Care groups in an integrated nutrition education intervention improved infant growth among South Sudanese refugees in Uganda's West Nile post-emergency settlements: A cluster randomized trial.

Objective: This study examined the effects of a peer-led integrated nutrition education intervention with maternal social support using Care Groups on infant growth among South Sudanese refugees in Uganda.

Methods: A community-based cluster-randomized trial (RCT) was conducted among 390 pregnant women (third trimester). Two intervention study arms were Mothers-only(n = 131) and Parents-combined (n = 142) with a Control (n = 117).

A Peer-Led Integrated Nutrition Education Intervention through Care Groups Improved Complementary Feeding of Infants in Postemergency Settlements in the West-Nile Region in Uganda: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

Background: Complementary feeding of infants in refugee settlements remains inadequate. Furthermore, there has been limited evaluation of interventions addressing these nutrition challenges.

Objective: This study examined the effects of a peer-led integrated nutrition education intervention on infant complementary feeding by South Sudanese refugee mothers in the West-Nile region in Uganda.

The associations between women's empowerment measures, child growth and dietary diversity: Findings from an analysis of demographic and health surveys of seven countries in Eastern Africa.

Evidence on the efficacy of women's empowerment to improve child growth and minimum dietary diversity (MDD) in the Eastern Africa (EA) region is limited. This cross-sectional study used recent Demographic and Health Survey data of mother-child dyads from seven countries in EA to examine the associations between women's empowerment measures, child growth and MDD. Length-for-age z-scores, weight-for-length z-scores and weight-for-age z-scores were used to categorize growth indicators of 6-23 months old children.

Fathers' involvement in child care activities: Qualitative findings from the highlands of Madagascar.

Few studies have investigated fathers' roles in child care in Madagascar. This study explored the perceptions, attitudes, and practices regarding fathers' involvement in child care using qualitative methods. Ten focus group discussions were conducted among parents of children aged 6-23 months; seven were among mothers, and three among fathers.

Maternal experience of intimate partner violence is associated with suboptimal breastfeeding practices in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia: insights from a DHS analysis.

Background: Despite widespread suboptimal breastfeeding practices and maternal experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV), the association of IPV and breastfeeding practices remains unclear. This study investigated the associations between maternal experience of physical, sexual, emotional violence, and controlling behaviors with suboptimal breastfeeding practices in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Methods: Data included mother-infant dyads from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys for Malawi (n = 1878), Tanzania (n = 3184), and Zambia (n = 3879).

The WHO and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Indicators for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene and Their Association with Linear Growth in Children 6 to 23 Months in East Africa.

The slow decrease in child stunting rates in East Africa warrants further research to identify the influence of contributing factors such as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). This study investigated the association between child length and WASH conditions using the recently revised WHO and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) indicators. Data from households with infants and young children aged 6-23 months from the Demographic and Health Surveys in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia were used.

The Association Between School Health Promotion Programs and School Wellness Policies.

Objective: Determine school wellness policy quality and evaluate the association between health promotion programs on school wellness policy quality.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 344 school districts in Oklahoma, a south-central region of the US. Secondary data including school districts' participation in health promotion programs for school years 2015 and 2016 and school wellness policy scores were used for this study.

Maternal determinants of optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding and their association with child undernutrition in Malawi (2015-2016).

Background: Optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices are critical to prevent child undernutrition. Despite the occurrence of child undernutrition and widespread suboptimal feeding practices in Malawi, the association of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and undernutrition among Malawian children remains unclear. The purpose of the study was to determine the current breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, to identify maternal determinants of each practice, and to analyze the associations between breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices with stunting, underweight, and wasting.