The Study on “Mother’s Status In The Family And Nutritional Status of Their Under Five Children” In Shimoga District of Karnataka

Abstract

Background: Despite recent achievement in economic progress in India, the fruit of development has failed to secure a better nutritional status among all children of the country. Growing evidence suggest there exists a socioeconomic gradient of childhood malnutrition in India. The present paper analysis aims to relate status of 150 mothers in the family with the nutritional status of their 250 under five children. For assessing mother's status their education and employment levels and role in decision making were ascertained. Role in decision-making included control over daily household expenses, decision regarding use of family planning and seeking permission for visit to parental house or watching a movie. The information was collected by a social scientist by undertaking in depth interview of mothers. For assessing nutritional status of children height and weight measurement were taken using standard techniques and method. Proportions of under weight and stunting were calculated using NCHS standard. Results showed that proportion of both underweight and stunting was more among children of illiterate mothers (55.2% and 55.8 %) while comparing with children of mothers having above primary education (41.0% and 42.9 %), employed mothers (77.4% and 80.6 %) while comparing with children of housewives (46.8% and 47.8 %) and mother who don't have any control over daily family expenditure (54.7% and 50.3%) while comparing with children of mothers who had such control (25.6% and 30.0 %). More than 80 % of families belonged to labour class and the differences persisted irrespective of economic status of families. Thus the study shows that educated mothers and those having control over family expenses take care of children more effectively reflected in better nutritional status of their children, while children of poor employed mothers suffer nutritionally. Hence there is need for some place like crèche to take care of children of poor working mothers during their working hours .