scholarly journals Estimating the national and regional prevalence of drinking or eating more than usual during childhood diarrhea in Malawi using the bivariate sample selection copula regression

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10917
Author(s):  
Alfred Ngwira ◽  
Francisco Chamera ◽  
Matrina Mpeketula Soko

Background Estimation of prevalence of feeding practices during diarrhea using conventional imputation methods may be biased as these methods apply to observed factors and in this study, feeding practice status was unobserved for those without diarrhea. The study aimed at re-estimating the prevalence of feeding practices using the bivariate sample selection model. Methods The study used 2015–2016 Malawi demographic health survey (MDHS) data which had 16,246 children records who had diarrhea or not. A bivariate Joe copula regression model with 90 degrees rotation was fitted to either drinking or eating more, with diarrhea as a sample selection outcome in the bivariate models. The prevalence of drinking more than usual and prevalence of eating more than usual were then estimated based on the fitted bivariate model. These prevalences were then compared to the prevalences estimated using the conventional imputation method. Results There was a substantial increase in the re-estimated national prevalence of drinking more fluids (40.0%, 95% CI [31.7–50.5]) or prevalence of eating more food (20.46%, 95% CI [9.87–38.55]) using the bivariate model as compared to the prevalences estimated by the conventional imputation method, that is, (28.9%, 95% CI [27.0–30.7]) and (13.1%, 95% CI [12.0–15.0]) respectively. The maps of the regional prevalences showed similar results where the prevalences estimated by the bivariate model were relatively higher than those estimated by the standard imputation method. The presence of diarrhea was somehow weakly negatively correlated with either drinking more fluids or eating more food. Conclusion The estimation of prevalence of drinking more fluids or eating more food during diarrhea should use bivariate modelling to model sample selection variable so as to minimize bias. The observed negative correlation between diarrhea presence and feeding practices implies that mothers should be encouraged to let their children drink more fluids or eat more food during diarrhea episode to avoid dehydration and malnutrition.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pooja Rani ◽  
Rajneesh Kumar ◽  
Anurag Jain

PurposeDecision support systems developed using machine learning classifiers have become a valuable tool in predicting various diseases. However, the performance of these systems is adversely affected by the missing values in medical datasets. Imputation methods are used to predict these missing values. In this paper, a new imputation method called hybrid imputation optimized by the classifier (HIOC) is proposed to predict missing values efficiently.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed HIOC is developed by using a classifier to combine multivariate imputation by chained equations (MICE), K nearest neighbor (KNN), mean and mode imputation methods in an optimum way. Performance of HIOC has been compared to MICE, KNN, and mean and mode methods. Four classifiers support vector machine (SVM), naive Bayes (NB), random forest (RF) and decision tree (DT) have been used to evaluate the performance of imputation methods.FindingsThe results show that HIOC performed efficiently even with a high rate of missing values. It had reduced root mean square error (RMSE) up to 17.32% in the heart disease dataset and 34.73% in the breast cancer dataset. Correct prediction of missing values improved the accuracy of the classifiers in predicting diseases. It increased classification accuracy up to 18.61% in the heart disease dataset and 6.20% in the breast cancer dataset.Originality/valueThe proposed HIOC is a new hybrid imputation method that can efficiently predict missing values in any medical dataset.


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shichao Zhang

In this paper, the author designs an efficient method for imputing iteratively missing target values with semi-parametric kernel regression imputation, known as the semi-parametric iterative imputation algorithm (SIIA). While there is little prior knowledge on the datasets, the proposed iterative imputation method, which impute each missing value several times until the algorithms converges in each model, utilize a substantially useful amount of information. Additionally, this information includes occurrences involving missing values as well as capturing the real dataset distribution easier than the parametric or nonparametric imputation techniques. Experimental results show that the author’s imputation methods outperform the existing methods in terms of imputation accuracy, in particular in the situation with high missing ratio.


Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1792
Author(s):  
Shu-Fen Huang ◽  
Ching-Hsue Cheng

Medical data usually have missing values; hence, imputation methods have become an important issue. In previous studies, many imputation methods based on variable data had a multivariate normal distribution, such as expectation-maximization and regression-based imputation. These assumptions may lead to deviations in the results, which sometimes create a bottleneck. In addition, directly deleting instances with missing values may have several problems, such as losing important data, producing invalid research samples, and leading to research deviations. Therefore, this study proposed a safe-region imputation method for handling medical data with missing values; we also built a medical prediction model and compared the removed missing values with imputation methods in terms of the generated rules, accuracy, and AUC. First, this study used the kNN imputation, multiple imputation, and the proposed imputation to impute the missing data and then applied four attribute selection methods to select the important attributes. Then, we used the decision tree (C4.5), random forest, REP tree, and LMT classifier to generate the rules, accuracy, and AUC for comparison. Because there were four datasets with imbalanced classes (asymmetric classes), the AUC was an important criterion. In the experiment, we collected four open medical datasets from UCI and one international stroke trial dataset. The results show that the proposed safe-region imputation is better than the listing imputation methods and after imputing offers better results than directly deleting instances with missing values in the number of rules, accuracy, and AUC. These results will provide a reference for medical stakeholders.


Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (20) ◽  
pp. 5947
Author(s):  
Liang Zhang

Building operation data are important for monitoring, analysis, modeling, and control of building energy systems. However, missing data is one of the major data quality issues, making data imputation techniques become increasingly important. There are two key research gaps for missing sensor data imputation in buildings: the lack of customized and automated imputation methodology, and the difficulty of the validation of data imputation methods. In this paper, a framework is developed to address these two gaps. First, a validation data generation module is developed based on pattern recognition to create a validation dataset to quantify the performance of data imputation methods. Second, a pool of data imputation methods is tested under the validation dataset to find an optimal single imputation method for each sensor, which is termed as an ensemble method. The method can reflect the specific mechanism and randomness of missing data from each sensor. The effectiveness of the framework is demonstrated by 18 sensors from a real campus building. The overall accuracy of data imputation for those sensors improves by 18.2% on average compared with the best single data imputation method.


Author(s):  
Lynne A. Daniels ◽  
Kimberley M. Mallan ◽  
Elena Jansen ◽  
Jan M. Nicholson ◽  
Anthea M. Magarey ◽  
...  

To compare feeding practices within mother–father dyads and explore whether outcomes of an efficacious intervention for mothers generalised to fathers’ feeding practices. The NOURISH RCT evaluated an early feeding intervention that promoted positive feeding practices to support development of healthy eating habits and growth. The intervention was delivered to first-time mothers via 2 × 12 week modules commencing when children were 4 and 14 months. Mothers self-reported feeding practice outcomes at child age 2 years using validated scales (1 = low to 5 = high) from the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ). Nine months later, an independent cross-sectional descriptive study to investigate fathers’ feeding practices was initiated. Fathers were recruited by contacting (via letter) mothers participating in two pre-existing studies, including the NOURISH trial. Fathers completed a feeding practices questionnaire, similar to that used for NOURISH outcome assessments. Seventy-five fathers recruited via the NOURISH cohort (21% response) returned questionnaires. Response data from this subset of fathers were then linked to the corresponding NOURISH maternal data. Complete data were available from 70 dyads. Compared with mothers, fathers self-reported higher concern about child overweight (2.2 vs. 1.3), restriction (3.6 vs. 2.9) and pressure (2.6 vs. 2.1), all p < 0.001. Fathers whose partners were allocated to the intervention group used less pressure (mean difference 0.46, p = 0.045) and were more willing to let the child decide how much to eat (−0.51, p = 0.032). Fathers’ higher concern about child weight and more frequent use of non-responsive feeding practices, when compared with mothers, identify them as potentially potent contributors to child feeding. This preliminary evidence for modest generalisation of an efficacious maternal intervention to apparent effects on some paternal feeding practices speaks to the importance and promise of including fathers in early feeding interventions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Teshale Fikadu ◽  
Shimels Girma

