Nutritional
Status of Tribal and Non Tribal Children of a Slum in Jagdalpur
(Bastar), India
Tiwari
S.1, Shrivastava, P.K.1, Sinha, T.1, Rathi H.B.1,
Khan Q.H.1, Bansal, A.K.1, Baghel B.2 and Sahu A.2,
Dept. of Community Medicine1,
Paediatrics2, Govt. Medical College, Jagdalpur,
Bastar-494001 (INDIA).
ABSTRACT:
Research Question: The menace of ignoring girls, peculiar in
north and north–west regions, has now extended to entire country.
Material Methods: One hundred eleven children (Tribal 46 and
Non Tribal 65) of both sexes belongs to zero to six years of age of a slum in Jagdalpur (BASTAR) tribal heart land of India were included
in the study. Their weight for age was considered as an independent criterion
for judging the status of girl child in comparisons to their male counter
parts.
Statistical Analysis: was expressed in terms of simple
proportion and Chi – square test.
Findings on comparison of age for weight in both tribal
and non tribal community, an insignificant difference were noted for all age
group of children.
Interpretation: This all indicate that community had been
uncaring towards girl child.
Recommendations: (i) A new curriculum with objective of “mindset about
gender perspectives must be changed” will have to be evolved for the
school-going children. (ii)
Fees-free girl education (have knowledge be prosperous) i.e. voluntary payment
of fee from primary to the highest degree level including technical education
and be mandatory up to 14 years of age, without discrimination on account of
caste, Religion, economic and social status etc. With special provision to the
families comes under poverty line, for compensation as incentive for wages, the
girl suppose to earn during her study period, must be made an integral and
permanent part of all policies either proposed or going to be proposed for the
progress and empowerment of the girls, (no amount is high enough to achieve the
noble task of the progress and empowerment of the girls). (iii) As per trusteeship principle of the father of the nation
“Mahatma Gandhi” the affluent class of the
society, voluntary come forward to bear these expenses for this noble task.
KEYWORDS: Affluent class, noble task, mindset fees-free
education, trusteeship principle.
INTRODUCTION:
A child growing up today can aspire to be an astronaut
sending rockets in to space, a cricket batting legend, a governments minister,
a Bollywood Hollywood film star or a teacher set to
inspire a new generation of children. Indian is a party to the United Nations
declarations of the rights of the child which gives all children, without any
exception, the right to enjoy special protection, opportunities and facilities
to enable them to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and
socially, in health and normal manner in conditions of freedom and dignify.
Keeping in view the United Nations declaration and constitution of India, the
Government of India adopted a National policy of the children which declares
that children are “supremely important asset” of the Nation, whose nurture is
therefore a National responsibility.
It affirms that it shall be the duty of the state to
provide adequate services to children both before and after birth and through
the period of growth to ensure their full physical, mental and social
development for correct perspective in health planning.
Eliminating malnutrition should be our top priority as
it directly contributes to child mortality, school dropout rates, gender
equality and poverty reduction. Children who are chronically under nourished
before their second birthday are likely to have diminished cognitive and
physical development for the rest of their lives. As adults, they are less
productive and even less then their health peers and the cycle of under
nutrition and poverty repeats itself generation after generation Bansal A.K. et. al. (1).
Provisional data revealed by the census office for 2011
shows that proportion of 0-6 age group children to total population is 13% (2).
In 1957 World Health Organization (WHO) study group emphasized that in order to
give a comprehensive picture of health status of a community, vital statistics
may not be adequate and more health surveys are required, Garg
Narendra K. (3). This survey is in accordance of the
above WHO recommendation.
MATERIAL
AND METHODS:
One hundred eleven children (Tribal 46 and Non Tribal
65) of both sexes belongs to zero to six years of age of a slum in Jagdalpur (BASTAR) tribal heart land of India were included
in the study .Their weight for age was considered as an independent criterion
for judging the status of girl child in comparison to their male counter parts
The study was conducted between 18th November 2010 and 11th December,
2010.
