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National immunization day to assess nutritional status of underfives in Chandigarh
H M Swami1, J S Thakur, S P Bhatia
1Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Chandigarh.
Insights
National Immunization Days (NIDs) provide a valuable opportunity to assess child nutrition. This study found approximately 42% of under-five children had protein energy malnutrition (PEM), highlighting NIDs
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- National Immunization Days (NIDs) offer a unique platform for public health interventions beyond routine vaccination.
- Assessing child nutritional status during NIDs can provide valuable population-level data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and findings of assessing nutritional status in children under five during National Immunization Days.
- To determine the prevalence and correlates of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in under-five children in Chandigarh.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 7,413 children under five in urban, rural, and slum areas of Chandigarh.
- Nutritional status was assessed using weight-for-age criteria during NIDs.
- Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors associated with PEM prevalence.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) was 42%, with higher rates in females (47.6%), 1-3 year olds (53.8%), slum dwellers (67%), and children of labor class (60.5%).
- PEM prevalence increased with larger family size and decreased with higher parental literacy rates (p < 0.001).
- Findings were comparable to existing community-based surveys in the region.
Conclusions:
- National Immunization Days are an effective strategy for assessing the nutritional status of young children.
- This approach can be utilized for broader child health screening, data collection, and health education initiatives.
Abstract:
National Immunization Days (NIDs) are an additional opportunity to reach a large number of children and can be used to undertake additional activities beside immunization. This study highlights an attempt to assess nutritional status of under five children by using a NID. Seven thousand four hundred and thirteen underfives were selected randomly from urban, rural and slums areas of Chandigarh. Nutritional status was assessed by using weight for age criteria. Prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) was found to be about 42% while 22.7%, 14.5%, 4.1% and 0.7% children had grade I, II, III and IV PEM respectively. The prevalence of PEM was significantly higher among females (47.6%), in 1-3 years age group (53.80%), in slum area (67%) and children of labour class (60.5%) (p < 0.001). With increase in family size, the prevalence of malnutrition also significantly increased, and decreased with high literacy rate in parents (p < 0.001). The prevalence of PEM in present study (42%) was comparable to a community based survey (51.6%) among pre-school children of an ICDS block of Chandigarh. National immunization days can be successfully used to assess nutritional status of children. This approach can be used by others for screening common childhood problems, preparing normogram for a region or country, administering Vitamin A and educating mothers.