Effect of intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine on maternal gestational weight gain in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

Background: Studies have consistently demonstrated beneficial effects of intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) on reducing malaria infection and improving birth outcomes among pregnant women in endemic areas. However, data on its impact on maternal gestational weight gain (GWG) are very limited. We aimed to conduct a two-stage meta-analysis of individual participant data to examine the effect of IPT with SP on GWG compared to other antimalarial regimens.

Integrating family planning with nutrition and other sexual and reproductive health services in low-income and middle-income countries: findings from a scoping review.

Introduction: Integrating family planning with nutrition could address unmet family planning needs and malnutrition in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Integrating family planning with sexual reproductive health (SRH) services may provide valuable insights as well. This scoping review synthesised evidence from published and grey literature on interventions integrating family planning with nutrition or SRH services in LMICs.

Community-based interventions addressing multiple forms of malnutrition among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review.

Background: Community-based interventions hold promise for addressing adolescent malnutrition, but there is limited knowledge of their nature and impact on adolescent nutrition outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This scoping review aimed to characterize community-based adolescent nutrition interventions in LMICs and summarize their effects on adolescent nutrition outcomes.

Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL through the Cochrane Library for studies published between 2000 and 2023.

Family planning and nutrition: systematic review of the effects of family planning on nutritional status of adolescent girls and women of reproductive age.

Introduction: Contraceptive use may affect women's nutritional status through birth spacing, parity, age at first birth, menstruation changes, and increased income. To inform the integration of family planning with nutrition interventions, we synthesised evidence linking the use of family planning to nutritional outcomes in women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and adolescents (10-19 years) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster RCTs, non-randomised trials and cohort studies published from 2000 onwards.

Nutrition and reproductive potential of women in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Nutrition plays a critical role in key physiological processes related to reproduction. However, there is limited understanding of the impact of nutritional factors and interventions on the reproductive outcomes of women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise evidence regarding the impact of nutritional factors and interventions on the reproductive outcomes of women in LMICs.

Agreement Between a Subjective Single-Item Socioeconomic Status and Wealth Index in the Addis Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Addis-HDSS), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Measuring household economic status is crucial, as it is a key determinant of health. In low-income settings, no single measure of economic status is universally accepted. This study aims to assess the agreement between a single-item tool for measuring socioeconomic status (SES) and the wealth index.

Socio-Economic Determinants of Contraceptive Use among Married Women in the Addis Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Addis-HDSS) in Ethiopia.

Background: Contraceptives are essential for protecting women's sexual and reproductive health, as well as for reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify socioeconomic factors associated with contraceptive use among married women of childbearing age in Ethiopia.

Methods: We analysed cross-sectional data from 15,499 married women aged 18-49 years, collected as part of the Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in Addis Ababa.

Healthcare Facility Preference among Households in Addis Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (ADDIS-HDSS), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Understanding healthcare facility preferences-public versus private-is essential for formulating policies that promote universal health coverage (UHC). Various sociodemographic factors influence these preferences. This study examines healthcare facility preferences within the ADDIS-HDSS population in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Addis Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Addis-HDSS): Context and Methods.

Background: Accurate population-based data is essential for evidence-based public health decision-making. Monitoring health events and evaluating interventions through a population-based platform enables timely decisions in rapidly growing urban areas. Such platforms are rare in African countries.

Population Nutritional Status in Addis Health and Demographic Surveillance System (ADDIS-HDSS), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Low-and middle-income countries face a double burden of malnutrition. However, comprehensive, population-based nutritional assessments are rare, particularly across all age groups. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of malnutrition across different age groups in Addis Ababa Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (Addis-HDSS), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Self-rated Health Status of the Adult Population in Addis Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Addis-HDSS), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Self-rated health (SRH) status is a subjective assessment of one's health condition and can serve as a reliable indicator of a community's overall health. This study aimed to evaluate the SRH status of communities and its association with socio-demographic and health-related variables at the population level.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Addis Health and Demographic Surveillance System.

The effect of prenatal balanced energy and protein supplementation on gestational weight gain: An individual participant data meta-analysis in low- and middle-income countries.

Background: Understanding the effects of balanced energy and protein (BEP) supplements on gestational weight gain (GWG) and how the effects differ depending on maternal characteristics and the nutritional composition of the supplements will inform the implementation of prenatal BEP interventions.

Methods And Findings: Individual participant data from 11 randomized controlled trials of prenatal BEP supplements (N = 12,549, with 5,693 in the BEP arm and 6,856 in the comparison arm) in low- and middle-income countries were used. The primary outcomes included GWG adequacy (%) and the estimated total GWG at delivery as continuous outcomes, and severely inadequate (<70% adequacy), inadequate GWG (<90% adequacy), and excessive GWG (>125% adequacy) as binary outcomes; all variables were calculated based on the Institute of Medicine recommendations.

