Socio economic conditions, dietary habits, and prevalence of deficiency signs among pre-school children of fishermen of Thrissur district of Kerala

The socio economic status, food habits, child rearing practices and the prevalence of deficiency signs among preschool children, were assessed. The study was conducted in the coastal areas of Thrissur district of kerala. Joint family system was found in 67 per cent of the families. Ninety two per cent of the families were living in their own houses. Environmental hygiene was poor with no proper drainage system around their houses. Majority of families (51%) did not have any savings. Results of the present study also highlighted that majority of the families have considerable amount of loans, which have to be paid from their monthly income. The gender variation observed among the preschool children in the fishing community was not statistically significant. Among the children with clinical symptoms 14 per cent of the children had pigmentation in eye and dry conjunctiva was observed among 2 per cent. Phrynoderma was observed in 7 per cent children, fluorosis manifested as chalky teeth was observed among 5 per cent of children, and among 24 per cent of preschool children, marked dental carries were observed. Among 36 per cent of children slight dental caries were observed.