SOCIAL CLASS DIFFERENCES IN DIETARY MANAGEMENT OF INFANTILE DIARRHEA

Abstract

POS7 The present study was conducted to study social class differences in dietary management of infantile diarrhoea and degree of malnutrition in diarrhoeal children. Data was collected from the out patient departments of two hospitals in Karachi representing low and middle class. Mothers visiting hospitals for the treatment of their diarrheal children were interviewed to ascertain the feeding practices they followed for the child suffering from diarrhoea. The child's nutritional status was anthropometrically ascertained by taking Mid Upper Arm circumference and height. Information obtained regarding financial and educational status revealed significant differences in the two groups. As expected low income group had lower family income and the mothers from this group were less educated. Eighty percent of mothers from low income group and 12% from middle income group were illiterate. Mothers from middle class less often restricted the child's feeding or diluted milk during diarrhoea. In both the groups 'Kitchri' (jointly boiled pulses and rice) and banana were the two most commonly foods preferred while meat, egg and chapati were most commonly restricted foods for diarrhoeal children. Nearly all the mothers from both the groups gave ORS to the diarrheal child but mothers from middle income group more often added sugar, milk, juice or glucose to it. Malnutrition was prevalent to a significantly higher degree among the children from low income group. 78% and 40% children from low and middle income group respectively were malnourished. Duration of diarrhoea was also longer among the low income group. The results indicate that social class differences exist in the dietary management of diarrhoea. Concomitant differences in educational status of mothers and nutritional status of child point out that knowledge about the management of diarrhoea is probably one of the factors contributing to better nutritional status and shorter duration of diarrhoea among the children from middle income group.