The effects of prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation and small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplementation on small vulnerable newborn types in low-income and middle-income countries: a meta-analysis of individual participant data.

Background: Small vulnerable newborn types, defined by combinations of being born too soon or too small, have distinct determinants and health consequences. We aimed to assess the effects of prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) and small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplementation (SQ-LNS) on small vulnerable newborn types, which are currently unknown.

Methods: In this meta-analysis, individual participant data from randomised controlled trials of MMS and randomised controlled trials of SQ-LNS in low-income and middle-income countries were used.

Perspectives on integrating family planning and nutrition: a qualitative study of stakeholders.

Background: Limited information is available on the value of integrating family planning and nutrition services to improve related outcomes among women of reproductive age and effective approaches to achieve this. This study aimed to ascertain the perspectives and experiences of global and regional stakeholders about integrating family planning and nutrition services, examine facilitators and barriers and identify opportunities and considerations for integration.

Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with 34 global and regional stakeholders in family planning, nutrition and related domains.

Community-based interventions targeting multiple forms of malnutrition among adolescents in low-income and middle-income countries: protocol for a scoping review.

Background: Adolescent malnutrition is a significant public health challenge in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), with long-term consequences for health and development. Community-based interventions have the potential to address multiple forms of malnutrition and improve the health outcomes of adolescents. However, there is a limited understanding of the content, implementation and effectiveness of these interventions.

Depressive symptoms among adolescents in six sub-Saharan African countries: A pooled analysis of associated factors.

There is a need to identify risk factors, including nutrition-related factors, for depressive disorders among sub-Saharan African (SSA) adolescents. We examined the association of multiple measures with depressive symptoms among adolescents living across six SSA countries. Building on previous analyses, we used data from a cross-sectional study conducted from 2015 to 2017 among adolescents aged 10-19 years in six SSA countries (N = 7512).

Vitamin D and Zinc Supplementation to Improve Treatment Outcomes among COVID-19 Patients in India: Results from a Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: There remains a need to identify low-cost interventions to improve coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. Vitamin D and zinc play a role in respiratory infections and could hold value as part of therapeutic regimens.

Objectives: To determine the effect of vitamin D or zinc supplementation on recovery from COVID-19.

The influence of depressive symptoms and school-going status on risky behaviors: a pooled analysis among adolescents in six sub-Saharan African countries.

Background: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regarding risky behaviors among adolescents remains scarce, despite the large population (approximately 249 million out of 1.2 billion globally in 2019) of adolescents in the region. We aimed to examine the potential influence of depressive symptoms and school-going status on risky behaviors among adolescents in six SSA countries.

Burden and determinants of anaemia among in-school young adolescents in Ethiopia, Sudan and Tanzania.

Anaemia among adolescents is a global health problem. However, evidence regarding its burden and risk factors, particularly for younger adolescents and in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), remains scarce. We aimed to assess the prevalence and potential determinants of anaemia among urban and semi-urban in-school young adolescents in Ethiopia, Sudan and Tanzania.

Randomised trial to determine the effect of vitamin D and zinc supplementation for improving treatment outcomes among patients with COVID-19 in India: trial protocol.

Introduction: Presently, there are few population-level strategies to address SARS-CoV-2 infection except preventive measures such as vaccination. Micronutrient deficiency, particularly vitamin D and zinc deficiency, has been associated with dysregulated host responses, and may play an important role in COVID-19.

Methods And Analysis: We have designed a 2×2 factorial, randomised, double-blind, multi-centre placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of vitamin D and zinc on COVID-19 outcomes in Maharashtra, India.

Preconception and periconception interventions to prevent low birth weight, small for gestational age and preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Low birth weight (LBW), including preterm birth (PTB) and small for gestational age (SGA), contributes a significant global health burden. We aimed to summarise current evidence on the effect of preconception and periconception interventions on LBW, SGA and PTB.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and WHO Global Index Medicus for randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies published by 28 November 2020, which assessed interventions delivered in preconception and periconception or preconception and pregnancy.

HIV infection and anaemia do not affect HbA for the detection of diabetes in black South Africans: Evidence from the Durban Diabetes Study.

Objective: South Africa has a high burden of HIV infection and anaemia. These conditions may cause HbA to over- or underestimate glycaemia; however, this has not been comprehensively investigated in African populations. We assessed the association of anaemia, HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) with HbA , and implications for the detection and diagnosis of diabetes, in a black South African population.

Sociodemographic inequities associated with participation in leisure-time physical activity in sub-Saharan Africa: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is an important contributor to total physical activity and the focus of many interventions promoting activity in high-income populations. Little is known about LTPA in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and with expected declines in physical activity due to rapid urbanisation and lifestyle changes we aimed to assess the sociodemographic differences in the prevalence of LTPA in the adult populations of this region to identify potential barriers for equitable participation.

Methods: A two-step individual participant data meta-analysis was conducted using data collected in SSA through 10 population health surveys that included the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire.