Nandita Saikia
Biographic Data
| ID | 274111 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Nandita Saikia |
| GIVEN NAMES | Nandita |
| FAMILY NAME | Saikia |
| SIGNATURE | SAIKIA N |
| AFFILIATIONS | International Institute for Population Sciences |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-6735-6157 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 31 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 22 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 27 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 4 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2009 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Social and economic inequalities in adult mortality in India
BACKGROUNDLow-and middle-income countries (LMICs) have limited evidence of adult mortality due to a lack of reliable data.We estimated social (caste and religion) and economic (wealth quintile) inequality in adult mortality using three rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 1998-1999, NFHS 2015-2016, and NFHS 2019-2021). METHODSWe estimated the probability of death in the 15-59 age group by social and economic characteristics.We employ…
Sarees: Culture, Commerce, Constitutionalism
Body perceptions and satisfaction among adults with excess weight in India: A mixed methods approach
The complications of obesity are far beyond just physical health. We assessed body perceptions and satisfaction among adults with excess weight in the Kolkata metropolitan area. Evidence on body perceptions and satisfaction among adults with excess weight in India remains limited. We adopted a concurrent mixed methods design among adults aged 25–54 years with excess weight in the Kolkata metropolitan area. Quantitative data were collected through…
Effect of ‘losses’ and other secondary stressors on the association between flooding and psychological health outcomes: A cross-sectional study in Bongaigaon District, India
Fluvial flooding is a recurring event in the Aie River basin in Assam, India. On August 14, 2021, floodwater breached a large stretch of embankment in the Bongaigaon District and inundated several villages. Using a cross-sectional design to conduct household surveys in February and March 2022, the study investigates responses six to seven months following the August 2021 flood disasters. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence an…
Cultural persistence in health-seeking behaviour: A mixed-method study of traditional healing practices among Garo tribal women in Meghalaya, India
The Garo tribe, one of a major indigenous communities of Meghalaya, India, relies heavily on their traditional health practices. This research investigates the healthcare-seeking behaviour of Garo women, their health concerns, their indigenous medical knowledge, and their reasons for preferring traditional over modern medicines. Conducted in East Garo Hills, Meghalaya, quantitative data (N = 96) were randomly collected from Garo women aged 15–49 …
Prevalence and risk factors of violence against adolescents: Evidence from the two most populous and socio-economically disadvantaged states of India
Empowering tribal women: A comparative analysis of matrilineal and patrilineal societies in India
Tribal societies are often considered egalitarian, especially in contrast to the hierarchical caste society. However, tribal societies are not homogeneous, as both matrilineal and patrilineal tribes exist in India. This study examines whether matrilineal tribal women from Meghalaya are more empowered than patrilineal tribal women from Assam. Using NFHS 2015–16 and 2019–21, a revised survey-based women’s empowerment index (SWPER) is created to mea…
Disparity by caste and tribe: Understanding women's empowerment and health outcomes in India
Adult Mortality in India: Trends, Socio-economic Disparities and Consequences
The Covid-19 pandemic death toll in India: Can we know better
Ethnic disparities in mortality and group-specific risk factors in the UK Biobank
Despite a substantial overall decrease in mortality, disparities among ethnic minorities in developed countries persist. This study investigated mortality disparities and their associated risk factors for the three largest ethnic groups in the United Kingdom: Asian, Black, and White. Study participants were sampled from the UK Biobank (UKB), a prospective cohort enrolled between 2006 and 2010. Genetics, biological samples, and health information …
Birth registration in Nepal: An assessment of progress based on two national surveys
Birth registration, an essential component of the civil registration system, is expected to be complete and universal. This study assesses the progress made in recent years and identifies gaps in birth registration in Nepal. Data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys undertaken in 2014 and 2019 are used for the analysis. The two surveys included a total of 12,007 children under five years of age living with their mothers at the time of the …
Wellbeing in the aftermath of floods: Findings from a qualitative study in Bongaigaon District of Assam, India
The study presents key findings on the outcomes of psychological wellbeing in the aftermath of a flood as well as the interplay of social, institutional, and environmental processes that influence psychological wellbeing. Eight focused group discussions and 15 key informant interviews were conducted in five villages in the Bongaigaon District of Assam six months after the devastating floods occurred in August 2021. Four themes are identified that…
Adult Mortality in India: Trends, Socio-Economic Disparities and Consequences
‘This disease is not meant for the hospital, it is Asram’: Implications of a traditionally-defined illness on healthcare seeking for children under-5 in rural Ashanti, Ghana
Every child has the right to survive, grow and develop. However, in spite of the considerable global gains that have been made in child survival, Sub-Saharan Africa still has the highest child mortality rates and accounts for the greatest burden of mortality globally. The majority of these children die without ever reaching a health facility. The practice of appropriate healthcare-seeking behaviour has a great potential to reduce the occurrence o…
The relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self-harm: A scoping review
Work disability occurs when an injury or illness limits the ability of a worker to participate in employment. While evidence suggests that people with work disability are at increased risk of suicide and intentional self-harm, this relationship has not been the subject of systematic review. This scoping review aims to assess and summarise the research literature regarding the relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or intentio…
Socioeconomic inequalities in tobacco cessation among Indians above 15 years of age from 2009 to 2017: Evidence from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (Gats)
This study is the first to provide national-level evidence on the association between tobacco cessation and socioeconomic attributes among Indians above 15 years of age. Findings suggest the need to scale up tobacco cessation services separately for men and women, and also for smoking and smokeless tobacco forms
An update on explaining the rural-urban gap in under-five mortality in India
The existing rural-urban gap in under-five mortality suggests that the social and health policies need to be need to reach rural children from poor families and uneducated mothers. This call for attention to ensure that the future programme must emphasize mothers from economically and educationally disadvantaged sections. While there should be more emphasis on equal access to health care facilities by the rural population, there should also be an…
Perception, risk factors, and health behaviours in adult obesity in Kolkata, India: A mixed methods approach
Health education is fundamental. Making better lifestyle choices is crucial, which would help increase the lifespan and health span and decrease the risk of diseases. In addition, social support and better policies are required to prevent the disease and any related complications
Revisiting the causes of fertility decline in Bangladesh: The relative importance of female education and family planning programs
Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest countries, has experienced a dramatic decline in fertility since 1985, with a decline in the total fertility rate from 5.5-2.1. International researchers have debated the reasons for this rapid decline, with some studies attributing it primarily to family planning programmes and others pointing at the simultaneous increase in the education of women and other socioeconomic factors. Using data from seven-round…
Spatial pattern and determinants of diagnosed diabetes in southern India: Evidence from a 2012–13 population-based survey
The diabetes epidemic is expanding rapidly in India, with 69.2 million people living with diabetes in 2015. This study assessed the spatial pattern and determinants of diagnosed diabetes prevalence in the districts of six states and one union territory (UT) in southern India – a region that has a high prevalence of diabetes. Using cross-sectional population-based survey data from the 2012–13 District Level Household and Facility Survey-4, the pre…
Education and grip strength among older Thai adults: A mediation analysis on health-related behaviours
Our study reaffirms the importance of educational opportunity in earlier life and recommends health-related behavioural modifications to improve health status in low-educated older adults
What has contributed to improvements in the child sex ratio in select districts of India? A decomposition of the sex ratio at birth and child mortality
Despite an overall downward trend in child sex ratios in India, some of the most imbalanced districts in 2001 (fewer girls than boys) showed signs of becoming more balanced in 2011. This analysis looked in depth at these districts to better understand the nature of the improvement in the child sex ratio using two rounds of data from the Census of India from 2001 and 2011. Data were used from the 153 districts that showed improvement in their chil…
Gender disparities in health care expenditures and financing strategies (HCFS) for inpatient care in India
