A study on nutritional status of preschool children and knowledge with special references to breastfeeding practice in urban area

Background: The nutritional status of preschool children is a critical indicator of their overall health and development. Breastfeeding provides best start of life to babies as well as improves the health of mothers and babies. Objectives were to assess the nutritional status of preschool children and to Investigate the impact of breastfeeding practices on children’s nutritional outcomes and breastfeeding practices of their mothers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban slum area and involved a sample of preschool children aged 3 to 6 years. Complete enumeration of children of 3-6 years age group was done. Nutritional status was assessed through anthropometric measurements, including height, weight and mid upper arm circumference. Data on breastfeeding practices were collected through structured interviews. Data was analysed using MS excel and chi-square statistical tests was applied. Results: There were 334 study participants of which 7.5% had stunting and 62.87% were underweight. It was found that 18.56% had history of low birth weight. 90.12% were exclusively breastfed and breastfeeding was continued up to 2 years for 28.14% and more than 2 years for 71.86% children. It was also found that history of low birth weight of children is significantly associated with malnourishment (p?0.05). Conclusions: The study revealed that a substantial proportion of preschool children in the urban area were experiencing malnutrition. The breastfeeding practices were fair among the mothers of the children. Targeted education and awareness programs to enhance the nutrition can improve the overall health of preschool children in the urban setting.

Oral health problems among school children in rural area: a cross-sectional study

Background: Students are the wealth of the nation as they constitute one of the important segments of the population. The foundation of good health and sound mind is laid during the school age period. During this period, they are vulnerable to various oral health problems. These conditions are the hurdles in their physical, mental, emotional, and social development. In view of this, a study was conducted to assess the oral health status of the school students in rural areas. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted in rural area among school children in the month of March 2023. Standard proforma was used to record the data related to oral morbidity among the subjects. Data entry and statistical analysis was done with the help of Microsoft Excel. ?2 and SE (p1-p2) tests were used to compare difference in categorical variables. The statistical level of significance was fixed at p<0.05. Results: 432 students were examined. 226 (52.31%) subjects were having oral morbidity. 151 (66.81%) subjects in the age group of 5-10 years while 75 (33.19%) in the age group of >10-16 years were having oral health problems (p<0.05). 155 (59.73%) students from primary section and 71 (40.27%) students from secondary section were suffering from oral morbidity (p<0.05). Dental caries was observed among 194 (44.91%) subjects followed by mouth ulcers (09.72%). 143 (53.36%) underweight subjects were suffering from dental caries (p<0.05). Conclusions: Common oral health problems found in school going children can be addressed with the implementation of school health program in effective way. These common infirmities can be prevented by actively involving parents and teachers in school health services.

Socio-demography, nutritional status, age-appropriate immunization coverage and morbidity among under-five children in rural Maharashtra

Background: Morbidities among under-five children in rural areas is a major public health problem. This study was conducted to assess the nutritional status, age-appropriate immunization coverage, personal hygiene and morbidity pattern among under-5 children and their socio-demographic determinates in rural slum dwellings. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in rural area of Maharashtra using purposive sampling technique. The survey was done by using predesigned and pretested proforma along with recording of socio-demographic factors, anthropometric measurements, immunization status and clinical examination of the study subjects. Results: The study included 86 under-5 children from a rural slum dwelling. 16 (18.60%) subjects were underweighted, 35 (40.70%) were stunted and 14 (16.28%) were wasted. 04 (04.65%) and 02 (02.33%) subjects were MAM and SAM respectively. 35 (40.70%) subjects were morbid. 20 (23.26%) subjects were suffering from louse infestation of which 07 (14.58%) were boys and 13 (34.21%) were girls (p<0.05). 17 (19.77%) subjects were suffering from dental caries. 12 (13.95%) subjects were suffering from skin diseases. 23 (26.74%) subjects were suffering from oral health problems. All subjects’ personal hygiene was poor. 72 (83.72%) subjects were age-appropriate fully immunized. The association between monthly family income and presence of stunting among the subjects is statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: Underweight, stunting, wasting, MAM, SAM, louse infestation, skin diseases, dental caries, oral health problems and poor immunization coverage are found to be major health problems among the under-five children in rural areas. Poor personal hygiene of under-5 children is also a major issue. Capacity building of parents for early health seeking and strengthening of primary health care services is essential to act timely in managing these morbidities.