Morbidity among under five children in a rural area of Jammu

Abstract

Children under five years of age constitute approximately 15% of the country's total population and are the most vulnerable section of the society and suffer from highest morbidity. A Prospective study was conducted to find out the magnitude of morbidity in under five children in rural area and its association with various socio-environmental factors. 206 under-fives (134 Males & 72 Females) were followed monthly for a period of one year. The annual incidence rate of morbidity (Acute spells of illness) was 4.6 episodes /child /year. The leading causes of morbidity in decreasing order of incidence were - acute respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, skin infections and fever. Episodes of illness were observed more during infancy, in females, malnourished and in children living in over-crowded and poorly ventilated houses. An inverse relationship of the morbidity and socio-economic status of the families was also observed. However, no association of morbidity was observed with parental literacy, location of Kitchen, type of excreta disposal and Infant feeding practices.