Hamid et al. BMC Public Health 2010, 10:164 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/164 parents and later with their husbands, must be recog- nised and promoted at all levels in society and integ- rated into these initiatives. The results of this study are important for public health planning in Pakistan and for those working on women’s health issues nationally and internationally. Acknowledgements I am indebted to Dr Paul Rueckert from GTZ for his guidance and support in this project. Author details 1Global Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. 2Health Services Academy, Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan. 3Nordic School of Public Health, Gothenburg, Sweden. Authors’ contributions SH was the main author of the manuscript and involved in all aspects of the study. EJ and BR provided scientific oversight and feedback throughout the development of the study and manuscript. 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