Prevalence of Malnutrition among Under-5 Children in Urban Slums of Guwahati

Context/Background: The extent of poverty and malnutrition in India has been recounted many times and it presents a very disturbing picture. The slums are homes of thousands of the most impoverished, under previlidged citizens. The indicators of nutrition in under 5 children in the slum settings should depict the true picture of health scenario of the country. Aims/Objectives: This community based study was taken up to assess the prevalence of malnutrition among 0-5 yr old children in urban slums of Guwahati. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in 344 children aged 0-5 years in slums of Guwahati city. Results: The prevalence of malnutriion in the under-5 children was considerably high at 38.66%. Prevalence of underweight was at27.91%, stunting at 31.40% and wasting at 21.22%, while 38.66% had MUAC less than12.5 cm. Conclusions: Association of prevalence of malnutrition with gender was found to be significant.