ABSTRACT
Background: Early childhood nutrition is an important stage in human development characterized by rapid cognitive development. The study aimed to determine the consumption of food patterns and dietary diversity among indigenous children according to socioeconomic status. Subjects/Methods: We used cross-sectional data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015–16). Our study included 13,963 tribal children aged six to twenty-three months. A 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire was used to collect data from the mother on 21 foods, 7 food categories, and an ADDI was calculated. The relationship between household wealth, maternal education, food consumption, and ADDI was studied using multivariate regression models. The study used two models. MODEL 1: Adjusted for sex, birth order, religion, children's age, mother education, house type, and family type. Model 2: only for sex and age. Results: The median (IQR) age of the 13963 children was 14 (10-19) months, with a female/male ratio of 1:1.06. Overall, the mean score for dietary diversity was low (2.47, 95% [CI] 2.44–2.49), and the prevalence of ADDI was only 26.9 percent. In model 1, higher-income households were shown to be as likely to consume dairy products. (aOR 2.20; 95% CI 1.90-2.54) and eggs (aOR 1.28; 95% CI 1.06-1.55) than those from poor households. Higher educated mothers were more likely to consume dairy products (aOR 1.52; 95 percent CI 1.26-1.83), eggs (aOR 1.32; 95 percent CI 1.02-1.69), and other fruits and fresh vegetables (aOR 1.32; 95 percent CI 1.04-1.67) compared to mothers with no education. Conclusion: The diverse dietary consumption of Indian tribal children was inadequate. Efforts should be taken to improve their nutritional status through nutrition education and nutrient sensitive farming, including kitchen gardens.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Childhood blindness is second to cataract in terms of blind person years; population-based prevalence of ocular morbidity among tribal children has not been studied. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of ocular morbidity in tribal children age 15 years or younger in Jawadhi hills, southern India. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four tribal villages where all children below 15 years of age were invited to participate in the study. After appropriate consent/assent, an optometrist assessed uncorrected vision refraction and best-corrected visual acuity using suitable techniques. A comprehensive ophthalmic examination was also done by an ophthalmologist to determine the presence of ocular morbidity. Children requiring cycloplegic refraction or further treatment were referred to the base hospital. Results: Among 260 children examined, the prevalence of ocular morbidity was 10.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.3–13.7]. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) was the foremost morbidity: 4.6% (95% CI 1.6–6.3) followed by refractive error (2.7%). Three (10.7%) children had more than one ocular morbidity. Nearly 1 in 10 tribal children suffer from ocular morbidity and 1 in 57 had low vision. Conclusion: VAD is a public health problem in this tribal region which requires immediate intervention with prophylaxis and treatment. Uncorrected refractive errors in school-age children also need to be attended.
ABSTRACT
Background: The present study aimed to assess the oral health knowledge, attitude and practices of tribal schoolchildren of Gujarat, India. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 693 tribal schoolchildren were surveyed using a self-administered, structured questionnaire. Children were grouped by age into 3 groups - 1 (3-5 years), 2 (6-9 years) and 3 (10-13 years). Analysis of Variance, Karl Pearson’s coefficient of correlation and linear regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between oral health knowledge-attitude (KA) scores and practice (P). Results: KA and P scores were highest for Group 2, followed by Group 3. The differences between scores of Groups 1 and 2, and Groups 1 and 3 were of statistical significance (P < 0.05). Pearson correlations between KA and P scores of study population and each study groups were positive indicating P increased with increase in KA. Linear relationship is seen between KA and P, indicating that oral health knowledge and attitude is a significant variable to predict oral health practices (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The study concluded that there were deficiencies in the tribal children’s knowledge and attitude towards oral health and oral health practices. However, all knowledge was not always converted into practice. [Rajal P NJIRM 2016; 7(5):64-68]
ABSTRACT
Background: Despite rapid economic development along with increase in food production in recent decades and several nutritional intervention programmes in operation since the last three decades, childhood under nutrition remains an important public health problem in India. The burden of under nutrition appears particularly high among rural and Indigenous tribal populations. “Birhor” tribal community of Dharamjaigarh block, Raigarh district has long remained a separate entity in terms of the demographic, health and socioeconomic characteristics. By any standard measurement of social improvement the “Birhor” tribal communities can be registered as one of the most vulnerable section of society. The social and economic backwardness has always been responsible for poor health status, high incidence of low birth weight, infant and child mortality among these groups. In India, many recent studies have been conducted on the nutritional status of preschool children and have revealed a high rate of malnutrition. With the above background, the present study was conducted to assess the nutritional status in tribal children’s in the study area. Methods: The present cross sectional study was carried out in Dharamjaigarh block of Raigarh district. The study was conducted from January 2013 to June 2014. 63 children of 0-3.5 year’s age group from 148 families of 15 villages of Primitive Birhor Tribe were randomly selected where the population of Birhor tribe is more as shown in map. Pretested structured questionnaire was used to gather data from parent/head of family by door to door visit of every household Nutritional assessment was done by clinical examination and anthropometric measurement using standard equipment and procedures. As per Pretested structured proforma general information of every child was noted. Age was confirmed either by calendar of local events or from registers of aganwadi worker and recorded in complete month. Other relevant information was also noted. Results: Out of 63 children studied Over all 16(51.6 %) of female children were malnourished when compare to 10 (31.3%) of male children. Out of total malnourished children 19 (30.2%) found moderately malnourished and 7 (11.1%) severely malnourished. Most of the cases of stunting were >1 year of age 29/38 (76.3%).Most of the cases of stunting were females (60.5%). Most of the wasting cases were above 12 months of age 9(90%), p<0.0001, statistically significant. Most of the wasting cases were females (60%) than males (40%). Conclusions: Present study demonstrates that children in this tribe are at very high risk. Steps are needed to improve the same.