National Journal of Community Medicine
Original Article
Year: 2020 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Page No: 122-127
Factors Associated with under nutrition among 6-59 Months Old Children in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Author:
Abu Rehan1, Surekha Kishore2, Mahendra Singh3, Bhavna Jain4, Rukhsar Parveen5
Affiliation:
1Junior Resident, Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS Rishikesh, Rishikesh
2Professor, Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS Rishikesh, Rishikesh
3Assistant Professor, Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS Rishikesh, Rishikesh
4Senior Resident, Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS Rishikesh, Rishikesh
5Medical Officer, CHC Jwalapur, Jwalapur
Abstract:
Context: Under nutrition has long been a major public health concern in developing country like India as a leading cause of child morbidity and mortality. The study was aimed to assess the malnutrition and fac-tors associated with it. The study was conducted to assess under nu-trition in under five children and various associated factors affecting it.
Methodology A community based cross sectional study was conduct-ed among 400 under five children of rural and urban Rishikesh. Multi-stage sampling method was used to select the areas and systematic ran-dom sampling was used to select households. A predesigned, pre tested & semi structured question-naire was used to collect infor-mation on various associated fac-tors and status of under nutrition in study participants. Data was en-tered into excel sheets and analyzed using SPSS utilizing appropriate statistical test.
Results: The prevalence of under-weight was 37.3%, stunting was 43.3% and wasting was 24.5% re-spectively. Socio-demographic fac-tors, child birth weight and birth order, hand washing practice by mother and common morbidity emerged as significant predictors of under nutrition.
Conclusion: The burden of common morbidities and prevalence of mal-nutrition among under-five children in this community is very high. Our policies should aim to improve child health nutrition and growth.
Keywords: Under nutrition, Socioeconomic fac-tors, Diarrhea, ARI
DOI: 10.5455/njcm.20200424065415
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