Background. Diarrheal disease is one of the main causes of childhood malnutrition. In developing countries 30% of pediatric beds are occupied with children having diarrheal disease. Fluid replacement, continued feeding, and increasing appropriate fluid at home during the diarrhea episodes are the cornerstone of treatment package. The purpose of this study was to assess feeding practice during diarrheal episodes among children aged 6 to 23 months in Mirab Abaya district, Gamo Gofa Zone, South Ethiopia. Methods. Community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from February to March 2016 among children aged 6 to 23 months. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A total of 661 participants were included in our study. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS 20.0 statistical software for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable analysis were done to assess factors associated with feeding practices during a diarrheal episode. Odds ratio with 95% CI was used to identify a statistically significant association between independent variables and feeding practice during diarrheal episode. Result. The proportion of proper feeding practice during diarrheal episode was 467 (70.7%). Boy children were about 1.6 times [AOR; 1.62 (95%CI=1.04, 2.50)] more likely to receive increased food and fluid than girl children. Mothers who have one under-five child were 2 times [AOR 2.11 (95% CI =1. 38, 3.23)] more likely to have proper feeding practice during diarrheal episode as compared to those have two and more under-five children. The likelihood of increasing food and fluid during diarrheal episodes was 2 times [AOR 2.46 (95% CI=1. 55, 3.88)] higher among children from maternal age of 30-39 years than those from 20-29 years. Mothers who get information about feeding practices during diarrheal episodes were 2 times [AOR 2.19 (95% CI=1. 43, 3.36)] more likely to increase food and fluid to their child compared to their counterparts. Conclusion. In this study educational status, number of antenatal care visits, sex, number of under-5 children, maternal age, and mothers information about feeding practice were independently associated with feeding practices during a diarrheal episode. Therefore, intensive intervention programme should focus on these determinants to reduce child mortality and morbidity and realize sustainable development goals.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. O. Kashongwe ◽  
B. O. Bebe ◽  
P. A. Ooro ◽  
P. K. Migwi ◽  
T. A. Onyango

This study characterized wheat straw feeding practices in smallholder farms using cross sectional survey and the results informed the design of an experiment to improve the nutritive value of wheat straw with urea and yeast culture treatment. Three diets tested in 49 days’ feeding trial were farmers’ rainy season feeding practice (FP), addition of urea to wheat straw at the time of feeding (USWS), and 14 days’ incubation of straw with urea (UTWS). Yeast culture (15 g/day) was mixed with commercial dairy meal at the point of feeding. Survey data identified farmers’ strategies in utilizing crop residues of which most important were improving storage facility (77.6%), adding molasses (54.5%), and buying a shredding machine (45.1%). On-farm feeding trial showed that intake was higher for UTWS than (p<0.05) for USWS while milk yield was higher with FP than (p<0.005) with UTWS or USWS but not different (p≥0.05) between UTWS and USWS. Results imply that farmers feeding practices of crop residues may be improved for dairy cows’ feeding and therefore UTWS could be used to support maintenance and milk production during dry season. Improving farmers feed storage facilities and training on incubation of wheat straw for dairy cattle feeding were recommended.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 38-46
Author(s):  
Kamal Prasad Kandel ◽  
Sindhu Kafle

Nepal is one of the developing Countries in the South Asia. Early childhood is very important and the crucial period for the proper physical, mental and emotional development. Therefore child should be looked especially at this period. In Nepal, child below two years are suffering from malnutrition the most. The initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth has numerous nutritional and immunological benefits and has been found to reduce neonatal mortality. An improper feeding practice among young children par­ticularly 6-23 months is a major cause of malnutrition. Thus, the present study has been focused on feeding practices of fewer than two years children. The study was quantitative study. Main objective of the study was to know the feeding practices of under two years children after implementation of Baal Vita(Sprinkles) program in Raksirang VDC of Makwanpur district. Questionnaire was related to the Baal Vita(Sprinkles) program, Breast­feeding practices and Complimentary feeding practices. Altogether 132 mothers were taken for the study. The structured questionnaire was developed, pretested and used to collect the information. After the collection of data, it was analyzed by using SPSS 17.0.Also the data was presented in different tables to make it more clear and specific. Among 132 of the respondent, majority of the respondent were aged between21-25 years. 37.88% mothers were illiterate and only 1.52% had secondary level education. Some of the respondents were pregnant before the age 20 years. One of the mother was give birth to her child at age of 15 years.68.18% respondent had first Breastfed their child with in 1 hour of birth. Colostrum feeding was seen not good. This study found Still practice of squeezing colostrum. Current breastfeeding practice is seen good. About 88.64% of the respondent had started giving complementary food in correct time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A B S Bozzetto-Silva ◽  
A Piccoli ◽  
C S D R Dal Ri ◽  
L C P Pellanda

