Articles - Nutrition

Factors associated with duration of breastfeeding in women giving birth for the first time

The objective of the study was to examine maternal, psychosocial, and pregnancy factors associated with breastfeeding for at least 6 months in those giving birth for the first time. Findings suggest that in this cohort of women giving birth for the first time, duration of breastfeeding was associated with several characteristics which highlight groups at greater risk of not breastfeeding as long as currently recommended.

Sex inequality in early initiation of breastfeeding in 24 sub-Saharan African countries: A multi-country analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys

Data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 24 sub-Saharan African countries between January 2010 and December 2019 were pooled and analysed for sex inequality in early breastfeeding initiation in sub-Saharan Africa. The study found higher odds for early breastfeeding initiation of female children compared to male children in sub-Saharan Africa. To reduce breastfeeding initiation inequalities, programmes that educate and encourage early initiation of breastfeeding irrespective of the child sex should be promoted among mothers.

School Age Children Health and Nutrition Survey (SCANS)-Sindh and Punjab, Pakistan

The Aga Khan Universitys' Institute for Global Health and Development, in collaboartion with the Health Department, Government of Sindh; Policy and Strategic Planning Unit, Government of Punjab; Trust for Vaccine and Immunisation (TVI); and Mother and Child Care Research (MccR) conducted a large scale survey in the provinces of Sndh and Punjab, to assess the health, nutrition, and lifestyle of school-aged children 5 to 9.9 years of age. The study also assessed the association of health and nutritional status with sociodemographic factors (wealth, food insecurity, maternal education and gender), setting (rural vs. urban), in-school vs. out-of-school, and child health (anemia, nutrition status and dietary intake). This survey highlights the burden of malnutrition, dietary and meal patterns, sanitation and hygiene practices, schooling in children living in urban and rural areas of the two provinces in Pakistan. It suggests implementation of large integrated programs to improve health and nutrition outcomes among children, especially who live in the rural areas of Sindh and Punjab. It also suggests need of interventions to improve school attendance and quality education and the development of a comprehensive school health and nutrition program focusing on multitude of issues and including life skills development, health and nutrition education and optimum lifestyle and education behaviors