Child Mortality Rates Research Articles

Prevalence of Child Fever, Acute Respiratory Infection, and Diarrhea and Their Risk Factors in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has the fourth-highest child mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. This retrospective study aimed to estimate the nationwide prevalence of fever, acute respiratory infection (ARI), and diarrhea in children under 5 years in Sierra Leone, and to identify the risk factors associated with these diseases. We extracted patient information from the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey data. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. In total, 8659, 8652, and 8650 children were included in the analyses of fever, ARI, and diarrhea, respectively. The analysis revealed that the nationwide prevalence rates of fever, ARI, and diarrhea were 16.8%, 14.2%, and 7.2%, respectively. Children aged 12–23 months were found to be the most susceptible. Compared to children consuming unimproved water, the highest prevalence rates of fever, ARI, and diarrhea were observed among children residing in households with tube wells or boreholes. The adjusted odds ratio for diarrhea prevalence among children drinking water from household tube wells or boreholes was 1.47 (95% confidence interval: 1.17–1.84, p < 0.001). This study has several limitations, including recall bias due to parental reporting. We suspect that the diseases may be associated with potential water contamination in tube wells or boreholes. We recommend national-level periodic inspections of water quality and community-level education on water supply management.

Prevalence and factors associated with cerebral malaria among children aged 6 to 59 months with severe malaria in Western Uganda: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

IntroductionCerebral malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, represents the most severe neurologic complication of malaria. Its association with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially among young children, underscores its clinical significance. In sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, cerebral malaria remains a major health challenge, contributing significantly to the high child mortality rate. Despite advances in malaria control, the burden of cerebral malaria among children under five is substantial, reflecting the need for targeted interventions and improved management strategies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cerebral malaria and identify associated factors among children admitted with severe malaria at a tertiary hospital in western Uganda.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study involving children aged 6 to 59 months admitted with severe malaria. The study was conducted from January to March 2023 at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital. Severe and cerebral malaria were defined as per the WHO criteria. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors associated with cerebral malaria. A p-value < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.ResultsA total of 250 children were recruited (mean age 33.1 ± 17.3 months). The prevalence of cerebral malaria was 12.8% (95% CI: 8.9–17.6). Cerebral malaria was independently associated with male sex (aOR: 3.05, 95% CI: 1.20–7.77, p = 0.02), abnormal bleeding (aOR: 13.22, 95% CI: 11.54–15.16, p = 0.001), history of convulsions (aOR 12.20, 95% CI: 10.7–21.69, p = 0.010), acute kidney injury (aOR: 4.50, 95% CI: 1.30–15.53, p = 0.02), and hyponatremia (aOR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.34–8.96, p = 0.010).Conclusions and recommendationsThe prevalence of cerebral malaria was high among children with severe malaria. Factors associated with cerebral malaria included male gender, history of convulsions, abnormal bleeding, acute kidney injury, and hyponatremia. Targeted interventions and early management are essential to improve clinical outcomes.

Impact of Government Health Expenditure on Maternal and Child Mortality Rates in a CLMV Country

The health of the citizens is a concern for all levels of government, as well as for CLMV countries, which first prioritized a portion of health expenditure in the health sector to reduce maternal and child mortality rates, particularly in rural areas. In order to analyze the data using fixed effect regression and random effect regression, we used balanced panel data to examine the impact of government health expenditure on maternal and child under-five mortality rates in a CLMV country. As a result of this study, increased government health expenditure had a significant impact on reducing the maternal mortality rate while having no effect on the child mortality rate. Furthermore, there are additional independent variables that affect the maternal and child under-5 mortality rates in a CLMV country, such as GDP per capita, which has a significant impact on reducing the child mortality rate but no impact on reducing the maternal mortality rate. Nevertheless, women's primary school enrollment and use of basic water service rates were statistically significant in CLMV countries.

