Dataset Information

Trends of adult height in India from 1998 to 2015: Evidence from the National Family and Health Survey.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

The aim of the study is to investigate the trends in adult height between two consecutive surveys of NHFS and explore differences across variables such as gender, wealth, social groups etc.

Methods

We used the NFHS-II (1998-99), NFHS-III (2005-2006) and NFHS-IV (2015-16) (all three for women and last two for men) data to examine the trends in average height. Comparison was done between the two age strata of 15-25 and 26-50 years, across both male and female, to assess the trends.

Results

Between NFHS-III and NFHS-IV, the average height of women in the age group of 15-25 showed a decline by 0.12 cm [95% CI, -0.24 to 0.00, p-0.051] while in the 26-50 years age strata it demonstrated significant improvement in the mean height by 0.13 cm [95% CI, 0.02 to 0.023, p-0.015]. However, Between NFHS III and IV, the average height of women in the poorest wealth index category registered a significant decline [-0.57cm, 95% CI, -076 to -0.37, p-0.000]. Between NFHS III and IV, the average height of Scheduled Tribe (ST) women in the age group of 15-25 years also exhibited a significant decline by 0.42 cm, [95% CI, -0.73 to -0.12, p-0.007]. Among men, between the two surveys, both the age groups of 15-25 years and 26-50 years showed significant decline in average height: 1.10 cm [95% CI, -1.31 to -.099 cm, p-0.00] and 0.86 cm [95% CI, -1.03 to -0.69, p-0.000], respectively.

Conclusion

In the context of an overall increase in average heights worldwide the decline in average height of adults in India is alarming and demands an urgent enquiry. The argument for different standards of height for Indian population as different genetic group needs further scrutiny. However, the trends from India clearly underline the need to examine the non-genetic factors also to understand the interplay of genetic, nutritional and other social and environmental determinants on height.

SUBMITTER: Choudhary KK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8448320 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundBased on an increased prevalence of diabetes, asthma and hypertension among women in reproductive age, understanding the risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is crucial to inform policy and program interventions to address the problem. In this study, we empirically assessed the associations of behavioural factors such as alcohol consumption and tobacco use and a variety of socioeconomic characteristics with prevalence of NCDs in adult women.MethodsThe data were derived from the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2015-16. The effective sample size for the present paper was 699,686 women aged 15-49 years in India. Descriptive statistics along with bivariate analysis were conducted to find the preliminary results. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to find the relationship between NCDs and behavioural factors such as alcohol consumption and tobacco use. Moreover, population attributable risk was estimated in the present study.ResultsIt was revealed that 15.9% of women had any of the NCDs. A proportion of 0.8% of women smoked tobacco whereas 5.5% of women consumed smokeless tobacco. Also, a proportion of 1.2% of women consumed alcohol in the current study. The odds of having NCDs among women who smoked tobacco, consumed smokeless tobacco and consume alcohol were 16, 8 and 20% significantly higher than the odds of having NCDs among women who did not smoke tobacco, consume smokeless tobacco and consume alcohol respectively. The population attributable risk of having NCDs was 1.8% (p < 0.001) for women who smoked, 0.8% (p < 0.001) for women who consumed smokeless tobacco and 2.2% (p < 0.001) for women who consumed alcohol. Besides, the odds of having NCDs among overweight and obese women were 2.25 and 3.60 times greater than the odds of having NCDs among women who were underweight.ConclusionThe findings revealed that smoking and using smokeless tobacco and alcohol consumption were risk factors of NCDs in women. The findings also alarm the focus of maternal and child health programs on NCDs' risk factors like maternal obesity, due to their adverse health consequences on their children too. Also, the coexistence of higher levels of tobacco use and alcohol consumption requires different strategies to address the vulnerability of women towards NCDs, including screening and early detection of NCDs especially among those who smoke or chew tobacco and consume alcohol.

Project description:OBJECTIVE:The National Family Health Survey-4 in India provided the first nationally representative estimates of hysterectomy among women aged 15-49. This paper aims to examine the national and state-level age-specific prevalence of hysterectomy, individual and household level factors associated with the procedure, and state-level indicators that may explain variation across states. DESIGN:Cross-sectional, nationally representative household survey. SETTING:National Family Health Survey was conducted across all Indian states and union territories between 2015 and 2016. POPULATION:The survey covered 699 686 women between the ages of 15 and 49 years. METHODS:Descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Women who reported ever having a hysterectomy and age at hysterectomy. RESULTS:Age-specific prevalence of hysterectomy was 0.36% (0.33,0.39) among women aged 15-29; 3.59% (3.45,3.74) among women aged 30-39; and 9.20% (8.94,9.46) among women 40-49 years. There was considerable variation in prevalence by state. Four states reported age-specific prevalence similar to high-income settings. Approximately two-thirds of hysterectomies were conducted in private facilities, with similar patterns across age groups. At the national level, higher age and parity (at least two children); not having had formal schooling; rural residence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.36; 95% CI 1.27,1.45; P < 0.01) and higher wealth status were associated with higher odds of hysterectomy. Previously sterilised women had lower odds (AOR 0.64; 95% CI 0.61,0,68; P < 0.01) of reporting hysterectomy. Exploratory analyses suggest state-level factors associated with prevalence of hysterectomy include caesarean section, female illiteracy, and women's employment. CONCLUSIONS:Hysterectomy patterns among women aged 15-49 in India indicate the critical need to ensure treatment options for gynaecological morbidity and to address hysterectomy among young women in particular. FUNDING:This study was part of the RASTA initiative of the Population Council's India country office under the Evidence Project supported by USAID. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT:Hysterectomy patterns in India highlight the need for alternatives to treat gynaecological morbidity among younger women.

