Spatial and temporal trends in food security during the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia Pacific countries: India, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Background/objectives: The economic recession caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic disproportionately affected poor and vulnerable populations globally. Better uunderstanding of vulnerability to shocks in food supply and demand in the Asia Pacific region is needed.

Subjects/methods: Using secondary data from rapid assessment surveys during the pandemic response (n = 10,420 in mid-2020; n = 6,004 in mid-2021) in India, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, this study examined the risk factors for reported income reduction or job loss in mid-2021 and the temporal trend in food security status (household food availability, and market availability and affordability of essential items) from mid-2020 to mid-2021.

Hybrid Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 During Pregnancy Provides More Durable Infant Antibody Responses Compared to Natural Infection Alone.

Background: Hybrid immunity (infection plus vaccination) may increase maternally derived SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses and durability versus infection alone.

Methods: Prospective cohort of pregnant participants with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection (anti-nucleocapsid IgG, RT-PCR, or antigen positive) and their infants had blood collected in pregnancy, at delivery/birth, and postpartum tested for anti-spike (anti-S) IgG and neutralizing antibodies (neutAb).

Results: Among 107 participants at enrollment, 40% were unvaccinated and 60% were vaccinated (received ≥1 dose); 102 had previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy (median, 19 weeks' gestation); 5 were diagnosed just prior to pregnancy (median, 8 weeks).

Socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of violent discipline among parents in Asia Pacific countries during COVID-19: Focus on disadvantaged populations.

Background: Mobility restrictions and economic downfall as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may increase the risk of child maltreatment, including increased risk for violent discipline use by parents.

Objective: We examined the socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of violent discipline among parents against children in Asia Pacific countries.

Participants & Settings: This secondary data analysis included 7765 parents with children 6-18 years old in eight Asia Pacific countries.

Differences in the early impact of COVID-19 on food security and livelihoods in rural and urban areas in the Asia Pacific Region.

Lockdowns due to COVID-19 in early 2020 had health, economic, and social consequences globally. Using survey data collected as part of a rapid assessment among non-governmental organization- (NGO) supported communities in six Asia Pacific countries (n = 13,522), this study examined if the early impacts of COVID-19 on job loss or reduced income, food expenditure, food availability at households and markets, and affordability of essential items, differed between rural and urban areas. Job loss or reduced income was higher in urban areas than in rural areas in India (91.

Spatial patterns and climate drivers of malaria in three border areas of Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana, 2016-2018.

In 2020, 77% of malaria cases in the Americas were concentrated in Venezuela, Brazil, and Colombia. These countries are characterized by a heterogeneous malaria landscape and malaria hotspots. Furthermore, the political unrest in Venezuela has led to significant cross-border population movement.

Cross-border malaria drivers and risk factors on the Brazil-Venezuela border between 2016 and 2018.

Globally, cross-border importation of malaria has become a challenge to malaria elimination. The border areas between Brazil and Venezuela have experienced high numbers of imported cases due to increased population movement and migration out of Venezuela. This study aimed to identify risk factors for imported malaria and delineate imported malaria hotspots in Roraima, Brazil and Bolivar, Venezuela between 2016 and 2018.

Gender differences in psychosocial status of adolescents during COVID-19: a six-country cross-sectional survey in Asia Pacific.

Background: School closures and family economic instability caused by the COVID-19 lockdown measures have threatened the mental health and academic progress of adolescents. Through secondary data analysis of World Vision Asia Pacific Region's COVID-19 response-assessments in May-June 2020, this study examined whether adolescents' study, physical, and leisure activities, psychosocial status, and sources of COVID-19 information differed by gender.

Methods: The assessments used cross-sectional surveys of adolescents in poor communities served by World Vision (n = 5552 males and n = 6680 females) aged 10-18 years old in six countries.

Contribution of community health workers to improving access to timely and appropriate case management of childhood fever in Mozambique.

Background: Large scale evaluations in several settings have demonstrated that lay community health workers can be trained to provide quality case management of childhood illnesses. In 2010, Mozambique introduced the integrated community case management (iCCM) strategy to reach children in remote areas with care provided through (APEs). We assessed the contribution of the program to improved care-seeking and appropriate treatment of childhood febrile illness in Nampula Province.

Demand generation and social mobilisation for integrated community case management (iCCM) and child health: Lessons learned from successful programmes in Niger and Mozambique.

Aim: We present the approaches used in and outcomes resulting from integrated community case management (iCCM) programmes in Niger and Mozambique with a strong focus on demand generation and social mobilisation.

Methods: We use a case study approach to describe the programme and contextual elements of the Niger and Mozambique programmes.

Results: Awareness and utilisation of iCCM services and key family practices increased following the implementation of the Niger and Mozambique iCCM and child survival programmes, as did care-seeking within 24 hours and care-seeking from appropriate, trained providers in Mozambique.