IMPLEMENTING AND EVALUATING A PAEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PRIMARY HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN ZARIA

Nigeria continues to grapple with alarmingly high under-five mortality rates, with approximately 2,300 children dying daily due to preventable and treatable diseases such as pneumonia, malaria, and diarrheal illnesses. This crisis is particularly pronounced in rural areas, where childhood mortality rates are significantly higher than in urban centres. For many rural communities, primary healthcare (PHC) centres serve as the sole access point to medical services, making these centres critical to addressing this public health challenge. Despite their importance, PHC centres often face significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to essential medications, and a shortage of adequately trained health personnel. This study aimed to implement and evaluate a Paediatric Emergency Management Training Program for healthcare workers at PHC centres in Zaria, Kaduna State. The primary objective was to assess the effectiveness of the training in improving the competency of health workers in managing common paediatric emergencies, thereby enhancing the overall quality of care provided at these centres. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted involving 139 healthcare workers from selected PHC centres in Sabon Gari and Zaria Local Government Areas, utilizing a multi-stage random sampling technique. Data collection was performed using a pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire designed to evaluate the participants' baseline knowledge, followed by an assessment after the training intervention. The data were analysed using SPSS version 21, with chi-square tests employed to examine the associations between variables. Results were presented using tables and charts for clarity. The findings revealed a generally low baseline competency in managing common paediatric emergencies among the healthcare workers. Specifically, 66 (48.5%) of the respondents demonstrated very poor knowledge regarding the causes of common paediatric emergencies, 32 (23.5%) had poor knowledge, 34 (25.0%) had good knowledge, and only 4 (2.9%) of the respondents exhibited excellent knowledge. Similarly, knowledge regarding the treatment of these emergencies was also lacking, with 46.7% of respondents showing very poor understanding, 34.1% having poor knowledge, 16.3% demonstrating good knowledge, and only 3.0% showing excellent knowledge. A statistically significant relationship was observed between academic qualifications and knowledge levels in both causes (p = 0.004) and treatment (p = 0.000) of paediatric emergencies. The low baseline knowledge underscores the critical need for targeted training interventions. The study highlights the importance of establishing a sustained partnership between the Department of Paediatrics at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and the Departments of Primary Health Care in Zaria and Sabon Gari Local Governments. Regular training workshops, held quarterly, are recommended to continuously equip PHC workers with the necessary skills to effectively manage paediatric emergencies, ultimately contributing to a reduction in childhood mortality rates in the region.

Agenda 2030 for sustainable development in Portuguese Speaking Countries, indicators inequalities

Abstract Background Achieving the SDG Sustainable Development goals represents a major global challenge. The Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) is made up of countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, Brazil, Portugal, and East Timor. Studies on SDG indicators are little studied among these countries. The study analyzes SDG health indicators in the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) and their projections for 2030, and investigates the correlation between the countries’ level of development and the performance of these indicators. Methods Ecological epidemiological study. Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study between 1990 and 2021 were analyzed, referring to fifteen indicators: universal health coverage, sanitation, smoking, maternal and child health, vaccination coverage and communicable diseases. The GBD study generated projections by calculating the annual change since 1990 for each country and year and then calculating the weighted annualized rate of change. The correlation between the Sociodemographic Index (SDI) and the SDG indicators was investigated using the Spearman test, at a significance level of 5%. Results The best performances of the analyzed indicators were seen for Portugal, followed by Brazil, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe. In other countries, high rates of infectious diseases, maternal and childhood mortality, malnutrition, low vaccination coverage and sanitation were observed. There was a negative correlation between the SDI and the indicators of childhood mortality rate (R=-0.82; p &amp;lt; 0.05), malnutrition (R=-0.7; p &amp;lt; 0.05), incidence of tuberculosis (R =-0.73; p &amp;lt; 0.05) and positive between SDI and sewage coverage (R=-0.83; p &amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusions The CPLP presents internal differences regarding the health indicators analyzed, making it essential to advance cooperation between countries to achieve the SDG targets in 2030. Key messages • There are great inequalities between SDG indicators in Portuguese-speaking countries. • It is important to advance technical cooperation between countries to formulate solutions and leave no one behind.

