title: Prevalence and pattern of childhood morbidity in a tribal area of Maharastra.
abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated that tribal children suffer from a higher rate of morbidity. Gender discrimination in the form of dietary neglect of the female children has also been noted. The community based cross-sectional study was carried out in tribal PHC Salona of Chikhaldara Block, Amaravati District, Maharashtra to study the prevalence and pattern of morbidities in children. 2603 study children between 0-72 months of age were covered in a house to house survey by the investigator. Parents of eligible children were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire for socio-demographic details, personal habits, past and current medical history. The prevalence of overall morbidities was 34.7% and it was higher in female as compared to male children (34.8% vs. 29.7%; chi2 = 9.3, p <0.005). Among individual morbidities, the prevalence of acute respiratory infections was the highest (25.5%) followed by acute diarrhoeal diseases (5.8%), conjunctivitis (1.5%), and skin infections (1.2%).
authors.affiliation: Preventive and Social Medicine, Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. drvivek_94094@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Dhage
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Zodpey
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Ughade
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Biranjan
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors