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Assessing maternal nutrition policy and programmatic landscape in India: a qualitative study

Introduction Maternal nutrition is fundamental to the health of mothers and children. Over the years, the Indian government introduced several programs and policies to support women’s nutrition during pregnancy and improve maternal and child health outcomes. However, significant contextual differences remain in service provisions and access across states. This study explores expert perspectives on factors that impact the implementation and reach of maternal nutrition services in India. Methods The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase consisted of contextual mapping through desk review of policy documents, government reports, published literature, and descriptive secondary data from NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 to map maternal nutrition indicators and provide contextual evidence. In the second phase, fifteen national- and state-level experts from across policy, implementation, and research fields were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews. Following this, interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Results The desk review indicated that maternal nutrition programs in India are implemented through multiple local and centralized institutions and show substantial variation across states. State-specific initiatives to strengthen maternal nutrition were identified in 35 of the 36 Indian states and union territories. Qualitative findings complemented the desk review. Thematic analysis of expert interviews indicated that despite numerous maternal nutrition programmes in effect in India, effective implementation was constrained by three interconnected mechanisms: weak governance and health system capacity to translate policy into consistent frontline practice; fragmented monitoring systems that limit routine, data-driven course correction; and sociocultural norms that impact household decision-making and the reach and acceptability of maternal nutrition services. Discussion Experts emphasized that strengthening implementation within existing government programmes, rather than introducing additional schemes, is central to improving maternal nutrition services and, ultimately, maternal health outcomes in India.

Sukirti Chandra, Avilasha Ghosh, Himani Sharma et al.

A universal musical minimum: capability, universal design and body percussion in Spanish primary music education

Music is affirmed as an entitlement across the European Union, yet what children receive varies with the resources their schools and regions can command. This paper applies Universal Design for Learning at a level where it is rarely employed: not the individual lesson, but the statutory curricular minimum itself. Taking Spain as a case study, it examines what minimum of musical participation a state could guarantee in a form from which no school and no learner could be excluded. Joining universal design with the capability approach, the article argues that such a minimum must be defined as a capability rather than as a resource and specified in competencies rather than materials or gestures. It proposes an instrument-independent curricular floor: a legally protected minimum of rhythmic, ensemble-based and improvisatory participation achievable with the body and voice alone, complementary to instrumental provision and never a substitute for it. Body percussion serves as the analytical test case rather than as the content of the entitlement. The article presents a normative and doctrinal analysis, not an empirical evaluation. It advances a central hypothesis and four derived propositions, states the observations that would confirm or disconfirm each, and specifies the research programme required to test them. Its principal claim is conditional and structural: the current architecture permits variation in what children receive, an entitlement defined in capability terms would remove one mechanism through which that variation operates, and whether it does so in practice is a question for empirical evaluation rather than for theoretical argument.

Francisco Javier Romero-Naranjo

The influence of peer educators in a reproductive health program for the prevention of child marriage at SMA Negeri 13 Makassar

This study aimed to determine the impact of a peer educator program focused on reproductive health for the prevention of child marriage at SMA Negeri 13 Makassar. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group was employed. The sample consisted of 70 respondents—divided into an intervention group (n=35) and a control group (n=35)—selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected via questionnaires covering information, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and child marriage prevention. Data analysis involved the Paired Sample t-test to compare pretest and posttest scores, and the Mann–Whitney U test to compare gain scores between the two groups. The results indicated changes in scores before and after the intervention according to the Paired Sample t-test. However, the Mann–Whitney U test revealed no significant difference in the improvement (gain score) between the intervention and control groups regarding information (p=0.166), knowledge (p=0.075), attitudes (p=0.265), behaviors (p=0.552), and child marriage prevention (p=0.591). Conclusion: While the peer educator program resulted in score changes before and after the intervention, there was no significant difference in the magnitude of improvement between the intervention and control groups.

Ummi Kalsum, Andi Nurzakiah Amin

Exploring The Impact of A Structured Sensory Diet on Neural Regulation of Attention and Task Engagement In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Behavioral and Neurocognitive Approach

The study's significance lies in shedding light on the Impact of a Structured Sensory Diet on Neural Regulation of Attention and Task Engagement in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This study holds substantial significance for both scientific understanding and practical intervention in supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Many children with ASD experience sensory processing difficulties that directly influence their ability to regulate attention, engage in tasks, and participate meaningfully in learning environments. Although sensory diets are widely used in therapeutic and educational settings, there remains limited empirical evidence—especially neurocognitive evidence— demonstrating how structured sensory input influences neural regulation and behavioral functioning.

Narayan Nama, Surendra Kumar Meena, Simanta Buragohain

A Systematic Review of Explainable Multimodal Artificial Intelligence for Early Identification of Developmental Potential in Children

Children who are developmentally lagging require quick and tailored supports- this is why focusing on potential development is important. AI has advanced by integrating multiple forms of speech, behaviour, physiology, and vision, and emerging AI systems for speech triage and multi-modal systems are demonstrating promise for comprehensive pediatric assessment. This literature review examines the most recent XAI approaches and applications to developmental screening and assessment of learning and development from 2016-2025. Under the PRISMA model, 34 studies were selected that involve data fusion, explainable AI, and stakeholder-driven explainable AI. The review explores various AI model approaches, data fusion, explainable AI, and evaluation with explainable AI trust, ethical, bias, and generalization frameworks. Survey results of the various frameworks show that XAI approaches and selected strikingly high attribution approaches of clinician educator explanation dominated stakeholder-controlled assessment and understanding and maintained high diagnostic and predictive accuracy levels. The issues of availability and sustaining longitudinal studies and accountability for cultural and demographic bias are persistent. This review suggests discussing adaptive and transparent AI systems that are equitable, scalable, and reliable. This synthesis aids the creation of efficient and useful AI technologies for fair access to early childhood assessment and intervention tools.

