A5024285549- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Infant Nutrition and Health
- Breastfeeding Practices and Influences
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Health and Conflict Studies
- Healthcare Systems and Reforms
- Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
- Iron Metabolism and Disorders
- Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
- Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
- Migration, Health and Trauma
- Ethics in Business and Education
- Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Child and Adolescent Health
- Neonatal and Maternal Infections
- Bacterial Infections and Vaccines
- Consumer Retail Behavior Studies
- Global Health and Epidemiology
Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”
2023-2025
Aga Khan University
2011-2025
Brigham and Women's Hospital
2024-2025
Harvard University
2024-2025
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
2025
Harvard Global Health Institute
2024
Piedmont University
2023
Aga Khan University Hospital
2013-2016
Creative Commons
2016
Gates Foundation
2016
More than 500 000 neonatal deaths per year result from possible serious bacterial infections (pSBIs), but the causes are largely unknown. We investigated incidence of community-acquired caused by specific organisms among neonates in south Asia.From 2011 to 2014, we identified babies through population-based pregnancy surveillance at five sites Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Babies were visited home community health workers up ten times age 0 59 days. Illness meeting WHO definition pSBI...
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends oral amoxicillin for patients who have pneumonia with tachypnea, yet trial data indicate that not using to treat this condition may be noninferior amoxicillin.We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled noninferiority involving children at primary health care centers in low-income communities Karachi, Pakistan. Children were 2 59 months of age and met WHO criteria nonsevere tachypnea randomly assigned 3-day course suspension (the...
Background: Afghan refugees in Pakistan, particularly Quetta, Balochistan, encounter formidable barriers accessing maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services. These challenges have been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic entrenched systemic inequities. Methods: This qualitative study, conducted from February to April 2023, aimed assess obstacles within systems community environments that hinder MNCH service access among refugees. The study involved 20 key informants through...
The effects of antibiotics on the microbiome remain incompletely understood. Azithromycin (AZ) has been shown to improve child survival and infant growth outcomes. This study aimed assess impact AZ B. infantis colonization bacterial enteropathogen count in gut. We analyzed clinical, biomarker, data from 150 mother-infant dyads MUMTA Lactating Women study. Colonization was assessed using quantitative PCR fecal samples. utilized a customized PCR-based TaqMan Array Card (TAC) for detection....
Abstract Background Public health and clinical recommendations are established from systematic reviews retrospective meta-analyses combining effect sizes, traditionally, aggregate data more recently, using individual participant (IPD) of published studies. However, trials often have outcomes other meta-data that not defined collected in a standardized way, making meta-analysis problematic. IPD can only partially fix the limitations traditional, retrospective, meta-analysis; prospective...
Maternal undernutrition is a direct risk factor for infant growth faltering. We evaluated the effect of postnatal Balanced Energy Protein (BEP) supplementation in lactating women and Azithromycin (AZ) infants on outcomes. A randomized controlled superiority trial mother-newborn dyads was conducted Karachi, Pakistan. Mothers intending to breastfeed their newborns with mid-upper arm circumference less than 23 cm live between 0-6 days life were randomly assigned one three arms 1:1:1 ratio....
Abstract Background Great disparities in immunization coverage exist Pakistan between urban and rural areas. However, estimates for large peri-urban slums Sindh are largely unknown implementation challenges remain unexplored. This study explores key supply- demand-side barriers slums, as well strategies to address them. It also assesses the target slums. Methods Conducted four Karachi, this mixed-methods consists of a baseline cross-sectional survey representative sample 840 caregivers...
BackgroundGlobally, neonatal mortality accounts for almost half of all deaths in children younger than 5 years. Aetiological agents infection are difficult to identify because the clinical signs non-specific. Using data from Aetiology Neonatal Infections south Asia (ANISA) cohort, we aimed describe spectrum infectious aetiologies acute illness categorised post-hoc using 2015 WHO case definitions critical illness, severe infection, and fast breathing only.MethodsEligible infants were aged...
