Marilyn N Ahun
Biographic Data
| ID | 1752237 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Marilyn N Ahun |
| GIVEN NAMES | Marilyn N |
| FAMILY NAME | Ahun |
| SIGNATURE | AHUN M N |
| AFFILIATIONS | Harvard Global Health Institute |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-1062-7240 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 6 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 18 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2017 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Effect of combining lower- and higher-value monthly cash transfers with nutrition-sensitive agriculture, male engagement and psychosocial intervention on maternal depressive symptoms in rural Malawi
Maternal depression affects one in five women in Malawi. Integrated interventions simultaneously addressing multiple risks are a promising strategy to improve mental health. This study evaluated the impact of a nutrition-sensitive social behaviour change (SBC) intervention (agriculture and livelihoods, male engagement and Caring for the Caregiver) with or without cash transfers on maternal perinatal depression during the lean season in rural Mala…
Prevalence and correlates of mental health difficulties in young Ghanaian children
BACKGROUND: Although 90% of youth live in low- and middle-income countries, only 10% of child mental health research is conducted in these settings. We sought to shed light on the mental health of Ghanaian children by estimating the prevalence of socioemotional difficulties and examining associations with psychosocial risk and protective factors. METHODS: Data come from the cross-sectional Mental Health in Ghana study. Mothers and fathers reporte…
Community-identified priorities for parenting and parental mental health in coastal Ghana
Interventions that combine parenting support with parental mental health components hold promise for enhancing child and family well-being. Yet, few integrate robust mental health strategies or draw on formative research to ensure contextual and cultural relevance. We conducted qualitative research in Ghana to explore local experiences of parenting and parental mental health to inform the development of a multi-component intervention. We conducte…
The interplay of maternal and paternal postpartum depressive symptoms with children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms from childhood to adolescence
BACKGROUND: Maternal postpartum depression is an important risk factor for internalizing and externalizing problems in children. The role of concurrent paternal depression remains unclear, especially by socioeconomic status. This study examined independent and interactive associations of postpartum maternal and paternal depression with children's internalizing/externalizing symptoms throughout childhood and adolescence (ages 3.5-17 years). METHOD…
Effects of engaging fathers and bundling parenting and nutrition interventions on early child development and maternal and paternal parenting in Mara, Tanzania
BACKGROUND: Multicomponent interventions are needed to address the various co-occurring risks that compromise early child nutrition and development. We compared the independent and combined effects of engaging fathers and bundling parenting components into a nutrition intervention on early child development (ECD) and parenting outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a 2×2 factorial cluster-randomized controlled trial across 80 villages in Mara Region, Ta…
Caregiver mental health and school-aged children’s academic and socioemotional outcomes
While there is a strong link between caregiver mental health, caregiver engagement, and child development, limited research has examined the underlying mechanisms of these associations in Africa. We examined the mediating role of dimensions of caregiver engagement in the association of caregiver psychological distress with children’s academic and socioemotional outcomes in Ghana. Data came from 4,714 children (aged 5–17 years) and their caregiver…
Understanding modifiable caregiver factors contributing to child development among young children in rural Malawi
This study examined modifiable caregiver factors influencing child development in Malawi using baseline data from 1,021 mothers and their children <2 years of age participating in a cluster-randomized controlled trial implemented in rural Malawi (2022-2025). We fit an evidence-based theoretical model using structural equation modelling examining four caregiver factors: (1) diet diversity (sum of food groups consumed in the past 24 h), (2) empower…
A qualitative study of maternal and paternal parenting knowledge and practices in rural Mozambique
These findings highlight the importance of adopting a holistic approach involving caregivers and their context and reveal potential strategies to promote caregiving and ECD in rural Mozambique and similar contexts
Behavioural science can improve parenting interventions
Implementation of Unicef and WHO's care for child development package
Introduction: In the last decade, there has been increased global policy and program momentum to promote early childhood development. The Care for Child Development (CCD) package, developed by UNICEF and the WHO, is a key tool responding to the global demand. The CCD package comprises two age-specific evidence-based recommendations for caregivers to 1) play and communicate and 2) responsively interact with their children (0-5 years) and was desig…
Formative research to inform the future design of a multicomponent fatherhood intervention to improve early child development in Mwanza, Tanzania
The Long-Term Health and Human Capital Consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Birth to Thirty Cohort
Human capital-that is the cumulative abilities, education, social skills, and mental and physical health one possesses-is increasingly recognized as key to the reduction of inequality in societies. Adverse childhood experiences have been linked to a range of human capital indicators, with the majority of research in high-income, western settings. This study aims to examine the link between adverse childhood experiences and adult human capital in …
Effects of Covid-19 on child health services utilization and delivery in rural Mozambique
Little is known about the COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions in health services and the resilience of the health system response in rural low-resource settings. We conducted a phenomenological qualitative study (October–November 2020) to understand COVID-19-related influences on the utilization and delivery of child health services in Monapo district, rural Mozambique. We interviewed 36 caregivers with children <2.5 years, 21 health providers …
Adverse childhood experiences and maternal self‐efficacy
Maternal self‐efficacy (MSE) is associated with healthy functioning in mothers and children globally. Maternal exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and intimate partner violence (IPV) is known to negatively impact MSE in high‐income countries; however, the association has not been examined in low‐and‐middle‐income countries, such as India, which face socioeconomic risks including poverty, illiteracy, and discrimination based on caste …
Maternal and paternal perspectives on parenting stress in rural Tanzania
Parents across the world are faced with many challenges that can increase their levels of stress. Only a handful of studies have examined parenting stress in sub-Saharan African contexts, and most have focused only on mothers or at-risk populations. There is therefore a significant gap in our understanding of the factors that contribute to parenting stress in mothers and fathers in the general population across sub-Saharan Africa and how parents …
Barriers and facilitators to father involvement in early child health services
A systematic review of cigarette smoking trajectories in adolescents
Child development in rural Ghana
Formative research to inform the future design of a multicomponent fatherhood intervention to improve early child development in Mwanza, Tanzania
Adverse childhood experiences and maternal self‐efficacy
Maternal self‐efficacy (MSE) is associated with healthy functioning in mothers and children globally. Maternal exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and intimate partner violence (IPV) is known to negatively impact MSE in high‐income countries; however, the association has not been examined in low‐and‐middle‐income countries, such as India, which face socioeconomic risks including poverty, illiteracy, and discrimination based on caste …
Behavioural science can improve parenting interventions
Barriers and facilitators to father involvement in early child health services
Child development in rural Ghana
A systematic review of cigarette smoking trajectories in adolescents
Maternal and paternal perspectives on parenting stress in rural Tanzania
Parents across the world are faced with many challenges that can increase their levels of stress. Only a handful of studies have examined parenting stress in sub-Saharan African contexts, and most have focused only on mothers or at-risk populations. There is therefore a significant gap in our understanding of the factors that contribute to parenting stress in mothers and fathers in the general population across sub-Saharan Africa and how parents …
Barriers and facilitators to father involvement in early child health services
The Long-Term Health and Human Capital Consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Birth to Thirty Cohort
Human capital-that is the cumulative abilities, education, social skills, and mental and physical health one possesses-is increasingly recognized as key to the reduction of inequality in societies. Adverse childhood experiences have been linked to a range of human capital indicators, with the majority of research in high-income, western settings. This study aims to examine the link between adverse childhood experiences and adult human capital in …
Effects of Covid-19 on child health services utilization and delivery in rural Mozambique
Little is known about the COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions in health services and the resilience of the health system response in rural low-resource settings. We conducted a phenomenological qualitative study (October–November 2020) to understand COVID-19-related influences on the utilization and delivery of child health services in Monapo district, rural Mozambique. We interviewed 36 caregivers with children <2.5 years, 21 health providers …
Adverse childhood experiences and maternal self‐efficacy
Maternal self‐efficacy (MSE) is associated with healthy functioning in mothers and children globally. Maternal exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and intimate partner violence (IPV) is known to negatively impact MSE in high‐income countries; however, the association has not been examined in low‐and‐middle‐income countries, such as India, which face socioeconomic risks including poverty, illiteracy, and discrimination based on caste …