Despite the vast literature on health care expenditures (HCE) and health care financing strategies (HCFS) in low- and middle-income countries, there is limited evidence of gender disparity in HCFS for inpatient care. We examined gender disparities in HCE and HCFS for inpatient care among adults aged 15 and older in India which is widely known for gender-based discrimination in sex-selective abortion, nutrition, and access to health care. Using da…
Actual and ideal fertility differential among natives, immigrants, and descendants of immigrants in a northeastern state of India
Little research has been conducted on the native‐immigrant fertility differential in low‐income settings. The objective of our paper is to examine the actual and ideal fertility differential of native and immigrant families in Assam. We used the data from a primary quantitative survey carried out in 52 villages in five districts of Assam during 2014–2015. We performed bivariate analysis and used a multilevel mixed‐effects linear regression model …
Trends and geographic differentials in mortality under age 60 in India
The study examines overall and region-specific mortality changes and regional mortality variation in India since the 1970s, using data from the Sample Registration System (SRS). An evaluation of the quality of SRS data confirms their reliability for children and adults under age 60. The results suggest the convergence of mortality across the regions of India with important inter-state differences in the pace of health improvements over time. Afte…
Explaining the rural-urban gap in infant mortality in India
Prior studies suggest that infant mortality in rural areas of India is substantially higher than in urban areas. However, little is known about the determinants explaining such excess of rural mortality
Disparity by caste and tribe: Understanding women's empowerment and health outcomes in India
Revisiting the causes of fertility decline in Bangladesh: The relative importance of female education and family planning programs
Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest countries, has experienced a dramatic decline in fertility since 1985, with a decline in the total fertility rate from 5.5-2.1. International researchers have debated the reasons for this rapid decline, with some studies attributing it primarily to family planning programmes and others pointing at the simultaneous increase in the education of women and other socioeconomic factors. Using data from seven-round…
Actual and ideal fertility differential among natives, immigrants, and descendants of immigrants in a northeastern state of India
Little research has been conducted on the native‐immigrant fertility differential in low‐income settings. The objective of our paper is to examine the actual and ideal fertility differential of native and immigrant families in Assam. We used the data from a primary quantitative survey carried out in 52 villages in five districts of Assam during 2014–2015. We performed bivariate analysis and used a multilevel mixed‐effects linear regression model …
Trends and Sub-National Disparities in Neonatal Mortality in India from 1981 to 2011
Despite progress made in recent decades, infant and neonatal mortality rates (NMRs) in India have remained high compared to neighbouring developing countries. This study aims at establishing quantitative links between the relatively slow progress in fight against neonatal death at national level and strikingly varying mortality patterns at sub-national level. It appears that the tempo and quantum of reductions in neonatal mortality have been inco…
Determinants of Adult Mortality in India
This study attempts to evaluate the factors affecting adult mortality with special emphasis on the lifestyle factors using the 1998–1999 National Family Health Survey (NFHS). The sample size, N, in this analysis is 330,267. It includes those aged 15–59 of which 2.6 per cent died during adulthood. In the Poisson regression model, the independent variables used are age, sex, place of residence, lifestyle factors of other members of the family, stan…
Does Type of Household Affect Maternal Health? Evidence From India
The present paper examines the association between the type of household and maternal health in India using data from the National Family Health Survey 1998–99. The indicators of maternal health used in the analysis are contraceptive use, visit to obtain antenatal care in the first trimester, safe delivery and nutritional status of women measured in terms of body mass index (BMI). Binary and multinomial logistic regressions are used to establish …
Determinants of Adult Mortality in India
This study attempts to evaluate the factors affecting adult mortality with special emphasis on the lifestyle factors using the 1998–1999 National Family Health Survey (NFHS). The sample size, N, in this analysis is 330,267. It includes those aged 15–59 of which 2.6 per cent died during adulthood. In the Poisson regression model, the independent variables used are age, sex, place of residence, lifestyle factors of other members of the family, stan…