Weight for Age: For this all the sampled children have
been weighed and graded as suggested by Stuart and Stevenson (5) for
nutritional grading.
FINDINGS:
On analysis of the collected data, it has been revealed
that in both tribal and non tribal, irrespective of sex of children up to 6
months of age all belongs to normal nutrition status category except 2.17% and
1.54% female tribal and non tribal children respectively (Table - I), it shows
that exclusive breast feeding are going on in the community. Table further
reveals that among tribals less percentage of male
child were found under nourished in comparison to their female counter parts in
the age group of 6 to 12 months of age, more or less similar situation prevail
in almost all age group of children, though on statistical analysis the
difference is found insignificant. As far as non tribals
were concerned more or less similar findings were noted and on statistical
analysis it was no significant. (Table
–II), reveals that in both the community more than 50% of children were of
normal grade. Regarding undernourished children, among tribals,
severely undernourished (grade III and grade IV) were more than nontribal.
Similarly the proportion of Grade I and grade II children in both the community
were more or less similar and on statistical analysis found insignificant (X2 =
0.829118).
On comparison of nutritional status of children (Table
III) it was noted that proportion of tribal were higher in comparison to their
female counter parts while in non tribes this proportion in favor of females.
And on statistical comparison was found no significant in both the group
(Tribal – X2 = 1.246212 and non tribes X2 = 0.188338).
INTERPRETATIONS:
Bansal, A.K. et. al. (6) found that low percentage of tribal
children belongs to normal grade in comparison to non tribes, as far as
severely undernourished were concerned higher proportion of tribal children
than non tribal, similarly. Verma, D. R. et. al. (4)
also noticed similar trends. Regarding severely malnourished higher percentage
of tribal children belongs to this category than non tribals.
In both the cases on statistical analysis the difference found no significant.
These findings were more or less in accordance of the findings of the present
study.
Gupta S.C. (8) in the city of Ludhiana (Punjab)
observed higher percentage of female children suffered from the protein calorie
malnutrition in comparison to male children. Likewise in the studies of Bombay
and Calcutta region about nutritional status of infants also noted the relative
neglect of female child (Women in India – Surviving against odds.) (9).
These findings are in accordance with the findings of
the present study which indicates that there is discrimination against female child
among non tribes not only in slums but also in the metropolitan cities of
Bombay, Calcutta and Ludhiana.
Similar views were also observed by Bansal
A.K. et. al.(6) that tribals are better human beings
in their treatment toward girls child in comparison to non tribals.
Similarly Bansal A.K. et. al. (7 and 10) and Bansal A.K. et. al. (11) also noted that if opportunities
are provided tribals are not only at par but even
proved their superiority over non tribals in almost
each and every sphere of life right from learning as an Anganwadi
workers to the perception of services provided under I. C. D. S. project.
India’s north-east seems to have a must healthier attitude towards girl
children than the rest of the country: Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh
have the highest child sex ration among the states; Chhattisgarh and Kerala
follow a litter further behind (13). Provisional data released by the census
office for 2011 show that child sex rations (0-6 years) has further declined in
comparison to 2001.
Table – I: Nutritional Status of Children as per age.
