Nutritional status and morbidity pattern of government primary school children in north Kolkata of West Bengal, India

Authors

  • Palash Das Department of Community Medicine, Midnapore Medical College, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal,
  • Mausumi Basu Department of Community Medicine, IPGME&R, Kolkata
  • Gautam Dhar ADME, Swasthya Bhavan, Kolkata, West Bengal
  • Sarmila Mallik Department of Community Medicine Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata,
  • Ranabir Pal Department of Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15255

Keywords:

Morbidity pattern, Nutritional status, Primary school students, North Kolkata

Abstract

The nutritional status of children adversely affects their physical and mental growth. This study examined the nutritional status and morbidity pattern of government primary school children in north Kolkata of West Bengal, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 10 primary schools using interview techniques and anthropometric and clinical examinations. Of the 502 children, 40.2% children showed poor hygiene. The upper class students showed significantly poorer hygiene than that of lower class students. Anemia rate was 22.3% in these children and class II and III students showed significantly more anemia. Dental caries were found among 29.9% children and class II and III students showed significantly higher rate. About 10.4% children were found with enlarged tonsils and class I and III students showed higher prevalence. A major group of children (39.4%) gave the history of worm expulsion and the infestations of worms were observed significantly higher among lower class students. Vitamin B-complex deficit was observed among 20.7% and the deficiency was markedly observed among class II and IV students. Under-weight children were found in one-third of study population. There was no significant difference in nutrition among the participants from the various classes. There was no case of severe under-nutrition or stunting and wasting found in this study population. The findings of various nutritional status and morbidity patterns in this study highlight the needs to undertake various initiatives in relation to health promotion and prevention in primary schools.

South East Asia J Public Health | Jan-June 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 1 | 13-17

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15255

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Published

2013-06-10

How to Cite

Das, P., Basu, M., Dhar, G., Mallik, S., & Pal, R. (2013). Nutritional status and morbidity pattern of government primary school children in north Kolkata of West Bengal, India. South East Asia Journal of Public Health, 2(1), 13–17. https://doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15255

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Original Research

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