A study pn Prevalence and Determinants of Malnutrition among under Five Children in a Rural Area, Salem District, Tamil Nadu
Author: Sangeetha.S, Priyadarsini.S.P
Category: Clinical Sciences
Abstract:
Background : The Prevalence of malnutrition among under-five children is very high in many of thedeveloping countries of the world. As a step towards reducing the prevalence, there is need to identify the important determinants of under-nutrition and take necessary measures to prevent it.
Objectives:
1. To find out the prevalence of malnutrition among under five children.
2. To identify the socio-demographic and associated risk factors contributing to malnutrition among the under five children.
Materials & Methods: It is a cross-sectional study done among 200 under-five children of
Anganwadicentres nearby VMKV Medical College Hospital, Salem. Mothers of under five children were interviewed regarding socio-demographic characteristics by structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and clinical examination were done to assess the nutritional status of under five children.
Results: The prevalence of malnutrition on clinical examination was 38.5%, where majority of
children had thin, sparse and brown hair. Around 42.5% of the children had mid arm circumference of (<13.5cm). Mother's education and number of siblings in the family had significantly influenced the nutritional status among the surveyed children. Among the associated risk factors - open air defaecation, not trimming nails regularly and not taking bath daily significantly resulted in under- nutrition.
Conclusion: The malnutrition prevalence was high among the study population. Hence efforts like
improving the female literacy, health education on the various risk factors should be made by the policy makers.
Keywords: Malnutrition, Midarm circumference and Anganwadi children.
