The authors – Jeanine U. Condo, Anastasia Gage, Nancy Mock, Janet Rice2 and Ted Greiner – in the journal article title ‘Sex differences in nutritional status of HIV-exposed children in Rwanda: a longitudinal study’ have succinctly articulated all the six components required for the introduction of a journal article.
Description of the topic
It is start with an attention grabbing hook, which informs the reader about the factors associated with substantial loss in disability-adjusted life years. An excerp of the hook is as follows: 'Substantial loss in disability-adjusted life years is associated with nutritional stunting, wasting and an associated increase in infant and young child mortality (Black et al. 2010).'
Summary of existing knowledge
HIV infection is common in many parts of the African continent. Additionally, they were a fewer research undertakings that had focused on sex differentials in nutritional status among HIV-exposed, so little information was available by then. Besides, the authors have also done a thorough review of literature, which clearly shows all the gaps in the existing knowledge. In my view, clearly describes the prupose of the study.
Purpose of the study
The following excerpt from the article, clearly put this into perspective ‘….Exploring nutrition status among HIV-exposed children is lacking; hence, a need exists to examine sex inequalities in feeding practices and nutritional status in a cohort of HIV-exposed children over time in Rwanda….’
Description of the study
The study was aimed at bridging the knowledge gaps about the sex differentials in nutritional status among HIV-exposed children to determine if there are any sexual inequalities in this regard.
Contextual Information
Nutritional interventions that are affordable and cost effective, especially during the first 1000 days of life, are proven to prevent more than 4 million deaths in the developing world (Jones et al. 2003), including nutrition sensitive interventions.
Potential impact
Firstly the study would examine sex inequalities in feeding practices and nutritional status in a cohort of HIV-exposed children over time in Rwanda.
Secondly, ere are various research findings that have reported cases of sex discrimination within different households primarily in certain low-resource settings. Different stakeholders have been challenging policy makers to take these research findings during their policy development processes so as to ensure there is equitable access to health and care in developing countries like Rwanda.