Nutritional status of under five children in urban slums of Bareilly.

Abstract

Background: Various studies from urban slums of India have shown a high burden of malnutrition among the under-five children. Studies regarding factors leading to malnutrition are required to study the problem in depth and formulate better health policies. Objectives: To find out the pattern of malnutrition and identify the different variables which affect the nutritional status among the under five children of urban slums of Bareilly district. Methods: The cross sectional study was carried out in selected urban slums of Bareilly district Uttar Pradesh. Mothers of under five children were interviewed regarding sociodemographic characteristics. Antropometric measurements was done to assess the nutritional status of under five children by structured questionnaire. Results: Out of the 166 under five children surveyed 110 (66.3%) were malnourished. Nearly 32.5% 16.9% 8.4% and 8.4% were suffering from grade I II III and IV malnutrition respectively. Malnutrition increased significantly with the increase in age and was slightly more prevalent among the boys. Malnutrition was slightly higher amongst those having mixed diet belonging to nuclear families living in semipucca houses using water from well and handpump and using public latrines. Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition was high among under five children of the slum areas.