|
Age/Sex |
Tribal n=46 |
Non Tribal n=65 |
|||||||||
|
Age (in months) |
Sex |
Children |
Normal |
Under
Nourished |
Children |
Normal |
Under
Nourished |
||||
|
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
||||
|
0-6 |
Male |
1 |
1 |
(2.17) |
0 |
(00.0) |
4 |
4 |
(6.15) |
0 |
(00.0) |
|
Female |
2 |
1 |
(2.17) |
1 |
(2.17) |
6 |
5 |
(7.69) |
1 |
(1.54) |
|
|
6-12 |
Male |
4 |
2 |
(4.35) |
2 |
(4.35) |
2 |
1 |
(1.54) |
1 |
(1.54) |
|
Female |
2 |
0 |
(00.0) |
2 |
(4.35) |
3 |
2 |
(3.08) |
1 |
(1.54) |
|
|
12-24 |
Male |
4 |
2 |
(4.35) |
2 |
(4.35) |
4 |
2 |
(3.08) |
2 |
(3.08) |
|
Female |
2 |
1 |
(2.17) |
1 |
(2.17) |
5 |
3 |
(4.62) |
2 |
(3.08) |
|
|
24-36 |
Male |
1 |
0 |
(00.0) |
1 |
(2.17) |
2 |
1 |
(1.54) |
1 |
(1.54) |
|
Female |
4 |
1 |
(2.17) |
3 |
(6.52) |
6 |
3 |
(4.62) |
3 |
(4.62) |
|
|
36-48 |
Male |
6 |
5 |
(10.9) |
1 |
(2.17) |
7 |
3 |
(4.62) |
4 |
(6.15) |
|
Female |
3 |
2 |
(4.35) |
1 |
(2.17) |
8 |
4 |
(6.15) |
4 |
(6.15) |
|
|
48-60 |
Male |
6 |
4 |
(8.7) |
2 |
(4.35) |
7 |
4 |
(6.15) |
3 |
(4.62) |
|
Female |
3 |
2 |
(4.35) |
1 |
(2.17) |
2 |
2 |
(3.08) |
0 |
(00.0) |
|
|
60-72 |
Male |
3 |
2 |
(4.35) |
1 |
(2.17) |
3 |
2 |
(3.08) |
1 |
(1.54) |
|
Female |
5 |
3 |
(6.52) |
2 |
(4.35) |
6 |
4 |
(6.15) |
2 |
(3.08) |
|
|
Total |
Male |
25 |
16 |
(34.8) |
9 |
(19.6) |
29 |
17 |
(26.2) |
12 |
(18.5) |
|
Female |
21 |
10 |
(21.7) |
11 |
(23.9) |
36 |
23 |
(35.4) |
13 |
(20.0) |
|
|
Total |
46 |
26 |
(56.5) |
20 |
(43.5) |
65 |
40 |
(61.5) |
25 |
38.5) |
|
Table – II: Status of Children as per Nutritional Grade
|
Grade |
Tribal n=46 |
Non Tribal n=65 |
Total |
|||
|
No. |
% |
No. |
% |
No. |
% |
|
|
Normal Grade
Under Nourished |
26 |
(56.5) |
38 |
(58.5) |
64 |
(57.7) |
|
Grade-I |
8 |
(17.4) |
16 |
(24.6) |
24 |
(21.6) |
|
Grade-II |
7 |
(15.2) |
7 |
(10.8) |
14 |
(12.6) |
|
Grade-III |
4 |
(08.7) |
3 |
(04.62) |
7 |
(06.31) |
|
Grade-IV |
1 |
(02.8) |
1 |
(01.54) |
2 |
(01.8) |
|
Total |
46 |
(100.0) |
65 |
(100.0) |
111 |
(100.0) |
Table – III: Nutritional
Status of Children as per Sex
|
Status |
Tribal |
Non Tribal |
||||||
|
Male n=25 |
Female n=21 |
Male n=29 |
Female n=36 |
|||||
|
Normal |
16 |
(64.0) |
10 |
(47.62) |
17 |
(58.62) |
23 |
(63.89) |
|
Under Nourished |
09 |
(36.0) |
11 |
(52.38) |
12 |
(41.38) |
13 |
(36.11) |
|
Total |
25 |
(100.0) |
21 |
(100.0) |
29 |
(100.0) |
36 |
(100.0) |
Higher female literacy has no bar to poor sex ratio.
