There are increasing concerns about the excessive use of cesarean delivery in the United States, as cesarean deliveries have been associated with adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. Currently, the cesarean section (C/S) rate for Florida is the second highest in the nation. Furthermore, preliminary reports from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) have implicated the increasing rate of cesarean delivery to an increase in the rate of late preterm births (PTB) in Florida (births at 34 to 36 weeks gestational age). Information on the impact of late PTB associated with cesarean delivery on the rate of maternal and infant morbidity in Florida as well as corresponding utilization of health care services is scarce. Information on the validity of data sources used to investigate infant and maternal health outcomes in Florida is also scarce. Therefore, the objectives of this research project were: (1) to determine the validity of data sources used to investigate low documented risk C/S and late PTB, and (2) to assess the impact of low documented risk C/S on maternal and infant morbidity and subsequent healthcare utilization. To determine the accuracy of data elements reported on the Florida birth certificate and hospital discharge data, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, kappa statistics and likelihood ratios were calculated. To assess differences in morbidity by route of delivery, generalized estimating equations and survival analyses were employed. Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods were used to determine appropriate morbidities for inclusion in all analyses. Differences in accuracy of data by data source was observed, with linked birth certificate and hospital discharge data demonstrating improved accuracy compared to birth certificate and discharge data alone. Further, significant differences in the rate of maternal and infant morbidity by route of delivery were observed, with cesarean delivery increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes, and intensive use of healthcare services.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / As doenÃas de veiculaÃÃo hÃdrica sÃo consideradas surtos caracterÃsticos de regiÃes, em que o abastecimento de Ãgua potÃvel e a estrutura sanitÃria encontram-se desorganizados e atà mesmo inexistentes. Objetivou-se traÃar um diagnÃstico das doenÃas de veiculaÃÃo hÃdrica prevalentes em crianÃas (na faixa etÃria de 0 a 4 anos) na cidade de Crato/CE. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa, do tipo documental, desenvolvida no municÃpio de Crato - CE. Com relaÃÃo ao nÃmero de crianÃas atendidas pelas Equipes de SaÃde da FamÃlia viu-se que na zona rural, no ano de 2010, 2096 crianÃas e na zona urbana 4812, jà no ano de 2011 na zona rural, 2012 crianÃas e na zona urbana 4319. A coleta pÃblica passou a atender 78,7% das famÃlias, com reduÃÃo na dispersÃo do resÃduo sÃlido em cÃu aberto para 10%. Houve um aumento das canalizaÃÃes das residÃncias passando para 35,6% das famÃlias, bem como um aumento do acesso à Ãgua prÃpria para consumo humano passando em mÃdia para 83,4% das famÃlias. Percebe-se que a Zona Rural, nos distritos de Campo Alegre, Monte Alverne e Dom Quintino, encontra-se recebendo Ãgua de outras fontes que nÃo a Rede PÃblica o que compromete a qualidade da saÃde. No ano de 2010, ocorreram 55 casos de dengue, com um de FHD, 6 casos de Leishmaniose Tegumentar, um caso de Hepatite A. No ano de 2011 foi possÃvel evidenciar 21 casos de Dengue, um caso de FHD, 4 casos de Leishmaniose Tegumentar, e uma notificaÃÃo de Hepatite A. Quanto a Gastroenterite, no ano de 2010 e 2011, foram acometidas 1039 e 930 crianÃas respectivamente, jà no HMSFA nos respectivos anos, foram atendidas 1043 e 766 crianÃas. Percebe-se que as DVH sÃo encontradas em regiÃes em que nÃo hà planejamento urbano, acesso à Ãgua de qualidade, distribuiÃÃo desigual de renda, ausÃncia de saneamento bÃsico, bem como, estÃo relacionadas com o desenvolvimento In-SustentÃvel. Dessa maneira, todas as suas formas de transmissÃo e contÃgio poderiam ser quebradas melhorando a renda, a moradia, o saneamento, serviÃos essenciais que possibilitam a qualidade de vida da populaÃÃo. Cabe, assim, aos gestores, observar a cadeia das DVH e trabalhar para que as comunidades recebam a assistÃncia com acesso igual e de qualidade, favorecendo a saÃde. / The water-borne diseases are considered outbreaks from regions in which the drinking water supply and sanitary conditions are unorganized or even inexistent. The main aim of this work was to raise up a diagnosis about the water-borne diseases from Crato, CE. The documental quantitative research observed that in 2010 there were 2096 children attended by the Family health team in the countryside of the city, while there were 4812 in the urban area. In 2011, 2012 and 4319 children were attended in the countryside and urban area, respectively. The garbage gathering attended 78.9% with a reduction of the waste open to 10%. There was an increasing in the houses with sewage up to 36.5% with the families being attended, as well as there was an increasing of the access to own water to human consumption getting 83.4% of the families in average. It was observed the districts of Campo Alegre, Monte Alverne and Dom Quintino, in the countryside, get water from other sources than the public one. This implicates the health quality. Thus, it was observed that in 2010 it occuried 55 cases of dengue, being one of FHD; 6 cases of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and one of Hepatitis A. In 2011, occurred 21 cases of dengue, being one of FHD; 4 cases of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and one of Hepatitis A. It was registered 1039 and 930 cases of children with gastroenteritis in 2010 and 2011, respectively. In the same period, 1043 and 766 children were attended in the HMSFA. We can observe that the water-borne diseases are really related to regions that have not urban planning, access to good quality water, income distribution, sanitation, as well as they are related with the non- sustainable development. Thus, all the transmission and contamination ways could be pull out getting improvements in the conditions cite above. Therefore, it is up to managers observe the water-borne diseases chain and to work to pull out this conditions to improve the health conditions.

<p>The concept of exclusive breastfeeding in relation to daily feeding practices and to health and growth of infants in an affluent society was examined. In a descriptive longitudinal prospective study 506 mother-infant pairs were followed from birth through the greater part of the first year. Feeding was recorded daily, and health and growth were recorded fortnightly. </p><p>Large individual variations were seen in breastfeeding patterns. A wide discrepancy between the exclusive breastfeeding rates obtained from "current status" data and data "since birth" was found.</p><p>Using a strict definition of exclusive breastfeeding from birth and taking into account the reasons for giving complementary feeding, the study showed that many exclusively breastfed infants had infections early in life, the incidence of which increased with age, despite continuation of exclusive breastfeeding. However, truly exclusively breastfed infants seem less likely to suffer infections than infants who receive formula in addition to breast milk. Increasing formula use was associated with an increasing likelihood of suffering respiratory illnesses. The growth of exclusively breastfed infants was similar to that of infants who were not exclusively breastfed. </p><p>The health of newborn infants during the first year of life was associated with factors other than feeding practices alone. Some of these factors may be prenatal, since increasing birth weight was associated with an increasing likelihood of having respiratory symptoms, even in exclusively breastfed infants. However, exclusive breastfeeding was shown to be beneficial for the health of the infant even in an affluent society. </p>

The concept of exclusive breastfeeding in relation to daily feeding practices and to health and growth of infants in an affluent society was examined. In a descriptive longitudinal prospective study 506 mother-infant pairs were followed from birth through the greater part of the first year. Feeding was recorded daily, and health and growth were recorded fortnightly. Large individual variations were seen in breastfeeding patterns. A wide discrepancy between the exclusive breastfeeding rates obtained from "current status" data and data "since birth" was found. Using a strict definition of exclusive breastfeeding from birth and taking into account the reasons for giving complementary feeding, the study showed that many exclusively breastfed infants had infections early in life, the incidence of which increased with age, despite continuation of exclusive breastfeeding. However, truly exclusively breastfed infants seem less likely to suffer infections than infants who receive formula in addition to breast milk. Increasing formula use was associated with an increasing likelihood of suffering respiratory illnesses. The growth of exclusively breastfed infants was similar to that of infants who were not exclusively breastfed. The health of newborn infants during the first year of life was associated with factors other than feeding practices alone. Some of these factors may be prenatal, since increasing birth weight was associated with an increasing likelihood of having respiratory symptoms, even in exclusively breastfed infants. However, exclusive breastfeeding was shown to be beneficial for the health of the infant even in an affluent society.

<p>The aim of this thesis was to explore the impact of physical, sexual and emotional violence against women of reproductive age and the level of controlling behaviour in marriage on child health and survival in two different cultural settings: Bangladesh and Nicaragua. </p><p>Data were acquired from four quantitative community-based studies. In two studies, a cohort including a prospective two year follow-up of 3164 mother-infant pairs in rural Bangladesh was investigated. A third study was a case-referent study in Nicaragua including mothers of 110 cases of under-five deaths and 203 referents, and in a forth study an other cohort of 1048 rural Bangladeshi women and their 2691 children was followed until 5 years of age. </p><p>Maternal exposure to any form of violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, and controlling behaviour was independently associated with lower body size at birth, increased risk of stunting and under-weight at 24 months of age, slower growth velocity during the first two years of life and a higher incidence of diarrhoeal episodes and respiratory tract infections. In the Nicaraguan setting, the children of women who experienced any history of physical violence had a two-fold increase in risk of death before the age of 5 years, and those whose mothers experienced both physical and sexual violence had a six-fold increase in risk of death. In Bangladesh, an association between violence against women and under-five mortality was found among daughters of educated mothers who were exposed to severe physical violence or a high level of controlling behaviour in marriage. In all four studies, lifetime violence experience among participating mothers was high (37-69%), and the timing was less relevant than the exposure to violence <i>per se</i>. </p><p>In conclusion, this investigation revealed that violence against women severely affects child health and survival. The findings are especially relevant in a context of high level of child under-nutrition, morbidity and under-five mortality. Efforts for protecting women from all forms of violence are needed as part of the interventions for improved child health.</p>

INTRODUÇÃO: O aleitamento materno (AM) é a prática com maior impacto na prevenção de morbimortalidade infantil. A Iniciativa Hospital Amigo da Criança (IHAC) é uma estratégia com forte repercussão na promoção da amamentação e seu custo pode justificar uma análise econômica em saúde. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o custo-efetividade da IHAC na promoção do aleitamento materno exclusivo e na redução da mortalidade infantil no município de São Paulo. METODOLOGIA: Estudo de avaliação econômica com dados de uma coorte prospectiva realizado em seis hospitais públicos em São Paulo/SP. O grupo intervenção foram três Hospitais Amigos da Criança (HAC) e o grupo comparação três Hospitais não Amigos da Criança (NHAC). A efetividade da IHAC foi avaliada mediante os desfechos intermediários: Amamentação na primeira hora de vida (AMPH), AM e Aleitamento materno exclusivo (AME) e pelos desfechos finais: casos evitados de mortes neonatais tardias, mortes em menores de seis meses e internações hospitalares; estes foram estimados mediante a Fração Preventiva (FP) para mortalidade neonatal e internações hospitalares, e pela Proporção de Redução de Risco (PRR) para mortalidade infantil em menores de seis meses. Foram calculados os custos médios de parto, segundo tipo e tempo de internação por microcusteio, considerando os itens: medicamentos, insumos, exames e recursos humanos para a obtenção da Razão Custo/Efetividade (RCE) e da Razão Custo/Efetividade Incremental (RCEI). Foram aplicados testes para comparação de proporções e médias, regressão de Poisson ajustada por idade e escolaridade maternas (nível de significância de 95% (?=5%)) e análise de sensibilidade univariada e determinística para avaliar a robustez dos resultados da RCEI. RESULTADOS: Incluíram-se 969 mães na primeira entrevista, 902 na segunda e 814 na terceira. Entre as crianças nascidas em HAC as prevalências de amamentação foram maiores em todos os indicadores comparadas às nascidas em NHAC: 30,7% maior para AMPH; 1,2% na AME aos 30 dias; 7,2% no AM e 21,9% no AME aos 6 meses de vida, onde o incremento da AMPH apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa. Após o ajuste das variáveis foram associados negativamente à AMPH: nascer em NHAC (RP1,29 IC1,04-1,59) de cesárea (RP1,90 IC 1,53-2,36) e não fazer o contato pele-a-pele (RP4,13 IC 2,38-7,13); ao