Scholarly Publications
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This community showcases the academic contributions of faculty and researchers at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and provides a year-wise compilation of publications across disciplines. Institutional Repository BHU
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PublicationBook Chapter Full Antenatal Care Service Utilization Among Tribal Mothers in India: A Multilevel Analysis(Springer Nature, 2025) Aditya P. Singh; Mahashweta Chakrabarty; Sourav Chowdhury; Vineet Kumar; Rakesh Chandra; Shivani Paratap SinghScheduled Tribes (ST) are one of the most disadvantaged socioeconomic groups in India, with a significant maternal mortality and morbidity burden. The coverage of full antenatal care (ANC) is low among ST mothers, leading to poor maternal and child health outcomes. We analyzed the data from the fourth round of the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS-4), conducted in 2015–2016. A multilevel binary logistic regression model was used to examine the factors associated with full ANC among ST mothers in India. Only one in every six tribal mothers in India received full ANC. Although 46% of ST mothers had four or more ANC visits and about 88% received one or more tetanus toxoid (TT) injections, only 27% consumed 100 or more iron–folic acid (IFA) tablets/equivalent amount of IFA in syrup during their pregnancy. Household wealth, maternal education, pregnancy registration, and spouse’s presence at the last ANC visit were associated with higher odds of receiving full ANC. High parity and undergoing the first ANC visit in the second or third trimester were associated with lower odds of receiving full ANC. India’s northern and central regions reveal a deplorable condition compared to southern and western regions in terms of the utilization of full ANC. To improve the coverage of full ANC, the government should prioritize reaching out to poor, illiterate, and high-parity ST women and encourage early registration of preganacy and a timely first ANC visit. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.PublicationBook Chapter Tracking the Changes in Socioeconomic Disparities in Menstrual Hygienic Product Use Among Young Women in Urban India: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Analysis(Springer Nature, 2025) Mahashweta Chakrabarty; Aditya P. SinghDuring menstruation, the use of hygienic products (HPs), including sanitary napkins, locally prepared napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups, is known to minimize the risk of gynecological diseases. The use of HPs is more unequal in urban India than in rural India. Scant literature is available on socioeconomic disparities in HP usage over time. This study examined socioeconomic disparities in HP use in urban India and its states from 2015–16 to 2019–21 by using the Erreygers concentration index (CI) and rate ratios. Additionally, the study sought to break down the observed inequality into contributing factors. Information of 68, 459 and 54, 561 urban women (aged 15–24 years) from the fourth and fifth National Family Health Surveys (NFHS-4 and NFHS-5), respectively, were used. The findings revealed a 15% increase in HP use among women in urban India between 2015–16 and 2019–21. The CI for the use of HPs stood at 0.382 in 2015–16 and decreased to 0.302 in 2019–21, highlighting the persistent concentration of HP use among women belonging to wealthier households. Although a decline in socioeconomic disparity has taken place over time, this decline has widely varied across different Indian states. The study revealed that socioeconomic disparity, as measured by CI, has decreased in 21 Indian states out of 28. Notably, Arunachal Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh have successfully reduced socioeconomic disparity by more than 50%. That disparity has noticeably increased in Gujarat and Meghalaya. The results of inequality decomposition highlighted that education and exposure to mass media account for over 80% of the socioeconomic disparity observed in HP use. Targeted interventions are needed to promote equitable access to these products. State-specific policies and addressing factors like education and mass-media exposure can contribute to reducing socioeconomic disparities in HP use. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.PublicationBook Chapter Inadequate Iron–Folic Acid Consumption Among Pregnant Mothers in India: A Spatial Analysis(Springer Nature, 2025) Aditya P. Singh; Mahashweta Chakrabarty; Sourav Chowdhury; Shivani Paratap Singh; Rakesh ChandraDespite guidelines recommending that every expectant mother take 100 iron–folic acid (IFA) tablets or an equivalent amount of syrup for 100 days, over 70% of Indian mothers do not adhere to this recommendation. Understanding the geographical distribution of insufficient IFA intake and the factors influencing it is crucial for developing targeted prevention and intervention strategies. However, prior to this chapter, research exploring the geographic disparities in IFA consumption and its determinants in India has been limited. Therefore, this chapter aims to address this research gap by examining the spatial patterns of inadequate IFA consumption at the district level and identifying the factors explaining these district-level spatial patterns. This chapter analyzed data from 141,875 married women aged 15–49, using the fourth round of the NFHSs (2019–2021). The dependent variable, inadequate IFA, was defined as consuming fewer than the recommended 100 IFA tablets or equivalent syrup. A district-level prevalence map was prepared to assess the spatial pattern of inadequate IFA