Epidemiological Study on Malnutrition Among Under-five Children in an Urban Slum of Ludhiana, Punjab, India

Abstract

Under-nutrition remains a major problem in most developing countries, especially in underserved areas such as urban slums. A cross-sectional study was done to know the role of various factors influencing the nutritional status. The study was conducted in the urban slums of Ludhiana, Punjab, on 425 children and the relation of under-nutrition with age, sex and literacy, was studied. Z-Scores were calculated for different indices. Prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 29.4, 49.4 and 62.1% respectively. The under-five children who were severely underweight and severely stunted were 12.2 and 20.5% respectively. The prevalence of severe wasting was 35.7 %. The prevalence of malnutrition was higher in children of illiterate mothers as compared to children of literate mothers. The study demonstrates the risk factors for childhood malnutrition, requiring a multi-pronged and multi-sectoral approach in the fight against childhood malnutrition.

Keywords: Malnutrition, under-five children, slums, mother’s education.