Ajoy Bhusan Nath
BACKGROUND Morbidity rates are higher among the under five children specially in developing countries. Children are the backbone of future generation. The under five year is an important age group as the morbidity profile of this age group will have a far-reaching consequence on the overall development of the country. The Objectives of the study are- (1) to study the morbidity profile of under fives in the urban slums and (2) to assess the various sociodemographic correlates affecting the morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was a community based cross-sectional study conducted in urban slums of Silchar, Assam from March 2018 to August 2018 among 260 under five children. The data collected in a predesigned and pretested schedule by interview method among the care givers especially the mothers of the children by house to house visit. During home visits, socio demographic profile of the family was also taken along with interview of mothers and examination of children. RESULTS In the present study, it was observed that 62.31% children were suffering from one or more morbid conditions. The leading cause of morbidity found were acute respiratory infection (34.57%), pallor (21.60%), malnutrition (20.37%), diarrhoea (12.35%), worm infestation (11.73%) and skin diseases (10.49%). Significant relation of morbidity in the children with caste, family type, parent’s education, type of house, breastfeeding and immunization was seen. CONCLUSION It was revealed from this study that the morbidities among under five children in slum areas of Silchar was much higher. A significant association between the various sociodemographic criteria correlating with morbidity suggests a need to develop strategies for improvement of literacy status of mother, socioeconomic condition of people and adequate knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding and immunization.