consumption. Further, spatial clustering in IFA consumption was evaluated by using Moran’s I statistic and bivariate local indicators for spatial association (BiLISA) maps. Finally, the correlates of inadequate IFA consumption were examined by using ordinary least squares, spatial lag, and spatial error models. The overall prevalence of inadequate IFA consumption in India was 70%, with substantial spatial heterogeneity across different regions, districts, and even socioeconomic groups. The statistically significant spatial autocorrelation value for inadequate IFA consumption indicated the existence of clustering in the distribution of inadequate IFA consumption across the districts of India. Further analysis revealed that several clusters of high values of inadequate IFA were concentrated primarily in the districts of empowered action group (EAG) states—i.e., Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan. BiLISA analysis revealed that the districts with high rates of inadequate IFA consumption also had high rates of poverty and illiteracy, a higher number of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) mothers, high rates of early marriage, the inadequate coverage of antenatal care (ANC), and low levels of mass-media exposure. Among the three regression models applied, the spatial error model was the best. The results of the model suggested that inadequate IFA consumption at the district level was positively associated with ANC visits and negatively associated with a respondent’s education. Considerable spatial heterogeneity exists at the district level in the consumption of inadequate IFA among expectant mothers in India. Redirecting resources to vulnerable subgroups and geographical areas that were identified as lagging in this study would be critical to ensuring equitable progress in reducing IFA deficiency-related anemia among expectant mothers across the country. In addition, appropriate interventions need to be introduced to increase the average number of ANC visits in districts where IFA consumption is substantially low. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.PublicationBook Chapter Menstrual Irregularities Among Women: A Literature Review(Springer Nature, 2025) Mahashweta Chakrabarty; Subhojit Let; Sourav Chowdhury; Vineet KumarMenstrual cycles are considered irregular when their duration is less than 21 days or more than 35 days, and they are characterized by unusually light or heavy bleeding. These irregularities are typically caused by hormonal imbalances, which alter the menstrual pattern and are associated with various health conditions. Given these implications, irregular menstruation is a significant indicator of women’s overall health. This review aims to clarify the definitions and types of menstrual irregularities, discuss their prevalence, identify risk factors, and explore their broader impact on women’s health. A thorough search of the PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases was performed. The study included articles published in English from 2015 to 2023, focusing on the epidemiology and health impacts of menstrual irregularities. Articles that were reviews or duplicates were excluded to ensure data accuracy and integrity. This review highlighted that irregular menstrual cycles are linked to various health conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. These irregularities can also lead to complications like anemia, osteoporosis, psychological challenges, diminished quality of life, and infertility. Additionally, menstrual irregularities increase the risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Understanding the factors contributing to menstrual irregularities is crucial for developing preventive measures and treatment strategies. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.PublicationReview Effectiveness of interventions on early initiation of breastfeeding in South Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials(BioMed Central Ltd, 2025) M. A. Rifat; Mahashweta Chakrabarty; Syeda Saima Alam; Masum Ali; Syeda Sumaiya Nasrin; Plabon Sarkar; Aditya P. Singh; Sanjib SahaBackground: Early initiation of breastfeeding, defined as breastfeeding within one hour of birth, halves the risk of neonatal mortality, establishing it as a crucial outcome component in various interventions implemented across South Asian countries. However, the overall effect of these interventions remain unexamined. Therefore, this study seeks to address this knowledge gap by evaluating the overall effect of these interventions on maternal early initiation of breastfeeding practice. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify randomised controlled trials conducted in South Asia focusing on early initiation of breastfeeding as an outcome variable. The interventions identified were categorized into behavioral, mobile health (mHealth), health system strengthening, and nutritional interventions. Random effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled effect of interventions and effectiveness by intervention categories. Heterogeneity was explored by sub-group and meta-regression analyses. The risk of bias and strength of evidence were assessed by Cochrane’s RoB2 assessment tool and GRADE criteria, respectively. Results: We included 22 articles published, representing 19 unique interventions, from a pool of 2,524 screened records for review and narrative synthesis. Among these, 19 articles were eligible for meta-analysis. The pooled relative risk (RR) of early initiation of breastfeeding among mothers in the intervention groups, as compared to their counterparts, was 1.55 (95% CI: 1.24, 1.95; I2 = 99.56; p < 0.001). Interventions targeted health system strengthening