Title: RAPID ASSESSMENT OF MALNUTRITION & MORBIDITY PROFILE AMONG UNDER FIVE CHILDREN ATTENDING OPD AT A PRIMARY HEALTH CARE RURAL HOSPITAL, UP
Abstract: Background: Children are the backbone of any country and their health is the prime concern of a country.Children under five years of age constitute approximately 15% of the country's total population and are themost vulnerable section of the society and suffer from highest morbidity. Objectives: To study prevalence ofmalnutrition and morbidity profile in under fives. Methodology: A hospital based cross-sectional study wascarried out to assess prevalence of malnutrition and morbidity profile among under-five in the field practicearea of Rural health training centre (RHTC), Department of Community Medicine, SRMS Institute of MedicalSciences, Bareilly, UP. A total of 516 under five children were screened for nutritional status in a ruralsetting. A rapid assessment of malnutrition was done by utilizing Shakir strip for the measurement of midupper arm circumference (MUAC). Data was collected by predesigned, pre-tested questionnaires from july2013 to September 2013. Children’s detailed history, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and morbidityprofile were recorded. Data analysis was done by using Epi-info software. Results: It was observed thatabout half of children (48.45%) were malnourished having mid upper arm circumference less than 13.5 cm.Prevalence of malnutrition was more among children belonging to lower socio-economic status and femalechildren of rural area. Protein energy malnutrition (48.45 percent), diseases of respiratory system (36.43percent) and infections of parasitic diseases (28.29 percent) were the most common morbidities reported inthe under five age group children. Malnutrition among infant was statistically significant. Conclusion: Thisstudy revealed that a high prevalence of under nutrition exists in rural Indian children.
Publication Year: 2015
Publication Date: 2015-06-28
Language: en
Type: article
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