A prospective study to determine social demographic pattern in severe acute malnutrition in 6 months to 5 years aged children

Abstract

Background: Burden of malnutrition is much higher in South Asia as compared to that in Africa and rest of the World. South Asia contributes to about 60% of the cases. Education of women has been seen to be the most effective in improving child's health. Present study is done to evaluate social demographic pattern in cases of severe acute malnutrition. Methods: Present study is prospective observational comparative study conducted at Department of Pediatrics included 175 cases after taking a informed written consent from the parent. Out of which 22 were lost to follow up and remaining 153 cases were analysed and further evaluated in the study Results: Cases who were from 6 month to 24 months of age were 73.2% (n=112) and rest of them were above 24 months of age. Girls were 53.6 % and 46.4% were boys. Percentage of illiterate mother was 41.2%, till primary were 28.8% and Only 10.4% of mothers were graduate. Nearly 50% of the households had per capita income less than or equal to 1000. Conclusions: SAM was more common in children < 24 months of age, boys and girls were almost equally affected. Maternal literacy and low per capita income was an important factor associated with SAM patients.