Navigating intersectoral collaboration in nutrition programming: implementors' perspectives from Assam, India.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in the use of intersectoral collaborative (ISC) approaches to address complex health-related issues. However, relatively little empirical research exists on the challenges of implementing, fostering and sustaining these approaches. Our study explores the perceptions and experiences of programme implementers regarding the implementation of an ISC approach, focusing on a case study of nutrition programming in Assam, India. METHODS: We conducted qualitative semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews with eleven programme implementers from two selected districts of Assam, India. These participants were purposefully sampled to provide a comprehensive understanding of the experiences of implementing intersectoral collaboration. Following the interviews, an inductive thematic analysis was performed on the collected data. RESULTS: The study identified three main themes: operationalisation of ISC in daily practice, facilitators of ISC, and barriers to effective ISC. These were further broken down into six subthemes: defined sectoral mandates, leadership dynamics, interpersonal relationships and engagement, collective vision and oversight, resource allocation, and power dynamics. These findings highlight the complexity of ISC, focusing on the important structural and relational aspects at the macro, meso, and micro levels. Interpersonal relationships and power dynamics among stakeholders substantially influenced ISC formation in both the districts. CONCLUSION: Despite challenges, there is ongoing interest in establishing ISC in nutrition programming, supported by political development agendas. Success relies on clarifying sectoral roles, addressing power dynamics, and engaging stakeholders systematically. Actionable plans with measurable targets are crucial for promoting and sustaining ISC, ensuring positive programme outcomes. The insights from our study provide valuable guidance for global health practitioners and policymakers dealing with similar challenges, emphasising the urgent need for comprehensive research given the lack of universally recognised policies in the realm of ISC in global health practice.

Prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes among tribal and rural population in a south Indian forested region.

While NCDs are in rise globally, tribal and rural populations residing near to reserve forests with limited exposure to modern lifestyles may bear a unique burden. This study investigates the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia among these communities. We conducted a cross-sectional study between 2018 and 2020 in the forest-dwelling population of Chamarajanagar, India. Using multistage stratified sampling based on caste and remoteness, we enrolled 608 participants aged over 18 years, including 259 non-tribal and 349 tribal individuals. Data collection includes the administration of STEPS questionnaire and measurement of fasting blood sugar, lipid levels, and blood pressure. The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were 4.6%, 28.8%, and 85.7%, respectively, among the study population. We also found abnormal levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), Triglycerides (TGA), Total cholesterol (TC), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)in 4.9%, 82.4%, 22.7%, 5.8%, and 7.4% of participants, respectively. Significant differences were observed in diabetes, LDL abnormality, TGA abnormality, VLDL abnormality, and TC abnormality, but not in hypertension, dyslipidemia, or HDL abnormality, across the Socio Geographic Discrimination Index. We found a significant difference in diabetes and HDL abnormality, but not in hypertension, dyslipidemia, LDL abnormality, TGA abnormality, TC abnormality, or VLDL abnormality, between tribal and non-tribal populations living in the forest-dwelling area. Waist circumference was a significant independent predictor of diabetes among tribal participants, while wealth index, age, and waist circumference were significant predictors of hypertension. There were no significant predictors for dyslipidemia among tribal participants. Our study suggests that tribal population living in a remote area are at a lower risk of developing diabetes compared to non-tribal populations living in the same geographic area. However, the prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia among tribal populations remains high and comparable to that of the general population.

Practices and outcomes of responsive caregiving on child neurodevelopment and mental health across diverse global populations: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Responsive caregiving (RC) leads to positive outcomes in children, including secure attachment with caregivers, emotional regulation, positive social interactions and cognitive development. Through our scoping review, we aim to summarise the practices and outcomes of RC in diverse caregiver and child populations from 0 to 8 years. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will use the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. We shall present our findings as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for scoping review. Only peer-reviewed, English-language articles from 1982 to 2022 will be included from PubMed, Web of Science, APA PsychInfo, APA PsycArticles, SocINDEX and Google Scholar databases. Reference lists of included articles will also be screened. The search strategy will be developed for each database, and search results will be imported into Rayyan. Screening will be done in two phases: (1) titles and abstracts will be screened by two authors and conflicts will be resolved by mutual discussion between both or by consulting with a senior author; and (2) full-texts of shortlisted studies from the first phase will then be screened using the same inclusion/exclusion criteria. A data extraction form will be developed to collate relevant information from the final list of included articles. This form will be pilot tested on the first 10 papers and iteratively refined prior to data extraction from the remaining articles. Results will be presented in figures, tables and a narrative summary. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethics approval needed as the review shall only use already published data. We shall publish the review in an open-access, peer-reviewed journal and disseminate through newsletters, social media pages, and presentations to relevant audiences.

Validation of ToucHb, a non-invasive haemoglobin estimation: Effective for normal ranges, needs improvement for anaemia detection.

