A prospective study of factors affecting Nutritional and Immunisation status of children between 6months to 6 years

Dr Shalaka P Patil

Volume : VII, Issue : IX, September - 2018

A prospective study of factors affecting Nutritional and Immunisation status of children between 6months to 6 years

Dr Shalaka P Patil

Abstract :

Healthy nutrition and appropriate immunisation are two cornerstones of health particularly in initial 5 years of life. Since this is the time an individual is most vulnerable to infections malnutrition andincomplete immunisation would increase morbidity and mortality in this age group. Factors likeeducational status of parents, socioeconomic status, number of children and presence ofmisconceptions about vaccination are the factors having a profound impact on nutritional andimmunisation status of children. We conducted this cross sectional study to find out the nutritionaland immunisation status of children aged between 6 months to 6 years in a metropolitan city.

Materials and Methods:

This was a cross sectional study in which children aged between 6months to 6 years were includedon the basis of a predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Parents or caretakers of children werequestioned on the basis of a standardized questionnaire. Sociodemographic factors were noted and adetailed immunisation and nutritional history was taken. Weight of the children was measured usingan electronic weighing scale. Nutritional status was assessed using National Centre For HealthStatistics charts. Malnutrition was classified as per Indian Academy Of Pediatrics (IAP) guidelines.Variables like type of residence, no of live children, educational status of mother and healthawareness amongst caregiver and impact of these factors on nutritional and immunisation status ofthe children was studied. For statistical purposes P <0.05 was taken as significant.

Results:

Mild to moderate malnutrition and severe malnutrition was present in 34.6% and 11.5% children

residing in slums respectively. Severe malnutrition was seen in 7.7% of children living in chawls.68.5% children of higher order (3rd or more birth order) were found to have mild to moderatemalnutrition. Severe malnutrition was most common in children of uneducated mothers (75%) andincreasing educational levels of mother was associated with decreased incidence of malnutrition inchildren. Out of the studied children 80% were completely immunised and 20% were eithercompletely or partially unimmunized. Out of the unimmunized children 14%, 4% and 2% belongedto children residing in slums, chawls and buildings respectively. 62% of birth order of more than 3were immunised as compared to 82% fully immunised first born children. Mothers� education andhealth awareness was found to be positively correlating with immunisation status of children.

Conclusion:

Complete immunisation and appropriate feeding practices are the most crucial factors responsiblefor the health of children especially in initial years of life. Factors like educational status of mother,health awareness amongst caregivers and small family size are the factors having positive impact immunisation and nutritional status of children aged between 6months to 6 years.