Cluster Survey to Study the Prevalence and Socio- Demographic Correlates of Under-Nutrition among Infants in Urban Slums of Amritsar City (Punjab), India

Explosive increase in urban population without the requisite economic and social infrastructure has resulted in the formation of slums putting a great threat to health of slum dwellers. The most vulnerable population in these urban slums are children; especially newborns and infants. Their nutritional status is far from being satisfactory. Hence, the present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of under-nutrition among infants and to explore the impact of socio-demographic on nutritional status of infants in various slum areas of Amritsar city.

A total of 30 clusters of 7 infants each were studied to make a sample of 210 units. Socio-demographic factors were observed with the help of a pre-designed and pretested proforma. Nutritional status of infants was studied by using WHO Child Growth Standards. Regression analysis was applied to evaluate the effect of various socio-demographic factors on their nutritional status.

Out of 210 infants, 49% were suffering from under-nutrition. On bivariate analysis age and sex of infants, nativity, socio-economic status, literacy status of mothers and place of delivery were the statistically significant factors affecting nutritional status of infants. But, multivariate regression analysis showed that infants of more than six months of age, girls and infants who delivered at home were more prone to under-nutrition.

Infants of more than six months of age, girls and infants who delivered at home are more prone to under-nutrition. Hence, mothers should be motivated for institutional deliveries which provides platform for effective health education in relation to health care practices and gender bias.