Study of Nutritional profile of children of commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Western India

Dr Neelam D Sukhsohale; Dr Meena Kakeri; Miss Mrunmayee Mangale

Volume : VII, Issue : IX, September - 2018

Study of Nutritional profile of children of commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Western India

Dr Neelam D Sukhsohale, Dr Meena Kakeri, Miss Mrunmayee Mangale

Abstract :

Introduction:Research on the nutritional status of the children of sex workers is extremely limited in India. Hence there is a need to explore and understand the nutritional status of children of othel based sex workers of Pune to design appropriate interventions so as to reduce the morbidity and mortality in them.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition and to assess the socio–demographic factors affecting the malnutrition in children of CSWs in Western India.

Methodology: ACommunity based cross sectional study was conducted among 50 children (of CSWs) aged less than two and half years in the red light area of Pune. Children were subjected to detailed general and systemic examination of children. Moreover, the nutritional assessment was done by anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, Weight for Age, Height for Age, and Weight for Height, Mid Upper Arm Circumference Children were divided into categories of Healthy or No Malnutrition, Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) in �under 5� years age children according to WHO guidelines.

Results & Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition in children of commercial sex workers (CSWs)was found to be quite high (22%) in present study. This could be attributed mainly to their poor socio–economic determinants namely illiteracy, placement of children in othels and low socio economic status.