A Profile of Families of Girls Studying in a Government School in Jaipur City

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the profile of girls studying in a government school in Jaipur city. An interview schedule was used to elicit information on the families and the girls. The results revealed that the slum where the girls resided had all the basic amenities. The mean family size was 6.59 ± 1.345 members per family. Most of the families (77.0%) had nuclear family structure. A majority of adults were illiterate. Almost all the children were sent to school. Most of the fathers (37.1%) worked as construction workers. Some worked as tailors, vegetable vendors, drivers of their own auto rickshaws or taxis, hair dressers, mechanics or were engaged in gems work, making of coolers and in such other jobs. In about 54.7% of the families, women contributed to family's income. On physical examination by the doctor, it was found that about 79% of the girls had pale conjunctiva, 35% had pale nails and 4% had koilonychia. Three girls (2.2%) had palpable goitre and 5 girls (4.0%) had visible goitre.