Dasherkandi project studies--health of the under fifteen.

ABSTRACT

Morbidity pattern of the under fifteen of a rural community was analysed and related to socio-economic factors. This was a part of Dasherkandi project studies carried out in a village near Dhaka city. 48.26% of the population was under the age of fifteen. Infants under the age of one year had low sickness rate which rose steeply between 1 and 4 years of life and then gradually declined after the age of 5 years. Commonest morbidity was worm infestation which was followed by flu and upper respiratory tract infection. The non-agriculturist and the low income group had the highest level of sickness. It is suggested that children in rural areas suffer mainly from diseases which are related to poor nutrition and hygiene resulting from unsatisfactory socio-economic condition. All the childhood mortality occurred under the age of one year and was found to be due to tetanus in this study.