study of ecological factors affecting physical growth among urban and rural preschool children in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed at delineating the differences in the ecological factors that may predispose to malnutrition in urban and rural areas. This study was a cross-sectional study which was carried out in 3 day care centers in Alexandria showing 3 different socioeconomic standards and in Abbis 2 Health Centre after calling the children from their houses according to a statistical design. A group of 300 children aged 1-6 years were examined, 153 children from urban day care centers in Alexandria and 147 children from Abbis [2] village. The following results were observed * High illiteracy rates among fathers and mothers in the rural area. * Among the urban group, 71.9% have pure water supply, compared only to 55.8% among the rural group. * Among the urban group, 100% have latrines and handwash basins compared to 78.9% in rural area. * Malnutrition started in the youngest age group [1-, 2- years] and decreased as the child gets older. * Urban group has higher rates of immunization than rural group. * PCM was more prevalent among rural group than urban group. * Improvement of socioeconomic level decreases cases of PCM in both groups. * The urban group has a lower rate of affection by nutritional deficiency diseases than rural group. Gastroenteritis and ear discharge were only found among the rural group during clinical examination. Mucopurulent conjunctivitis and skin infection highly affected the rural group. * Feeding practices were not favourable for good nutrition more in rural group than urban group