Trends and geographic differentials in mortality under age 60 in India
The study examines overall and region-specific mortality changes and regional mortality variation in India since the 1970s, using data from the Sample Registration System (SRS). An evaluation of the quality of SRS data confirms their reliability for children and adults under age 60. The results suggest the convergence of mortality across the regions of India with important inter-state differences in the pace of health improvements over time. Afte…
Adult Male Mortality in India: An application of the widowhood method
This paper presents levels and trends of adult male mortality in India and its major states during the post-independence period applying the widowhood method on census data. It also estimates adult male mortality for all the districts from major states of India. We adjusted widowhood estimates for possible bias due to remarriages and examined the sensitivity of adjusted estimates to different scenarios of remarriage rates. Comparison of widowhood…
Explaining the rural-urban gap in infant mortality in India
Prior studies suggest that infant mortality in rural areas of India is substantially higher than in urban areas. However, little is known about the determinants explaining such excess of rural mortality
Trends and Sub-National Disparities in Neonatal Mortality in India from 1981 to 2011
Despite progress made in recent decades, infant and neonatal mortality rates (NMRs) in India have remained high compared to neighbouring developing countries. This study aims at establishing quantitative links between the relatively slow progress in fight against neonatal death at national level and strikingly varying mortality patterns at sub-national level. It appears that the tempo and quantum of reductions in neonatal mortality have been inco…
Gender disparities in health care expenditures and financing strategies (HCFS) for inpatient care in India
Despite the vast literature on health care expenditures (HCE) and health care financing strategies (HCFS) in low- and middle-income countries, there is limited evidence of gender disparity in HCFS for inpatient care. We examined gender disparities in HCE and HCFS for inpatient care among adults aged 15 and older in India which is widely known for gender-based discrimination in sex-selective abortion, nutrition, and access to health care. Using da…
Actual and ideal fertility differential among natives, immigrants, and descendants of immigrants in a northeastern state of India
Little research has been conducted on the native‐immigrant fertility differential in low‐income settings. The objective of our paper is to examine the actual and ideal fertility differential of native and immigrant families in Assam. We used the data from a primary quantitative survey carried out in 52 villages in five districts of Assam during 2014–2015. We performed bivariate analysis and used a multilevel mixed‐effects linear regression model …
What has contributed to improvements in the child sex ratio in select districts of India? A decomposition of the sex ratio at birth and child mortality
Despite an overall downward trend in child sex ratios in India, some of the most imbalanced districts in 2001 (fewer girls than boys) showed signs of becoming more balanced in 2011. This analysis looked in depth at these districts to better understand the nature of the improvement in the child sex ratio using two rounds of data from the Census of India from 2001 and 2011. Data were used from the 153 districts that showed improvement in their chil…
Spatial pattern and determinants of diagnosed diabetes in southern India: Evidence from a 2012–13 population-based survey
The diabetes epidemic is expanding rapidly in India, with 69.2 million people living with diabetes in 2015. This study assessed the spatial pattern and determinants of diagnosed diabetes prevalence in the districts of six states and one union territory (UT) in southern India – a region that has a high prevalence of diabetes. Using cross-sectional population-based survey data from the 2012–13 District Level Household and Facility Survey-4, the pre…
Education and grip strength among older Thai adults: A mediation analysis on health-related behaviours
Our study reaffirms the importance of educational opportunity in earlier life and recommends health-related behavioural modifications to improve health status in low-educated older adults
‘This disease is not meant for the hospital, it is Asram’: Implications of a traditionally-defined illness on healthcare seeking for children under-5 in rural Ashanti, Ghana
Every child has the right to survive, grow and develop. However, in spite of the considerable global gains that have been made in child survival, Sub-Saharan Africa still has the highest child mortality rates and accounts for the greatest burden of mortality globally. The majority of these children die without ever reaching a health facility. The practice of appropriate healthcare-seeking behaviour has a great potential to reduce the occurrence o…
The relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self-harm: A scoping review
