Abstract

PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG URBAN AND RURAL POPULATION OF MEERUT (U.P.)

Praveen Kumar*

Abstract

Malnutrition is a heterogeneous group of disorders with wide spectrum of manifestation resulting from deficiency of both proteins and calories in varying amounts. The two extreme forms of malnutrition, kwashiorkor and marasmus occur at either end of the spectrum and in between them varying degrees of signs, each are found mixed together. Present study refers to urban and rural integrated health in Meerut region, Uttar Pradesh. The aim of this study was to find out association, if any between social factors viz; age, sex, rural or urban area, marital status, income and education with reference to malnutrition A stool examination was performed on 128, randomly selected persons from urban and rural populations of Meerut District. The present study was carried out from 2006 to 2009 in the department of zoology, Meerut College, Meerut. The collected stool specimens were examined microscopically using simple smear in saline method and blood samples were also collected for biochemical and hematological examination from the urban and rural population of Meerut District. Student‟s „t‟ test for unpaired samples was used to analyze the data for statistical significance performed to the test for an association between all possible pairs of malnutrition and between the genders of each age group. The values express as mean ± SE (n = 5) and Hb, RBC, PCV, MCV DLC (Lymphocytes and Eosinophil) values were significantly different from control. The present study would be helpful to understanding of relationship between these factors helping in planning and execution of an effective strategy directed to eliminate the diseases in highly endemic area.

Keywords: Malnutrition, Nutritional Status, Prevalence, Poverty, Epidemiology.