Project description:BackgroundMaternal and child health services, like antenatal care, skilled birth attendance and postnatal care, are crucial to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Numerous studies have been conducted on the distribution of utilization of maternal and child healthcare (MCH) services in India with respect to socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. But no study has analyzed the utilization of MCH services with a focus on the topography of a given region (hilly/plain). The present study analyzes the utilization of MCH services in the hilly-Himalayan region of India in comparison to the rest of the country.MethodsData from India's National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16), on 190,898 women, was utilized for analysis in the present study. The association between the utilization of MCH services and the topography of the region of residence (hilly/plain) was analyzed by calculating adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) and predicted probabilities using a two-level random intercept logistic regression model.ResultsIt was found that the utilization of MCH services was significantly lower in the hilly regions compared to the plain regions. Women living in hilly areas (AOR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.39-0.45) had 58% lower odds of receiving skilled birth attendance (SBA) than those living in plain areas. Similarly, the odds of receiving PNC, ANC, and full immunization were also lower in the hilly regions compared to the plain regions. The utilization of MCH services was alarmingly low in the rural-hilly regions. The odds of receiving two tetanus injections before birth were 71% lower for women in the rural-hilly areas (AOR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.36-43) than those in the rural-plain areas. Predicted probabilities also showed that women in the hilly regions were less likely to receive MCH services compared to their counterparts in the plain regions.ConclusionExcept for the consumption of Iron Folic Acid (IFA) and the utilization of AWC services/ICDS (Integrated Child and Development Services), all other MCH services were significantly underutilized in the hilly regions compared to the plain regions. This calls for the attention of and concentrated efforts by policy makers and stakeholders, with a special focus on the rural-hilly regions. We firmly believe that the results of the present study have important policy implications.

Project description:IntroductionWith the increase of Qatar's total population, primarily due to the influx of healthy male migrant labor, worldwide attention has been focused on deaths among these migrant workers.ObjectiveTo describe adult mortality trends in Qataris (nationals) and non-Qataris (migrants) from all causes, cardiovascular and circulatory disease, neoplasms, and injuries, 1989-2015.MethodsWe retrieved Qatar's vital registration data by nationality, sex, age group, year, and codes of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions. We assessed age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) trends in Qatar's total population, in Qataris and non-Qataris using Joinpoint regression.FindingsDuring the study period, 26,673 deaths were recorded. In 2015, we estimated 60,716 years of life lost (82% in males) in the overall population. In Qataris (both sexes) and in non-Qatari females, all-cause rate decreased significantly and steadily between 1989-2015. In non-Qatari males, it decreased significantly between 1998-2010 probably attributed to a massive influx of healthy migrants. Yearly rates were significantly lower in non-Qataris over 27 years. Reduction in Qatar's total population rates for all causes and for neoplasms can be partially attributed to the healthy migrant effect. For injuries in males, it was lower in non-Qatari. Remarkably, for falls, cause-specific ASMR in non-Qatari males decreased significantly reaching 2.6/100,000 in 2014, suggesting improved safety in the work environment. However, while young adult males in Qatar die predominantly from injuries, young adult females die from neoplasms.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that premature death in young adult males and females in Qatar is predominantly due to injuries and neoplasms respectively. These identified causes of death are for a large part preventable and should be addressed appropriately to lower premature mortality among young adults in Qatar.

Project description:BackgroundChildhood vaccinations are a vital preventive measure to reduce disease incidence and deaths among children. As a result, immunisation coverage against measles was a key indicator for monitoring the fourth Millennium Development Goal (MDG), aimed at reducing child mortality. India was among the list of countries that missed the target of this MDG. Immunisation targets continue to be included in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and are a monitoring tool for the Indian health care system. The SDGs also strongly emphasise reducing inequalities; even where immunisation coverage improves, there is a further imperative to safeguard against inequalities in immunisation outcomes. This study aims to document whether socioeconomic inequalities in immunisation coverage exist among children aged 12-59 months in India.MethodsData for this observational study came from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey (2015-16). We used the concentration index to assess inequalities in whether children were fully, partially or never immunised. Where children were partially immunised, we also examined immunisation intensity. Decomposition analysis was applied to examine the underlying factors associated with inequality across these categories of childhood immunisation.ResultsWe found that in India, only 37% of children are fully immunised, 56% are partially immunised, and 7% have never been immunised. There is a disproportionate concentration of immunised children in higher wealth quintiles, demonstrating a socioeconomic gradient in immunisation. The data also confirm this pattern of socioeconomic inequality across regions. Factors such as mother's literacy, institutional delivery, place of residence, geographical location, and socioeconomic status explain the disparities in immunisation coverage.ConclusionsIn India, there are considerable inequalities in immunisation coverage among children. It is essential to ensure an improvement in immunisation coverage and to understand underlying factors that affect poor uptake and disparities in immunisation coverage in India in order to improve child health and survival and meet the SDGs.