Abstract :
The children of migrant population like Brick-kiln workers, construction site workers etc receive least attention as regards assessment of their nutritional status and planning and implementing nutritional interventional programmes especially in rural areas. Objectives: 1) To assess the nutritional status by Anthropometric means in 1-5 year old children of Brick-kiln workers at rural areas of taluka Panvel 2) To assess the prevalence of clinical signs of major nutritional deficiencies. Material and methods: A communitybased, cross-sectional study was conducted at Brick-kilns of Targhar and Pargoan villages which are the rural areas in Taluka Panvel during February to April 2014. A total of 161 children of Brick-kiln workers in age group 1-5 years were randomly selected using simple random sampling. Parents were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire regarding the immunization status, milestones, complaints and medical illness. The children were clinically examined for signs of nutritional deficiencies and anthropometrically assessed. The data was compared with WHO/NCHS standards to assess malnutrition in the study group. Statistical analysis was done using Z score, Mean and Percentage using SPSS 17.0. Results: The major nutritional deficiencies found were Pallor (54.80 %), Angular stomatitis (17.78%), Glossitis (14.56 %) and Vitamin A deficiency (8.10 %). The prevalence of malnutrition (below 2SD) in terms of underweight, stunting and wasting was observed in 62.3%, 51.2% and 36.4 % children respectively. Severe degree (below -3SD) of underweight, stunting and wasting was observed in 28.9 %, 25.6 % and 7.1 % children respectively. The immunization status was found poor. Conclusion: The study revealed poor immunization status, malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies in children of Brick kiln workers. There is an urgent need for strengthening the health and nutritional interventional programmes for children of migratory population.
Keyword :
Brick-kiln workers, Anthropometric assessment, Malnutrition, Rural areas.