Sierra Leone is among the top countries with highest maternal mortality rates. Although progress has been made in reducing mortality, challenges remain, including limited access to skilled care and regional disparities accessing quality care. This paper presents first comprehensive analysis of burden different causes deaths reported Maternal Death Surveillance Response (MDSR) system at district level from 2016 2019.
Abstract Background The Taliban takeover in August 2021 ended a decades-long conflict Afghanistan. Yet, along with improved security, there have been collateral changes, such as the exacerbation of economic crisis and brain drain. Although these changes altered lives Afghans many ways, it is unclear whether they affected access to care. This study aimed analyse Afghans’ care how this has changed after 2021. Methods relied on collaboration non-governmental organisation EMERGENCY, running...
A higher incidence of neonatal tetanus implies failure the vaccination program in Pakistan.The objective this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices related toxoid (TT) vaccine women childbearing age.We performed a cross-sectional survey peri-urban Karachi, Pakistan, among age, stratified into three mutually exclusive groups as: married pregnant; non-pregnant; unmarried. Descriptive inferential analyses were estimate coverage knowledge attributes.A total 450 participated,...
Abstract In low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC), growth impairment is common; however, the trajectory of over course first month has not been well characterised. To describe newborn predictors impairment, we assessed frequently 30 days among infants born ≥2000 g in Guinea‐Bissau, Nepal, Pakistan Uganda. this cohort 741 infants, mean birth weight was 3036 ± 424 g. For 721 (98%) loss occurred for a median 2 (interquartile range, 1–4) following until nadir reached 5.9 4.3% below weight. At...
Aetiology of Neonatal Infection in South Asia (ANISA) is a multicenter study Bangladesh, India and Pakistan exploring the incidence etiology neonatal infections. A periurban site Karachi was selected for its representativeness general population health indicators. An established demographic surveillance system other infrastructure needed conducting already existed at this site. ANISA presents unique challenge because need to capture every birth outcome community within few hours delivery...
Integrated Management of Childhood Illness recommends that young infants with isolated fast breathing be referred to a hospital for antibiotic treatment, which is often impractical in resource-limited settings. Additionally, antibiotics may unnecessary physiologic tachypnea otherwise well newborns. We tested the hypothesis ambulatory treatment oral amoxicillin 7 days was equivalent (similarity margin 3%) placebo primary care settings where referral unfeasible. This randomized equivalence...
With COVAX touted as the only platform that is built on equity and fairness, there growing discontent concern falling short of its goals COVID ravages across multiple countries. There are two serious issues we address here. Firstly, distribution principles mechanisms need to be rethought in terms a shift from private global interests with focus prioritizing deliveries. Secondly, vaccines present, it vital countries recognize all them, once proven safe effective, prevent any form vaccine...
<ns4:p>The Aga Khan University’s Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in peri urban areas of Karachi was set up the year 2003 four low socioeconomic communities covers an area 17.6 square kilometres. Its main purpose has been to provide a platform for research projects with focus on maternal child health improvement, as well educational opportunities trainees.</ns4:p><ns4:p> The total population currently under surveillance is 249,128, which record births, deaths, pregnancies...
Globally, 45% of under-five deaths are either directly or indirectly attributable to malnutrition, and most these in low- middle-income countries (LMICs). Children particularly vulnerable the first 6 months life. An estimated 4.7 million infants under age moderately wasted, whereas 3.8 severely wasted. Although children malnourished women have an increased risk stunting wasting, there is little information on this issue.This a community-based, open-label, multiarm randomized controlled trial...
Background Limited literature is available on the dietary pattern and its consequences health of women living in coastal slums Karachi, Pakistan. Material methods The study employed a mixed-method approach where concurrent quantitative qualitative assessments were carried out. An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect information demographic, household, obstetrics characteristics, married reproductive age (MWRA). Blood samples collected identify hemoglobin level determine...
Background: The urban slums of Pakistan continue to record low childhood vaccination coverage. It is therefore vital understand the demand-side barriers in determine required demand-generation interventions. Aims: To document related and recommend appropriate Methods: We investigated 4 Karachi, Pakistan, disseminated findings Expanded Program on Immunization their partners. Using findings, we made recommendations for collaborations with various partners design interventions address barriers....