Geetanjali Sethy1, Dhaneswari Jena2, Tapan Biswas3, Madhaba Nayak4
BACKGROUND
Under-five children constitute the most vulnerable segment of a country and their nutritional status and mortality rate is a sensitive indicator of community health and nutrition. India contributes to 25% of the over 6.9 million under-five deaths occurring worldwide every year. Children in the age group of 0 to 6 years form 2.3% of the slum population of India.
The aim of the study was to find out prevalence of undernutrition and to assess morbidity pattern of under-five children and its effect on nutritional status and vice versa.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Design- A community-based cross-sectional study.
Study Setting- The 3 slum areas.
Study Period- October 2014 - September 2016.
Sampling Method- Convenient sampling.
Sample Size- 150 children aged 6 months to 5 years.
RESULTS
Out of total 150 children studied, 69.3% children were having undernutrition in the form of underweight, wasting and stunting. ARI was the most common morbidities (44%), followed by diarrhoea (34.7%) and others (21.3%). Children those who were suffering from persistent diarrhoea were more prone to develop undernutrition (85.7%) in comparison to acute diarrhoea (52.6%). Those children were having recurrent ARI were suffering more from undernutrition (76.9%) in relation to those did not have recurrent ARI (45%). Families using municipal water were suffering more from the diseases than those using borewell water. Only 20.7% mother having knowledge about hygiene and it was also found that children of those mother were suffering from less morbidities.
CONCLUSION
The study concludes that morbidities are more and living conditions are poor in slums areas with less availability to good source of water and a separate toilet facility. Hygiene and health-seeking behaviours of mothers are poor because of their low education level. Female literacy and periodic health check-up of under-five children through health camps should be promoted. Sensitising mothers about good health practices through workshops, roadshows, documentary films and other media coverage may improve overall health of under-fives.