International development agencies often support community-based organisations (CBOs) to improve the wellbeing of children and their families. The relevance, impact, and sustainability of these funding partnerships are neither widely nor consistently understood. This article discusses the CBO leader and practitioner perspective on social change and partnering. Surveys, interviews, and convenings involving CBOs from nine sub-Saharan African countries found that – distinct from international aid’s focus on program implementation and service delivery, many CBOs focus on mobilising, engaging, and empowering the community to take charge of their own development. Donor–CBO partnering arrangements should integrate this role and definition of effectiveness.
Susan Wilkinson-Maposa, Sadaf Shallwani, Mary Kabati et al.
In the current media-rich environment, exposure to war and terror often occurs indirectly through various media platforms. While extensive research shows that news media engagement adversely impacts adults' emotional states, the effects on young children remain underexplored. Utilizing a 7-day daily diary design, this study examined the effects of war-related media exposure on parent and child well-being during active regional conflict. Participants were 193 Jewish-Israeli parents (child Mage = 4.53 years, 53.4% girls; parent Mage = 38 years, 51.3% fathers), who provided daily reports on both themselves and their children on war-related media exposure, direct exposure to war, negative affect and parent-child relational strain. Multilevel models revealed that children's higher media exposure was associated with increased negative affect and more parent-child relational strain both at the between-participants and the within-participants levels. The associations between parental media engagement and child negative affect were mediated by parental negative affect and parent-child relational strain. Finally, children's direct exposure and media exposure to war interacted to predict their well-being. These findings underscore the significant role of parent and child media exposure in shaping the emotional climate within families during times of war and related acts of violence.
Abstract How do patterns of socioeconomic inequality shape the risk of child fatality in urban areas? Studies have demonstrated that intentional and accidental deaths of children are highly clustered into areas of social disadvantage. However, in complex urban settings, the risk of death to children is likely to exhibit a more localized spatial structure characterized by rapid changes in child fatality risk. The present research uses Bayesian hierarchical modeling to detect spatial discontinuities in child fatality risk in transition areas defined by elevated levels of economic hardship and inequality (EHI). The analysis detected 413 neighborhood boundaries characterized by extreme differences in EHI (i.e., a difference of four deciles). Living in proximity to a boundary of extreme difference, called a social frontier, is associated with a 22% higher relative risk of child fatality beyond measures of neighborhood racial segregation, concentrated disadvantage, residential mobility, and immigrant concentration. The significance of identifying neighborhoods characterized as a social frontier where children may benefit from additional preventive interventions is discussed in context.
Gia Elise Barboza-Salerno, Brittany Liebhard, Karla Schockley-McCarthy et al.
There is increased recognition for solutions that address the social determinants of health (SDOHs)-the context in which families are raising children. Unfortunately, implementing solutions that address inequities in the SDOHs has proven to be difficult. Many child and family serving systems and communities do not know where to start or do not have the capacity to identify and implement upstream SDOH strategies. As such, we conducted a scoping review to assess the status of evidence connecting strategies that address the SDOHs and child well-being. A total of 29,079 records were identified using natural language processing with 341 records meeting inclusion criteria (e.g., outcomes focused on child well-being, interventions happening at a population level, and evaluations of prevention strategies in the United States). Records were coded, and the findings are presented by the SDOH domain, such as strategies that addressed economic stability (n = 94), education access and quality (n = 17), food security (n = 106), healthcare access and quality (n = 96), neighborhood and built environment (n = 7), and social and community context (n = 12). This review provides an overview of the associations between population-level SDOH strategies and the impact-good and bad-on child well-being and may be a useful resource for communities and practitioners when considering equitable solutions that promote thriving childhoods.
Katie A. Ports, Whitney L. Rostad, Peter Coyne et al.