Non-invasive methods for haemoglobin estimation hold enormous potential for early detection and treatment of anaemia, especially in limited resource settings. We sought to validate the diagnostic accuracy of ToucHb, a non-invasive haemoglobin estimation device available in the Indian market. We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic performance of the ToucHb device using the Automated complete blood count (CBC) method as the gold standard. Persons referred for haemoglobin estimation to the central laboratory of the government medical college hospital in Mysore, southern India were included in the study. Out Of 140 people approached, 127 gave consent; 65% (n = 82) were female with median age of 37 (IQR 28-45). ToucHB reported median haemoglobin value of 14 g/dL compared to 13.3 g/dL for CBC. Within 1 g/dL and 2 g/dL of CBC, 55.2% (70/127) and 74% (94/127) of ToucHb haemoglobin observations fell, respectively. The Bland-Altman plot showed a mean difference of 3 g/dL in haemoglobin between ToucHb and CBC among those with anaemia. The ToucHb device showed 22.2% sensitivity and 94.5% specificity for anaemia detection. In rural resource-limited settings, point of care non-invasive devices such as ToucHb can improve access and acceptance for anaemia screening. However, ToucHb has showed low sensitivity for anaemia detection and low accuracy at lower haemoglobin values. The utility of the instrument is especially limited in detecting anaemia, while it can estimate haemoglobin accurately among those with haemoglobin is in the normal range. Based on these findings, ToucHb and devices that work on the core technology deployed in ToucHb may be better suited to monitor known haemoglobin level rather than in anaemia screening or detection in primary/ secondary care and community settings.

Disproportionate infection, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 in ethnic minority groups and Indigenous Peoples: an application of the Priority Public Health Conditions analytical framework.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in disproportionate consequences for ethnic minority groups and Indigenous Peoples. We present an application of the Priority Public Health Conditions (PPHC) framework from the World Health Organisation (WHO), to explicitly address COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses of pandemic potential. This application is supported by evidence that ethnic minority groups were more likely to be infected, implying differential exposure (PPHC level two), be more vulnerable to severe disease once infected (PPHC level three) and have poorer health outcomes following infection (PPHC level four). These inequities are driven by various interconnected dimensions of racism, that compounds with socioeconomic context and position (PPHC level one). We show that, for respiratory viruses, it is important to stratify levels of the PPHC framework by infection status and by societal, community, and individual factors to develop optimal interventions to reduce inequity from COVID-19 and future infectious diseases outbreaks.

Factors influencing the emergence of self-reliance in primary health care using traditional medicine: A scoping review.

Self-reliance is the responsible behavior and the ability of an individual to take care of one's own health using local resources. A substantial proportion of the population use traditional medicine (TM) for primary health care (PHC) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The underlying philosophy of the TM approach is self-reliance due to its emphasis on culture, traditions, customs, and local resources. Given the complexity and ambiguity of how self-reliance emerges, there is a need to have clarity in its understanding and the practice in relation to TM. Hence, we conducted this review to synthesize the factors determining the emergence of self-reliance in PHC using TM in resource-poor settings with a specific focus on LMICs. We searched PubMed, Google scholar, and the Social Science Research Network databases, and conducted reference tracking of selected articles. We included articles published between 2000 and 2020 May. Thematic analysis was done using QDA-miner Lite software version 2.1. We retained 29 papers for review and analysis. A conceptual framework was developed that located factors influencing the emergence of self-reliance. Self-reliance manifests through a socially constructed interaction between factors from the macro (policy and environment) to the micro context (community and household). Due to the lack of explanatory models, there is a substantial gap between understanding self-reliance and its application in health policy and practice. Achieving comprehensive PHC and universal health coverage requires policy provisions to create an enabling environment in health-care facilities, communities, and households that allows the emergence of self-reliance.

COVID-19 and Multiple Inequalities The Case of a Coastal Community in Kerala.

Despite the overall achievements, Kerala's handling of its first case of community transmission in the coastal village of Poonthura came under severe criticism. In this article, the potential pathways to the resistance raised by the fisherfolk in Poonthura are explored, thereby placing their responses as historically and politically embedded ones.

Coproducing tobacco control knowledge: Using virtual platforms to strengthen implementation in India.

Tobacco control is complex and multidimensional. In India, 266.8 million adults use tobacco in some form, with local contextual factors shaping its consumption, production, and trade. Actors have a stake in tobacco represent different sectors; with varying priorities, responding to different ideas, and exerting varying levels of influence often make it difficult to work collaboratively on tobacco control-related issues. Through online networking platforms such as webinars, we emphasize how coproduction of tobacco control knowledge enables participation, prioritizes multisectoral strategies, and enhances tobacco control leadership among policymakers and implementers in their settings. Coproduction of knowledge between and across stakeholders with a focus on "how to" implement tobacco control policies can leverage in negotiating and supplementing the policy implementation process.

The Health of Indigenous Populations in South Asia: A Critical Review in a Critical Time.

