Morbidity profile and nutritional status of street children in Mumbai  A cross sectional study.

Dr. Ashish W. Khobragade; Dr. Dilip D. Kadam

Volume : VI, Issue : VII, July - 2017

Morbidity profile and nutritional status of street children in Mumbai A cross sectional study.

Dr. Ashish W. Khobragade, Dr. Dilip D. Kadam

Abstract :

Background: Poor living condition on the street causes various morbidities in the street children. Substance abuse adds further morbidities and malnourishment in them. This study peeps into the health problems of the street children that come in their way of struggle for the existence. Methodology: 100 street children who attended Deewali Mela were examined to find out the presence of morbid conditions. Their nutritional status was calculated according to Gomez�s classification after recording height and weight. Results: 40% of the street children had infection. 26% were wasted and 93% were stunted. Conclusions: Unhygienic living conditions lead to various infections in street children which make them vulnerable to malnutrition.