A Study to Assess the Health Status of Under Five Years Children in the Tsunami Affected Area of Rural Tamil Nadu

Problem statement : A childhood study in America showed that no less than 57% of the children who died before the age of 5 years were found to have malnutrition. During 1995 (1, 2) more than 28% of the World children under the age of 5 year were under weight for their age. The proportion ranged from 2.9% of children in developed countries to 31% in developing countries. Infectious diseases morbidity and mortality are also high in developing countries resulting in 15% deaths due to diarrhoea, 13% due to acute respiratory infection. Methodology : Community based cross sectional (descriptive) study Results : In the present study total 547 children’s were studied, out of that 56% are males and 44% females; majority of children between the 2-3 years of age. Hindu is the most common religion and (28.7%) females were illiterate. Most of the families (84.10%) were belonging to low socioeconomic group. Most of the children’s (94.20%) were completely immunized; average duration of breast feeding was more than 12 months. Total (29.80%) of children’s were malnourished out of that (12.90%) were had third degree malnutrition. Most common acute infection is observed was respiratory infection (55.20%), followed by diarrhoea (27.40%). Most common micronutrient deficiency was anemia and most common vitamins deficiency was vitamin B-complex (1.80%) followed by vitamin D (1.20%) deficiency. Acute illness (SE =1.31; P<0.001) and malnutrition (SE =2.11; P<0.001) among low socio-economic group is significantly higher than middle and higher socio- economic group. Conclusion : Anemia was more common between the age group 1-5 than 0-1 years and anemia were more common in rural area than urban area. The deficiency of vitamin A, B & D were more common in 1-5 years of age as compared to 0-1 year age group. Malnutrition was higher in rural area and in male children.