The status of reproductive Health Indicators in Iran, Compared to the Sustainable Development Goals of the World Health Organization

Background and Objectives: Health indicators such maternal and child mortality rates are social indicators that are used to measure the development of each country. This study aims to investigate the status of maternal and child health indicators and total fertility rate in the last 10 years in Iran compared to the sustainable development goals (SDG) of the World Health Organization (WHO). Methods: This is a systematic review study. A search was first conducted to find studies related to the study objectives in Iran from 2012 to 2022 in online databases of SID, IranDoc, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, using the keywords: Health, fertility, mothers, children. The results of the studies were compared with the SDG indicators of the WHO. Results: The initial search yielded 162 articles. After removing duplicates and screening the studies based on the inclusion criteria, finally 20 articles were selected for the review. The status of SDG indicators in Iran, except for neonatal mortality rate and low birth weight, was in accordance with the SDGs of the WHO until 2030. Conclusion: In the last ten years, the status of most SDG indicators in Iran has been favorable. However, the attention should be paid to the factors affecting neonatal mortality rate and low birth weight to reduce their rates and improve the country’s health status.

Stolen Childhood and Desolate Future: On Child Marriage in the Makawanpur's Chepang Community

Child marriage remains a critical issue not only in Nepal but globally, predominantly affecting South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In Nepal, the Terai region, rural areas, particularly among economically disadvantaged and Dalit communities, faces alarmingly high rates of child marriage. Main objective of this study is to investigate the causes and consequences of child marriage in the Chepang Community. This phenomenon is driven by poverty, social pressure to maintain ties, and the misconception that it offers protection. ADD Primary data has directly been taken from the Chepang community through interview, and Previous studies, book, articles, bulletin, journal are used as a secondary data. This paper employs qualitative research methods, including semi-structured interviews with twenty households and case studies involving two Chepang women, to explore the causes and consequences of child marriage in the study area. Its consequences are profound, directly impacting girls' health and education. Many girls drop out before completing primary education due to domestic responsibilities like cooking and household chores. Early pregnancies, despite physical immaturity, contribute to high maternal and child mortality rates. The statement effectively highlights the multifaceted issue of child marriage in the Chepang community, touching on key factors such as socio-cultural norms, purity, economic pressures, and educational limitations. It also emphasizes the negative impacts of early marriage on health, education, and economic independence, reinforcing cycles of poverty and gender inequality. The proposed solutions education, legal enforcement, awareness, and promoting gender equality are crucial for addressing this issue. However, a deeper exploration of specific interventions tailored to the Chepang community's context could further strengthen the argument.

Polygyny, Infant, and Child Mortality in Pakistan: Moderating Effect of Household Wealth Status.

The United Nations report in 2021 ranks Pakistan 21st among countries with the highest infant and child mortality rate in the world. It is the fifth most populous country in the world with a growth rate of 2% annually. Therefore, understanding child mortality is crucial to reducing the child mortality burden. The research utilized two waves of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS), 2012-13 and 2017-18. The data are analyzed using logistic regression with interaction effects of household wealth status and propensity score matching techniques. The study reveals a positive link between polygyny and infant and child mortality. The odd ratios higher than "1" indicate increased mortality risk for infants and children belonging to polygynous families taking monogamous families as a reference category. Mortality risk is higher among children (OR 1.50 CI 0.18-12.63) as compared with infants (OR 1.28 CI 0.37-4.45). The main effect of household shows a negative association with infant and child mortality while after interacting with polygyny it turns out to be positive. The mortality risks increase with increasing wealth status. It can be translated as a positive link between household wealth status, and infant and child mortality in the context of polygyny. Infants and children belonging to polygynous families experience increased mortality risk as compared with monogamous families. The household wealth status may not help improve child mortality.

