A school based comparative study between rural and urban area on the prevalence and determinants of under-nutrition among Pre-Schoolers (3-6 years old)
Author(s): Dr. Isha Sachdeva
Abstract: Under nutrition encompasses stunted growth wasting, and deficiencies of essential micronutrients and it can affect physical and intellectual growth and is also considered as a main cause of child morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of under-nutrition and identify determinants of under-nutrition through various aspects of nutrition, among pre-schoolers between 3-6 years of age in rural and urban area of Modinagar, Ghaziabad. This survey was conducted by house to house visit of Anganwadi based pre-schoolers through purposive sampling in rural area Modinagar and a school survey was conducted to assess the nutritional status of pre-schoolers in urban area of Modinagar, during March 2016 to June 2016. A total of 50 pre-schoolers, aged 3–6 years old, were studied for nutritional assessment in terms of underweight, stunting, and wasting. Also, socio-demographic measures were obtained from structured questionnaire. Backward stepwise logistic regression was used to relate underlying factors to the odds of under-nutrition indices. The rate of underweight in urban area and rural area were 20%, and 80%, respectively. Also, stunting was significantly associated with lower family income. Entire subjects of rural area had lower weight than required. Also lower maternal education influence the nutritional status of pre-schoolers i.e.44% in rural area. Poor water supply was identified as significant risk factors of childhood under-nutrition. Large family size was related to underweight (44% in rural area and only 8% in urban area). The prevalence of under-nutrition in the study population was categorized in high levels in rural areas whereas low levels in urban area. However, planning the public preventive strategies and awareness regarding good nutrition can help to control childhood under-nutrition according to underlying factors of under-nutrition in the study population including gender, area, family size, ethnicity, family income, maternal education, and also safe water supply.
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How to cite this article:
Dr. Isha Sachdeva. A school based comparative study between rural and urban area on the prevalence and determinants of under-nutrition among Pre-Schoolers (3-6 years old). Int J Multidiscip Trends 2024;6(8):36-39.