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ObjectiveAntenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) are a cost-effective intervention to reduce adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. However, the current WHO recommendation on the use of antenatal MMS is conditional, partly due to concerns about the effect on neonatal mortality in a subgroup of studies comparing MMS with iron and folic acid supplements (IFA) containing 60 mg of iron. We aimed to assess the effect of MMS vs IFA on neonatal mortality stratified by iron dose in each supplement.MethodsWe updated the neonatal mortality analysis of the 2020 WHO guidelines using the generic inverse variance method and applied the random effects model to calculate the effect estimates of MMS vs. IFA on neonatal mortality in subgroups of trials (n=13) providing the same or different amounts of iron, i.e. MMS with 60 mg of iron vs IFA with 60 mg of iron; MMS with 30 mg of iron vs IFA with 30 mg of iron; MMS with 30 mg of iron vs IFA with 60 mg of iron; and MMS with 20 mg of iron vs IFA with 60 mg of iron.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in neonatal mortality between MMS and IFA within any of the subgroups of trials. Analysis of MMS with 30 mg vs IFA with 60 mg of iron (7 trials, 14,114 participants), yielded a nonsignificant Risk Ratio (RR) of 1.12 (95% CI 0.83 to 1.50).ConclusionNeonatal mortality did not differ between MMS and IFA regardless of iron dose in either supplement.

Antenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) are more effective than iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements in reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Questions remain, however, about the ability of MMS to prevent anemia as effectively as IFA, especially at a lower dose of daily iron and in areas of high anemia prevalence. Analyzing data from 11 trials from a recent Cochrane review, we compared MMS to IFA, delivering either 30 or 60 mg of iron, in sustaining hemoglobin and preventing third trimester anemia and iron deficiency anemia (IDA), accounting for daily iron dose, total supplemental iron intake, and baseline prevalence of anemia. There were no differences between MMS and IFA in third trimester hemoglobin concentration or risks of anemia or IDA by iron dose or total supplemental iron consumed. MMS providing 30 mg of iron was comparable to IFA with 60 mg of iron: mean hemoglobin difference of -0.26 g/L (95% CI: -1.41 to 0.89), risk ratios of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.92-1.07) for anemia, and 1.31 (95% CI: 0.66-2.60) for IDA. Baseline prevalence of anemia did not explain heterogeneity in findings. Compared to IFA, MMS results in comparable hemoglobin concentration and protection against anemia during pregnancy, independently of iron dose.

Inadequate micronutrient intakes are relatively common in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially among pregnant women, who have increased micronutrient requirements. This can lead to an increase in adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. This review presents the conclusions of a task force that set out to assess the prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intakes and adverse birth outcomes in LMICs; the data from trials comparing multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) that contain iron and folic acid (IFA) with IFA supplements alone; the risks of reaching the upper intake levels with MMS; and the cost-effectiveness of MMS compared with IFA. Recent meta-analyses demonstrate that MMS can reduce the risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age in comparison with IFA alone. An individual-participant data meta-analysis also revealed even greater benefits for anemic and underweight women and female infants. Importantly, there was no increased risk of harm for the pregnant women or their infants with MMS. These data suggest that countries with inadequate micronutrient intakes should consider supplementing pregnant women with MMS as a cost-effective method to reduce the risk of adverse birth outcomes.

The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is escalating in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including in Rwanda, most notably in urbanizing areas. The 2019–2020 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey (DHS) revealed that 33% of children under 5 years old are stunted while 42% of women in urban areas are overweight or obese. This coexistence has contributed to a surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly in secondary cities. Using the World Health Organization’s (WHOs) “double-duty action” (DDA) concept, this study aims to identify and evaluate interventions with double-duty potential in Rwanda’s Rusizi and Rubavu districts and generate key recommendations for their improvement. A desk review of national policies pinpointed four programs with the greatest DDA potential: early childhood development (ECD) centers, the school feeding program, farmer field schools (FFS), and the provision of nutrition-sensitive direct support. In-person interviews with key stakeholders assessed the implementation of each program and a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis was used to generate context-specific recommendations for their improvement. The main finding of this research is that Rwanda’s potential to address the DBM can be improved across multiple sectors by implementing a few key changes: targeting beliefs surrounding nutrition, improving trainings for community educators, enhancing parent–particularly father–involvement, and engaging in close monitoring and follow-up. These findings offer actionable streps that governments and nutrition stakeholders can take to improve similar interventions in other rapidly urbanizing LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interventions to address micronutrient deficiencies have large potential to reduce the related disease and economic burden. However, the potential risks of excessive micronutrient intakes are often not well determined. During the Global Summit on Food Fortification, 9-11 September 2015, in Arusha, a symposium was organized on micronutrient risk-benefit assessments. Using case studies on folic acid, iodine and vitamin A, the presenters discussed how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of intervention programs to address micronutrient malnutrition. Pre-implementation assessment of dietary intake, and/or biomarkers of micronutrient exposure, status and morbidity/mortality is critical in identifying the population segments at risk of inadequate and excessive intake. Dietary intake models allow to predict the effect of micronutrient interventions and their combinations, e.g. fortified food and supplements, on the proportion of the population with intakes below adequate and above safe thresholds. Continuous monitoring of micronutrient intake and biomarkers is critical to identify whether the target population is actually reached, whether subgroups receive excessive amounts, and inform program adjustments. However, the relation between regular high intake and adverse health consequences is neither well understood for many micronutrients, nor do biomarkers exist that can detect them. More accurate and reliable biomarkers predictive of micronutrient exposure, status and function are needed to ensure effective and safe intake ranges for vulnerable population groups such as young children and pregnant women. Modelling tools that integrate information on program coverage, dietary intake distribution and biomarkers will further enable program makers to design effective, efficient and safe programs.

