Behaviour change interventions to reduce second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure at home in pregnant women - A systematic review and intervention appraisal

Abstract Background Second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure during pregnancy is associated with poor pregnancy and foetal outcomes. Theory-based behaviour change interventions (BCI) have been used successfully to change smoking related behaviours and offer the potential to reduce exposure of SHS in pregnant women. Systematic reviews conducted so far do not evaluate the generalisability and scalability of interventions. The objectives of this review were to (1) report the BCIs for reduction in home exposure to SHS for pregnant women; and (2) critically appraise intervention-reporting, generalisability, feasibility and scalability of the BCIs employed. Methods Standard methods following PRISMA guidelines were employed. Eight databases were searched from 2000 to 2015 in English. The studies included used BCIs on pregnant women to reduce their home SHS exposure by targeting husbands/partners. The Workgroup for Intervention Development and Evaluation Research (WIDER) guidelines were used to assess intervention reporting. Generalisability, feasibility and scalability were assessed against criteria described by Bonell and Milat. Results Of 3479 papers identified, six studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies found that BCIs led to increased knowledge about SHS harms, reduction or husbands quitting smoking, and increased susceptibility and change in level of actions to reduce SHS at home. Two studies reported objective exposure measures, and one reported objective health outcomes. The studies partially followed WIDER guidelines for reporting, and none met all generalisability, feasibility and scalability criteria. Conclusions There is a dearth of literature in this area and the quality of studies reviewed was moderate to low. The BCIs appear effective in reducing SHS, however, weak study methodology (self-reported exposure, lack of objective outcome assessment, short follow-up, absence of control group) preclude firm conclusion. Some components of the WIDER checklist were followed for BCI reporting, scalability and feasibility of the studies were not described. More rigorous studies using biochemical and clinical measures for exposures and health outcomes in varied study settings are required. Studies should report interventions in detail using WIDER checklist and assess them for generalisability, feasibility and scalability. Trial registration CRD40125026666

An Exploration of the Emergence of Coordinated Domestic Supply Chain for Exotic Vegetables in India: A Case Study of Baby corn

This study based upon primary data had been carried out to explore the domestic supply chain for baby corn as well as to examine the investment and sales pattern of baby corn of the market agents. The study indicated that the entry of corporate sector in the non-traditional agricultural sector has paved a way for a small segment of the market agents at each level along the commodity specific entire supply chain for an upward mobility. Production thereby of the sales of baby corn was relatively concentrated during the months of October and November. Its average monthly sales from the primary wholesalers were about 14% higher to the secondary wholesalers in Punjab when compared to West Bengal. Its average monthly sales to the organized sector compared to the traditional retail sector stood 7.51% higher in the primary wholesale market whereas 33.01% higher in the secondary wholesale market of Ludhiana city. However, traditional i.e. unorganized retail sector like the sales of seasonal fruits and vegetables also predominates in the sales of this exotic vegetable item. It seems that the sales of this exotic item from the organized retail sector might have been concentrated from particular stores/localities.JEL classification: Q11, Q1

Marketing Practices and Distribution System of Rice in Punjab, India

The study focuses on the marketing practices, market structures, and firms’ motives for vertical co-ordination of the paddyrice distribution system during the post green revolution period in the Punjab state of India. The study is based upon secondary data taken from several published sources and intensive interviews with the market agents in the entire distribution chain from growers to the retailers. Study highlighted the emergence of public sector as a giant player in the paddy (non-basmati) wholesale markets, unscrupulous practices for paddy/rice supplies, wide disparities in the issue prices for the below and above poverty line families, reduced off take from the public distribution system, launching of several schemes to off load excessive stocks, and improve market efficiency. Open market segment of the industry is highly fragmentedwherein a large majority of themarket agents have confined at the levels they can be best managed, vertical co-ordination plays a pivotal role to cope up with market imperfections and supply agents constitute a strategic link for rice sales. However, private milling gains momen-tum particularly during the downward phase of the industry due to increased profitabilit

Prediction of body-fat percentage from skinfold and bio-impedance measurements in Indian school children

Background/Objectives: Few equations for calculating body-fat percentage (BF%) from field methods have been developed in South-Asian children. The objective of this study was to assess agreement between BF% derived from primary reference methods and that from skinfold equations and bio-impedance analysis (BIA) in Indian children.Subjects/Methods: We measured BF% in two groups of Indian children. In Pune, 570 rural children aged 6–8 years underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. In Mysore 18O in doubly labeled water was administered to 59 urban children aged 7–9 years. We conducted BIA at 50?kHz and anthropometry, including sub-scapular and triceps skinfold thicknesses. We used the published equations of Wickramasinghe, Shaikh, Slaughter and Dezenburg to calculate BF% from anthropometric data and the manufacturer's equation for BIA measurements. We assessed agreement with values derived from DXA and doubly labeled water using Bland–Altman analysis.Results: Children were light and thin on average compared with international standards. There was poor agreement between the reference BF% values and those from all equations. Assumptions for Bland–Altman analysis were not met for Wickramasinghe, Shaikh and Slaughter equations. The Dezenberg equations under-predicted BF% for most children (mean difference in Pune ?13.4, LOA ?22.7, ?4.0 and in Mysore ?7.9, LOA (?13.7 and ?2.2). The mean bias for the BIA equation in Pune was +5.0% and in Mysore +1.95%, and the limits of agreement were wide; ?5.0, 15.0 and –7.8, 11.7 respectively.Conclusions: Currently available skinfold equations do not accurately predict BF% in Indian children. We recommend development of BIA equations in this population using a four-compartment model.<br/