Domestic environment & morbidity of under five children

Abstract

Under five children are vulnerable to many factors. The most important role is played by harmful domestic environment through which a child has to pass, which may lead to morbidity and mortality. Over 40% of the global burden of disease attributed to environmental risk factors fall on children below 5 years of age, who account for about 10% of the world’s population. 1 These deaths can be prevented. In September 2002, WHO launched the Healthy Environment for Children Initiative. To look into the new area of concern, this cross sectional study was carried out to explore the influence of domestic environment over the illness of under five children. The study areas were selected by the method of two-stage sampling. History of fever, cough or diarrhoea among under five children within last 15 days from the day of the interview was enquired to perform relational analysis with domestic environment. When collection of water within 15 meters of the house was considered, 100% of the Urban slum households reported for fever as compared to only 3.6% in the MIG area. The lack of hygiene was reflected in the form of significantly higher skin disease rate of 15.2 % among Slum children as compared to 3.95% in MIG area.