Survival Regression Model Allowing for Exposure-Mediator Interaction: Analysis of Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) 2014 Data

Although infant and under-five mortality rates have decreased over the past decade, Kenya, like many other African nations, did not achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 target. To accelerate progress towards reaching Sustainable Development Goal 3 by 2030, it is essential to understand the factors influencing under-five child mortality (UFCM), taking into account all potential confounding variables and effect modifiers. The child mortality rate serves as a key health indicator for any country. This study used data from the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KHDS). This paper introduces the concept of decomposing the total effect of an independent variable into three components: a direct effect, an indirect effect, and an interactive effect. We attempt to account for the direct effect of an independent variable on the outcome, then proceed to check the effect of the presence of a possible mediator and, furthermore, the possible interactions between an exposure variable and a mediator variable. The outcome variable was UFCM, and the study was to determine the effect of mother’s education on UFCM, in the presence of mediators such as mother’s income and the effect via the interaction between mother’s education and maternal income was estimated. To capture the effect of mediation and interactions in the context of survival analysis, an Aalen additive model, including a product term for the exposure and mediator term, was developed. The methods were further illustrated with practical approach to KDHS data. KDHS has data on a broad scope of risk factors for UFCM. Computations for all data sets was implemented using the freely available R-software package. This analysis suggests that while a significant portion of the impact of maternal education on UFCM is mediated by increasing maternal income, it is the interaction between maternal education and maternal income that leads to a reduction in UFCM. Interventions targeting an increase in income among mothers with no education level would yield a greater reduction in UFCM than interventions targeting mothers with a higher education level. The total effect was ascribed to an interaction between the mother’s education level and maternal income, and part of it is attributable to pure indirect effect, and a given proportion is attributable to pure direct effect. The majority of the total effect (70%)is attributed to the interaction between change from no education level to primary education level and maternal income. 22% is associated with the pure direct effect, while 8% is linked to the pure indirect effect. Interventions with a given increase in income among those with no education level would yield a greater reduction in UFCM than interventions targeting mothers with a higher education level.

Health outcome convergence and the roles of public health financing and governance in Africa.

Progress in health outcomes across Africa has been uneven, marked by significant disparities among countries, which not only challenges the global health security but impede progress towards achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 10 (SDG 3 and SDG 10) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This paper examines the progress of African countries in reducing intra-country health outcome disparities between 2000 and 2019. In other words, the paper investigates the convergence hypothesis in health outcome using a panel data from 40 African countries. Data were sourced from the World Development Indicators, the World Governance Indicators, and the World Health Organization database. Employing a non-linear dynamic factor model, the study focused on three health outcomes: infant mortality rate, under-5 mortality rate, and life expectancy at birth. The findings indicate that while the hypothesis of convergence is not supported for the selected countries, evidence of convergence clubs is observed for the three health outcome variables. The paper further examine the factors contributing to club formation by using the marginal effects of the ordered logit regression model. The findings indicate that the overall impact of the control variables aligns with existing research. Moreover, governance quality and domestic government health expenditure emerge as significant determinants influencing the probability of membership in specific clubs for the child mortality rate models. In the life expectancy model, governance quality significantly drives club formation. The results suggest that there is a need for common health policies for the different convergence clubs, while country-specific policies should be implemented for the divergent countries. For instance, policies and strategies promoting health prioritization in national budget allocation and reallocation should be encouraged within each final club. Efforts to promote good governance policies by emphasizing anti-corruption measures and government effectiveness should also be encouraged. Moreover, there is a need to implement regional monitoring mechanisms to ensure progress in meeting health commitments, while prioritizing urbanization plans in countries with poorer health outcomes to enhance sanitation access.

