Household Poverty Does Not Correlate With Micronutrient Malnutrition: Preliminary Findings From A Cross‐sectional Survey in Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Household poverty may be a useful indicator to identify micronutrient deficient populations. We aimed to determine the correlation between household poverty and prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies among children 6‐59 months of age and their mothers. A multistage stratified cross‐sectional survey conducted in Madhya Pradesh, India, was used. Household risk of poverty was assessed using the multidimensional poverty index (MPI), which measures deprivations in health and nutrition, education, and living standards. Hemoglobin <11‐12 g/dl, inflammation corrected serum retinol <0.70 umol/L, and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentration <20 ng/ml, were used to classify anaemia, vitamin A deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency, respectively. Chi‐square test and Spearman's correlation were used to evaluate associations. Micronutrient status of women and children were assessed in 583 households. Of these, 74 (13%) households were MPI‐poor. 471 (81%) children and 521 (89%) mothers were deficient in at least one micronutrient. Among MPI‐poor households, 78% (58/74) of children and 92% (68/74) of women were micronutrient deficient. MPI was not correlated with micronutrient deficiency among children (p=0.57) or mothers (p=0.62). In this study, children aged 6‐59 months and their mothers had a high burden of micronutrient deficiencies, regardless of household poverty. Further research is needed to adapt poverty indices to better identify populations vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies.