Zahra Ali Padhani

Zahra Ali Padhani

Higher Degree by Research Candidate

School of Public Health

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

I am a Public Health Researcher, with Bachelors in Pharm-D and Masters’ in Health Policy and Management from Aga Khan University, Pakistan. I am a PhD student at University of Adelaide and my research work focuses preconception health risk factors and interventions among adolescent and young people and its impact on perinatal, maternal, and child health. I have published more than 30 peer-reviewed papers, two book chapters, and multiple WHO commissioned and technical reports. My papers have been published in international journals with good impact factor such as Cochrane, BMJ, Journal of Global Health, Nutrients, and Lancet Global Health. I have been invited as a speaker in various knowledge synthesis workshops in Pakistan.

I am also a member of Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA), Health in Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum (HiPP), Early- and Mid- Career Researcher Collective (EMCR) and Reproductive Health Australia.

  • Journals
    Year Citation
    2025 Das, J. K., Salam, R. A., Padhani, Z. A., Rizvi, A., Mirani, M., Jamali, M. K., . . . Bhutta, Z. A. (2025). An innovative Community Mobilisation and Community Incentivisation for child health in rural Pakistan (CoMIC): a cluster-randomised, controlled trial. The Lancet Global Health, 13(1), e121-e133.
    DOI Scopus2
    2025 Padhani, Z. A., Rahim, K. A., Avery, J. C., Tessema, G. A., Castleton, P., Nisa, S., . . . Lassi, Z. S. (2025). Preconception care interventions among adolescents and young adults to prevent adverse maternal, perinatal and child health outcomes: An evidence gap map. Public Health, 239, 37-47.
    DOI
    2025 Benavente, P., Kampalath, V. N., Zan, M. L., Tran, N. T., Czapka, E. A., Hosseinalipour, S. M., . . . Blanchet, K. (2025). Deployment and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines for refugees and migrants in regular and irregular situations: a mixed-method multicountry study. BMJ open, 15(1), e087629.
    DOI
    2025 Yasin, R., Padhani, Z. A., Mirani, M., Jamali, M. K., Memon, M., Khatoon, S., . . . Das, J. K. (2025). Biofortification and fortification of wheat flour: Qualitative analysis for implementation and acceptance. PLOS Global Public Health, 5(2), e0003619.
    DOI
    2025 Padhani, Z. A., Khan, M. H., Yasin, R., Rahman, A. R., Lakhani, S., Mirani, M., . . . Das, J. K. (2025). A qualitative study on behavioral and social drivers of COVID-19 vaccine amongst refugees and migrants in Pakistan. PLOS Global Public Health, 5(4), 21 pages.
    DOI
    2025 Lassi, Z. S., Padhani, Z. A., Ali, A., Rahim, K. A., Azhar, M., Naseem, H. A., . . . Bhutta, Z. A. (2025). Community-Based Child Food Interventions/Supplements for the Prevention of Wasting in Children Up to 5 Years at Risk of Wasting and Nutritional Oedema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. NUTRITION REVIEWS, 23 pages.
    DOI
    2024 Padhani, Z. A., Rahman, A. R., Lakhani, S., Yasin, R., Khan, M. H., Mirani, M., . . . Das, J. K. (2024). COVID-19 vaccine coverage, determinants and inequity amongst refugees and migrants in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 14(4), 10 pages.
    DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC1
    2024 Padhani, Z. A., Tessema, G. A., Avery, J. C., Rahim, K. A., Boyle, J. A., Meherali, S., . . . Lassi, Z. S. (2024). Preconception Care Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults to Prevent Adverse Maternal and Child Health Outcomes: Protocol for an Evidence Gap Map. JMIR Research Protocols, 13, e56052-1-e56052-8.
    DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC1
    2024 Abbas, Q., Ali, H., Amjad, F., Hussain, M. Z. H., Rahman, A. R., Khan, M. H., . . . Das, J. K. (2024). Clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C): a systematic review.. BMJ Paediatr Open, 8(1), 22 pages.
    DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC2
    2024 Padhani, Z. A., Salam, R. A., Rahim, K. A., Naz, S., Zulfiqar, A., Ali Memon, Z., . . . Lassi, Z. S. (2024). Prevalence and risk factors of perinatal depression among mothers and fathers in Pakistan: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 12(1), 2383468-1-2383468-26.
    DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC1
    2024 Qazi, S. H., Meerza, S. S. A., Lakhani, S., Dogar, S. A., Padhani, Z. A., Mirani, M., . . . Das, J. K. (2024). Common pediatric surgical conditions and associated health-seeking behaviors in Pakistan: An urban and rural comparative assessment. PLOS Global Public Health, 4(9), 13 pages.
    DOI
    2024 Hassan, M., Ali, A. S., Zubairi, A. B. S., Padhani, Z. A., Kirmani, S., Ahmad, H., . . . Das, J. K. (2024). Gene polymorphisms and risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Monaldi archives for chest disease = Archivio Monaldi per le malattie del torace.
    DOI
    2024 Lakhani, S., Ambreen, S., Padhani, Z. A., Fahim, Y., Qamar, S., Meherali, S., & Lassi, Z. S. (2024). Impact of ambient heat exposure on pregnancy outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Women's Health, 20, 17455057241291271.
    DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC1
    2024 Lakhani, S., Ambreen, S., Padhani, Z. A., Fahim, Y., Qamar, S., Meherali, S., & Lassi, Z. S. (2024). Impact of ambient heat exposure on pregnancy outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. WOMENS HEALTH, 20, 9 pages.
    DOI
    2024 Padhani, Z. A., Rahim, K. A., Tessema, G. A., Avery, J. C., Damabi, N. M., Castleton, P., . . . Lassi, Z. S. (2024). Exploring preconception health in adolescents and young adults: Identifying risk factors and interventions to prevent adverse maternal, perinatal, and child health outcomes-A scoping review. PLoS One, 19(4), e0300177-1-e0300177-20.
    DOI Scopus1
    2024 Khoja, A., Andraweera, P. H., Lassi, Z. S., Padhani, Z. A., Ali, A., Zheng, M., . . . Arstall, M. A. (2024). Modifiable and Non-Modifiable Risk Factors for Premature Coronary Heart Disease (PCHD): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Heart Lung and Circulation, 33(3), 265-280.
    DOI Scopus2 Europe PMC2
    2024 Das, J. K., Lakhani, S., Rahman, A. R., Siddiqui, F., Padhani, Z. A., Rashid, Z., . . . Beg, M. A. (2024). Malaria in pregnancy: Meta-analyses of prevalence and associated complications. Epidemiology and Infection, 152, 36 pages.
    DOI Scopus6 Europe PMC5
    2024 Mirzaei Damabi, N., Begum, M., Avery, J. C., Padhani, Z. A., & Lassi, Z. S. (2024). Unveiling silenced narratives: a scoping review on sexual function challenges in migrant and refugee women. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 12(3), 288-298.
    DOI Scopus2
    2023 Li, C., Cao, Y., Zhang, L., Li, J., Wu, H., Ling, F., . . . Liu, C. (2023). LncRNA IGFBP4-1 promotes tumor development by activating Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway in bladder urothelial carcinoma (Retraction of Vol 16, Pg 2271, 2020). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 19(15), 4833.
    DOI
    2023 Cichon, B., Das, J. K., Salam, R. A., Padhani, Z. A., Stobaugh, H. C., Mughal, M., . . . Black, R. E. (2023). Effectiveness of Dietary Management for Moderate Wasting among Children > 6 Months of Age—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Exploring Different Types, Quantities, and Durations. Nutrients, 15(5), 25 pages.
    DOI Scopus6 WoS2 Europe PMC4
    2023 Padhani, Z. A., Das, J. K., Siddiqui, F. A., Salam, R. A., Lassi, Z. S., Khan, D. S. A., . . . Bhutta, Z. A. (2023). Optimal timing of introduction of complementary feeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Nutrition reviews, 81(12), nuad019.
    DOI Scopus8 WoS1 Europe PMC3
    2023 Das, J. K., Siddiqui, F., Padhani, Z. A., Khan, M. H., Jabeen, S., Mirani, M., . . . Bhutta, Z. A. (2023). Health behaviors and care seeking practices for childhood diarrhea and pneumonia in a rural district of Pakistan: A qualitative study. PLOS ONE, 18(5), e0285868.
    DOI Scopus7 WoS1 Europe PMC5
    2023 Harrison, L., Padhani, Z., Salam, R., Oh, C., Rahim, K., Maqsood, M., . . . Bhutta, Z. A. (2023). Dietary Strategies for Complementary Feeding between 6 and 24 Months of Age: The Evidence. Nutrients, 15(13), 25 pages.
    DOI Scopus11 Europe PMC5
    2023 Padhani, Z. A., Cichon, B., Das, J. K., Salam, R. A., Stobaugh, H. C., Mughal, M., . . . Bhutta, Z. A. (2023). Systematic Review of Management of Moderate Wasting in Children over 6 Months of Age. Nutrients, 15(17), 18 pages.
    DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC1
    2023 Das, J. K., Khan, A., Tabassum, F., Padhani, Z. A., Habib, A., Mirani, M., . . . Bhutta, Z. (2023). The Last Mile-Community Engagement and Conditional Incentives to Accelerate Polio Eradication in Pakistan: Study Protocol for a Quasi-Experimental Trial. Methods and Protocols, 6(5), 83-1-83-13.
    DOI Scopus2 Europe PMC2
    2023 Padhani, Z. A., Gangwani, M. K., Sadaf, A., Hasan, B., Colan, S., Alvi, N., & Das, J. K. (2023). Calcium channel blockers for preventing cardiomyopathy due to iron overload in people with transfusion-dependent beta thalassaemia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023(11), 50 pages.
    DOI Scopus3 Europe PMC2
    2023 Chand, P., Sultan, T., Kulsoom, S., Jan, F., Ibrahim, S., Mukhtiar, K., . . . Wasay, M. (2023). Spectrum of Common Pediatric Neurological Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study From Three Tertiary Care Centres Across Pakistan. Pediatric Neurology, 138, 33-37.
    DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC1
    2022 Das, J. K., & Padhani, Z. A. (2022). Alleviating hidden hunger: an infallible bridge to improved health and nutrition. The Lancet Global Health, 10(11), e1539-e1540.
    DOI Scopus9 WoS1 Europe PMC4
    2022 Padhani, Z. A., Das, J. K., Akhtar, S., Ismail, T., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2022). Tackling Protein-Calorie Malnutrition during World Crises. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 78(Suppl. 1), 27-37.
    DOI Scopus13 WoS6 Europe PMC10
    2022 Prem Chand., Zahra Ali Padhani., Rozmeen Akbar., & Fazal Arain. (2022). Hypermanganesaemia with dystonia polycythemia and cirrhosis. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 72(10), 4 pages.
    DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
    2022 Siddiqui, F. A., Padhani, Z. A., Salam, R. A., Aliani, R., Lassi, Z. S., Das, J. K., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2022). Interventions to Improve Immunization Coverage Among Children and Adolescents: A Meta-analysis.. Pediatrics, 149(Suppl 5), 1-18.
    DOI Scopus33 WoS4 Europe PMC24
    2022 Parkash, O., Siddiqui, A. T. S., Jiwani, U., Rind, F., Padhani, Z. A., Rizvi, A., . . . Das, J. K. (2022). Diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence for detecting gastrointestinal luminal pathologies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Medicine, 9, 20 pages.
    DOI Scopus4 WoS1
    2021 Kamani, L., Padhani, Z. A., & Das, J. K. (2021). Hepatitis E: Genotypes, strategies to prevent and manage, and the existing knowledge gaps. JGH Open, 5(10), 1127-1134.
    DOI Scopus16 WoS5 Europe PMC9
    2021 Khaliq, A., Yousafzai, M. T., Haq, S., Yaseen, R., Qureshi, S., Rind, F., . . . Qamar, F. N. (2021). A Review of Toolkits and Case Definitions for Detecting Enteric Fever Outbreaks in asian and African Countries from 1965-2019. Journal of Global Health, 11, 1-12.
    DOI Scopus2 Europe PMC1
    2021 Shah, S., Padhani, Z. A., Als, D., Munyuzangabo, M., Gaffey, M. F., Ahmed, W., . . . Bhutta, Z. A. (2021). Delivering nutrition interventions to women and children in conflict settings: A systematic review. BMJ Global Health, 6(4), 16 pages.
    DOI Scopus10 WoS2 Europe PMC7
    2021 Lassi, Z. S., Padhani, Z. A., Das, J. K., Salam, R. A., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2021). Antibiotic therapy versus no antibiotic therapy for children aged 2 to 59 months with WHO-defined non-severe pneumonia and wheeze. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021(1), CD009576.
    DOI Scopus11 Europe PMC8
    2021 Lassi, Z. S., Padhani, Z. A., Das, J. K., Salam, R. A., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2021). Antibiotic therapy versus no antibiotic therapy for children aged 2 to 59 months with WHO-defined non-severe pneumonia and wheeze. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1), CD009576-1-CD009576-36.
    DOI WoS6
    2021 Lassi, Z. S., Ana, A., Das, J. K., Salam, R. A., Padhani, Z. A., Irfan, O., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of data on pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19: Clinical presentation, and pregnancy and perinatal outcomes based on COVID-19 severity.. Journal of global health, 11, 1-13.
    DOI Scopus91 WoS25 Europe PMC70
