Second , we show that network composition , individual network central ity , and network structure are associated with important health behaviors and health and development outcomes in different context s across multiple levels of analysis and across distinct network types .
Lastly , we highlight the opportunities for health research ers and practitioners in LMICs to 1 ) design effective studies and interventions in LMICs that account for the sociocentric network positions of certain individuals and overall network structure , 2 ) measure the spread of outcomes or intervention externalities , and 3 ) enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of aid based on knowledge of social structure .
In low- and middle-income countries ( LMICs ) , naturally occurring social networks may be particularly vital to health outcomes as extended webs of social ties often are the principal source of various re sources .
Social networks and infant feeding in Oaxaca, Mexico.
The health benefits of delaying the introduction of complementary foods to infants ' diets are widely known . Many studies have shown that mothers with the support of close social network members are more compliant with medical recommendations for infant feeding . In our study , we examine the effects of a broader spectrum of network members ( 40 people ) on mothers ' infant feeding decisions . The survey was conducted in Oaxaca , Mexico as part of a follow-up to a nationwide Mexican Social Security Institute survey of infant health . Sixty mothers were interviewed from a stratified r and om sample of the original respondents .  Multivariate tests were used to compare the efficacy of network-level variables for predicting the introduction of 36 foods into infants ' diets , when compared with respondent-level variables . The study yields four findings . First , network-level variables were better predictors of the timing of food introduction than socio-demographic variables . Second , mothers with more indigenous networks delayed the introduction of some grains ( oatmeal , cereal , noodle soup , rice ) and processed pork products ( sausage and ham ) to the infant 's diet longer than mothers with less indigenous networks . Third , mothers who had stronger ties to their networks delayed the introduction of rice and processed pork products ( sausage and ham ) to the infant 's diet longer than mothers who had weaker ties to their networks . Fourth , mothers who heeded the advice of distant network members introduced some grains ( rice and cereal )  earlier than mothers who did not heed the advice of distant network members
Second , we show that network composition , individual network central ity , and network structure are associated with important health behaviors and health and development outcomes in different context s across multiple levels of analysis and across distinct network types .
Lastly , we highlight the opportunities for health research ers and practitioners in LMICs to 1 ) design effective studies and interventions in LMICs that account for the sociocentric network positions of certain individuals and overall network structure , 2 ) measure the spread of outcomes or intervention externalities , and 3 ) enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of aid based on knowledge of social structure .
In low- and middle-income countries ( LMICs ) , naturally occurring social networks may be particularly vital to health outcomes as extended webs of social ties often are the principal source of various re sources .