ASSESSMENT OF MORBIDITY PROFILE AMONG UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN IN URBAN SLUM AREA OF BERHAMPUR, A SOUTHERN CITY OF ODISHA- A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

BACKGROUND Under-five children constitute the most vulnerable segment of a country and their nutritional status and mortality rate is a sensitive indicator of community health and nutrition. India contributes to 25% of the over 6.9 million under-five deaths occurring worldwide every year. Children in the age group of 0 to 6 years form 2.3% of the slum population of India. The aim of the study was to find out prevalence of undernutrition and to assess morbidity pattern of under-five children and its effect on nutritional status and vice versa.