Nutrition labelling: a review of research on consumer and industry response in the global South

KIMBACKGROUND: To identify peer-reviewed research on consumers' usage and attitudes towards the nutrition label and the food industry's response to labelling regulations outside Europe, North America, and Australia and to determine knowledge gaps for future research. DESIGN: Narrative review. RESULTS: This review identified nutrition labelling research from 20 countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Consumers prefer that pre-packaged food include nutrition information, although there is a disparity between rates of use and comprehension. Consumer preference is for front-of-pack labelling and for information that shows per serving or portion as a reference unit, and label formats with graphics or symbols. Research on the food and beverage industry's response is more limited but shows that industry plays an active role in influencing legislation and regulation. CONCLUSIONS: Consumers around the world share preferences with consumers in higher income countries with respect to labelling. However, this may reflect the research study populations, who are often better educated than the general population. Investigation is required into how nutrition labels are received in emerging economies especially among the urban and rural poor, in order to assess the effectiveness of labelling policies. Further research into the outlook of the food and beverage industry, and also on expanded labelling regulations is a priority. Sharing context-specific research regarding labelling between countries in the global South could be mutually beneficial in evaluating obesity prevention policies and strategies

Triple return on investment : the cost and impact of 13 interventions that could prevent stillbirths and save the lives of mothers and babies in South Africa

BACKGROUND : The time of labor, birth and the first days of life are the most vulnerable period for mothers and children. Despite significant global advocacy, there is insufficient understanding of the investment required to save additional lives. In particular, stillbirths have been neglected. Over 20 000 stillbirths are recorded annually in South Africa, many of which could be averted. This analysis examines available South Africa specific stillbirth data and evaluates the impact and cost-effectiveness of 13 interventions acknowledged to prevent stillbirths and maternal and newborn mortality. METHODS : Multiple data sources were reviewed to evaluate changes in stillbirth rates since 2000. The intervention analysis used the Lives Saved tool (LiST) and the Family Planning module (FamPlan) in Spectrum. LiST was used to determine the number of stillbirths and maternal and neonatal deaths that could be averted by scaling up the interventions to full coverage (99%) in 2030. The impact of family planning was assessed by increasing FamPlan’s default 70% coverage of modern contraception to 75% and 80% coverage. Total and incremental costs were determined in the LiST costing module. Cost-effectiveness measured incremental cost effectiveness ratios per potential life years gained. RESULTS: Significant variability exists in national stillbirth data. Using the international stillbirth definition, the SBR was 17.6 per 1 000 births in 2013. Full coverage of the 13 interventions in 2030 could reduce the SBR by 30% to 12.4 per 1 000 births, leading to an MMR of 132 per 100 000 and an NMR of 7 per 1 000 live births. Increased family planning coverage reduces the number of deaths significantly. The full intervention package, with 80% family planning coverage in 2030, would require US$420 million (US$7.8 per capita) annually, which is less than baseline costs of US$550 million (US$10.2 per capita). All interventions were highly cost-effective. CONCLUSION : This is the first analysis in South Africa to assess the impact of scaling up interventions to avert stillbirths. Improved coverage of 13 interventions that are already recommended could significantly impact the rates of stillbirth and maternal and neonatal mortality. Family planning should also be prioritized to reduce mortality and overall costs.http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpregnancychildbirtham201

Reducing diarrhoea deaths in South Africa: costs and effects of scaling up essential interventions to prevent and treat diarrhoea in under-five children