Introduction Antenatal care (ANC) is the care provided to a pregnant woman to ensure her best health during pregnancy. It should begin when the mother is aware that she is pregnant. It is very essential since it helps asses risk, promote health, and provide medical and psychosocial intervention and follow-up1. In Tanzania, the health ministry has been on the front row in enhancing the need for ANC clinics and its importance by recommending at least four visits to a healthcare for uncomplicated pregnancies1,2.The current status of ANC in Tanzania is not that much good, although the future is promising. Significance of ANC ANC services give a room for early detection of danger signs, pregnancy complications, counseling together with prevention of mother to child HIV transmission (PMTCT)3. It also exposes women to health education on the danger signs. Inadequate ANC is associated with high maternal and child mortality due to a failure to detect early danger signs, which can harm both the mother and the fetus4. Most antenatal research focuses on ANC adequacy rather than concepts of quality1. Providers acknowledge the need of knowing the overall social context of the patient; however, despite most mothers having positive ANC care experience they can also bring up complains associated with providers negative assumptions and disregard of their options in care provision. Globally, strengthening patient-provider interaction and communication during ANC visits is the major breakthrough in better provision of care and health promotion among pregnant women. Progress and initiatives In 1974, Tanzania officially established maternal and child health services. Other initiatives include safe motherhood initiatives (1989) and integrate management of child illness (1996)1. Since then, the government has been the main lead in promoting maternal and child health through the construction of healthcare facilities, improve access to ANC services, expanded financing for maternity and child health programs as well as educating the society, particularly the women who are the main target in this field5. The milestone obtained from technological development has helped NGOs and other international organizations in ensuring a continuous progression of maternal and child health. Despite the challenges encountered, frontiers concerned with maternal and child health have been part and parcel in ensuring the best health for both the mother and the child. NGOs like Maternity Africa based in the Arusha region seeks to improve maternal condition5. UNICEF and many other international-organization play a crucial role in improving ANC6. The accessibility of ANC is significantly improved by community health workers. Their outreach activities help women navigate the healthcare system and teach them the value of ANC. Antenatal services are being used more frequently, and mother and child health outcomes have improved, according to success stories from the communities where these interventions have been put into place7. The safety of the mother comes first in prenatal care, since monitoring the mother equals protecting the baby. The discovery of BP cuffs for checking blood pressure has been a very good advancement in managing pre-eclampsia, which is one of the major complications of pregnancy. Ultrasound and other upcoming imaging techniques have rescued an uncountable number of mothers and children out there without forgetting the preventive measures and devices, which detect early dangers that can harm the mother and the baby2. Challenges in ANC access in Tanzania Many Tanzanian women still struggle to reach healthcare facilities due to long distances and inadequate transportation. This geographic barrier prevents timely ANC utilization, leading to complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Poverty and the associated costs of transportation and healthcare services hinder access to ANC. Women from low-income backgrounds often cannot afford antenatal check-ups, making it essential to address these economic disparities. Cultural beliefs and traditional practices sometimes discourage women from seeking ANC. Addressing these cultural factors through community education and engagement is crucial to promote ANC access. Tanzania faces a shortage of skilled healthcare workers and lacks adequate healthcare infrastructure in rural areas. This shortage limits the availability and quality of ANC services. Remote and rural regions face greater challenges in accessing ANC compared to urban areas. Ensuring equitable distribution of healthcare facilities and resources is essential to overcome these geographic disparities. Recommendations The progress made in recent years is commendable, but challenges persist. To address these challenges, we recommend a multifaceted approach. Fostering strong ties between government and NGO’s together with international organizations is crucial as they are superlative in reaching far off areas. The primary important step to be taken in improving ANC access is the construction of infrastructures and repairing the existing ones, construction of healthcare facilities and road construction especially towards the rural areas is very important in ensuring that pregnant women from remote places are reached effectively. Provision of transportation assistance for due pregnant mothers and empowering the existing program like M-MAMA is surely one of the open strategies in improving ANC quality together with reduction of neonatal mortality. Notably, the healthcare providers should not be left out of the scope, training them to be competent, and aware of the best up-to-date knowledge on the management of stages of labor and the early detection of danger signs is even more crucial for the quality improvement of ANC. Robust monitoring and evaluation systems, as well as research initiatives, are vital to track progress and tailor interventions. Economic support programs for expectant mothers can alleviate financial burdens, while telehealth initiatives and partnerships with local and international organizations can extend the reach of the ANC. Conclusion While significant efforts have been made to enhance maternal and child health services, numerous obstacles persist, particularly in remote and underserved areas. The importance of accessible and quality ANC cannot be overstated, as it significantly impacts the well-being of both mothers and their children. The challenges that face overall prenatal care services in Tanzania are far from being eliminated in the near future if control measures will not be taken. It is imperative to jointly emphasize more on collaborative efforts between the government, healthcare organizations, NGOs, and international partners to improve ANC access and protect future generation. Thus, this calls for all stakeholders in maternal and child health to prioritize accessible and quality care. By working together and acting now, we can ensure that maternal and child health becomes a global priority. Ethical approval Ethics approval was not required for this correspondence. Consent Informed consent was not required for this correspondence. Sources of funding We did not receive any financial support for this manuscript. Author contribution J.R.T.: conceptualization and writing; M.M.N.: writing and proof reading; V.G.R.: writing and proof reading. All others authors contributed equally in this correspondence. Conflicts of interest disclosures We declare no conflicts of interest. Research registration unique identifying number (UIN) Not applicable. Guarantor Jovin R. Tibenderana, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. E-mail: [email protected]
Vicky G. Raymond, Monica M. Ndalla, Jovin Rushagala Tibenderana
How do patterns of socioeconomic inequality shape the risk of child fatality in urban areas? Research has shown that both intentional and unintentional child deaths are concentrated in areas of social disadvantage. Yet in densely populated cities, child fatality risk may not follow smooth spatial patterns and instead exhibit abrupt shifts across neighborhood boundaries. This study applies a dissimilarity-based Bayesian spatial conditional autoregressive (CAR) model to detect localized discontinuities in child mortality risk associated with structural inequality. Using a continuous dissimilarity function based on differences in Economic Hardship and Inequality (EHI) scores between adjacent census tracts, the model allows spatial smoothing to attenuate across sharp transitions. The model identified 413 spatial boundaries-termed social frontiers-where sharp structural discontinuities in EHI were associated with a 22% increase in the relative risk of child mortality, even after adjusting for racial segregation, concentrated disadvantage, residential mobility, and immigrant concentration. The significance of identifying neighborhoods characterized as social frontiers, where children may benefit from additional preventive interventions, is discussed in this context.