represented stronger effect than other types of interventions. The overall strength of evidence was moderate. Conclusion: The overall intervention effect appeared efficacious in improving maternal early initiation of breastfeeding practice in South Asia, providing valuable insights for policymakers to develop contextually feasible strategies. © The Author(s) 2025.PublicationArticle Wealth-based inequality in underweight among Scheduled Tribe women in India: a regional analysis(BioMed Central Ltd, 2025) Anshika Singh; Aditya P. Singh; Mahashweta Chakrabarty; Shivani Paratap Singh; Pooja TripathiBackground: Despite widespread undernutrition among tribal women, there is limited understanding of wealth-based disparities in underweight within this group and how these inequities have changed over time across different regions of India. This study aims to explore trends and patterns of wealth-based inequalities in underweight prevalence among Scheduled Tribe (ST) women across various regions of India. Methods: The study analysed data from the fourth and fifth rounds of the National Family Health Survey, covering 113,549 and 121,326 non-pregnant ST women aged 15–49, respectively. Wealth-based inequality in underweight was assessed using the Erreygers normalized concentration index (ECI), while predicted probabilities of underweight, adjusted for relevant variables, were calculated using binary logistic regression. Findings: Between 2015-16 and 2019-21, underweight prevalence among ST women in India decreased from 31.7 to 25.5%, with all regions showing declines. The northern region witnessed the largest drop (20.1–9.8%), followed by the western region (38.7–30.0%) and eastern-central region. The northeastern region that had consistently low underweight prevalence witnessed minimal change over the study period. Wealth inequality, as measured by the ECI, slightly decreased over the study period, from − 0.177 in 2015–16 to -0.134 in 2019–21. However, the reduction in ECI varied significantly across regions. The northern region experienced the most significant reduction in wealth inequality, with a decrease of -0.145 ECI points. In comparison, the western, southern, eastern-central regions exhibited more modest reductions of -0.036, -0.027, and − 0.028 ECI points, respectively. The northeastern region, characterized by initially lower levels of inequality, demonstrated no change in its ECI over the study period. The predicted probabilities from the pooled logistic regression analysis indicated a decline in inequality over the study period. This reduction was primarily driven by significant decreases in underweight prevalence among the poorer and poorest wealth quintiles. Notably, the northern, western, eastern-central, and southern regions experienced the most pronounced improvements in underweight prevalence among these lower wealth groups. Despite overall progress, wealth-based inequality in underweight persisted, especially in the western, southern, and eastern-central regions, where the 2019-21 ECI remained more than − 0.10. Conclusion: Despite progress in reducing underweight among ST women in India, regional disparities and wealth-based inequality in underweight persist. Policies should focus on targeted, region-specific interventions that prioritize economically disadvantaged women, reduce inequality, and improve access to nutrition and healthcare, particularly in the western, southern, and eastern-central regions. © The Author(s) 2025.PublicationArticle Trends and determinants of obesity among ever-married women aged 15–49 in India: insights from National Family Health Surveys (NFHS 1998–2021)(BioMed Central Ltd, 2025) Aditya P. Singh; Sadanand Karun; Mahashweta Chakrabarty; Rakesh Chandra; Shivani Paratap SinghBackground: Obesity has emerged as a significant public health concern in India, particularly among ever-married women of reproductive age (EMWRA). This study analyses trends in obesity among EMWRA across India and its states from 1998 to 2021 and explores the factors contributing to obesity in this group. Methods: Data from four National Family Health Survey (NFHS) rounds, spanning 1998-99 to 2019-21, were pooled to create a dataset of 1,117,433 participants. We analysed obesity trends in India and its states and assessed β- and σ-convergence in obesity rates during this period. Additionally, we examined changes in socioeconomic differentials in obesity over this period. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the association of obesity with socioeconomic, demographic, and temporal factors. Results: Over the study period, obesity among ever-married women of reproductive age (EMWRA) in India has shown a startling increase, tripling from 5.1% (95% CI: 4.7–5.5) in 1998-99 to 15.7% (15.4–15.9) in 2019-21. While obesity rates have surged across all states, the degree of increase varies significantly (ranging from 22.9% points in Tamil Nadu to 2.6 in Meghalaya). Presently, two prominent regions in the country exhibit high obesity rates: the southern region, including Tamil Nadu (29%), Kerala (25%), Goa (25%), and Andhra Pradesh (23%), and the northwestern region, encompassing Delhi (33%), Punjab (31%), and Haryana (24%). Moreover, the disparity in obesity rates across states has widened over time, with states initially showing higher rates experiencing a faster growth rate compared to those with lower initial rates, as highlighted by the β- and σ-convergence analyses. There was substantial variation in obesity rates across education, wealth, place of residence, and social group categories. The risk of obesity is higher among older, educated, wealthy, non-Hindu EMWRAs and TV watchers, but lower among those living in rural areas, the