PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION, ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS AND DIARRHOEA IN CHILDREN AGED 1-5 YEARS

Abstract

Background: Under-nutrition is a wide spread form of malnutrition in developing countries and is the major factor in childhood mortality and morbidity.

Methods: Study setting and participants a cross-sectional study was conducted in children aged 12-60 months who were residing in the area for past six months were included in the study. For documenting the health care seeking behaviour, family members (preferably the mother/father of the child) were interviewed.

Results: Based on WHO 2006 growth standards, the prevalence of “any” under nutrition (weight for age ?2 SD) was 10.0%. The overall prevalence of stunting (height for age ?2 SD) was 24% and wasting (weight for height ?2 SD) was 12.0%. Prevalence of “severe” under nutrition (weight for age Z score ?3 SD) was 4%. Severe wasting (weight for height Z score ?3 SD) was found to be in 6% of children and severe stunting (height for age Z score ?3 SD) was found in 14% of children. Out of the total 500 children studied, nearly 60% of them were reported to have at least one episode of ARI in the last three months prior to the interview.

Conclusion: Considerable burden of severe malnutrition, ARI and diarrhoea exists in children and programs focussing on poverty reduction, environmental hygiene and sanitation could improve the situation. Health seeking behaviour for ARI and diarrhoea was good in this urban population.

Keywords: Under-five, Malnutrition, Acute respiratory infection, Diarrhoea