Assessment of factors responsible for malnutrition in children under 5 years of age: A prospective study in DHULE.

Dr. Neelam R Shah; Dr. Amit V. Rathod; Dr. Yogita V. Bhansali

Volume : VII, Issue : IV, April - 2018

Assessment of factors responsible for malnutrition in children under 5 years of age: A prospective study in DHULE.

Dr. Neelam R Shah, Dr. Amit V. Rathod, Dr. Yogita V. Bhansali

Abstract :

OBJECTIVE: Assess the prevalence and factor responsible for malnutrition in 1000 children aged between 6 to 59 months attending Pediatric OPD of SBH GMC DHULE.

METHOD: A prospective study was conducted in Pediatric OPD of SBH GMC , Dhule enrolling 1000 children from 6 to 59 month.Severe Acute Malnutrition(SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM )was diagnosed as per WHO growth standards .All the details regarding children and their family were entered in excel sheet and results were analysed. Prevalence of malnutrition in these children was analysed and various Sociodemographic factors, Nutritional factors and Environmental factors responsible for malnutrition in these children were also evaluated.

RESULTS: Among 1000 children SAM was present in 117 children (11.7%) and MAM was observed in 209 children (20.9%) . Thus a total of 326 children (32.6%) were malnourished in this study. Acute malnutrition was observed more in males (34%) as compared to females (30%). Hindu children (35%) were more malnourished as compare to Muslim children (30%). In children less than 1 year age SAM (25%) was observed more than MAM (11%). Malnutrition was significantly more observed in children with low birth weight (43%) ,< 3 year interval between two pregnancies (33%) ,>2 children in family (41%) , Illiterate mothers (53%) , in children belonging to lower socioeconomic class (40%) , those living in kutchha house (37%) ,and in those practicing open air defecation (40%) . The association of malnutrition with delayed introduction of complementary feeds (44%) was also statistically significant. In thisstudy the statistically significant correlation of malnutrition with age, sex, bottle feeding, east feeding, immunization and place of birth could not be established.

CONCLUSION: Prevalence of malnutrition is very high in remote places. This can be significantly decreased by somesimple measures like improving parental education , small family norms, proper spacing of pregnancies,educating mothersabout health care, hygiene measures, feeding habits, immunization and seeking treatment at right time.