PROVINCIAL DISPARITIES, TRENDS AND COEXISTING HEALTH INEQUALITIES AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE AND ITS DETERMINANTS IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Abstract

Women malnutrition has been identified as a serious issue in Pakistan yet national statistics mask important local differences in malnutrition levels and its determinants. The 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provided a roadmap to achieve and maintain health and nutrition targets. This study aimed to explore the existence of double burden of malnutrition among women in the context of achieving SDG 3, focusing on current research and previous evidence. Most of the prior studies conducted in Pakistan, explore the coexistence of double burden of malnutrition and their determinants among women of reproductive age at national level. This study intended to assess health inequalities and disparities with respect to coexisting forms of malnutrition amongst women of reproductive age and their associated factors at provincial level. The study used Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS), 2018. Nutritional status of women has been evaluated on the basis of their body mass index. Trends in malnutrition among women aged 15–49 years were calculated independently for Pakistan’s four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, KPK, and Balochistan). Bivariate and multivariate analyses are conducted to identify factors associated with women’s malnutrition. There is some disparity with respect to health of different socioeconomic groups across provinces and absence of harmonisation with national policy development activities. Policy priorities and level of progress towards establishing and implementing multisector nutrition action strategies differ between provinces. Nutrition advocacy, community education, defining of cost effective interventions, technical capacity development at district levels and monitoring interim progress are main areas for investment in women’s health.