Social Policy and Early Childhood Development: A Field Study in Baghdad City

Social policy includes many aspects, some of which are related to welfare, as well as many social responsibilities and rights that are considered the basis of the early childhood stage, as social policy aims to secure a kind of stimulating, safe and equal environment for children, especially in the first years of their lives, as these early stages greatly affect their growth, development and future capabilities. It aims to study the current facts related to a phenomenon, situation or group of individuals. This study relied on the social survey method by sample and used the questionnaire tool to identify the extent of the impact of social legislation to protect early childhood. A field study in the city of Baghdad, where the study sample amounted to (200) individuals, males and females. The results of the study showed that the highest percentage of the research community are females at 54.4%. The results of the study showed that providing health care to mothers before and after birth is the health system for child health by 60.4%. The results of the study indicate that the early childhood care policy contributed to reducing child mortality rates by 63.2%. The results of the study indicate that one of the most important ways is the contribution of the social care policy to correcting some wrong practices by holding educational courses for workers in health centers by 43.6%. The results of the study concluded that there are educational programs provided for early childhood with cognitive and cognitive stimulation by 58.4%. And the contribution of government efforts to provide development programs for the early childhood stage by encouraging enrollment in education by 55.2%. One of the most important difficulties facing the implementation of policies and strategies for sustainable development for early childhood is the absence of activation of the national strategy by 36%. Therefore, we recommend the establishment of a higher council for childhood that takes on the responsibility of drawing up policies related to children and following up on strategies and programs related to them.

Linkages between consanguinity, pregnancy outcomes and offspring mortality in twenty-first century India.

We hypothesized that consanguineous marriage will remain a risk factor for pregnancy outcome and offspring mortality, but the development in demographic, socioeconomic conditions and increased utilization of maternal and child health care services during postglobalization era would work as a buffer in the reduction of child mortality rates. Data fromNational Family Health Surveys 4(2015-2016) and 5(2019-2021) were pooled and used for the analysis. Binary logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine the effects of close (CC) and distant (DC) consanguinity on spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, neonatal mortality, post-neonatal, and child mortality respectively compared to non-consanguinity (NC). The final model showed that the risk of spontaneous abortion (both CC and DC, p < 0.001) and neonatal mortality (DC, p < 0.001) were significantly higher compared to NC. No significant association was found between consanguinity and child mortality. We conclude that the endogenous effect of consanguinity still pose a serious challenge to the survival of fetus and new born; but exogenous effect reduces the risk of child death. We propose to incorporate socially entrenched practice of consanguinity explicitly into Mosley and Chen's (1984) framework for the aid in understanding child survival in developing countries.

Spatial distribution of teenage pregnancy and its associated factors in Ethiopia: spatial and multilevel analysis of EDHS 2019

BackgroundOne of the reasons for the high rates of maternal and child morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa is the rising proportion of teenage pregnancy. Preventing teenage pregnancy is critical to meeting sustainable development goal number three which aims to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births. To support the achievement of this goal, this study aimed to assess the spatial variation and factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Ethiopia using the recent nationally representative data.MethodsA secondary data analysis of the 2019 Ethiopian mini Demographic and Health Survey was conducted with a total weighted sample of 2211 (unweighted 2100) teenagers. The Bernoulli model was fitted using SaTScan version 9.6 to identify hotspot areas and the geospatial pattern and prediction of teenage pregnancy were mapped using ArcGIS version 10.7. A multilevel logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with teenage pregnancy among teenagers. Adjusted OR with 95% CI was calculated and variables having a p-value less than 0.05 were statistically significant factors of teenage pregnancy.ResultThe prevalence of teenage pregnancy among adolescents aged 15–19 years in Ethiopia was 12.89% (95% CI: 11.56%, 14.36%). The SaTScan analysis identified a primary cluster in the Gambella region of Ethiopia (log-likelihood ratio = 14.02, p < 0.001). A high prevalence of teenage pregnancy was observed in Somalia, Afar, Gambella, and the southern part of the Oromia regions of Ethiopia. Age, educational status- primary and secondary, religion- protestant, having television, contraceptive knowledge, household head-female, and region- Small peripheral were significant determinants of teenage pregnancy.ConclusionThe spatial distribution of teenage pregnancy in Ethiopia was nonrandom. Age, educational status, religion, having television, contraceptive knowledge, sex of household head, and region were significant determinants of teenage pregnancy. Therefore, concerned government bodies and other stakeholders should organize periodic educational campaigns and youth-friendly reproductive health services. Collaboration between healthcare professionals, and religious and community leaders could also form a strategic partnership that makes interventions more comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and effective in reducing teenage pregnancy.