Gia Elise Barboza-Salerno, Sharefa Duhaney, Brittany Liebhard et al.
A comprehensive study of socioeconomic factors affecting the situation of children and families with children in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation is a social requirement and an important scientific problem. In this paper, a method for estimating the child well-being index based on the threshold indicator aggregation model is considered. Three ways of ranking the indicators are presented. The results of the pilot experiments are shown in the cartogram of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
A. P. Vaynshtok, E. F. Yurkov, T. N. Yudina et al.
The major occurrences of COVID-19 in Uganda and their impact on parental roles in Uganda are not negligible. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, with in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, this study interrogated how collaborative parenting influenced motherhood and fatherhood role transformations amidst the COVID-19 crisis and its implication on child well-being in Mukono district, Uganda. While global literature documents these changes since the 18th century, empirical evidence in Africa, particularly Uganda, is limited. Conducted in the Nakisunga sub-county and Goma division, findings indicate that pre-existing parental role constructions influenced role evolution during the pandemic, affecting child well-being differently depending on whether parents fulfilled roles individually or collaboratively. The study highlights the importance of collaborative parental roles. Recommendations and implications of the theory are embedded
Proscovia Nalwadda, Nicolette Vanessa Roman, Gerald Bwenvu et al.
This comprehensive review explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of social pediatrics, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize child healthcare. Social pediatrics, a specialized branch within the discipline, focuses on the significant influence of societal, environmental, and economic factors on children's health and development. This field adopts a holistic approach, integrating medical, psychological, and environmental considerations. This review aims to explore the potential of AI in revolutionizing child healthcare from social pediatrics perspective. To achieve that, we explored AI applications in preventive care, growth monitoring, nutritional guidance, environmental risk factor prediction, and early detection of child abuse. The findings highlight AI's significant contributions in various areas of social pediatrics. Artificial intelligence's proficiency in handling large datasets is shown to enhance diagnostic processes, personalize treatments, and improve overall healthcare management. Notable advancements are observed in preventive care, growth monitoring, nutritional counseling, predicting environmental risks, and early child abuse detection. We find that integrating AI into social pediatric healthcare aims to enhance the effectiveness, accessibility, and equity of pediatric health services. This integration ensures high-quality care for every child, regardless of their social background. The study elucidates AI's multifaceted applications in social pediatrics, including natural language processing, machine learning algorithms for health outcome predictions, and AI-driven tools for health and environmental monitoring, collectively fostering a more efficient, informed, and responsive pediatric healthcare system.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara pengasuhan positif dan child well-being berdasarkan orang tua dengan anak tunarungu di Yogyakarta. Anak dengan tunarungu menghadapi berbagai tantangan dalam menjalani kehidupannya sehari-hari yang dapat mengancam perkembangan serta kesejahteraan anak. Pengasuhan positif diketahui dapat menunjang kesejahteraan anak dengan adanya kehangatan dan keterlibatan orang tua serta metode disiplin yang positif. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif yang melibatkan 73 orang tua dengan anak tunarungu berusia 6 – 13 tahun. Hasil penelitian dianalisis melalui uji korelasi Spearman’s Rho dan ditemukan bahwa terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara child well-being dan pengasuhan positif dengan nilai p = 0,001 ( p < 0,01) dengan nilai koefisien korelasi r = 0,366. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa pengasuhan positif orang tua dapat menunjang kesejahteraan diri anak dengan tunarungu. Kata Kunci: pengasuhan positif; kesejahteraan anak; tunarungu
