Studies on the nutritional status of children aged 0–5 years in a drought-affected desert area of western Rajasthan, India

[摘要] ObjectiveThe present study was undertaken to assess the impact of drought on the nutritional status of pre-school children aged 0–5 years from a rural population in a desert area facing drought conditions very frequently.DesignThe sampling design for assessment was the three-stage sampling technique.SettingThe study was carried out in 24 villages belonging to six tehsils (sub-units of district) of Jodhpur District, a drought-affected desert district of western Rajasthan, during a drought in 2003.SubjectsA total of 914 children were examined at household level, with nutritional status assessed by anthropometry, dietary intake and clinical signs of nutritional deficiency.ResultsThe results revealed growth retardation. Stunting (malnutrition of long duration) was observed in 53% of children and underweight in 60%. Wasting, an indicator of short-duration malnutrition, was present in 28% of children. The extent of malnutrition was significantly higher in girls than boys (P 

[学科分类] 卫生学

[关键词] Anthropometry;Malnutrition;Anaemia;Dietary intake;Drought