It is recommended to implement multidimensional nutrition policies and region-specific programs for more effective outcomes.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Apurv Soni, Nisha Fahey, Zulfiqar Bhutta, Wenjun Li, Tiffany Moore Simas, Somashekhar Nimbalkar, Jeroan Allison
Summary: This study investigates the impact of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) on child undernutrition rates in India. The findings suggest that the NRHM may be associated with a reduction in acute undernutrition among children, but has limited impact on chronic undernutrition. Additionally, there are variations in undernutrition trends and socioeconomic disparities across different focus states.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Patricia J. Hunter, Yvonne Muthiani, Pieta K. Nasanen-Gilmore, Annariina M. Koivu, Pia Portfors, Kalpana Bastola, Raija Vimpeli, Juho Luoma, Ulla Ashorn, Per Ashorn
Summary: This systematic review examined the effects of seven antenatal nutritional interventions on the risks of adverse birth outcomes. The findings suggest that supplementation with balanced protein and energy, multiple micronutrients, and lipid-based nutrient supplements can reduce the risk of low birth weight and related outcomes in populations with undernutrition. Further investigation is needed to determine the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and calcium supplementation, as well as interventions for pregnant women not gaining weight.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Molly E. Brown, Kathryn Grace, Trey Billing, David Backer
Summary: Despite early warning signs, humanitarian interventions often lag behind threats to food security. Conflict and climate conditions play crucial roles in food system failures, with geographical detail necessary to translate research findings into interventions. Action to prevent acute malnutrition should be taken to minimize suffering and maximize well-being in vulnerable contexts prone to worsening climate and conflict conditions.
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Development Studies
Anna Dimitrova
Summary: Climate change poses a serious threat to agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially impacting children's health. Exposure to drought during the main agricultural season in Ethiopia was found to increase the risk of undernutrition among children under five, with impacts varying among different population subgroups. Boys, children born to uneducated mothers, and households engaged in agricultural activities were more likely to be affected, highlighting the need for targeted nutritional interventions for these vulnerable groups.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zinash Teferu, Yohannes Tekalegn, Biniyam Sahiledengle, Demisu Zenbaba, Fikreab Desta, Kenbon Seyoum, Habtamu Gezahegn, Damtew Solomon Shiferaw, Ayele Mamo, Vijay Kumar Chattu
Summary: Underweight among lactating mothers in Ethiopia is significantly associated with individual-level factors such as age and toilet facilities, as well as community-level factors such as residence and community poverty. Focusing on these identified factors can improve the issue of underweight among lactating mothers in Ethiopia.
Article
Nursing
Favorite Iradukunda, Lucinda Canty
Summary: This paper discusses the importance of addressing systemic racism and its impact on Black maternal health outcomes beyond theoretical explorations of social determinants of health (SDoH). It emphasizes the need for nursing to be more intentional in addressing the effects of systemic racism, moving beyond race as a risk factor and focusing on systemic oppression. The paper suggests adding frameworks grounded in intersectionality, reproductive and racial justice, and reshaping nursing research and education to center anti-racist and anti-colonial practices.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shailja Shah, Zahra Ali Padhani, Daina Als, Mariella Munyuzangabo, Michelle F. Gaffey, Wardah Ahmed, Fahad J. Siddiqui, Sarah Meteke, Mahdis Kamali, Reena P. Jain, Amruta Radhakrishnan, Anushka Ataullahjan, Jai K. Das, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: This review synthesizes data on nutrition programs for conflict-affected women and children in LMICs, highlighting gaps in information and the need for more rigorous evaluation of effectiveness and delivery methods.