AME aos 30 dias associou-se negativamente a mãe ter tido dificuldade para amamentar (RP1,38 IC 1,03-1,85), não viver com companheiro (RP1,46 IC 1,08-1,96), não ter recebido apoio no AC (RP1,40 IC1,01-1,95) não cumprimento do passo 6 (RP1,86 IC 1,36-2,55), não cumprimento do passo 9 (RP1,95 IC 1,32-2,88) e criança usar chupeta (RP1,84 IC1,39-2,42). Ao AME aos 180 dias foram negativamente associados o uso de chupeta (RP 1,19 IC1,02-1,39) e o trabalho materno remunerado (RP1,27 IC 1,08-1,49). A IHAC foi muito custo-efetiva em promover a amamentação e custo-efetiva ao reduzir 13% das mortes neonatais tardias e 3,8% de internações hospitalares. CONCLUSÃO: No contexto brasileiro, a IHAC foi custo-efetiva em promover a amamentação na primeira hora de vida, em reduzir a mortalidade neonatal e o número de internações hospitalares. Tais benefícios reforçam a importância desta política ao contribuir para a sobrevivência infantil, justificando os investimentos requeridos para sua expansão e fortalecimento. / INTRODUCTION: Breastfeeding practice has the greatest impact on the prevention of infant morbimortality. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is an important strategy on the promotion of breastfeeding and its costs might justify to study it to evaluate effectiveness for the health system. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of BFHI in promoting exclusive breastfeeding and reducing infant mortality in the city of São Paulo. METHODOLOGY: This is a study of economic evaluation of public health policy with data from a prospective cohort study conducted in six public hospitals. The intervention group was composed of three Baby-Friendly Hospitals (BFH) and the comparison group by three Not Baby-Friendly Hospitals (NBFH). The effectiveness of BFHI was evaluated by analyzing intermediate outcomes: the increase first-hour breastfeeding, breastfeeding (BF), exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and final outcomes: avoided cases of late neonatal deaths, at six months and hospitalizations. The outcomes were estimated by calculating the Preventive Fraction (PF) for neonatal mortality and hospital admissions, and the Risk Reduction Ratio for estimating infant mortality in children under six months. The average costs according to type of delivery and length of stay were calculated, by micro-accounting for the cost items: medicines, supplies, exams and human resources to obtain the cost-Effectiveness Ratio (CER) and incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) for the intermediate and final outcomes. Tests for comparison of proportions and means were applied. The Poisson regression was adjusted according to maternal age and schooling (significance of 95% (? = 5%)) and univariate and deterministic sensitivity analysis to evaluate the robustness of the ICER. RESULTS: 969 mothers were included in the first interview, 902 in the second and 814 in the third. Among children born in BFH, the prevalence of breastfeeding was higher in all indicators compared to those born in NBFH: 30.7% higher for first-hour breastfeeding; 1.2% in EBF at 30 days; 7.2% in BF and 21.9% in EBF at 6 months of life. Only the first-hour breastfeeding increment showed a statistically significant difference between BFH and NBFH. After adjustment of variables first-hour breastfeeding was negatively associated with: born in NBFH (RP1,29 IC1,04-1,59), cesarean delivery (RP1,90 IC 1.53-2,36) and did not make skin-to- skin (RP4,13 CI 2,38-7,13). EBF at 30 days was negatively associated with the mother having had difficulty in breastfeeding (RP1,38 CI 1.03-1.85), not living with a partner (RP1,46 CI 1.08-1.96), not having received support (RP1,40 CI1,01-1,95) non-compliance with step 6 (RP1,86 CI 1.36-2.55), non-compliance with step 9 (RP1,95 IC 1.32-2 , 88) and children use pacifiers (RP1,84 IC1,39-2,42). EBF at 180 days were negatively associated: use of pacifiers (RP 1.19 CI 1.02-1.39) and maternal work (RP1.27 CI 1.08-1.49). The steps fully met by BFH were 6, 7 and 9. The BFHI was cost-effective in promoting breastfeeding and cost-effective in reducing 13% of late neonatal deaths and 3, 8% in hospital admissions. CONCLUSION: In the Brazilian context, the BFHI was cost-effective to promote breastfeeding in the first hour of life and to reduce neonatal mortality and hospital admissions. BFHI policy contribute to child survival, justifying the investments required for its expansion, strengthening and sustainability resulting in saved lives and economic gains.

INTRODUÇÃO: O aleitamento materno (AM) é a prática com maior impacto na prevenção de morbimortalidade infantil. A Iniciativa Hospital Amigo da Criança (IHAC) é uma estratégia com forte repercussão na promoção da amamentação e seu custo pode justificar uma análise econômica em saúde. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o custo-efetividade da IHAC na promoção do aleitamento materno exclusivo e na redução da mortalidade infantil no município de São Paulo. METODOLOGIA: Estudo de avaliação econômica com dados de uma coorte prospectiva realizado em seis hospitais públicos em São Paulo/SP. O grupo intervenção foram três Hospitais Amigos da Criança (HAC) e o grupo comparação três Hospitais não Amigos da Criança (NHAC). A efetividade da IHAC foi avaliada mediante os desfechos intermediários: Amamentação na primeira hora de vida (AMPH), AM e Aleitamento materno exclusivo (AME) e pelos desfechos finais: casos evitados de mortes neonatais tardias, mortes em menores de seis meses e internações hospitalares; estes foram estimados mediante a Fração Preventiva (FP) para mortalidade neonatal e internações hospitalares, e pela Proporção de Redução de Risco (PRR) para mortalidade infantil em menores de seis meses. Foram calculados os custos médios de parto, segundo tipo e tempo de internação por microcusteio, considerando os itens: medicamentos, insumos, exames e recursos humanos para a obtenção da Razão Custo/Efetividade (RCE) e da Razão Custo/Efetividade Incremental (RCEI). Foram aplicados testes para comparação de proporções e médias, regressão de Poisson ajustada por idade e escolaridade maternas (nível de significância de 95% (?=5%)) e análise de sensibilidade univariada e determinística para avaliar a robustez dos resultados da RCEI. RESULTADOS: Incluíram-se 969 mães na primeira entrevista, 902 na segunda e 814 na terceira. Entre as crianças nascidas em HAC as prevalências de amamentação foram maiores em todos os indicadores comparadas às nascidas em NHAC: 30,7% maior para AMPH; 1,2% na AME aos 30 dias; 7,2% no AM e 21,9% no AME aos 6 meses de vida, onde o incremento da AMPH apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa. Após o ajuste das variáveis foram associados negativamente à AMPH: nascer em NHAC (RP1,29 IC1,04-1,59) de cesárea (RP1,90 IC 1,53-2,36) e não fazer o contato pele-a-pele (RP4,13 IC 2,38-7,13); ao AME aos 30 dias associou-se negativamente a mãe ter tido dificuldade para amamentar (RP1,38 IC 1,03-1,85), não viver com companheiro (RP1,46 IC 1,08-1,96), não ter recebido apoio no AC (RP1,40 IC1,01-1,95) não cumprimento do passo 6 (RP1,86 IC 1,36-2,55), não cumprimento do passo 9 (RP1,95 IC 1,32-2,88) e criança usar chupeta (RP1,84 IC1,39-2,42). Ao AME aos 180 dias foram negativamente associados o uso de chupeta (RP 1,19 IC1,02-1,39) e o trabalho materno remunerado (RP1,27 IC 1,08-1,49). A IHAC foi muito custo-efetiva em promover a amamentação e custo-efetiva ao reduzir 13% das mortes neonatais tardias e 3,8% de internações hospitalares. CONCLUSÃO: No contexto brasileiro, a IHAC foi custo-efetiva em promover a amamentação na primeira hora de vida, em reduzir a mortalidade neonatal e o número de internações hospitalares. Tais benefícios reforçam a importância desta política ao contribuir para a sobrevivência infantil, justificando os investimentos requeridos para sua expansão e fortalecimento. / INTRODUCTION: Breastfeeding practice has the greatest impact on the prevention of infant morbimortality. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is an important strategy on the promotion of breastfeeding and its costs might justify to study it to evaluate effectiveness for the health system. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of BFHI in promoting exclusive breastfeeding and reducing infant mortality in the city of São Paulo. METHODOLOGY: This is a study of economic evaluation of public health policy with data from a prospective cohort study conducted in six public hospitals. The intervention group was composed of three Baby-Friendly Hospitals (BFH) and the comparison group by three Not Baby-Friendly Hospitals (NBFH). The effectiveness of BFHI was evaluated by analyzing intermediate outcomes: the increase first-hour breastfeeding, breastfeeding (BF), exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and final outcomes: avoided cases of late neonatal deaths, at six months and hospitalizations. The outcomes were estimated by calculating the Preventive Fraction (PF) for neonatal mortality and hospital admissions, and