Implementation of Unicef and WHO's care for child development package
Introduction: In the last decade, there has been increased global policy and program momentum to promote early childhood development. The Care for Child Development (CCD) package, developed by UNICEF and the WHO, is a key tool responding to the global demand. The CCD package comprises two age-specific evidence-based recommendations for caregivers to 1) play and communicate and 2) responsively interact with their children (0-5 years) and was desig…
Formative research to inform the future design of a multicomponent fatherhood intervention to improve early child development in Mwanza, Tanzania
Effects of engaging fathers and bundling parenting and nutrition interventions on early child development and maternal and paternal parenting in Mara, Tanzania
BACKGROUND: Multicomponent interventions are needed to address the various co-occurring risks that compromise early child nutrition and development. We compared the independent and combined effects of engaging fathers and bundling parenting components into a nutrition intervention on early child development (ECD) and parenting outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a 2×2 factorial cluster-randomized controlled trial across 80 villages in Mara Region, Ta…
Caregiver mental health and school-aged children’s academic and socioemotional outcomes
While there is a strong link between caregiver mental health, caregiver engagement, and child development, limited research has examined the underlying mechanisms of these associations in Africa. We examined the mediating role of dimensions of caregiver engagement in the association of caregiver psychological distress with children’s academic and socioemotional outcomes in Ghana. Data came from 4,714 children (aged 5–17 years) and their caregiver…
Understanding modifiable caregiver factors contributing to child development among young children in rural Malawi
This study examined modifiable caregiver factors influencing child development in Malawi using baseline data from 1,021 mothers and their children <2 years of age participating in a cluster-randomized controlled trial implemented in rural Malawi (2022-2025). We fit an evidence-based theoretical model using structural equation modelling examining four caregiver factors: (1) diet diversity (sum of food groups consumed in the past 24 h), (2) empower…
A qualitative study of maternal and paternal parenting knowledge and practices in rural Mozambique
These findings highlight the importance of adopting a holistic approach involving caregivers and their context and reveal potential strategies to promote caregiving and ECD in rural Mozambique and similar contexts
Behavioural science can improve parenting interventions
The interplay of maternal and paternal postpartum depressive symptoms with children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms from childhood to adolescence
BACKGROUND: Maternal postpartum depression is an important risk factor for internalizing and externalizing problems in children. The role of concurrent paternal depression remains unclear, especially by socioeconomic status. This study examined independent and interactive associations of postpartum maternal and paternal depression with children's internalizing/externalizing symptoms throughout childhood and adolescence (ages 3.5-17 years). METHOD…
Effect of combining lower- and higher-value monthly cash transfers with nutrition-sensitive agriculture, male engagement and psychosocial intervention on maternal depressive symptoms in rural Malawi
Maternal depression affects one in five women in Malawi. Integrated interventions simultaneously addressing multiple risks are a promising strategy to improve mental health. This study evaluated the impact of a nutrition-sensitive social behaviour change (SBC) intervention (agriculture and livelihoods, male engagement and Caring for the Caregiver) with or without cash transfers on maternal perinatal depression during the lean season in rural Mala…
Prevalence and correlates of mental health difficulties in young Ghanaian children
BACKGROUND: Although 90% of youth live in low- and middle-income countries, only 10% of child mental health research is conducted in these settings. We sought to shed light on the mental health of Ghanaian children by estimating the prevalence of socioemotional difficulties and examining associations with psychosocial risk and protective factors. METHODS: Data come from the cross-sectional Mental Health in Ghana study. Mothers and fathers reporte…
Community-identified priorities for parenting and parental mental health in coastal Ghana
Interventions that combine parenting support with parental mental health components hold promise for enhancing child and family well-being. Yet, few integrate robust mental health strategies or draw on formative research to ensure contextual and cultural relevance. We conducted qualitative research in Ghana to explore local experiences of parenting and parental mental health to inform the development of a multi-component intervention. We conducte…
Psychology (13 works) · Medicine (11 works) · Child Nutrition and Water Access (8 works) · Developmental psychology (8 works) · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum (7 works) · Mental health (7 works) · Psychiatry (7 works) · Psychological intervention (7 works) · Qualitative research (6 works) · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development (5 works)