Burden of undernutrition among children of 12-59 months living in a slum of Kolkata: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Children living in slums are often deprived of good health. Their predisposition to malnutrition, makes them vulnerable to various infections and deficiency disorders affecting their growth. The objective of the study was to assess the nutritional status of 12-59 months children using Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure, to find out their morbidity profile, dietary diversity scores and to determine factors associated with CIAF.Methods: Study was conducted among 115 children of 12-59 months age, living in Chetla slum, Kolkata, West Bengal from July to October 2019. A pre-designed, pre-tested schedule containing their sociodemographic characteristics, morbidity profile, dietary diversity and anthropometric measurements were used to collect the data. World Health Organization (WHO) Anthro. Ink 11 software was used to calculate the z scores Data was analysed in Microsoft Excel 2016 and Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16.Results: Mean age (SD) of study participants was 30.77 (7) months. 43.5% children had CIAF. Proportion of underweight, stunting, weight for height and mid upper arm circumference wise malnutrition were 16.5%, 27.8%, 14.8% and 43% respectively. Majority, 87.8% had low dietary diversity and 38% had morbidity.Conclusions: The proportion of CIAF was found high in the study. Low birth weight, single living child, absence of exclusive breastfeeding practice and dietary diversity were significantly associated in univariate analysis. CIAF gives a single convenient complete picture for malnutrition compared to other conventional interpretation methods, this it can be included in child health programmes. Enlightening the care givers of under-five by health education and health promotional programmes can prevent malnutrition from occurring.