Title: Epidemiological Determinants Affecting Health Status of Slum Children Aged 3-9 years
Authors: Dr Sai Das, Prof (Dr.) Ansuman Panigrahi, Prof (Dr.) R.N Rout
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i2.163
Abstract
Childhood infections like Diarrhoea, ARI, Vitamin A deficiency, illiteracy, poor environmental condition, large family size, poor maternal health, failure of lactation, and other adverse cultural practices are some of the common predisposing factors affecting the health status of children especially in slums and children residing in low socio-economic status. This present study was undertaken to determine various epidemiological determinants affecting health status of children aged 3-9years and also various factors associated with the under nutrition status of children. Sample size was calculated taking the prevalence of under nutrition from previous studies. Multi stage cluster random sampling technique was adopted to select study population from different slums of Bhubaneswar city. Prevalence of under nutrition in this present study was found to be 51%. Prevalence of underweight and stunting was higher among girls then the boys whereas wasting was more prevalent in boys. Almost 26% of mothers had no knowledge regarding factors contributing to poor nutritional status in children. Majority of children in the slums were found to be having poor personal hygiene. This could be due to improper knowledge regarding personal hygiene among parents and care givers. In this current study parents prefer private clinics over government services. Higher proportions of children were having dental caries. Moreover, there are mothers who have no knowledge on exclusive breast feeding. Therefore a multi sectored approach is needed giving attention to improving the awareness about oral and personal hygiene and steps to improve the nutritional status of children.
Keyword: Health status of children, under nutrition, mothers knowledge.
