Socio-Demographic Factors Affecting the Growth Status of Under-Five Children in Urban Slums of Davangere City: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: 1-5 years old children are most vulnerable and high risk group. According to national family health survey 3 (NFHS-3) 48% of under-five children are chronically malnourished. Nutrition of pre-school children is of paramount importance because it is the foundation for life time health. Objective: To study the associated socio-demographic factors affecting the growth status. Methods: A Cross- sectional Community based descriptive study was conducted involving 530 under-five children in urban slums of Davangere City. Data was collected using a pre-designed & pre-tested questionnaire & anthropometric measurements. Results: The prevalence of underweight (49.3%), stunting (76.8%) and wasting (27.5%) was highest in 12-24 month. The prevalence of underweight is 34.5% in males and 23% in females. Stunting and wasting was seen in 50.3% and 21.4% male children. Conclusions: Socio-demographic factors like age, sex, parent’s literacy status had an impact on better growth status of children. Lower socio-economic condition, higher birth order, lower birth interval were found to have adverse effect on growth status of children.

Keywords

• Under five
• malnutrition
• growth
• anthropometry
• stunting
• wasting