Nutritional Status of Mothers and Children in Pakistan as Compared to Other Neighbouring South Asian Countries

Abstract

Malnutrition of women and children is one of the major problems in Pakistan. The prevalence of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) in children under five year is 51%. It is one of the contributory factors of high infant and child under 5, morbidity and mortality in the country. This problem needs to be addressed properly in Pakistan for which the study should be undertaken urgently. According to state of world children 2000 UNICEF report, Pakistan position has been revealed worst in child under 5, mortality and infant mortality rate as compared to other neighbouring South Asian countries. The mortality rate was 136/1000 live births, in under five children in Pakistan. Similarly the mortality rate was 12 and 87/1000 in Sri Lanka and Maldives respectively during the same period. Infant mortality under one year was also on high side, it was 95 as compared to 38 in China during 1998. As compared to other south Asian countries the position in demographic and socio-economic indicators is hardly satisfactory, inspite of the fact that Pakistan is fully equipped with natural resources. There is need for sincere efforts for the development of socio-economic indicators.