Description
Background
Geographical relocation from rural areas to urban, exposure to new environmental challenges in slum areas, (i.e., overcrowding, poor quality drinking water and sanitation, no wastage removal), ignorance and lack of hygiene awareness, low health care use and improper food habits put slum children in critical humanitarian need. Children living under such conditions are at especially high risk for health and nutritional problems. Hence, the present study focuses on the anthropometry, nutritional level and morbidity status of children below five years living in slums in Nagpur city.
Methods
A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted (2022) to identify the children (0-59 months) who had been registered in the ‘Anganwadi Program’ in eight slums under the Urban Primary Health Centres of Nagpur Block. Pre-tested structured questionnaires were used to collect data. The total sample considered for analysis was 297 children. Standard anthropometric measurement was followed. Z-score was calculated using WHO Anthro software and was categorized based on conventional indices, including weight-for-age (WAZ), length/height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-length/height (WHZ). Univariate and bivariate statistical analyses were performed.
Results
The mean height, weight and mid-upper arm circumference of boys was 79.8 cm,10 kg cm and 13.4 cm respectively and that in girls was 82.7 cm,10 kg and 14 cm respectively.
About 12% of children were severely underweight. A higher percentage (14%) of boys were severely underweight than girls (11%). There was a direct association between the prevalence of underweight and age of children. About 15% of children were severely stunted, and 22% of were moderately stunted. Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) was observed in 8% of children. Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) was observed in 16% of children. The proportion of wasting was higher in boys (11%) than in girls (6%). The proportion of underweight is higher in boys (40%) than in girls (34%). There is a high proportion of stunting in boys (39%) than in girls (37%).
Nutrients like iron, calcium, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin C and Vitamin D were found to be inadequate in slum children. The average Calorie consumption of 4-6 years of children was 1003.8 kcals, which was 26% less than the recommendation. Consumption of folate, vitamin D and Zinc were found to be inadequate. About 2%, 4.6% , 1.2% and 0.8% of children had fever,ARI,diarrhoea and measles respectively.
Conclusion
Severe malnutrition in slum children is a grievous health concern. Block-level monitoring of MAM and SAM among children below 5 years is an urgent need and evaluation of ongoing nutrition programs, particularly to reduce the gap in the sex-specific prevalence of MAM and SAM in slum children is a prerequisite. Children who are with SAM and currently morbid need to be closely monitored and need timely referral to a health facility. In the absence of exact guidelines for the therapy of chronic malnutrition, training on the identification of any visible symptoms or ailments among children by the health workers and Anganwadi workers in coordination with the Block Medical Officer would be an important step to combat child malnutrition in urban slums.
| Contact Geneva Health Forum | I would like to receive information about the GHF 2024 conference and other GHF activities / Je souhaite recevoir des informations sur la conférence GHF 2024 et d'autres activités du GHF. |
|---|