Abstract Introduction The increase in the prevalence of obesity is one of the major public health problems. There is a weak relationship between nutritional knowledge and feeding practices. Studies have evaluated that the associations between obesity and the level of nutritional knowledge and feeding practices in children are scarce. The evaluation of nutritional knowledge and feeding practices should be carried out using validated instruments. Study showed the need to improve the instruments of habit research and feeding practices in children for better evaluation. Objectives: To develop and validate an instrument about nutritional knowledge and feeding practices for use in children from 7 to 11 years, based on the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population. Methods The study filled all the steps expected to validate an instrument: review on the subject, instrument elaboration, Content's Validity (Content Validity Index – CVI) with two groups of judges: 1° – nutritionists and, after adjustments, 2° – multidisciplinary group), FACE Validity, reliability analysis [Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Kappa (K), Internal Consistency Analysis - Cronbach's Alpha] and Validity of Construct (Exploratory Factorial Analysis - EFA) The sample was calculated, considering, at least, 10 subjects for each question of the questionnaire. Results Validation occurred in a final sample of 453 children, 46.4% boys and 53.6% girls, mean age 9.45 (SD = 1.44). The validity of the content presented CVI ≥0.80 for relevance in 62.3% of items for nutritionist group and 100% of items for multidisciplinary group), clarity (49.4%, 91.8%), Pertinence (58.8%, 98.4%), respectively. The test-retest had a level of agreement of 84.3% and K=0.740 for the Knowledge Dimension; and the ICC=0.754 for the Practices Dimension. Cronbach's Alpha, for internal consistency analysis, was α=0.589 for the Knowledge Dimension and α=0.618 for the Practices Dimension. The EFA with variance of 47.01% (7.81% at 10.85%), with varimax rotation, it defined five factors for the Practices Dimension: Involvement; Healthy Eating and drinking; Unhealthy eating and drinking; Basic food consumption; Attitudes during the meal. Conclusion The instrument QCPA demonstrated validity and reliability to evaluate nutritional knowledge and practices in children aged 7 to 11 years.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nardos W. Gebru ◽  
Seifu H. Gebreyesus ◽  
Esete Habtemariam ◽  
Robel Yirgu ◽  
Dawit S. Abebe

Abstract Feeding is a source of interaction and communication. It affects children's physical and psychological/emotional development. The present study aims to examine the association between caregiver and child characteristics and caregivers' feeding practices among preschools in Addis Ababa. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 542 caregivers of children aged between 3 and 6 years old in selected preschools. We used the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) to measure caregivers' feeding practices. Multiple linear regression was used for analysis. Caregivers who had higher levels of perceived feeding responsibility (β 0⋅20, P < 0⋅001), who were more concerned about their child being overweight (β 0⋅11, P < 0⋅001) and who had more depressive symptoms (β 0⋅23, P 0⋅05) were associated with food restriction practice. Caregivers who were less concerned about their child being overweight (β −0⋅10, P < 0⋅001) and who had higher levels of perceived feeding responsibility (β 0⋅25, P < 0⋅001) were associated with pressure to eat practice. Caregivers who had higher education (β 0⋅29, P < 0⋅05), who had higher levels of perceived feeding responsibility (β 0⋅47, P < 0⋅001), who were more concerned about their child being overweight (β 0⋅15, P < 0⋅001) and who were less concerned about their child underweight (β −0⋅06, P < 0⋅05) were associated with monitoring feeding practice. In addition, as the children have gotten older (β 0⋅08, P < 0⋅05), there is increased use of monitoring feeding practice. This study is one of few studies that show the association between caregiver and child characteristics and feeding practices in developing countries such as Ethiopia. It is essential to include responsive feeding components in national nutritional programmes to improve preschool children's nutritional status in Ethiopia.


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