Dr. Lalita Sah

Biography
Dr Lalita Sah is an Assistant Professor in Public Health and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), with a strong commitment to teaching and learning since 2017. She holds a medical degree, as well as a PhD and MSc in Public Health.
Before joining the University of Bradford as a Lecturer in Public Health, Dr Sah held academic positions at the Global Banking School (Leeds) and Calderdale College, where she lectured in health and social care. She has also served as a sessional lecturer in Public Health at Canterbury Christ Church University.
Her doctoral research employed mixed methods to examine the factors influencing mental health and well-being among pregnant women in Nepal. Dr Sah is a published author with research interests in mental health, maternal health, gender inequalities, global health disparities, and health services research.
She is currently accepting PhD students in these and related areas.
Research
Maternal and Child Health
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Migrant Health
Global Health Inequalities
Research projects
Women’s experiences and perceptions of male partner/spouse involvement in maternal health services among Asian or Asian British population in West Yorkshir
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- Co-lead
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This project aims to understand women’s experiences and perceptions of male partner/spouse involvement in maternal health services among Asian or Asian British population in West Yorkshire. We have multiple partners for this project, including the University of Huddersfield, South West Yorkshire Partnership Foundation Trust, Ravensthorpe Community Centre, and Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust. The project will last one year, and we will recruit part-time research assistants through the University of Huddersfield.
Exploring Coping Strategies Employed by the Older Asian Population to Manage Social Isolation and Loneliness in West Yorkshire
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- Co-lead
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Our project, “Exploring Coping Strategies Employed by the Older Asian Population to Manage Social Isolation and Loneliness in West Yorkshire,” has been successfully funded by the West Yorkshire Research Capability Fund (RCF). The University of Huddersfield is leading this important initiative, and I am honoured to be one of the Co-Investigators. This collaborative project brings together the University of Huddersfield (lead), the University of Bradford, Meri Yaadain CIC (Community Charity), and Moor Park Medical Practice (NHS GP Practice). It addresses a vital but under-researched public health issue, exploring how older South Asian individuals cope with social isolation and loneliness, a topic closely aligned with healthy ageing, dementia prevention, and community-based care.
Culturally sensitive Perinatal Mental Health conversation with South Asian Mothers
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- Co-lead
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This project aims to co-produce a bilingual, culturally sensitive guide for frontline staff to use in perinatal mental health conversations with South Asian mothers in West Yorkshire. The research will involve qualitative interviews, a co-design workshop, and the development of practical resources for local health professionals.
Teaching
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Global Public Health
Health Inequalities
Modules
- Mental Health and Wellbeing - HWS5010-B
- Health for All: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion - HWS4502-B
- Health and disease across the lifespan - HWS4504-B
- M2 Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Research Methods - RES7023-C
- Public Health Prevention in Action - HWS5016-B
Professional activities
Awards (1)
- Brad ATTAIN (17 April 2025)
Committees (2)
- Humanities, Social and Health Sciences Research Ethics Panel,
- The Board Member (Trusty) of Roshni Ghar Charity, https://www.roshnighar.org.uk/meet-the-team/ Over the past year, I have had the privilege of serving as a board member/trustee with Roshni Ghar, and it’s been deeply rewarding to contribute to their mission. This direct involvement has reinforced for me how closely their work aligns with our university’s values, particularly in promoting public health equity, community engagement, and culturally competent practice.
Other activities (2)
- External Examiner at the University of West London (UWL): I have been appointed as an External Examiner at the University of West London (UWL) within the College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare, for the period from November 1, 2023, to November 30, 2027. In this role, I oversee the academic standards and quality of various Level 5 and Level 6 modules on the BSc (Hons) Public Health programme, including topics such as health promotion, public mental health, leadership, and research methodologies. My responsibilities involve reviewing assessments, contributing to quality assurance processes, and participating in virtual induction and training aligned with the UK Quality Code for Higher Education
- External Examiner at the University of Suffolk : I have been appointed as an External Examiner at the University of Suffolk for the MSc Public Health and Wellbeing course, with the appointment running from January 1, 2025, to January 31, 2029. In this role, I am responsible for reviewing academic standards, submitting annual reports, and contributing to quality assurance processes aligned with the University’s policies and assessment regulations.
Publications
Chapter in book (1)
Public Health
Rajeeb Kumar Sah;Devendra Raj Singh;Lalita Kumari Sah;Sally Robinson (2023) Routledge. In Sally Robinson editor(s) Routledge. 125-248.
Peer reviewed journal (14)
From Village to Clinic: Structural Barriers and Intersecting Challenges in Maternal Healthcare Access in Rural Nepal
Lalita Kumari Sah, Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Prabhu Sah (2026) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Pregnancy Under Pressure: A Socioecological Understanding of Pregnancy and Mental WellBeing in Nepal
Lalita Kumari Sah, Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, Rajeeb Kumar Sah (2026) Women's Reproductive Health.
Understanding social support during pregnancy: A qualitative study of women’s lived experiences in Nepal
Sah, Lalita Kumari, Eleni Hatzidimitriadou, and Rajeeb Kumar Sah (2025) PLoS ONE.
Coping Strategies To Enhance Mental Health and Wellbeing of Ethnic Minority Populations in the United Kingdom: A Scoping Review
Sah, R.K., Singh, D.R., Simkhada, B., Sah, L.K., Retzler, J., Smith, T., Khan, W. and Doyle, M. (2025) Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health.
Association between Female Migration and Perinatal Mortality in Nigeria: An analysis of 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey.
Agboola, O.O., Tuwatimi, S.T., Sah, L.K. and Sah, R.K. (2025) Research Square.
Accessibility and Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among People with Disabilities in Nepal
(2024) Sexuality and Disability.
Social determinants of the mental health of pregnant women in Nepal: Stakeholder perspectives
Sah LK, Hatzidimitriadou E, Wier J, Sah RK (2024) PLoS ONE.
Coping strategies employed by older Nepalese migrant women to manage their mental distress in the UK: A qualitative research
Sah LK, Sah RK, Singh D, Burgess RA. (2024) PLoS ONE.
Parental knowledge and communication with their adolescent on sexual and reproductive health issues in Nepal.
Singh DR;Shrestha S;Karki K;Sunuwar DR;Khadka DB;Maharjan D;Sah LK;Simkhada B;Sah RK; (2023) PLoS ONE. 18
Impact of COVID-19 on health services utilization in Province-2 of Nepal: a qualitative study among community members and stakeholders.
Singh DR;Sunuwar DR;Shah SK;Karki K;Sah LK;Adhikari B;Sah RK; (2021) BMC Health Services Research. 21
Food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic: A genuine concern for people from disadvantaged community and low-income families in Province 2 of Nepal.
Singh DR;Sunuwar DR;Shah SK;Sah LK;Karki K;Sah RK; (2021) PLoS ONE. 16
Risk of Gender-Based Violence and Poor Mental Health Among Nepalese Women During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review
Lalita Kumari Sah;Prabhu Sah;Manoj Kumar Yadav;Surya B. Parajuli;Rinku Shah (2020) Nepal Medical Journal.
Conducting Qualitative Interviews using Virtual Communication Tools amid COVID-19 Pandemic: A Learning Opportunity for Future Research.
Sah LK;Singh DR;Sah RK; (2020) Jnma; Journal Of The Nepal Medical Association. 58
'Medicine doesn't cure my worries': Understanding the drivers of mental distress in older Nepalese women living in the UK.
Sah LK;Burgess RA;Sah RK; (2019) Global Public Health. 14