Maternal Socioeconomic Conditions and Health of the Children of Lingmoo Village, South Sikkim

Abstract

Background: The health of children is reflective of the overall health of the nation. Health in early life may have substantial effects on health and wellbeing throughout the entire life course. Health of the children depends on several factors like mother`s health and behaviour, numbers of children in the household, place of birth and socio economic characteristics. Objective: The present study was conducted to observe the health of children and its association with mothers’ socio-economic conditions. Methods: Data on health of the children was collected from 251 married Nepali women aged between 18 to 60 years from Lingmoo village of South Sikkim. Data on overall health of the children, health check up, vaccination, polio drop, infant mortality and overall health care was collected from each mother through interview. Results: The higher frequencies of children are provided with polio drops (88.4%) and immunization (91.2%). The frequency of infant mortality was higher among women who belong to middle income group (3.7%). The overall good health of the children was higher among children belongs to higher income group (89.4%), mothers who attained higher secondary education (85.2%) and government employees (100.0%). Conclusions: Socioeconomic conditions of the mothers show positive association with overall health of the children. Better socioeconomic status mothers can relatively afford and provide better nutrition, medical facility as well as more awareness for health and hygiene.

Keywords

• children
• health
• vaccination