A cross-sectional study to assess the protein energy malnutrition in children between one to five years of age in a tribal area Parol, Thane district, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Background: Nutrition in children is considered as one of the foundation not only for good health and freedom from disease, but also for normal growth and development. Nutrition has a profound and largely incalculable impact on human health. Preschool children are most vulnerable to the effect of undernutrition because of rapid growth and thus their nutritional status is considered to be sensitive indicator of community health. The objective of the study was to study prevalence of protein energy malnutrition in children between one to five years of age; socioeconomic, demographic, ecological and other health problems associated with protein energy malnutrition; immunization status; to suggest appropriate recommendations based on observation. Methods: The present study was carried out in a tribal area, Parol, Thane district, Maharashtra, India. The study population comprised of children in the age group of 1-5 years. The study was a cross sectional descriptive epidemiological study. Results: In our study maximum number of children 26.83% were in the age group of 2-3 years. 97.33% were Hindus, 45.33% of the mothers were illiterate, 10.67% of the fathers were illiterate, and 51.11% of children belong to nuclear families. 30.22% were given exclusive breastfeeding for 6months.74.67% were completely immunized, 25.33% were partially immunized. There was statistically significant association between Acute Malnutrition and type of family, education of mother, Socioeconomic status, mother’s age at marriage of less than 18 years, immunization status of the child, history of respiratory tract infection in last one month and history of diarrhea in last one month. Conclusions: In our study, the number of male children was slightly higher than the female children. Faulty feeding practices were commonly observed in this area and most of the children‘s diet were not adequate for calories and proteins as per ICMR guidelines. Primary immunization was satisfactory in the study area, no child was unimmunized and around one forth was partially immunized.