A Study on Morbidity Pattern in Under-Five Children between Urban and Rural Field Practice Areas of a Tertiary Care Hospital, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Background: First few years of life are most crucial for the physical and psychosocial development of the child.
The care in these few years almost reflects the entire life of a person both physically and mentally. The objective
is to compare the morbidity pattern in under-five children in urban and rural field practice areas of a tertiary care
hospital in Andhra Pradesh.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study in under five age children (6 months to 5 years) in urban and rural field
practice areas.
Results & Conclusion: The prevalence of acute respiratory tract infections, acute diarrhoeal diseases and fever
were found to be 34 %,5.3 % and 11.3 % respectively in rural areas and 26.7 %,1.3 % and 2.7 % respectively
in urban areas. The difference is significant (p = 0.003). The significant difference(p<0.05) was found between
urban and rural areas in morbidity pattern, mothers’ education, mothers’ occupation, defecation practice ,indoor
air pollution, initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, water purification practices, birth weight of the
children, immunization status.