A Study of Morbidity And Nutritional Profile Among Under Five Children in An Urban Slum, Kolkata

Abstract

Child health is prime concern of any country. Under five age morbidity profile has a far reaching consequence on future development of country. Malnutrition is the one of the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children of under five in developing countries The Objectives of the present study were to evaluate the morbidity profile of under-5children in urban slum in Kolkata and to identify the risk factors associated with it. It was a cross-sectional, population based, descriptive study conducted in urban slums of Rajabajar, Kolkata. Total 122 under 5 children of both sex were studied during the 3 month study period (Dec 2013-Feb 2014). Among the 122 under 5 children 54.1% was male sex. Prevalence of under-five morbidity was 52.45% among children aged 1 to 5 yrs of urban slum of Rajabazar, Kolkata. Acute respiratory infection was most common (51.56) followed by loose stool (15.62%).Prevalence of malnutrition was 23.77 %. Children were mostly from lower socioeconomic class (class V)-59%.Immunisation status was up to date among 84.4% children.