Influence of maternal factors on nutritional status of urban slum children

Dr. Ankit P. Viramgami; Dr. Mayur C. Vala; Dr. Sandeep Sharma

Volume : VII, Issue : VI, June - 2018

Influence of maternal factors on nutritional status of urban slum children

Dr. Ankit P. Viramgami, Dr. Mayur C. Vala, Dr. Sandeep Sharma

Abstract :

Background:

Mother is considered a first teacher of children and factors related to mother greatly influence the growth and development of children. Present study has been carried out to understand the influence of maternal factors on nutritional status of children.

Methodology:

During this cross sectional study, through multi stage sampling method a representative sample of 480 urban slum children were taken from urban slums of Rajkot city. Nutritional statuses of children weredetermined by WHO growth standards.

Results and Conclusion:

From the sampled population, 271(56.5%) children were found underweight. Results have shown that higher proportion of female children and lower socioeconomic class children were malnourished. Maternal factors like antenatal care, literacy status of mother and birth spacing have influence on nutritional status of children whereas working status of mother has no influence on nutritional status of child.Study has found higher proportion of malnutrition among urban slum children.