Factors Associated with under nutrition among 6-59 Months Old Children in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

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 factors associated with it. The study was conducted to assess under nutrition in under five children and various associated factors affecting it.
 Methodology A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 400 under five children of rural and urban Rishikesh. Multistage sampling method was used to select the areas and systematic random sampling was used to select households. A predesigned, pre tested & semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information on various associated factors and status of under nutrition in study participants. Data was entered into excel sheets and analyzed using SPSS utilizing appropriate statistical test.
 Results: The prevalence of underweight was 37.3%, stunting was 43.3% and wasting was 24.5% respectively. Socio-demographic factors, 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 malnutrition among under-five children in this community is very high. Our policies should aim to improve child health nutrition and growth.

Prevalence of undernutrition and associated risk factors among under five children in rural Haldwani

“…A study conducted by Chawla et al, 21 in Haryana showed that underweight was significantly associated with birth weight, birth order, prelacteal feed, exclusive breastfeeding, and introduction of complementary feeding while stunting and wasting was significantly associated with birth weight, prelacteal feed, exclusive breastfeeding, and introduction of complementary feeding. A study conducted by Rehan et al, 20 in Rishikesh showed that stunting and wasting were not significantly associated with birth order, birth weight, and immunization status.…”

“…A study conducted by Singh et al, 19 in different districts and found that mother's education is significantly associated with underweight and stunting. A study conducted in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand by Rehan et al, 20 observed that stunting and wasting were statistically significant found with literacy status of family and father's occupation while no statistical significance observed with socioeconomic class and type of family.…”