Shyamala B, P Shridhara Acharya, Ananth Prabhu G

Individual- and community-level factors associated with intimate partner controlling behavior among women in Somaliland: a multilevel analysis of the 2020 Somaliland demographic and health survey

Background Intimate partner controlling behavior (IPCB) is a key manifestation of coercive control and an important precursor to other forms of intimate partner violence. Despite its adverse consequences for women’s autonomy, mental health, and well-being, evidence on the prevalence and factors associated with IPCB in Somaliland remains limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and identify the individual- and community-level factors associated with IPCB among ever-married women in Somaliland. Methods A secondary analysis of the 2020 Somaliland Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS) was conducted using a weighted sample of 9,428.14 (unweighted n = 9,593) ever-married women aged 15–49 years. IPCB was defined as experiencing at least one of five partner controlling behaviors reported for the respondent’s current husband/partner. Multilevel logistic regression models, incorporating the DHS sample weight (V005) and clustering by primary sampling unit (135 clusters), were fitted to account for the hierarchical structure of the survey data and to identify factors associated with IPCB. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported, and statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. Results The prevalence of IPCB was 26.7% (95% CI: 25.8–27.6%; unweighted prevalence 25.1%). Women aged 25–29 years (AOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.01–2.53), those with primary education (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.44–2.00), and women from middle- (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.20–1.77) and rich-wealth households (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.30–1.88) had higher odds of experiencing IPCB. Conversely, joint healthcare decision-making (AOR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.60–0.79), current pregnancy (AOR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.63–0.85), marriage at ages 19–26 years (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.63–0.80) or >26 years (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.49–0.81), household size of 4–7 members (AOR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.71–0.92), partner employment (AOR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.68–0.87), and residence in Marodijeh, Togdheer, Sool, and Sanaag regions were associated with lower odds of IPCB. Conclusion Approximately one in four ever-married women in Somaliland experienced intimate partner controlling behavior, underscoring IPCB as an important public health and gender equality concern. Both individual- and community-level factors were significantly associated with women’s odds of experiencing IPCB, highlighting the need for multilevel interventions that strengthen women’s decision-making autonomy, delay early marriage, promote girls’ education, and implement context-specific strategies to prevent coercive control and advance gender equality.

Abdulkadir Mohamed Nuh, Abdirashiid Muhumed Guled, Mohamed Abdilahi Mohamed et al.

Violence Against Infants and Children - Practical Implications Regarding Prevention Issues

The article presents an overview of the problems of child violence, a wide range of its variants-physical, sexual and psychological violence, etc. It is shown that child violence has the quality of transgeneration, in one form or another, is reproduced in the next generations. The experience of violence is also a negative predictor of violent behavior that will manifest itself in the upbringing of their own children. Indicators of the epidemiology of violence are presented. The data vary greatly, for example, the prevalence of sexual violence ranges from 3% to 36%. Sexual violence mainly affects children between the ages of 6 and 13. Children under the age of 4 are most likely to suffer from physical and psychological abuse. Up to a third of victims of sexual violence may show appropriate behavior towards their own or other children. An overview of the factors that predispose / retard the formation of child violence is presented. These are factors such as age, gender, ethnic origin, disability, and social status of the parents. Prevention work should be based on a multi-level concept (multiple participants or institutions are involved). Appropriate measures to prevent violence should not (cannot) only target children / young people, but should also affect, in particular, parents and schools.

Processes For The Prevention Of Domestic Violence Against Children In Uzbekistan

This article addresses topical issues of protection of children from domestic violence in the national legal system. Special attention is paid to the forms of domestic violence, protection of the rights and freedoms of victims.

Shavkat Ganiev

Balloon cells in type II focal cortical dysplasia: developmental origins, molecular signatures, and epileptogenic mechanisms

Type II focal cortical dysplasia (FCD II) is a major cause of drug-resistant epilepsy in children, with balloon cells representing a defining histopathological feature of FCD IIb. Although diagnostically important, the biological identity and epileptogenic contribution of balloon cells remain incompletely understood. Current evidence links balloon cells to disrupted cortical development, often driven by somatic mosaic mutations in the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, resulting in impaired differentiation, cellular enlargement, and hybrid neuroglial phenotypes. This review examines current evidence on the developmental origins and lineage states, molecular signatures, electrophysiological features, and network effects of balloon cells in FCD II. Persistent mTOR hyperactivation appears to interact with cytoskeletal abnormalities, oxidative stress, and local inflammatory signaling, thereby creating a microenvironment that favors epileptogenic remodeling. Despite being largely electrically silent, BCs are embedded within lesion microenvironments characterized by disrupted inhibitory circuitry, altered neurotransmitter homeostasis, and complement-associated synaptic remodeling. BCs may participate indirectly in these processes, although their cell-specific causal contribution remains unresolved. Recent single-cell and spatial transcriptomic studies further distinguish balloon cells from dysmorphic neurons and implicate them in local immune activation. Understanding balloon cell biology may reveal cell-specific therapeutic targets and support precision treatment strategies beyond surgical resection.

Yan Gao, Xinna Ji, Shuo Feng et al.