Impact of intervention on nutritional status of under-fives in tribal blocks of Palghar District in Maharashtra, India.

BACKGROUND

There is a need to improve their nutritional status of under-five children through specific targeted interventions. The present study discusses the impact of intervention on nutritional status among under-five children in Palghar district from Maharashtra.

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to improve the nutritional status of under-five children by implementing multi-component health and nutrition education intervention, focusing on dietary counseling and modification keeping in view the cultural and socio-economic status of population.

METHODS

A prospective pre- and post-intervention study was conducted in two tribal blocks. Total 480 under-five children were included in pre- and post-intervention survey each.

RESULTS

Exclusive breastfeeding rates improved from 48.9% to 50.5% and initiation of complementary feeding at 6 months improved from 48.3% to 72.5% in post intervention survey as compared to preintervention survey. Among other Infant and Young Child Feeding indicators, Minimum Meal Frequency increased significantly to 67.03% from 5.91% and minimum acceptable diet improved from 5.37% to 47.2% in post intervention survey. The prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) reduced from 5.4% to nil whereas severe stunting and underweight significantly decreased by 17% and 8% respectively in post intervention survey. Severe anemia decreased from 16.24% to nil post intervention.

CONCLUSION

The study reveals a substantial improvement in timely initiation of complementary feeds, nil cases of SAM, stunting, and underweight along with severe anemia in postintervention phase. This highlights the impact of multicomponent health and nutrition education interventions which may be adapted at a programmatic level to reduce child mortality and morbidity in India.