Despite South Asia's promising social inclusion processes, staggering social and health inequalities leave indigenous populations largely excluded. Marginalization in the South Asian polity, unequal power relations, and poor policy responses deter Adivasi populations' rights and opportunities for health gains and dignity. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is likely to result in a disproportionate share of infections and deaths among the Adivasis, given poor social conditions and exclusions. Poor health of indigenous people, inequalities between indigenous and non-indigenous groups, and failures in enforcing constitutional and legal provisions to reclaim indigenous land and cultural identity herald deeper structural and political fractures. This article unravels health inequalities between the Adivasis and non-Adivasi populations in their social context based on a critical review of secondary sources. We call for intersectoral policies and integrated health care services to address systemic inequalities, discrimination, power asymmetries, and consequent poor health outcomes. The current COVID-19 pandemic should be viewed as a window to pursue real change.

Increasing risks for emerging infectious diseases within a rapidly changing High Asia.

The cold and arid mountains and plateaus of High Asia, inhabited by a relatively sparse human population, a high density of livestock, and wildlife such as the iconic snow leopard Panthera uncia, are usually considered low risk for disease outbreaks. However, based on current knowledge about drivers of disease emergence, we show that High Asia is rapidly developing conditions that favor increased emergence of infectious diseases and zoonoses. This is because of the existing prevalence of potentially serious pathogens in the system; intensifying environmental degradation; rapid changes in local ecological, socio-ecological, and socio-economic factors; and global risk intensifiers such as climate change and globalization. To better understand and manage the risks posed by diseases to humans, livestock, and wildlife, there is an urgent need for establishing a disease surveillance system and improving human and animal health care. Public health must be integrated with conservation programs, more ecologically sustainable development efforts and long-term disease surveillance.

Factors associated with inequality in composite index of anthropometric failure between the Paniya and kurichiya tribal communities in wayanad district of Kerala.

BACKGROUND: Tribal children in India bear a higher burden of undernutrition when compared to other communities. However, inequality within tribal communities is under-researched. OBJECTIVES: To examine the factors associated with inequality in undernutrition between Paniya and Kurichiya tribal communities in Wayanad district of Kerala. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted during August to October 2018 among 314 children aged 2-5 years belonging to Paniya (151) and Kurichiya (163) communities. Participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using structured interview schedule based on household food insecurity access scale; relevant individual, parental, and household factors were ascertained; child nutritional status was assessed based on anthropometric measurements. The composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) was used as an aggregate indicator of undernutrition. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test and univariate and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting between Paniya (52.3%, 58.9%, and 25.2%, respectively) and Kurichiya (28.2%, 31.1%, and 12.3%, respectively) tribal children. Based on the CIAF, 66.9% and 41.1% of Paniya and Kurichiya children, respectively, were undernourished. Intratribal difference was observed to exist in all three forms of anthropometric failures simultaneously. Significant factors associated with CIAF were community identity, household food insecurity, and maternal early marriage. Significant factor associated with all three forms of undernutrition was maternal experience of domestic violence. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the child nutritional inequality within the tribal communities and indicates the need for more focused policies and programs among vulnerable tribal groups to ensure food security and empowerment of women.

Towards Health Equity and Transformative Action on tribal health (THETA) study to describe, explain and act on tribal health inequities in India: A health systems research study protocol.

Background: In India, heterogenous tribal populations are grouped together under a common category, Scheduled Tribe, for affirmative action. Many tribal communities are closely associated with forests and difficult-to-reach areas and have worse-off health and nutrition indicators. However, poor population health outcomes cannot be explained by geography alone. Social determinants of health, especially various social disadvantages, compound the problem of access and utilisation of health services and undermine their health and nutritional status. The Towards Health Equity and Transformative Action on tribal health (THETA) study has three objectives: (1) describe and analyse extent and patterns of health inequalities, (2) generate theoretical explanations, and (3) pilot an intervention to validate the explanation.     Methods: For objective 1, we will conduct household surveys in seven forest areas covering 2722 households in five states across India, along a gradient of socio-geographic disadvantage. For objective 2, we will purposefully select case studies illustrating processes through which socio-geographic disadvantages act at the individual, household/neighbourhood, village or population level, paying careful attention to the interactions across various known axes of inequity. We will use a realist evaluation approach with context-mechanism-outcome configurations generated from the wider literature on tribal health and results of objective 1. For objective 3, we will partner with willing stakeholders to design and pilot an equity-enhancing intervention, drawing on the theoretical explanation generated and evaluate it to further refine our final explanatory theory. Discussion: THETA project seeks to generate site-specific evidence to guide public health policy and programs to better contribute to equitable health in tribal populations. It fulfills the current gap in generating and testing explanatory social theories on the persistent and unfair accumulation of geographical and social disadvantage among tribal populations and finally examines if such approaches could help design equity-enhancing interventions to improve tribal health.