In regard to the purpose of money use, economic theory provides a functionalist answer, while a dominant sociological view focuses on culture. However, Simmel noted the paradoxical nature of money in this respect. Money brings together both quantity and quality; therefore, it simultaneously has different potentialities for its usage. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis by using a representative sample (n = 2000) of the population in Austria to explore the potentialities of money usage. We found seven factors: freedom, community, status, institutional control, conflict, work-related control and household control. A discussion of the factors reveals the simultaneous, ambiguous existence of the qualitative and quantitative potentialities of the usage of money. We conclude that the ambiguity of money can only be described in all its contradictoriness by distinguishing between the concrete earmarking money for specific social purposes (Zelizer) and the potentially unspecific, open usability for alternative concrete or fictional purposes (Simmel). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adequate nutrition has been cited as one of the most critical components for optimal health outcomes during pregnancy. Women in Burkina Faso and Madagascar experience high rates of undernutrition due to lack of knowledge, finances, cultural norms, and autonomy. Therefore, this study aimed (1) to describe typical maternal diets during pregnancy in Burkina Faso and Madagascar, (2) to understand the multilevel factors that influence women's nutrition decision-making, and (3) to explore the extent to which women have nutrition decision-making autonomy during pregnancy. Methods: This study was conducted between October 2020 and February 2021 in Burkina Faso and Madagascar. Semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and free lists were conducted among women of reproductive age and pregnant and lactating women. Textual data from interviews were recorded and translated verbatim from local languages into French. The Food Choice Process Model guided textual content analysis using Dedoose software. Free list data were analyzed using cultural domain analysis approaches. Results: In Burkina Faso and Madagascar, women primarily consumed staple foods such as rice and tô during pregnancy. Participants cited eating fruits and vegetables when available, while the animal source foods were rarely consumed. Across both contexts, nutrition during pregnancy was influenced by factors that impact food choices, such as social factors, resources, ideals, and personal factors. While women and men in Madagascar had more shared decision-making on critical domains such as finances, men were the primary decision-makers in most areas of inquiry (eg, finances) in Burkina Faso. Conclusions: The lack of adequate diverse diet consumed during pregnancy is primarily due to important factors including social factors and resources. Understanding the ability for women to consume optimal diets during pregnancy is needed to target behavioral change in maternal nutrition programming. Plain language title: A comparison of How Pregnant Women Make Decisions About What to Eat in Burkina Faso and Madagascar Using a Model Called the Food Choice Process Model Plain language summary: Having a proper diet is very important for the health of pregnant women. In Burkina Faso and Madagascar, many women do not get enough nutritious food due to lack of knowledge on what to eat, lack of money, cultural traditions, and not having control over their own choices. This study wants to find out (1) what women eat during pregnancy in Burkina Faso and Madagascar, (2) what influences the decisions women make about what to eat during pregnancy, and (3) explore how women had decision-making autonomy during pregnancy. The study took place in Burkina Faso and Madagascar. The researchers talked to women who could have babies and women who were already pregnant or breastfeeding. They used different methods like focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews to gather information. They recorded and translated everything that was said from the local languages to French. They used special software to analyze the information from the interviews. They also used a free list to understand the things women mentioned most often when talking about food. In Burkina Faso and Madagascar, women mostly ate basic foods like rice and tô during pregnancy. Sometimes they ate fruits and vegetables when they were available, but they did not eat much meat or other foods from animals. In both places, the women's food choices during pregnancy were influenced by different things like what their friends and family thought, how much money they had, their personal preferences, and other factors. In Madagascar, men and women made decisions together about important things like money, but in Burkina Faso, men were usually the ones making the decisions. The lack of a proper diverse diet during pregnancy in Burkina Faso and Madagascar is primarily caused by social factors and resources. To help women make better food choices during pregnancy, it's important to understand what affects their ability to have a healthy diet. This can help programs that aim to improve the nutrition of pregnant women by encouraging them to change their behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]