From the above observation and discussion the authors reached to the conclusion
that there is no discrimination among the tribals in
bringing up the children on account of sex as practiced amongst the so called
highly civilized /westernized (white colored) non tribals
belong to urban /rural areas across the country. These findings are in
accordance of the findings of the provisional figures for the 2011 census sounding an alarm over the falling child sex
ratio; it’s a good time to look at who really is responsible for this. Who is
committing female feticide and infanticide? Available figures show that it is
not the poorest and least literate people and communities who are responsible;
to the contrary, the reverse is true. Prosperity doesn’t translate in to good
fortune for girl child (13). Bansal A.K. (12) found
that physical, mental and social health of tribal elderly were noted better
than their counterparts non tribal elderly because of an emotional security
still preserved among the tribals. On further
interrogation it has been unearthed that all credit goes to the deep rooted,
rich cultural practices among tribes, where there is no discrimination on
account of age, sex etc. Singh, K. et. al. (14) in a study in Chandigarh of 0-5
years children, observed that nutritional status of boys was better than that
of girls, again thus is in conformity of the findings of the present study.
In spite of various laws have been enacted from time to
time such as pre natal diagnostic techniques act / child marriage restraint
(Amendment) act or various schemes of incentives as announced on various
occasions for new borne girl child, amniocentesis was gradually misused to do
away the female fetus. This all indicate that society had been uncaring to
them.
In a democratic set up like ours people have right to
make their own choices. By simply inacting laws
/making provisions of various incentives, the problem of plight of girl child
is not going to be solved. The solution lies in prevailing /unearthing /analyzing
the factors why the community is uncaring to them or in other words, we can
say. What people know? What people think? and What people do? Then only people
can be helped to make right decisions by providing experiences to develop
understanding and insight which facilitate the community action.
The above observations and discussions also indicate
that even the present education almost have not succeeded in bringing about
positive change in the attitude of community towards the girl child /new
curriculum with objective of “mind set about gender perspective must be changed
“ will have to be evolved for the school going children. As they are the future
parents and in those formative years children are quick to intimate what they
have been taught and to absorb new ideas and values and take them to their
homes and disseminate to their near and dear and also make part of their own
way of life and thus it passes from generation to generation. Beside this ,fees
free girl education (have knowledge ,be prosperous) i.e. voluntary payment of
fee from primary to the highest degree level including technical education
without discrimination on account of caste, religion, economic and social
status, etc. with special provision to the families for compensation as
incentives for wages, the girl suppose to earn during her study period, must be
made an integral and permanent part of all policies either proposed or going to
be proposed for the progress and empowerment of the girls, (no amount is high
enough to achieve the noble task of the progress and empowerment of the girls)
and those violate must be dealt with strictly as it is most heinous crime
against humanities even than that of rape. As per trustee ship principle of the
father of the nation “Mahatma Gandhi”, the affluent class of the society
voluntarily comes forward to bear these expenses for this noble task and the
whole amount thus contributed in form of fees/donation, must be exempted from
income tax etc. otherwise, government must impose some surcharge. Furthermore this
will de link the so called generosity of politician / affluent classes who are
little more than managers of vote bank. “The infant does not ask mother to
reserve milk for her, it is her due, her right. This is how the rights of the
girl, should be viewed by the society”, comes under poverty line.
(Sex ratio is defined on the number of females per 1000
males) (2). Provisional census figures 2011, in Haryana reflect a curious
correlation between literacy rate and sex ratio. Where the overall sex ratio is
highest in a district the literacy levels are usually low especially among
women. Similarly in Uttar Pradesh there appears to a tenuous relationship
between literacy and sex ratio (13).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
The authors express their cordial thanks to Mr. Anand Singh Kanwar,
Lab-Technician, Dept. of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Jagdalpur (C.G.) for his neat and excellent typing.
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Received on 12.05.2011
Modified on 03.06.2011
Accepted on 10.07.2011
© A&V Publication all right reserved
Research J.
Science and Tech. 3(4): July-August.
2011: 200-203