Morbidity profile of preschool children from below poverty line families of Lucknow district, North India

Background: Diseases like diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, malaria and malnutrition have been found to be the world’s leading cause of morbidity and premature death in children. Appropriate health seeking is important to reduce the complication and death due to these morbidities. The objective of study was to know the prevalence of common morbidities among pre-school children and also determine the mother's health seeking behavior during the course of acute morbidities. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in rural and urban areas of Lucknow district. Total 352 children aged 1-4 years from BPL families were enrolled in this study. Mothers were interviewed on pretested predesigned questionnaire. All the children covered for study were examined clinically for the presence of signs of nutritional deficiency. Anthropometry was performed using standard procedures. Results: ARI (22.7 %) and diarrhoea (22.7%) were the most common cause of infectious morbidity observed. The overall prevalence of malnutrition as indicated by children either underweight wasted or stunted or any combination of the three was 61.9 percent and sign of anaemia was present in 50.9 percent. Out of 217 children with at least one of the acute morbidities, higher proportions (87.6 %) were taken to health facilities. The private sector (38.4%) was preferred source of care followed by unqualified practitioners (34.8%). Conclusion: The burden of common morbidities among preschool children at household level in this community is very high. Maternal education regarding an appropriate health seeking behavior is needed to contribute towards improved health of children.