Longitudinal trends in the health outcomes among children of the North Eastern States of India: a comparative analysis using national DHS data from 2006 to 2020

Abstract

Background/Objectives Northeastern Indian region has a high density of marginalised populations with a concerning quality of health services. We observed the trends in prevalence of infectious diseases and nutritional disorders among children under-five years from 2006 to 2020 in the Northeastern states. We also assessed the distribution of their burden by place of residence. Methods A secondary data analysis of select indicators on infectious diseases and nutritional disorders in seven Northeastern states across three rounds of the National Family Health Survey (2005–06, 2015–16, 2019–20) was undertaken. We calculated outcome indicator mean prevalence, relative change and average annual rates of reduction of the indicators. Results A significant relative reduction between 2006–2020 in the prevalence of diarrhoea (0.4 [95CI:0.7,0.1]) at p < 0.05; acute respiratory illness (ARI) (0.7 [95CI:0.1,0.4]), stunting (0.3 [95CI: 0.3,0.12]) and underweight (0.3 [95CI:0.5,0.2]) at p < 0.001 were noted. However, overweight prevalence increased (10.1[95CI:4.3,16.0, p < 0.001]) due to a low annual reduction rate. The highest annual reduction rates were observed in Sikkim and Tripura for diarrhoea and ARI respectively (>10.0%), and in Meghalaya for wasting and severely wasting (6.3%). Rural areas had a higher burden of stunting, wasting (including severe), underweight, anaemia and diarrhoea; overweight was seen in both rural and urban settings. Conclusion Significant reductions were observed in ARI, diarrhoea, stunting and underweight prevalence between 2006–2020, with sub-regional variations and a greater burden in rural areas. During this period, overweight prevalence worsened; and anaemia showed a large increase from 2016. To reduce the equity-gap, programmes should be adapted to meet the differential needs of the Northeastern states.

The role of breastfeeding as a protective factor against the development of the immune-mediated diseases: A systematic review

“…The lactating mothers involved in breastfeeding for longer period are being protected from pregnancy obesity and the risk for cancers in breast and ovaries are observed to be reduced ( 12 ). The risk of brittleness in bones leading to osteoporosis was also reported to be lower in mothers who breastfed (3–6 months) their children ( 13 ). The risk for immune system mediated diseases and disorders may be decreased by breast milk and breastfed infants, since the breast milk is rich in immunoglobulins that are specific to allergens ( 14 ).…”