Morbidity profile of under-5 slum dwellers of Amritsar city: A descriptive cross-sectional study

CONTEXT: Children living in slums are deprived from basic necessities. Unhygienic environment and deficient nutrition hinder their growth and make them more prone to infectious diseases. AIMS: To study morbidity profile of under-5 children and determine social epidemiological factors associated with it. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study in urban slums of district Amritsar. METHODS AND MATERIAL: In total, 400 households each from four slums (1600 in total) were randomly selected. One to one interview with mother of each under 5 was conducted and information was recorded on pretested performa. Height and weight with haemoglobin estimation was done for each child. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics (frequencies and proportions) and univariate logistic regression was applied to determine factors associated with under nutrition. RESULTS: Out of 1136 under-5, 50, 45 and 8% were stunted, underweight and wasted. Severe malnutrition was seen among 23%. In total, 79% had anaemia. About 69% suffered from one or more infectious disease in last 3 months. Anaemia, birth order >2, lower socio-economic status and suffering from any infectious disease in last 3 months were associated with malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Severe malnutrition and anaemia was high among under-5 of urban slums and 69% suffered from infectious disease in last 3 months emphasizing on addressal of health needs of under-5 residing in urban slums.