the Risk Reduction Ratio for estimating infant mortality in children under six months. The average costs according to type of delivery and length of stay were calculated, by micro-accounting for the cost items: medicines, supplies, exams and human resources to obtain the cost-Effectiveness Ratio (CER) and incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) for the intermediate and final outcomes. Tests for comparison of proportions and means were applied. The Poisson regression was adjusted according to maternal age and schooling (significance of 95% (? = 5%)) and univariate and deterministic sensitivity analysis to evaluate the robustness of the ICER. RESULTS: 969 mothers were included in the first interview, 902 in the second and 814 in the third. Among children born in BFH, the prevalence of breastfeeding was higher in all indicators compared to those born in NBFH: 30.7% higher for first-hour breastfeeding; 1.2% in EBF at 30 days; 7.2% in BF and 21.9% in EBF at 6 months of life. Only the first-hour breastfeeding increment showed a statistically significant difference between BFH and NBFH. After adjustment of variables first-hour breastfeeding was negatively associated with: born in NBFH (RP1,29 IC1,04-1,59), cesarean delivery (RP1,90 IC 1.53-2,36) and did not make skin-to- skin (RP4,13 CI 2,38-7,13). EBF at 30 days was negatively associated with the mother having had difficulty in breastfeeding (RP1,38 CI 1.03-1.85), not living with a partner (RP1,46 CI 1.08-1.96), not having received support (RP1,40 CI1,01-1,95) non-compliance with step 6 (RP1,86 CI 1.36-2.55), non-compliance with step 9 (RP1,95 IC 1.32-2 , 88) and children use pacifiers (RP1,84 IC1,39-2,42). EBF at 180 days were negatively associated: use of pacifiers (RP 1.19 CI 1.02-1.39) and maternal work (RP1.27 CI 1.08-1.49). The steps fully met by BFH were 6, 7 and 9. The BFHI was cost-effective in promoting breastfeeding and cost-effective in reducing 13% of late neonatal deaths and 3, 8% in hospital admissions. CONCLUSION: In the Brazilian context, the BFHI was cost-effective to promote breastfeeding in the first hour of life and to reduce neonatal mortality and hospital admissions. BFHI policy contribute to child survival, justifying the investments required for its expansion, strengthening and sustainability resulting in saved lives and economic gains.

The aim of this thesis was to explore the impact of physical, sexual and emotional violence against women of reproductive age and the level of controlling behaviour in marriage on child health and survival in two different cultural settings: Bangladesh and Nicaragua. Data were acquired from four quantitative community-based studies. In two studies, a cohort including a prospective two year follow-up of 3164 mother-infant pairs in rural Bangladesh was investigated. A third study was a case-referent study in Nicaragua including mothers of 110 cases of under-five deaths and 203 referents, and in a forth study an other cohort of 1048 rural Bangladeshi women and their 2691 children was followed until 5 years of age. Maternal exposure to any form of violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, and controlling behaviour was independently associated with lower body size at birth, increased risk of stunting and under-weight at 24 months of age, slower growth velocity during the first two years of life and a higher incidence of diarrhoeal episodes and respiratory tract infections. In the Nicaraguan setting, the children of women who experienced any history of physical violence had a two-fold increase in risk of death before the age of 5 years, and those whose mothers experienced both physical and sexual violence had a six-fold increase in risk of death. In Bangladesh, an association between violence against women and under-five mortality was found among daughters of educated mothers who were exposed to severe physical violence or a high level of controlling behaviour in marriage. In all four studies, lifetime violence experience among participating mothers was high (37-69%), and the timing was less relevant than the exposure to violence per se. In conclusion, this investigation revealed that violence against women severely affects child health and survival. The findings are especially relevant in a context of high level of child under-nutrition, morbidity and under-five mortality. Efforts for protecting women from all forms of violence are needed as part of the interventions for improved child health.

No description available.