Comparison of Nutritional Status and Factors of Malnutrition among the Tribal and Non-Tribal Children (1-5 Years) Attending ICDS Centers in a Selected District, West Bengal

Abstract

Malnourishment causes nearly half of the deaths of children under five years globally. The objective of this descriptive study was to identify and compare the nutritional status, the factors of malnutrition and the association between the malnutrition and selected demographic variables among 1-5 years tribal and non-tribal children attending ICDS centers in Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal. The conceptual framework was based on Nola Pender’s Health Promotional Model. 140 participants, each from tribal and non-tribal population were selected by non-probability purposive sampling technique. Semi-structured interview schedules and anthropometric measurements for children were used for data collection. The study findings showed that malnutrition among tribal under five children (21.43%) was higher than non-tribal under five children (17.86%). Factors such as low socio-economic class, poor child feeding practice, disease conditions within last one month and poor environmental sanitation were directly linked with the child’s malnutrition. Statistically significant association was found between nutritional status and age of tribal children (p=0.009), birth weight (p=0.005, p=0.01) and mother’s age (p=0.01, p=0.008). The study concluded that malnutrition was more among tribal children when compared to non-tribal children. The study recommended future researches regarding its generalization, assessment of practices of Anganwadi workers and inclusion of over nutrition.