Improving Child Health Globally: an interdisciplinary study to help elucidate complex determinants of child growth failure and related health outcomes in low and middle-income countries.

Malnutrition in children continues to be a significant global health concern, with almost one-half of all deaths in children under 5 years in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) attributable to malnutrition. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2.2 calls to eliminate to all forms of malnutrition, with a special focus on achievement by 2025 of targets in relation to growth stunting in children under 5 years. However, the progress made so far is slow and many LMICs are not on track to achieve the SDG targets. The rate of progress is likely to decline further in these regions as the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the most vulnerable children disproportionately. Therefore, accurate assessment of causes of malnutrition and its indicators is crucial in order to develop the context-specific interventions to improve the child growth and related health outcomes more effectively.

Childhood stunting (too short for their age) is the impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition and repeated infection owing to contaminated water, poor sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) (a subclinical disorder of the small intestine associated with WASH practices) has been linked in increasing the risk of undernutrition particularly stunting and anaemia in early life. However, the evidence on both its causes and effects is mixed. Therefore, it is timely to explore less understood complex determinants of poor growth and anaemia (key indicators of child malnutrition) in the unique settings of rural areas of low and middle-income countries (LMIC), where child growth failure and anaemia constitute a significant public health problem.

The proposed PhD project will examine the relationship between the nutritional, environmental, behavioural, social and political causes of childhood stunting and anaemia in a rural LMIC setting (most likely in rural Nepal or Southern Mexico), in order to develop evidence-based solutions. It will also explore co-existence and interplay of anaemia and child growth failure. The specific objectives are:

1. To systematically review available evidence on the impact of existing nutritional and population health interventions/programmes/policies on child growth and anaemia in LMIC.
2. To measure and analyse the relationship between the nutritional, environmental, social, and behavioural causes of child growth failure, anaemia and related health outcomes in a rural LMIC setting.
3. To develop and pilot a context-specific bespoke intervention model to predict the potential impact on child growth and related health outcomes.

This project offers an exciting opportunity to be part of an interdisciplinary project team with world-class researchers working on global health research in South Asia, Africa and Latin America. The project will use quantitative data from the secondary sources such as Demographic Health Survey (DHS). 

The PhD student would have the opportunity to learn about and apply a range of research techniques including systematic literature reviewing, secondary data analysis, narrative synthesis, before collecting and analysing a qualitative data using focus group discussions and key informants’ interviews. Therefore, we are looking for an ambitious and enthusiastic person with good interdisciplinary thinking and an interest in mixed-methods research.

Candidate Background:

The ideal candidates should have (or expected to achieve) a minimum of a First-Class Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a health-related subjects, such as public health, global health and management, epidemiology, nutrition, health research and biomedical science or a clinical degree (e.g., MBChB, community medicine and nursing). Applicants with a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered provided they have achieved a master's degree with distinction or commendation. The candidates need to be comfortable with statistical methods for quantitative analysis as well as experience or knowledge of systematic review and qualitative methodologies.

Academic publication in a peer-reviewed journal and experience of working in low and middle-income countries, are desirable. Some knowledge of child growth failure in relation to nutrition, infections and health is an advantage. The PhD student will be based in Aberdeen, Scotland but may need to travel to Nepal or Mexico for primary data collection. Therefore, some proficiency in Nepali or Spanish language is desirable.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team.

Please contact Dr Santosh Gaihre (s.gaihre@abdn.ac.uk) for further information.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

International applicants are eligible to apply for this studentship but will have to find additional funding to cover the difference between overseas and home fees (approximately £14,000 per annum).

• Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php
• You should apply for Applied Health Science (PhD) to ensure your application is passed to the correct team for processing.
• Please clearly note the name of the supervisor and exact project title on the application form. If you do not mention the project title and the supervisor on your application, it will not be considered for the studentship.
• Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a First-Class Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a Health-related (including Public Health), biomedical or health data science subject. Applicants with a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered provided they have achieved a master's degree with distinction or commendation.
• Your application must include: A personal statement, an up-to-date copy of your academic CV, and clear copies of your educational certificates and transcripts.
• Please note: you DO NOT need to provide a research proposal with this application
• General application enquiries can be made to pgrs-admissions@abdn.ac.uk