INTRODUCTION:

Children are the future citizens, “Health of children is the wealth of the nation”, said by Jawaharlal Nehru, the late prime minister of India. Any country whose children are sick or malnourished that country seems to be under developed. (Banerjee, 2002). Under nutrition jeopardizes children’s survival, health, growth and development, and it slows national progress towards development goals. Undernutrition is often an invisible problem. A child who is in good health will be happy, active, creative, alert and bright. (WHO, 2000).The first five years of life are the most important for growth and development promoting good nutrition and dietary habits is one of the most important components of maintaining child health. (SINGH.M, 2004). Each community is different on child care and nutritional status and the practices vary from community to community. Hence the investigator felt that an assessment of nutritional status of children is important.

Statement of the Problem

A study to assess the prevalence of malnutrition among under five children in Magundachawadi village, Salem.

MATERIAS AND METHODS:

Descriptive design was selected for the study, where cross-sectional survey approach was used to collect the data from under five children. Data were collected by using convenient sampling technique. Semi structured interview schedule and observation check list were used to collect the data. Collected were tabulated and analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Data analysis and interpretation

Highest percentages (51.6%) were males and (48.4 %) were females. Highest percentage (74.6%) children’s were in second birth order and similar percentages (42.3%) were in third birth order. Highest percentage (70.6%) of under five children were in 2 years spacing and (25.6%) were in 3 years spacing between children's. Only (8.3 %) of the under five children’s were in 4 years and above spacing between children's. Highest percentages (65.3%) were from nuclear family and (30%) were from joint family and (4.6 %) were from extended family. Highest percentage of mothers (25%) were educated up to higher secondary education and (22%) of mothers were received high school education. Around 22 % of mothers who had no formal education and (11 %) were graduated mothers.

Percentage wise distribution of under five children according to their malnutrition status based on IAP standard:

Among 46% of malnourished children highest percentages 51% of the children’s were in Grade I Malnutrition. Around 39 % of the under five children’s were belongs to Grade II Malnutrition and 10 % of the under five children’s are belongs to Grade iii Malnutrition, only 54 % were well nourished children’s. (fig.)

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Received on 25.11.2014 Modified on 05.12.2014

Int. J. Adv. Nur. Management 3(1):Jan. - Mar., 2015; Page 54-55

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