Tamal Reja | International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai (original) (raw)

Papers by Tamal Reja

Research paper thumbnail of JibanSampark: Pathways for improving Health and Nutrition among PVTGs in Odisha

ADIVASI: Journal of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute, 2023

Tribal populations have been suffering a triple burden of disease in terms of communicable diseas... more Tribal populations have been suffering a triple burden of disease in terms of communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, malnutrition, mental health and addictions. In comparison, the PVTGs face considerable social and economic inequalities for which their disease burden may be even more. These may be attributed to their customary beliefs and practices and limited worldview.

Research paper thumbnail of Is unintended birth associated with physical intimate partner violence? Evidence from India

Journal of Biosocial Science, 2020

A growing number of studies have tested the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) a... more A growing number of studies have tested the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and the unintendedness of pregnancy or birth, and most have suggested that unintendedness of pregnancy is a cause of IPV. However, about nine in every ten women face violence after delivering their first baby. This study examined the effects of the intendedness of births on physical IPV using data from the National Family Health Survey (2015–16). The multivariate logistic regression model analysis found that, compared with women with no unwanted births (2.9%), physical IPV was higher among those women who had unwanted births (6.9%, p<0.001), followed by those who had mistimed births (4.4 %, p<0.001), even after adjusting for several women’s individual and socioeconomic characteristics. Thus, the reduction of women with mistimed and unwanted births could reduce physical IPV in India. The study highlights the unfinished agenda of family planning in the country and argues for the need ...

Research paper thumbnail of Planning of births and maternal, child health, and nutritional outcomes: recent evidence from India

Public Health, 2019

Objectives: In an effort to provide recommendation for maximizing synergy between maternal, infan... more Objectives: In an effort to provide recommendation for maximizing synergy between maternal, infant, and young children's nutrition and family planning in India, this study makes a comprehensive assessment of the effects of the planning of births in terms of timing, spacing and limiting childbearing on maternal and child health outcomes. Study design: This study used the latest National Family Health Survey data of India that is globally known as the Demographic and Health Survey. A robust two-stage systematic random sampling was used for selecting representative samples for measuring demographic and health indicators. Methods: Maternal and child health outcomes are measured by body mass index (grouped as normal, underweight, and overweight) and anemia for mothers, and stunting, underweight, anemia, and under-five mortality for the children. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were applied. Results: Women with a higher number of births and among those with first-order births with fewer than 2 years between marriage and first birth, the risk of being underweight and having anemia was significantly higher compared with their counterparts. In addition, the probability of being underweight and risk of stunting, anemia, and mortality was higher among the children from women with a higher number of births and with fewer than 3 years of spacing between births than that of their counterparts.

Research paper thumbnail of Increasing trend of C-section deliveries in India: A comparative analysis between southern states and rest of India

Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare

Research paper thumbnail of The unending burden of high out of pocket expenditure on institutional deliveries in India Elsevier Enhanced Reader

Research paper thumbnail of 1-s2.0-S0033350618303895-main.pdf

Public Health, 2019

Objectives In an effort to provide recommendation for maximizing synergy between maternal, infant... more Objectives
In an effort to provide recommendation for maximizing synergy between maternal, infant, and young children's nutrition and family planning in India, this study makes a comprehensive assessment of the effects of the planning of births in terms of timing, spacing and limiting childbearing on maternal and child health outcomes.

Study design
This study used the latest National Family Health Survey data of India that is globally known as the Demographic and Health Survey. A robust two-stage systematic random sampling was used for selecting representative samples for measuring demographic and health indicators.

Methods
Maternal and child health outcomes are measured by body mass index (grouped as normal, underweight, and overweight) and anemia for mothers, and stunting, underweight, anemia, and under-five mortality for the children. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were applied.

