Impact of Flood on Children Nutrition

Abstract

Purpose: Particularly with regard to floods, landslides, drought, forest fires, and hot and cold waves of viral infections every year, Nepal is a very disaster-prone nation due to the high summer precipitation rates. More landslides occur in Nepal's river hills and Terai region throughout the summer (June to September) due to the heavy monsoonal rain that falls during this time. In the up-stem region of rivers, flooding is more likely to occur, and the down-stem region of rivers has a dipping issue. Sedimentation harms homes, agriculture, and human life all at once. The research aims to distinguish nutritional difference among under-five children with and without flood through Weight, Height and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) reading. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was carried out in a Nepali region that had just experienced severe flooding. The nutritional status of children in flood-affected and non-flood-affected communities was assessed and compared as ex-post facto research. Used mixed methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) to analyse how floods affect in ECD children. Review of relevant literature on the consequences of a natural disaster (flood) on children who were affected by it. Establish the target population, take ethical issues into account, and ask the mother of the children to provide her informed consent. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect information from respondents. The children's height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference were measured. The information was then analysed using SPSS and Ena (WHO software). Findings/Result: The floods affected children, who measured anthropometry and body mass and prepared results. Review of literature related to flood-affected children and the effects of natural floods (disasters). Define the target population, consider ethical considerations, and obtain informed consent from the children’s mother. The data shows flood-affected children are more malnourished than children in non-flood-affected in the sane social areas. In the Karnali River, unthinkable floods stop human life. During the flooding duration, almost all houses leave their homes for 1 to 4 weeks and stay as refuse in community buildings (community homes, schools, and Godam buildings). According to the Karnali River floods, this condition occurs 1–3 times per year. After every flooding, it takes huge cost for the maintenance of their home, toilet, and handpump to get back to their normal life. Originality/Value: This is the first empirical research in Nepal to compare and analyse the impact of flood on Children's nutrition status to draw the attention of policy maker and different societies working in the area. Paper Type: Review paper