2005, Volume 11 No. 2

ARTICLE 5

Influence of Nutrition and Environment on Morbidity Profile of Indian Preschool Children

Jyothi Lakshmi A, Khyrunnisa Begum, Saraswathi G & Jamuna Prakash
Department of Studies in Food Science and Nutrition, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore- 570 006, INDIA

ABSTRACT
The investigation was undertaken to study the morbidity profile of preschool children in relation to the child and maternal factors. A total of 205 children between the ages of 1-5 years from rural areas near Mysore city, a district of southern India, were enrolled for the study. A baseline survey was conducted and background information was elicited in a pre-tested questionnaire. Information on the prevalence, incidence and duration of the illnesses were recorded on fortnightly basis for one year. Nutritional status was assessed using standard methodologies. Morbidity profile was associated with various child and maternal factors using appropriate statistical tests. Results revealed that acute respiratory infections, fever and gastro-intestinal disorders were the common infections prevalent. Prevalence, duration and incidence of infections were marginally lower among female children. Duration and incidence of ARI was significantly lower among children of literate mothers. "Age” among the child factors and “literacy status” and “living conditions” among the environmental factors were found to be critical factors that influenced the health status of preschool children.

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