Impact of determinants on nutritional status among children up to five years at tertiary care hospital, HIMS, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition in children occurs as a complex interplay among various factors like maternal health, dietary practices, hand washing and other hygiene practices, low birth weight, episode of diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection within the last 6 months are often associated with undernutrition in most developing nations including India. Objective of the study were to assess the determinants of maternal and child health, hygienic practice, health services for underweight and their association among apparently healthy children. Methods: The present study was hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from June 2019 to December 2019. The sample size calculated was 410, and accounting for 10% nonresponsive, the sample size calculated was 451. The data obtained were compiled and entered in MS-excel 2010 and analysed by using institutional SPSS (22.0). Results: Mother’s age at marriage <18 years belong to 68 (15.1%) children significantly low proportion as compared to marriage >18 years 383 (84.9%) including underweight 41 (22.5%) and mother’s age at child birth <18 years belong to 46 (10.2%) children significantly very low proportion in comparison to child birth >18 years including underweight 30 (16.6%). Birth weight <2.5 kg belongs to significantly 136 (30.1%) children including underweight 72 (39.8%) and significantly birth order >2 belong to 135 (29.9%) children including underweight 39 (21.6%). Exclusive breast feeding belongs to 149 (33.0%) children including underweight 62 (34.2%)Conclusions: Health education and its reinforcement especially in the area of maternal & child health care services is required.