MORBIDITY PATTERNS IN UNDERFIVE CHILDREN IN AN URBAN LOW SOCIOECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF GUNTUR CITY IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

Background: Retrospective morbidity data helps in prioritizing health conditions according their burden on the child and the family and to plan effective interventions. This study is set to look at the morbidity patterns in in a low area of Guntur city. Methodology: This descriptive study conducted in the service area of the Urban Health Center (UHC) at in Guntur city involved 740 children from 6 randomly selected areas. After taking informed consent, the mothers of the children were subjected to a pretested structured questionnaire on current illnesses, 2 weeks recall of illnesses and illnesses over the last one year. The data is presented in the form of tables and percentages. Significant findings are subjected to tests of significance at 5% Level of Significance. Results: Point prevalence of morbidity was 16.1% among boys and 10.7 % among girls (p value 0.03). Children with morbidity over last two weeks are 12.4% (boys 10.9% & girls 13.9%). Over one year, 52.2% had some illness (Boys 47.2% and Girls 52.8%). The had the maximum illness burden (69.5%) and the infants had the least (31.1%) (p value 0.00000001). Chronic illnesses like asthma, skin conditions etc. were seen in 5% of the children (5.2% male and 4.8% female). 63% of the children were seen in private facilities while 37% were seen in a Govt. health facility. 11.1% of the children were seen only by unqualified practitioners. Discussion: Morbidity in is mainly focused on Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) and which are the common causes of mortality in this age group. Chronic conditions of childhood may persist into adulthood and can influence both health and academic outcomes. Private sector health facilities including unqualified practitioners are sought after more than Government health facilities. Conclusion: There is an essential need to empower primary caregivers of children especially the mother to recognize early signs of childhood illness and seek appropriate care while also facilitating structural and procedural changes in the public healthcare system.