Results
Women with a higher number of births and among those with first-order births with fewer than 2 years between marriage and first birth, the risk of being underweight and having anemia was significantly higher compared with their counterparts. In addition, the probability of being underweight and risk of stunting, anemia, and mortality was higher among the children from women with a higher number of births and with fewer than 3 years of spacing between births than that of their counterparts.

Conclusions
The findings from this study support the importance of birth planning in improving maternal, child health, and nutritional outcomes. The proper planning of births could help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal-3 of good health and well-being for all by 2030 in India, where a significant proportion of women still participate in early marriages, early childbearing, and a large number of births with close spacing.

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence of Anemia and Its Determinants Among Pregnant, Lactating, and Nonpregnant Nonlactating Women in India

SAGE Open, 2017

Despite the existence of several policies and programs, anemia among pregnant and lactating women... more Despite the existence of several policies and programs, anemia among pregnant and lactating women continues to be
a serious concern for public health policy in India. The main objective of this study is to examine the prevalence and
determinants of anemia among pregnant and lactating versus nonpregnant nonlactating (NP-NL) women for priority setting
in health policies of the country. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS3) conducted in 2005-2006 has been
used for the analyses of this study. The results revealed that the prevalence of anemia was higher among lactating women
(63%), followed by pregnant women (59%) than NP-NL women (53%). Younger lactating (71%) and older pregnant women
(67%) had a higher burden of anemia. Along with socioeconomic factors, demographic indicators such as children ever born
and program factors like nutrition advice and supplementary nutrition during anti natal care and postnatal care emerged
as significant predictors in the case of anemia among both pregnant and lactating women, while socioeconomic indicators
emerged as critical factors in the case of anemia among NP-NL women. Hence, targeting demographic and program factors,
along with key socioeconomic and demographic factors in public health policy, is critical in reducing anemia among lactating
and pregnant women, while targeting significant socioeconomic factors is the key for reducing anemia among NP-NL women.

Research paper thumbnail of Linkages between Households' Agricultural Landholding and Child Nutritional Status in Rural India

The aim of this study is to examine the linkages between ownership of households’ agricultural la... more The aim of this study is to examine the linkages between ownership of households’ agricultural landholding and child nutritional status in rural India. Agricultural landholding is a critical indicator of socioeconomic wellbeing in rural areas. More than 72 per cent of the working population in rural India is involved in agriculture as its main or marginal economic activity. Ownership of agricultural land and engagement in related activities not only makes access to food materials easy but also provides the crucial socioeconomic security that is essential to improve the nutritional status of the rural population in India. Our empirical analyses support theoretical arguments: bivariate analyses revealed that about 11 per cent more underweight children reside in households with no land or with marginal agricultural landholdings as compared to households with the larger size of agricultural landholdings. Similar differences are also observed in the case of child stunting and food security by the size of household agricultural landholding. Regression analyses also suggest that the size of a household agricultural landholding is a critical determinant of child nutritional status in rural India after controlling for other important socioeconomic factors that are known to affect the child nutritional status.

Research paper thumbnail of Linkages between Households' Agricultural Landholding and Child Nutritional Status in Rural India

The aim of this study is to examine the linkages between ownership of households’ agricultural la... more The aim of this study is to examine the linkages between ownership of households’ agricultural landholding and child nutritional status in rural India. Agricultural landholding is a critical indicator of socioeconomic wellbeing in rural areas. More than 72 per cent of the working population in rural India is involved in agriculture as its main or marginal economic activity. Ownership of agricultural land and engagement in related activities not only makes access to food materials easy but also provides the crucial socioeconomic security that is essential to improve the nutritional status of the rural population in India. Our empirical analyses support theoretical arguments: bivariate analyses revealed that about 11 per cent more underweight children reside in households with no land or with marginal agricultural landholdings as compared to households with the larger size of agricultural landholdings. Similar differences are also observed in the case of child stunting and food security by the size of household agricultural landholding. Regression analyses also suggest that the size of a household agricultural landholding is a critical determinant of child nutritional status in rural India after controlling for other important socioeconomic factors that are known to affect the child nutritional status.

Research paper thumbnail of JibanSampark: Pathways for improving Health and Nutrition among PVTGs in Odisha

ADIVASI: Journal of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute, 2023

Tribal populations have been suffering a triple burden of disease in terms of communicable diseas... more Tribal populations have been suffering a triple burden of disease in terms of communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, malnutrition, mental health and addictions. In comparison, the PVTGs face considerable social and economic inequalities for which their disease burden may be even more. These may be attributed to their customary beliefs and practices and limited worldview.

Research paper thumbnail of Is unintended birth associated with physical intimate partner violence? Evidence from India

Journal of Biosocial Science, 2020

A growing number of studies have tested the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) a... more A growing number of studies have tested the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and the unintendedness of pregnancy or birth, and most have suggested that unintendedness of pregnancy is a cause of IPV. However, about nine in every ten women face violence after delivering their first baby. This study examined the effects of the intendedness of births on physical IPV using data from the National Family Health Survey (2015–16). The multivariate logistic regression model analysis found that, compared with women with no unwanted births (2.9%), physical IPV was higher among those women who had unwanted births (6.9%, p<0.001), followed by those who had mistimed births (4.4 %, p<0.001), even after adjusting for several women’s individual and socioeconomic characteristics. Thus, the reduction of women with mistimed and unwanted births could reduce physical IPV in India. The study highlights the unfinished agenda of family planning in the country and argues for the need ...

Research paper thumbnail of Planning of births and maternal, child health, and nutritional outcomes: recent evidence from India

Public Health, 2019

Objectives: In an effort to provide recommendation for maximizing synergy between maternal, infan... more Objectives: In an effort to provide recommendation for maximizing synergy between maternal, infant, and young children's nutrition and family planning in India, this study makes a comprehensive assessment of the effects of the planning of births in terms of timing, spacing and limiting childbearing on maternal and child health outcomes. Study design: This study used the latest National Family Health Survey data of India that is globally known as the Demographic and Health Survey. A robust two-stage systematic random sampling was used for selecting representative samples for measuring demographic and health indicators. Methods: Maternal and child health outcomes are measured by body mass index (grouped as normal, underweight, and overweight) and anemia for mothers, and stunting, underweight, anemia, and under-five mortality for the children. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were applied. Results: Women with a higher number of births and among those with first-order births with fewer than 2 years between marriage and first birth, the risk of being underweight and having anemia was significantly higher compared with their counterparts. In addition, the probability of being underweight and risk of stunting, anemia, and mortality was higher among the children from women with a higher number of births and with fewer than 3 years of spacing between births than that of their counterparts.

Research paper thumbnail of Increasing trend of C-section deliveries in India: A comparative analysis between southern states and rest of India

Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare

Research paper thumbnail of The unending burden of high out of pocket expenditure on institutional deliveries in India Elsevier Enhanced Reader

Research paper thumbnail of 1-s2.0-S0033350618303895-main.pdf

Public Health, 2019

Objectives In an effort to provide recommendation for maximizing synergy between maternal, infant... more Objectives
In an effort to provide recommendation for maximizing synergy between maternal, infant, and young children's nutrition and family planning in India, this study makes a comprehensive assessment of the effects of the planning of births in terms of timing, spacing and limiting childbearing on maternal and child health outcomes.

Study design
This study used the latest National Family Health Survey data of India that is globally known as the Demographic and Health Survey. A robust two-stage systematic random sampling was used for selecting representative samples for measuring demographic and health indicators.

Methods
Maternal and child health outcomes are measured by body mass index (grouped as normal, underweight, and overweight) and anemia for mothers, and stunting, underweight, anemia, and under-five mortality for the children. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were applied.

Results
Women with a higher number of births and among those with first-order births with fewer than 2 years between marriage and first birth, the risk of being underweight and having anemia was significantly higher compared with their counterparts. In addition, the probability of being underweight and risk of stunting, anemia, and mortality was higher among the children from women with a higher number of births and with fewer than 3 years of spacing between births than that of their counterparts.

Conclusions
The findings from this study support the importance of birth planning in improving maternal, child health, and nutritional outcomes. The proper planning of births could help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal-3 of good health and well-being for all by 2030 in India, where a significant proportion of women still participate in early marriages, early childbearing, and a large number of births with close spacing.

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence of Anemia and Its Determinants Among Pregnant, Lactating, and Nonpregnant Nonlactating Women in India

SAGE Open, 2017

Despite the existence of several policies and programs, anemia among pregnant and lactating women... more Despite the existence of several policies and programs, anemia among pregnant and lactating women continues to be
a serious concern for public health policy in India. The main objective of this study is to examine the prevalence and
determinants of anemia among pregnant and lactating versus nonpregnant nonlactating (NP-NL) women for priority setting
in health policies of the country. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS3) conducted in 2005-2006 has been
used for the analyses of this study. The results revealed that the prevalence of anemia was higher among lactating women
(63%), followed by pregnant women (59%) than NP-NL women (53%). Younger lactating (71%) and older pregnant women
(67%) had a higher burden of anemia. Along with socioeconomic factors, demographic indicators such as children ever born
and program factors like nutrition advice and supplementary nutrition during anti natal care and postnatal care emerged
as significant predictors in the case of anemia among both pregnant and lactating women, while socioeconomic indicators
emerged as critical factors in the case of anemia among NP-NL women. Hence, targeting demographic and program factors,
along with key socioeconomic and demographic factors in public health policy, is critical in reducing anemia among lactating
and pregnant women, while targeting significant socioeconomic factors is the key for reducing anemia among NP-NL women.

Research paper thumbnail of Linkages between Households' Agricultural Landholding and Child Nutritional Status in Rural India

The aim of this study is to examine the linkages between ownership of households’ agricultural la... more The aim of this study is to examine the linkages between ownership of households’ agricultural landholding and child nutritional status in rural India. Agricultural landholding is a critical indicator of socioeconomic wellbeing in rural areas. More than 72 per cent of the working population in rural India is involved in agriculture as its main or marginal economic activity. Ownership of agricultural land and engagement in related activities not only makes access to food materials easy but also provides the crucial socioeconomic security that is essential to improve the nutritional status of the rural population in India. Our empirical analyses support theoretical arguments: bivariate analyses revealed that about 11 per cent more underweight children reside in households with no land or with marginal agricultural landholdings as compared to households with the larger size of agricultural landholdings. Similar differences are also observed in the case of child stunting and food security by the size of household agricultural landholding. Regression analyses also suggest that the size of a household agricultural landholding is a critical determinant of child nutritional status in rural India after controlling for other important socioeconomic factors that are known to affect the child nutritional status.

Research paper thumbnail of Linkages between Households' Agricultural Landholding and Child Nutritional Status in Rural India

The aim of this study is to examine the linkages between ownership of households’ agricultural la... more The aim of this study is to examine the linkages between ownership of households’ agricultural landholding and child nutritional status in rural India. Agricultural landholding is a critical indicator of socioeconomic wellbeing in rural areas. More than 72 per cent of the working population in rural India is involved in agriculture as its main or marginal economic activity. Ownership of agricultural land and engagement in related activities not only makes access to food materials easy but also provides the crucial socioeconomic security that is essential to improve the nutritional status of the rural population in India. Our empirical analyses support theoretical arguments: bivariate analyses revealed that about 11 per cent more underweight children reside in households with no land or with marginal agricultural landholdings as compared to households with the larger size of agricultural landholdings. Similar differences are also observed in the case of child stunting and food security by the size of household agricultural landholding. Regression analyses also suggest that the size of a household agricultural landholding is a critical determinant of child nutritional status in rural India after controlling for other important socioeconomic factors that are known to affect the child nutritional status.