    2021 Lassi, Z. S., Padhani, Z. A., Rabbani, A., Rind, F., Salam, R. A., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2021). Effects of nutritional interventions during pregnancy on birth, child health and development outcomes: A systematic review of evidence from low- and middle-income countries. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 17(2), 66 pages.
    DOI Scopus17 WoS6 Europe PMC15
    2021 Hassan, M., Shoukat, A., Zubairi, A., Das, J. K., Kirmani, S., Padhani, Z. A., & Fatmi, Z. (2021). A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RISK OF IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY FIBROSIS. CHEST, 160(4), 1262A.
    DOI
    2021 Padhani, Z. A., Moazzam, Z., Ashraf, A., Bilal, H., Salam, R. A., Das, J. K., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2021). Vitamin C supplementation for prevention and treatment of pneumonia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021(11), 39 pages.
    DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC5
    2020 Kamal, A., Khoja, A., Usmani, B., Magsi, S., Malani, A., Peera, Z., . . . Saleem, S. (2020). Effect of 5-minute movies shown via a mobile phone app on risk factors and mortality after stroke in a low- To middle-income country: Randomized controlled trial for the stroke caregiver dyad education intervention (MovIes4Stroke). JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 8(1), 23 pages.
    DOI Scopus20 WoS11 Europe PMC16
    2020 Lassi, Z. S., Padhani, Z. A., Rabbani, A., Rind, F., Abdus Salam, R. A., Das, J. K., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2020). Impact of Dietary Interventions during Pregnancy on Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.. Nutrients, 12(2), 16 pages.
    DOI Scopus52 WoS21 Europe PMC39
    2020 Salam, R. A., Padhani, Z. A., Das, J. K., Shaikh, A. Y., Hoodbhoy, Z., Jeelani, S. M., . . . Bhutta, Z. A. (2020). Effects of lifestyle modification interventions to prevent and manage child and adolescent obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 12(8), 1-23.
    DOI Scopus104 WoS41 Europe PMC64
    2020 Rabbani, A., Padhani, Z. A., A Siddiqui, F., Das, J. K., & Bhutta, Z. (2020). Systematic review of infant and young child feeding practices in conflict areas: What the evidence advocates. BMJ Open, 10(9), 20 pages.
    DOI Scopus16 WoS7 Europe PMC10
    2020 Mirzazada, S., Padhani, Z. A., Jabeen, S., Fatima, M., Rizvi, A., Ansari, U., . . . Bhutta, Z. A. (2020). Impact of conflict on maternal and child health service delivery: A country case study of Afghanistan. Conflict and Health, 14(1), 13 pages.
    DOI Scopus43 WoS23 Europe PMC37
    2020 Das, J. K., Padhani, Z. A., Jabeen, S., Rizvi, A., Ansari, U., Fatima, M., . . . Bhutta, Z. A. (2020). Impact of conflict on maternal and child health service delivery - How and how not: A country case study of conflict affected areas of Pakistan. Conflict and Health, 14(1), 16 pages.
    DOI Scopus18 WoS10 Europe PMC12
    2020 Padhani, Z. A., Moazzam, Z., Ashraf, A., Bilal, H., Salam, R. A., Das, J. K., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2020). Vitamin C supplementation for prevention and treatment of pneumonia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020(4), 39 pages.
    DOI Scopus25 WoS23 Europe PMC26
    2018 Das, J. K., Akseer, N., Mirzazada, S., Peera, Z., Noorzada, O., Armstrong, C. E., . . . Bhutta, Z. A. (2018). Scaling up primary health services for improving reproductive, maternal, and child health: a multisectoral collaboration in the conflict setting of Afghanistan. BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL, 363, 9 pages.
    DOI WoS12 Europe PMC10
    2018 Kamal, A., Khoja, A., Usmani, B., Magsi, S., Malani, A., Peera, Z., . . . Saleem, S. (2018). Effect of 5-Minute Movies Shown via a Mobile Phone App on Risk Factors and Mortality After Stroke in a Low- to Middle-Income Country: Randomized Controlled Trial for the Stroke Caregiver Dyad Education Intervention (Movies4Stroke) (Preprint).
    DOI
    - Parkash, O., Saleha Siddiqui, A. T., Jiwani, U., Rind, F., Padhani, Z. A., Rizvi, A., . . . Das, J. (n.d.). Diagnostic Accuracy of Artificial Intelligence for Detecting Gastroenterological Pathologies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. SSRN Electronic Journal.
    DOI