southern region, smaller households, and belonging to SC, ST, and OBC social groups. Conclusion: The surge in obesity among Indian ever married women of reproductive age calls for immediate public health measures. Customized strategies, acknowledging regional differences, are vital to tackle diverse obesity rates across states. Prioritizing vulnerable groups, including the poor, uneducated, and urban populations, is critical for ensuring fair health outcomes. © The Author(s) 2025.PublicationArticle Investigating anaemia vulnerability: determinants and changes in prevalence among adolescent girls in aspirational districts of India(Springer Nature, 2025) Subhojit Let; Mahashweta Chakrabarty; Seema TiwariThe World Health Organization identifies adolescent girls as particularly prone to anaemia due to reproductive changes, with challenges being more pronounced in India’s ‘Aspirational Districts’ (ADs), which suffer from poor education and health. The study examines the prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls in ADs and identifies associated determinants from 2015 to 2021. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4 and NFHS-5, covering 21,637 and 19,879 adolescent girls aged 15–19 in ADs, were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of anaemia among adolescents. The results show a notable increase in anaemia among adolescent girls in ADs, where anaemia rates have climbed from 58.3% to 62.4%, surpassing the national average rise. Over this period, more than 65% of ADs saw an uptick in anaemia prevalence, affecting 75 out of 112 districts. Specifically, Barpeta in Assam recorded the highest increase in anaemia prevalence at 45.1% points, while Haridwar in Uttarakhand reported a decrease of 25.8% points. Additionally, anaemia prevalence was found higher among girls with higher parity, Muslim girls, and those from poorer households. Pooled regression revealed that adolescent girls with a higher number of children (AOR: 1.29), formerly married (AOR: 1.57), Scheduled Tribe (ST) girls (AOR: 1.44), and girls with amenorrhoea (AOR: 1.57) were highly associated with anaemia. Specialized healthcare and nutrition programs for adolescent girls, similar to those for pregnant women in ADs, are crucial. Focusing on formerly married girls, ST girls, and those with amenorrhoea will enhance access to health resources, reduce anaemia rates, and improve overall well-being. © The Author(s) 2025.PublicationArticle Economic Inequality in Intimate Partner Violence among Forward and Backward Class Women in India: A Decomposition Analysis(Routledge, 2024) Sourav Chowdhury; Aditya Singh; Nuruzzaman Kasemi; Mahashweta ChakrabartyIntimate partner violence (IPV) is a highly sensitive issue in India, where society is patriarchal and primarily segmented into castes/tribes. This study aims to measure and explain the economic inequality in IPV against women in two social groups: backward classes (Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Others Backward Classes) and forward classes (Others), using cross-sectional data from the National Family Health Survey-4 conducted in 2015–16. Economic inequality has been measured using the rate ratio, the concentration index (CI), and the concentration curve. In addition, concentration index has been decomposed to explain the economic inequality in IPV. Economic inequality was relatively higher among the women from the forward classes (CI: −0.30) than those from the backward classes (CI: −0.20). Woman’s education (25%), alcohol consumption by husbands (19.6%), and region of residence (18.7%) were the major contributors to economic inequality in IPV among backward class women. However, for forward class women, woman’s education (23.2%), region of residence (15.6%), parental IPV (14.6%), husband’s education (9.7%), and exposure to mass media were significant contributors to economic inequality in IPV (7%). In conclusion, there is a need for appropriate interventions and programs focused on reducing economic inequality in IPV against women from both backward and forward classes. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.PublicationArticle Intimate Partner Violence among Scheduled Caste Women in India: A Cross-sectional Study(Routledge, 2024) Sourav Chowdhury; Aditya Singh; Nuruzzaman Kasemi; Mahashweta Chakrabarty; Tribarna Roy PakhadharaScheduled Caste (SC) women, one of the most oppressed and neglected groups in India, have the highest prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV), yet no study has analyzed correlates of IPV within this group, or analyzed them using nationally representative data. This study is an attempt to fill this gap. Information on 11,076 married SC women from the National Family Health Survey-4 was analyzed. Cross-sectional study design was followed. Binary logistic regression was applied to examine the factors associated with IPV. About 40% of married SC women in India suffered physical, mental, or sexual violence from their husbands. Alcohol consumption by husband (OR = 2.99, 95% CI = 2.62–3.41), employment status (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.07–1.48), parity especially having 4 or more children (OR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.82–3.06; OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.61–2.73) were associated with higher odds of IPV. Women from southern, eastern, and central regions of India were more likely to experience IPV. We conclude that there is a need to recognize the diverse experiences of vulnerable subgroups within SC women and undertake suitably designed targeted interventions to lower the high levels of IPV prevalent among these women. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.