Prediction of delayed breastfeeding initiation among mothers having children less than 2 months of age in East Africa: application of machine learning algorithms.

Delayed breastfeeding initiation is a significant public health concern, and reducing the proportion of delayed breastfeeding initiation in East Africa is a key strategy for lowering the Child Mortality rate. However, there is limited evidence on this public health issue assessed using advanced models. Therefore, this study aimed to assess prediction of delayed initiation of breastfeeding initiation and associated factors among women with less than 2 months of a child in East Africa using the machine learning approach. A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) dataset covering the years 2011 to 2021. Using statistical software (Python version 3.11), nine supervised machine learning algorithms were applied to a weighted sample of 31,640 women and assessed using performance measures. To pinpoint significant factors and predict delayed breastfeeding initiation in East Africa, this study also employed the most widely used outlines of Yufeng Guo's steps of supervised machine learning. The pooled prevalence of delayed breastfeeding initiation in East Africa was 31.33% with 95% CI (24.16-38.49). Delayed breastfeeding initiation was highest in Comoros and low in Burundi. Among the nine machine learning algorithms, the random forest model was fitted for this study. The association rule mining result revealed that home delivery, delivered by cesarean section, poor wealth status, poor access to media outlets, women aged between 35 and 49 years, and women who had distance problems accessing health facilities were associated with delayed breastfeeding initiation in East Africa. The prevalence of delayed breastfeeding initiation was high. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of breastfeeding practices and the need to consider socioeconomic, healthcare, and demographic variables when addressing breastfeeding initiation timelines in the region. Policymakers and stakeholders pay attention to the significant factors and we recommend targeted interventions to improve healthcare accessibility, enhance media outreach, and support women of lower socioeconomic status. These measures can encourage timely breastfeeding initiation and address the identified factors contributing to delays across the region.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Breastfeeding among South Indians: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Research shows that exclusively breastfed infants have a 13% lower mortality risk. However, only 37% of infants in Low and middle income country (LMIC) are exclusively breastfed. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a Chennai hospital’s outpatient department, focusing on pediatrics. The study commenced after obtaining ethical clearance (99/IEC-SMMCHRI). Breastfeeding knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) scales were developed by modifying existing KAP tools. The KAP questionnaire was based on the World Health Organization. The same was applied to 250 consenting mothers. Results: Participants had a mean age of 27 years, with the youngest mother at 19 and the oldest at 40. Forty-one percent had finished high school, and 37% had completed undergraduate studies. Eighty-eight percent had strong breastfeeding comprehension, and 96% had a favorable attitude. However, only 32% exclusively breastfed. The study found significant correlations between knowledge and behavior (χ2 = 4.27, P = 0.04) and between attitude and behavior (χ2 = 5.69, P = 0.017). Mothers with adequate knowledge tended to follow recommended feeding practices, and those with a positive attitude displayed good practices. Conclusion: Despite positive attitudes toward breastfeeding, the cultural practice of introducing prelacteal food hinders exclusive breastfeeding, leading to negative outcomes. While there have been some improvements in exclusive breastfeeding rates, addressing this disparity could reduce child mortality rates. The outcomes of the research will be highly beneficial for primary care physicians in their efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding among expectant mothers.

