Dimensions of Nutritional Vulnerability: Assessment of Women and Children in Sahariya Tribal Community of Madhya Pradesh in India.
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Date
2013-10
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Abstract
Background: Tribal communities are “at risk” of undernutrition due to geographical isolation and suboptimal utilization
of health services. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of Sahariya tribes of
Madhya Pradesh (MP), India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in villages inhabited by
Sahariya tribal community (specifi cally women in reproductive age group and children under 5 years) in three districts
of MP. Dietary surveys, anthropometric and biochemical assessments were carried out and descriptive statistics on
the socio-economic and nutritional profi le were reported. Association between household (HH) food security and
nutritional status of children was carried out using the logistic regression. Strength of effects were summarized by
odd’s ratio. Results: Chronic energy defi ciency and anemia was observed in 42.4% and 90.1% of women respectively.
Underweight, stunting and wasting among under fi ve children were 59.1%, 57.3% and 27.7% respectively. Low food
security was found in 90% of HHs and the odds of children being underweight and stunted when belonging to HHs
with low and very low food security was found to be signifi cant (P = 0.01 and 0.04 respectively). Calorie, fat, vitamin A,
ribofl avin, vitamin C and folic acid intake among women was lower than recommended dietary allowance. Infant and
young child feeding practices were suboptimal. Awareness on nutritional disorders and utilization of nutrition and health
services was poor. Conclusion: A high prevalence of undernutrition and dietary defi ciency exists among Sahariyas.
System strengthening, community empowerment and nutrition education may play a pivotal role in addressing this.
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Keywords
Anemia, Nutritional status, Sahariya tribes, Undernutrition in women and children
Citation
Ghosh-Jerath Suparna, Singh Anita, Bhattacharya Aruna, Ray Shomik, Yunus Shariqua, Zodpey Sanjay P. Dimensions of Nutritional Vulnerability: Assessment of Women and Children in Sahariya Tribal Community of Madhya Pradesh in India. Indian Journal of Public Health. 2013 Oct-Dec; 57(4): 260-267.