Objectives Positive deviance research seeks out well-nourished children living in disadvantaged contexts to understand local growth-promoting behaviors. This study explored the factors that influence the uptake of infant and young child feeding behaviors among mothers. Methods Children with a height-for-age z-score (HAZ) > 0 (n = 10) or a HAZ < -2.0 (n = 12) were purposefully selected from households enrolled in a community management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) program in an urban slum of Mumbai, India. Qualitative methods were employed by means of semi-structured key informant interviews with positive and non-positive deviant mothers. Eligibility was restricted to households with limited resources and more than one child. A 24-h dietary recall and anthropometric measurements were taken for the index child. An observation checklist assessed household hygiene. Data analysis was based on the Grounded Theory of qualitative research. Results Positive deviant mothers (those with children with a HAZ > 0) largely exhibited optimal infant and young child feeding practices explained by maternal information seeking behaviors; mothers acknowledging the importance of maternal health; and social support. The relationship between mother and health worker seemed to influence how well they listened to the health workers' recommendations. Across all households, the daily consumption of high-energy, processed foods was apparent. Conclusions Practical considerations include exploring how to tailor CMAM programs to include social support and counseling training for health workers to engage more closely with mothers; exploring the feasibility of a women's social group for mothers to share information on child rearing; and teaching mothers about healthy eating and the link between nutrition and health.

The mobile calculator significantly reduces an important component of human error in using the WHO tables to assess acute malnutrition at the community level.

The provision of regular nutritious meals, through centralized and local kitchen in government tribal residential schools of Maharashtra is effective and important in tackling undernutrition in Tribal children.

Objectives To assess the gaps and trends in child immunization coverage among urban and rural areas in India, and compare the success of immunisation program in each. Methods PubMed, Scopus, and Crossref, and Google Scholar electronic databases were searched on October 9, 2019, and March 21, 2020, for studies that measured and reported immunization coverage indicators in India. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions were conducted. Results The authors' search identified 545 studies, and 2 were obtained by expert suggestion. Among these 68 studies and 6 surveys were included. They found that full immunization coverage has grown yearly at 2.65% and 0.82% in rural and urban areas, respectively whereas partial immunization coverage declined by −2.44% and −0.69%, respectively. Percentage of nonimmunized children did not show a statistically significant trend in either. Conclusion While rural immunization coverage has seen a large increase over the past two decades, the progress in urban areas is weak and negligible. This was largely attributable to a focus on minimizing dropouts in rural areas. However, a lack of significant reduction in unimmunized children may indicate left-out children or pockets in both rural and urban areas. The poor performance of immunization programs in urban areas, coupled with a larger impact of COVID-19, warrants that India urgently adopts urban-sensitive and urban-focused policies and programs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12098-021-03843-0.

BACKGROUND: Within Mumbai slums 47% of children under five are severely stunted. The aim of this project was to apply the positive deviance approach to assess what contributes to positive child nutrition in the slum of Dharavi. Results will inform programs offered by the Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action (SNEHA). METHODS: Children with a height‐for‐age z‐score (HAZ)>0 (n=10) or a HAZ<‐2.0 (n=12) were randomly selected from SNEHA’s Child Health and Nutrition program. Eligibility was restricted to households with limited resources and more than one child. Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted with mothers. A 24‐hour dietary recall and anthropometric measurements were taken for the index child. An observation checklist assessed household hygiene. RESULTS: Themes from the mothers of children with HAZ>0 include: having strong social support or having an elder female present to assist with child rearing, borrowing food in times of food insecurity, feeding infant formula as a supplemental food, mothers actively seeking nutrition information, and mothers acknowledging the importance of maternal nutrition. Mothers of children with HAZ<‐2.0 reported lack of social and family support to help with child care and household tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing social support, complementary feeding practices and maternal nutrition knowledge may have potential as interventions, and should be explored in a larger sample. Grant Funding Source: Wilbur G. Downs Fellowship for International Research