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Objectives In Africa and Asia, 190 million preschoolers are vitamin A deficient. This study examined the social determinants of intake of vitamin A supplementation (VAS) among children aged 6-59 months during three different time periods in Kenya to identify those most vulnerable to vitamin A deficiency and highlight the varied targeting and outreach efforts; before the onset of a national restructuring and targeted distribution of VAS in children below 5 years through a twice-yearly door-to-door campaign called Child Health Weeks, during the implementation period, and several years later. Methods The cross-sectional, national Demographic and Health Surveys were administered in Kenya in 2003, 2008-09, and 2014. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess variables associated with VAS among children (n = 28,239). Results An overall two-fold increase in VAS was recorded between 2003 (31.8%) and 2014 (67.5%). In 2008-09, children aged 6-11 months were the most likely to receive VAS. In 2003 and 2014, geographical regions and settings, birth order of the child, educational level of the mother, religion, wealth index, number of antenatal visits, and access to a radio were identified as being significantly associated with VAS, in at least one of the years. These determinants were not significant in 2008-09 during the initial Child Health Weeks promotion campaign. The determinants of VAS varied during the three study periods, particularly in 2008-09 when the Child Health Weeks was first implemented. Conclusion As efforts to increase VAS continue, addressing child-specific determinants will be essential to reduce health disparities., Author(s): Petronella Ahenda [sup.1] , David J. Washburn [sup.2] , Brian Colwell [sup.1] , Shinduk Lee [sup.3] , Ibrahim Gwarzo [sup.4] , Debra K. Kellstedt [sup.5] , Jay E. Maddock [...]

Background To determine associations between household motor vehicle ownership and obesity among Indian adults. Methods Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted using the 2005–2006 and 2015–2016 Indian Demographic and Health surveys, with over 800 000 respondents. Results Obesity prevalence (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) rose in females (16.87% to 20.35%) and in males (12.55% to 18.74%). In 2005, having both types of vehicles (motorcycle/motor scooter and car) significantly increased the odds of obesity in females (OR, 1.63; 95% CI 1.50 to 1.76) and males (OR, 2.49; 95% CI 2.24 to 2.77) as well as in 2015 (OR, 1.10; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.13 and OR, 1.56; 95% CI 1.45 to 1.68, respectively). The wealthiest were more likely to be obese in 2005 (OR, 14.95; 95% CI 16.06 to 17.12 for females; OR, 12.69; 95% CI 10.17 to 15.70 for males) and in 2015 (OR, 7.69; 95% CI 7.43 to 7.95 for females and OR, 6.40; 95% CI 5.40 to 7.01 for males). Higher education levels, being younger and rural residence were significant protective factors in 2005 and 2015. Conclusions After adjusting for confounders, motor vehicle ownership was significantly associated with obesity at both time points, but the effect of vehicle ownership presents differently by gender. With obesity prevalence increasing in India, policies promoting active vs motorized transport could attenuate this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]