Work disability occurs when an injury or illness limits the ability of a worker to participate in employment. While evidence suggests that people with work disability are at increased risk of suicide and intentional self-harm, this relationship has not been the subject of systematic review. This scoping review aims to assess and summarise the research literature regarding the relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or intentio…
Socioeconomic inequalities in tobacco cessation among Indians above 15 years of age from 2009 to 2017: Evidence from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (Gats)
This study is the first to provide national-level evidence on the association between tobacco cessation and socioeconomic attributes among Indians above 15 years of age. Findings suggest the need to scale up tobacco cessation services separately for men and women, and also for smoking and smokeless tobacco forms
An update on explaining the rural-urban gap in under-five mortality in India
The existing rural-urban gap in under-five mortality suggests that the social and health policies need to be need to reach rural children from poor families and uneducated mothers. This call for attention to ensure that the future programme must emphasize mothers from economically and educationally disadvantaged sections. While there should be more emphasis on equal access to health care facilities by the rural population, there should also be an…
Perception, risk factors, and health behaviours in adult obesity in Kolkata, India: A mixed methods approach
Health education is fundamental. Making better lifestyle choices is crucial, which would help increase the lifespan and health span and decrease the risk of diseases. In addition, social support and better policies are required to prevent the disease and any related complications
Revisiting the causes of fertility decline in Bangladesh: The relative importance of female education and family planning programs
Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest countries, has experienced a dramatic decline in fertility since 1985, with a decline in the total fertility rate from 5.5-2.1. International researchers have debated the reasons for this rapid decline, with some studies attributing it primarily to family planning programmes and others pointing at the simultaneous increase in the education of women and other socioeconomic factors. Using data from seven-round…
Adult Mortality in India: Trends, Socio-economic Disparities and Consequences
The Covid-19 pandemic death toll in India: Can we know better
Ethnic disparities in mortality and group-specific risk factors in the UK Biobank
Despite a substantial overall decrease in mortality, disparities among ethnic minorities in developed countries persist. This study investigated mortality disparities and their associated risk factors for the three largest ethnic groups in the United Kingdom: Asian, Black, and White. Study participants were sampled from the UK Biobank (UKB), a prospective cohort enrolled between 2006 and 2010. Genetics, biological samples, and health information …
Birth registration in Nepal: An assessment of progress based on two national surveys
Birth registration, an essential component of the civil registration system, is expected to be complete and universal. This study assesses the progress made in recent years and identifies gaps in birth registration in Nepal. Data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys undertaken in 2014 and 2019 are used for the analysis. The two surveys included a total of 12,007 children under five years of age living with their mothers at the time of the …
Wellbeing in the aftermath of floods: Findings from a qualitative study in Bongaigaon District of Assam, India
The study presents key findings on the outcomes of psychological wellbeing in the aftermath of a flood as well as the interplay of social, institutional, and environmental processes that influence psychological wellbeing. Eight focused group discussions and 15 key informant interviews were conducted in five villages in the Bongaigaon District of Assam six months after the devastating floods occurred in August 2021. Four themes are identified that…
Adult Mortality in India: Trends, Socio-Economic Disparities and Consequences
Empowering tribal women: A comparative analysis of matrilineal and patrilineal societies in India
Tribal societies are often considered egalitarian, especially in contrast to the hierarchical caste society. However, tribal societies are not homogeneous, as both matrilineal and patrilineal tribes exist in India. This study examines whether matrilineal tribal women from Meghalaya are more empowered than patrilineal tribal women from Assam. Using NFHS 2015–16 and 2019–21, a revised survey-based women’s empowerment index (SWPER) is created to mea…
Disparity by caste and tribe: Understanding women's empowerment and health outcomes in India
Medicine (19 works) · Demography (16 works) · Geography (14 works) · Sociology (14 works) · Global Maternal and Child Health (12 works) · Population (12 works) · Socioeconomics (12 works) · Economics (11 works) · Environmental health (11 works) · Economic growth (10 works)