Diarrhoea is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in South African children, accounting for approximately 20% of under-five deaths. Though progress has been made in scaling up multiple interventions to reduce diarrhoea in the last decade, challenges still remain. In this paper, we model the cost and impact of scaling up 13 interventions to prevent and treat childhood diarrhoea in South Africa. Modelling was done using the Lives Saved Tool (LiST). Using 2014 as the baseline, intervention coverage was increased from 2015 until 2030. Three scale up scenarios were compared: by 2030, 1) coverage of all interventions increased by ten percentage points; 2) intervention coverage increased by 20 percentage points; 3) and intervention coverage increased to 99%. The model estimates 13 million diarrhoea cases at baseline. Scaling up intervention coverage averted between 3 million and 5.3 million diarrhoea cases. In 2030, diarrhoeal deaths are expected to reduce from an estimated 5,500 in 2014 to 2,800 in scenario one, 1,400 in scenario two and 100 in scenario three. The additional cost of implementing all 13 interventions will range from US$510 million (US$9 per capita) to US$960 million (US$18 per capita), of which the health system costs range between US$40 million (less than US$1 per capita) and US$170 million (US$3 per capita). Scaling up 13 essential interventions could have a substantial impact on reducing diarrhoeal deaths in South African children, which would contribute toward reducing child mortality in the post-MDG era. Preventive measures are key and the government should focus on improving water, sanitation and hygiene. The investments required to achieve these results seem feasible considering current health expenditure.

Burden and trends of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections in Malawi from 2000 to 2021: comparative analysis of survey and case report data

Background: In settings without aetiologic testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), programmes rely on STI symptom data to inform priorities. To evaluate whether self-reported STI symptoms in household surveys consistently represent the STI burden, we compared symptomatic infection rates between survey self-reporting and health facility case reporting in Malawi. Methods: We analysed self-reported symptoms and treatment seeking in the past year among sexually active adults from four Malawi Demographic and Health Surveys between 2000-2015. Bayesian mixed-effects models were used to estimate temporal trends, spatial variation, and sociodemographic determinants. Survey reporting was compared with health facility syndromic diagnoses between 2014-2021. Results: In surveys, 11.0% (95% CI:10.7-11.4%) of adults reported STI or STI-related symptoms in the last year, of whom 54.2% (52.8-55.7%) sought treatment. In facilities, the mean annual symptomatic case diagnosis rate was 3.3%. Survey-reported treatment in the last year was 3.8% (95% CrI:2.3-6.1%) for genital ulcer, 3.8% (2.0-6.7%) for vaginal discharge, and 2.6% (1.2-4.7%) for urethral discharge. Mean annual diagnosis rates at facilities were 0.5% for genital ulcer, 2.2% for vaginal discharge, and 2.0% for urethral discharge. Both data sources indicated a higher burden of symptoms among women, individuals above 25 years, and in Southern Malawi. Conclusion: Survey and facility case reports indicated similar spatial and demographic patterns of STI symptom burden and care seeking, but implied large differences in the magnitude and relative burden of symptoms, particularly genital ulcer, which could affect programme priorities. Targeted aetiologic surveillance would improve interpretation of these data to enable more comprehensive STI surveillance

TiO2: Cr nanopowders for hydrogen sensing

The aim of this research was to use nanocrystalline TiO2 and TiO2: Cr (0.1–10 at. % Cr) obtained by Flame Spray Synthesis, FSS, for hydrogen sensing. Morphological properties of nanopowders were investigated by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, BET, adsorption isotherms, X-ray Diffraction, XRD, Scanning Electron Microscopy, SEM, and Transmission Electron Microscopy, TEM. Nanosensors were prepared in a form of circular tablets by pressing the nanopowder at the pressure of 25 MPa and heating up to 400oC. Dynamic changes in the electrical resistance ΔR/Ro upon hydrogen exposure were detected over low-to- medium concentration range of 50-3000 ppm at 200-400oC. The influence of particle size and Cr content on the sensor response was studied

Factors that foster and deter STEM professional development among teachers

The present study seeks to identify teachers' perceptions regarding STEM teaching professional development and to identify the factors that facilitate or hinder the success of teachers' professional development. The participants of the study were 35 teachers. A qualitative approach was used for data collection by conducting semistructured interviews with 11 teachers out of 35. All the participants were involved in the three focus group sessions. The findings of the study revealed that teachers have various perceptions toward the STEM professional development based on their experience, knowledge, and skills. Moreover, the study revealed different factors influencing STEM professional development among teachers including personal characteristics and internal factors including attitudes and beliefs toward STEM professional development activities, and teachers' capacity. Also, external factors such as design of the training program, availability of training material, and timing of training. The findings of the study could benefit the decision-makers to be aware about these factors that influence professional development and the teachers' needs