A Rapid Assessment of Malnutrition in School-Going Children (6-13 Years) in a Rural District of Assam

ABSTRACTThe Government of India started a “Call to Action” for improving Maternal and Child Survival and aligning health indicators with the Sustainable Goals. In this endeavour, 189 high-priority districts were identified, of which six were identified in Assam. Ayushman Arogya Mandir or Health Wellness Centres were initiated, and a cadre of Community Health Officers was created to operate them. This study was conducted as a part of Rastriya Bal Suraksha Karyakram. A rapid assessment of socio-demographic profile and malnutrition status was done on 505 school children using a structured questionnaire in six government-aided schools. Malnutrition was found to be higher than the state average. Nutritional status was assessed as normal nutrition (12.9%), moderate nutrition (23.8%) and under-nutrition (63.4%). Drinking water sources were unsafe, like ponds, open wells or hand pumps. Children belonged to low socioeconomic backgrounds. Consumption of low-cost, unhealthy sugary beverages and empty-calorie diets was high in the study population. The incidence of caries in teeth was found. Caries teeth could be possible confounders/effect modifiers of malnutrition. Findings create important hypotheses that can form a basis for further research.