PREVALENCE OF UNDER-NUTRITION AND ANEMIA AMONG UNDER FIVE RURAL CHILDREN OF SOUTH KARNATAKA, INDIA

Abstract

Infant and under five mortality rates are reliable indicators of health status of the children of any country. Despite accelerated growth, the prevalence of hunger, poor health status, under nutrition and mortality in rural part of the country are still persisting in India. While under nutrition among children is pervasive; child mortality is rather high in rural parts of India. The current study conducted in two remote villages of Hassan and Kodagu districts of South Karnataka-India. Study conducted on ( Boys 160, Girls 140) preschool children, selected through stratified sampling design technique. Through this study stunting in 75.0 %, wasting in 81.7% and underweight in 87.6% of both Boys and Girls of pre-school children were found. In case of Anemia, 48% of Girls and 56% of Boys were severely affected; while 47 % of Girls and 41% of the Boys were modestly affected and 10% of the Boys and 28% Girls observed mildly affected. It is also found that clinical sign of Anemia among 62% of the studied children. Next, 21% children found Vitamin A deficiency and 22% children found vitamin B complex deficiency. The Study also found that only 67% children put on breastfeeding within Three hours after the birth in the studied village. It is also noted that income poverty, bad personal habits, changing health seeking behavior, cultural practices regarding delivery, child rearing and breastfeeding also plays a vital role in case of mortality problem where Government and NGO (Non- Gov. Organizations) should focus on these issues immediately.

Keywords

Mortality - Nutrition - Health - Rural - Children

Publication History

Article published online:
26 April 2020

• References

• 1 Martorell R. “The Nature of Child Malnutrition and its Long-Term Implications. Food and Nutrition Bulletin 1999:288-292.
• 2 Kishor, Sunita. Gender differentials in child mortality: A review of the evidence. In Monica Das Gupta, Lincoln Chen, and T. N. Krishnan, eds. Women's health in India: Risk and vulnerability. Bombay: Oxford University Press 1985;45:34-39.
• 3 Alderman, H., J. Hoddinott, and B. Kinsey. 2003. Long-Term Consequences of Early Childhood Malnutrition." Food Consumption and Nutrition Division Discussion Paper 168, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC.
• 4 Frongillo EA, de Onis M, Hanson KMP., 1997, Socioeconomic and demographic factors are associated with worldwide patterns of stunting and wasting. Journal of Nutrition 127:230:203-209.
• 5 Jain A.K, Visaria P. Infant mortality in India: an Overview. In: Jain AK, Visaria P, eds. Infant mortality in India: differentials and determinants. New Delhi, Sage Publications, 1988
• 6 Alderman, H., H. Hoogeveen, and C. Rossi. 2005. Reducing Child Malnutrition in Tanzania—Combined Effects of Income Growth and Program Interventions. Policy Research Working Paper 3567, World Bank, Washington, DC.
• 7 Bhatia B.D. A study of prenatal mortality rate from rural based medical college hospital. Indian Journal of Pediatrics 1984; 409: 165–171.
• 8 Measham A. The performance of India and Indian states in reducing infant mortality and fertility, 1975–1990. Economic and Political Weekly, 1999; 22; 1359–1367.
• 9 Smith L.C. and Haddad L.,.Overcoming Child Malnutrition in Developing Countries: PastAchievements and Future Choices, Food, Agriculture and the Environment discussion paper 30, 2000, IFPRI, Washington D.C.
• 10 Tilak J.B.G. Socioeconomic correlates of infant mortality in India. Washington, DC, The World Bank (Population, Health and Nutrition Division, Population and Human Resources Department)., 1991