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Background: Reproductive span is the foundation of every woman's health in later life. India is currently facing a growing burden of multiple morbidities among the women in their reproductive age group which may further increase over the coming decades. The purpose of the present study aimed to identify different modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors affecting multimorbidity among the women in reproductive age group in Indian context. Methods: Secondary data were obtained from the Demography and Health Survey (DHS), conducted in India during 2019–2021. A total of 671,967 women aged 15–49 years were selected for this present study. Descriptive, association studies and multinominal logistic regression analyses were performed to accomplish the objectives. Results: Currently, 6.3% of total study participant's reproductive age group women suffered from multimorbidity in India. Never consuming protein, fruits, vegetables and milk increase the chances of developing multimorbidity. Consumption of fried foods, aerated drinks and addiction towards tobacco and alcohol also has a greater influence on the prevalence of multimorbidity. The prevalence of multimorbidity is sharply increased with increasing age and Body Mass Index (BMI). Regionally, the prevalence of multimorbidity was found more among the women hailed from eastern and north-eastern India. Conclusion: To reduce the risk of developing multimorbidity, targeted interventions are needed in the form of educating every woman concerning the importance of having minimum health-related knowledge, maintaining healthy lifestyle, weight management and having proper and balanced diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In India, breast and cervical cancers account for two-fifths of all cancers and are predominantly prevalent among women in the reproductive age group. The Government of India recommended screening of breast and cervical cancer among women aged 30 years and over. This study examines the socio-economic and regional variations of breast and cervical screening among Indian women in the reproductive age. Methods: A full sample of 707,119 women aged 15–49 and a sub-sample of 357,353 women aged 30–49 from National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) were used in the analysis. Self-reported ever screening for breast and cervical cancer for women aged 15–49 and women aged 30–49 were outcome variables. A set of socio-economic and risk factors associated with breast and cervical cancer screening were used as the predictors. Logistic regression was used to understand the significant correlates of cancer screening and, concentration index and concentration curve were used to assess the socio-economic inequality in breast and cervical cancer screening. Results: The proportion of breast and cervical cancer screening among women aged 30–49 were 877 and 1965 per 100,000 women respectively. Cancer screening was lower among women who were poor, young, had lower educational attainment and resided in rural areas. The concentration index was 0.2 for ever screening of breast cancer and 0.15 for cervical cancer among women aged 30–49 years. The concertation curve for screening of both breast and cervical cancers was pro-rich. Women with higher educational attainment [OR:1.46, 95% CI: 1.31–1.62], aged 40–49 years [OR:1.35; 95% CI: 1.28–1.43], resided in the western [OR:1.62; 95% CI:1.4–1.87] or southern [OR:6.66; 95% CI:5.93–7.49] region had significantly higher odds of up taking either of the screening. The pattern of breast and cervical cancer screening among women aged 15–49 was similar to that of women 30–49. Conclusion: The overall proportion of cancer screening among women in 30–49 age group is low in India. Early screening and treatment can reduce the burden of these cancers. Creating awareness and providing knowledge on cancer could be a key strategy for reducing the burden of breast and cervical cancers among women in the reproductive age in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Introduction: In absolute numbers, India has more undernourished people than all the countries in sub‐Saharan Africa combined. In parallel with the high rates of hunger and undernutrition, the country has been undergoing rapid demographic and dietary transition marked by an increased prevalence of overweight/obesity, particularly among women. Objective: To measure the changing prevalence of overnutrition during last two decades, as well as to identify the associated sociodemographic correlates among pregnant and non‐pregnant women in India. Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study based on data from the latest round of National Family Health Survey (2015–2016) conducted among urban and rural women. Participants were 687,876 women (655,850 non‐pregnant and 32,026 pregnant) aged between 15 and 49 years. Nutritional status was assessed in terms of body mass index (BMI) using the cut‐off for Asian population. Results: Since 1998–1999, the prevalence of underweight has decreased by 9.2%, while that of overweight (BMI = 23–27.4 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2) has increased by 6.7% and 3.4%, respectively. Results of multivariable regression analysis revealed significant association between nutritional status and age, parity residency, educational level, religious affiliation, household wealth quintile, and TV watching behaviour. Of those, age and wealth status appeared to be the strongest predictors among both pregnant and non‐pregnant women. Conclusion: Since 1998, there has been a considerable drop in the prevalence of underweight and rise in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Significant sociodemographic variations exist in nutritional status, notably age and financial situation, which should be highlighted in national nutrition policymaking and intervention programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]