Factors affecting under-five child mortality rate in India

Factors affecting under-five child mortality rate in India

Determinants for Low Birth Weight in Mothers Giving Birth during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) remains a significant global health issue, leading to higher rates of infant and child morbidity and mortality. In 2022, Indonesia had a 12.58% rate, while in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, the rate was higher at 16.30%. The Covid-19 pandemic, which severely impacted East Kalimantan also influenced LBW rates. Objectives: Analyzed the determinants of LBW incidence during the Covid-19 pandemic in Kutai Kartanegara. Methods: This population of 1265 mothers delivered in four public health centers with the highest cases of BBLR. This study used a case control design for 240 mothers, including 120 mothers who gave birth to babies with low birth weight and 120 mothers who gave birth to babies with LBW. Data were obtained from e-cohort data according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection occurred from August until October 2022 through interviews with structured questionnaires and maternal child handbooks. Data analysis was performed with logistic regression. Results: Determinant factors LBW were maternal nutritional risk (upper arm circumference &lt;23.5 cm) (OR=2.800, 95% CI=1.237-6.340), history of anemia (OR=3.156, 95% CI=1.716-5.804), history of Covid-19 (OR=4.357, 95% CI=2.355-8.063), living with a smoker (OR=2.505, 95% CI=1.716-2.804), and not having health insurance (OR=2.744, 95% CI=1.435-5.247). Conclusions: Internal factors such as age, under arm circumference, anemia, Covid-19, birth spacing, and parity and external factors (such as living with smokers, not having insurance) were interconnected in contributing to the risk of LBW, the pandemic further influenced these determinant factors.

Rancang Bangun Media Pembelajaran Sistem Reproduksi Wanita Berbasis Virtual Reality

Midwifery practices have contributed to reducing maternal and child mortality rates by applying biomedical knowledge, one of which is anatomy. Anatomy education typically uses cadavers, models, and books, but it is considered less effective. This study aims to create a virtual reality-based application for quality learning media on the female reproductive system. This research is a development study, which employs a waterfall model to create a high-quality educational media application. The Midwifery Department at Poltekkes Kemenkes Yogyakarta conducted the research in 2022. Based on the needs analysis, it is necessary to develop interactive learning media, one of which utilizes virtual reality technology. Blender for 3D Web applications and A-Frame for Virtual Reality Web. Overall, the application testing resulted in a feasibility percentage of 80.84%. We rated the Virtual Reality application for the Female Reproductive System as very feasible, requiring only minor improvements for learning purposes.

Protection of Child Health in Emergencies.

Natural disasters present a significant and growing threat to the well-being of children. Every year 175 million children globally are expected to be affected by natural disasters, including floods, cyclones, droughts, heatwaves, severe storms, and earthquakes. In emergencies, children of all age groups, especially those under 5, are the most affected part of the community, with child mortality rates 2-70 times higher than average. Clean water, sanitation and hygiene measures, vaccination to prevent infectious diseases, providing psychological support to vulnerable children in an age-appropriate approach, and paying particular attention to children with special needs are extremely important. Healthcare personnel and families should have adequate information and preparation to do what is necessary before, during, and after emergencies to minimize the negative effects on children. In this review, we aim to discuss the effects of emergencies on children and the prevention methods.

Addressing Health Illiteracy and Stunting in Culture-Shocked Indigenous Populations: A Case Study of Outer Baduy in Indonesia.

This research aims to determine the factors, impacts, and solutions for health literacy in the Outer Baduy hamlets of Kanekes Village, Indonesia. The method used in this research is qualitative, which produces an in-depth explanation of the existing problems. Data were collected through interviews and documentation. Interviews were conducted with key figures, including two female Baduy residents with stunted children, one retainer, the head of the NGO SRI, a midwife who works in the Baduy village, and the head of the Lebak social service. Apart from that, secondary data in the form of recordings of community service talk shows conducted by the University of Indonesia to overcome stunting in Baduy were also analysed. The results show that the factors associated with the low health literacy of the Baduy community are literacy, writing and reading, taboos on eating certain foods, people spending too much time in the fields, people learning by imitating their parents, demanding access to villages, lack of consistency from external parties in providing health programs, and gender segregation in Baduy society. The impact of the low health literacy of the Baduy community is fatalism, high maternal and child mortality rates, and high health costs. The proposed strategies for increasing the health literacy of the Baduy community based on the findings of this research include developing health literacy by targeting community leaders, managing information-technology-based health-information groups, and always presenting at least one health worker among the residents who provides an example of healthy living, encouraging collective reflection. when health cases occur, and balancing gender communication.