ABSTRACT
Health status of children is an important and sensitive indicator of overall health of entire community. Majority of the illnesses in under-five children can be prevented through available measures. Childhood mortality is distributed in an extremely uneven manner, not only between the regions and countries but also within countries. High child mortality in India is due to multiple factors and their interactions. These determinants include social, economic, biological and demographic factors. Globally, the four major causes of mortality in under-five children are pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases, pre-term birth complications, and birth asphyxia.METHODSA cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Urban Training Health Centre of Katihar medical college, Katihar, Bihar, for 2 months from Feb-2018 to April-2018. Selection of children was done by simple random sampling. Three hundred under five children were selected from the field area to identify ten risk factors. A pre-designed, pre-tested study schedule was used to collect data in which both open and close ended questions were included. Privacy and confidentiality were maintained for mothers of under-five children under present study. Anthropometric and clinical examinations of these children were performed to assess the risk factors under study. Shakir’s Tape was used to measure mid-arm circumference and Salter’s scale for weight. All data were collected and analysed using Microsoft Excel and Epi Info software 3.4.3. Results were calculated using percentages.RESULTSIn our present study, thirty percent mothers were illiterate. Most mothers (64%) were housewives. Two-thirds of these children belonged to lower class and 28.6% to upper class families. Nearly 70% children suffered from respiratory infections in the last one year. Acute respiratory tract infections were more common than gastrointestinal infections. Severe malnutrition was observed in 16% children. About 50% children were malnourished.CONCLUSIONSHealth workers, especially in rural areas should be trained properly, so that they can identify risk factors for under-five children. There should be special provisions of health care facilities for under-five children. Necessary information, education and communication campaigns are needed to decrease infant and under-five morbidity and mortality. It is recommended that there is an urgent need and scope for operationalization of ‘at-risk’ under-five children through enhancement of staff competence and providing necessary logistic support