  • Book Chapters
    Year Citation
    2022 Lassi, Z., Padhani, Z. A., Salam, R. A., & Bhutta, Z. (2022). Prenatal nutrition and nutrition in pregnancy: Effects on long-term growth and development. In M. R. Ball (Ed.), Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health (Second Edition) (2nd ed., pp. 397-417). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier.
    DOI Scopus6
    2022 Das, J. K., Padhani, Z. A., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2022). Persistent Diarrhea in Children in Developing Countries. In Textbook of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (pp. 231-240). Springer International Publishing.
    DOI

  • Conference Papers
    Year Citation
    2025 Damabi, N. M., Begum, M., Avery, J., Padhani, Z. A., Meherali, S., & Lassi, Z. (2025). LIFTING THE VEIL ON A TABOO TOPIC: SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN MIGRANT AND REFUGEE WOMEN VERSUS AUSTRALIAN-BORN COUNTERPARTS - A NATIONAL SURVEY. In JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE Vol. 22 (pp. 1 page). OXFORD UNIV PRESS.
    DOI
    2023 Lassi, Z., Meherali, S., & Padhani, Z. (2023). Combining health calendars and cash: building formal financial and health numeracy among poor women in Northern Pakistan. In Population Medicine Vol. 5 (pp. 327). United States: E.U. European Publishing.
    DOI Europe PMC2

  • Preprint
    Year Citation
    2024 Yasin, R., Padhani, Z. A., Mirani, M., Jamali, M. K., Memon, M., Khatoon, S., . . . Das, J. K. (2024). Biofortification and Fortification of Wheat Flour: Qualitative analysis for implementation and acceptance.
    DOI
    2024 Padhani, Z. A., Tessema, G. A., Avery, J. C., Rahim, K. A., Boyle, J. A., Meherali, S., . . . Lassi, Z. S. (2024). Preconception Care Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults to Prevent Adverse Maternal and Child Health Outcomes: Protocol for an Evidence Gap Map (Preprint).
    DOI

“CRE HiPP EMCR Small Grant Scheme 2022”: “Preconception care interventions for Adolescents and Young Women – an Evidence Gap Map”. Duration: 1st November 2022 – 31st October 2023; AUD 10,000

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