Morbidity Pattern of Under-Fives in Paediatrics OPD NJIRM 2012; Vol. 3(3). July-Auguest eISSN: 0975-9840 pISSN: 2230 - 9969 101 Study of Morbidity Pattern of Under-Fives in Paediatrics OPD of a tertiary care Hospital in a Rural Area of Uttar Pradesh Arshiya Masood*, Arun Singh**, K. M. Shukla*** *Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, UP, India, **Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly-243006, UP, India, ***Professor and Head, Department of Paediatrics, Rural Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Saifai206301, UP, India Abstracts: Background: Children under-five are most vulnerable for malnutrition and infection. Morbidity pattern of this age group has several determinants like socio-economic status, basic education, occupation, socio-cultural practices, living environment etc. Objectives: To study the morbidity pattern in under-five children and to find out it’s association with various factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in paediatrics OPD of a tertiary care level hospital in rural area of Etawah District of Uttar Pradesh for three months. We included 379 children by random sampling design. Mothers of children were interviewed using a predesigned schedule. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Commonest morbidity was malnutrition (70.71%), followed by ARI (63.59%), anaemia (47.76%), diarrhea (20.58%), malaria (13.33%) and worm infestation (10.03%) while around 25 percent suffered from other illnesses. Most common symptom was fever (70.71%) and cough (62.8%). A statistically significant association was found in morbidity pattern of ARI, diarrhea, malaria, malnutrition and anaemia with various factors like education, socio-economic status, and occupation. Congenital anomalies were found in around 3 percent children. 3.69 percent children were admitted in wards from OPD. Conclusion: Common childhood illnesses were prevalent though children suffered from serious illnesses on very few occasions. [ Massod A NJIRM 2012; 3(3) : 101-106] Key Words: Morbidity pattern, Under-fives, Paediatrics. Author for correspondence: Dr. Arshiya Masood, Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP, India, PIN-202002, E mail: kashishrabbi@gmail.com Introduction: India the home to the highest number children in the world, ranks fifty-four in under-five child mortality 1 . UNICEF considers Under-five Child Mortality Rate as the single best indicator of social development and well-being reflecting income, nutrition, health care, basic education, and living environment etc 2 . Most deaths among under-fives are still attributable to just a hand full of conditions, that are avoidable through existing interventions. These conditions are; acute respiratory infections mostly pneumonia (19%), diarrhoea(17%), malaria(8%), Measles(4%), HIV/AIDS(3%) and neonatal infections-mainly preterm births, birth asphyxia and infection(37%) 3 . About fifty percent of childhood deaths in India are attributable to malnutrition. 4 India is a country of contrasts and great complexity. There exists a wide variation among different geographical regions, between social groups, among different incomes. The situation of health in rural India where our seventy-two percent population 1 lives is worse with only rudimentary health care services being available to the masses. This tertiary care level hospital in rural area of Etawah District of Uttar Pradesh is established with a vision to bridge this yawning gap in health indicators. It is situated in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh. This study was carried out in paediatrics OPD of a tertiary care level hospital in rural area of Etawah District of Uttar Pradesh with the aims and objectives to study the morbidity pattern in under-five children, find out it’s association with various factors and to provide suggestive measures if required. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted for three months, from July 07 to September 07 in paediatrics OPD of a tertiary care level hospital in rural area of Etawah District of Uttar Pradesh. Simple random sampling technique was used in the study. First five new under-five cases per day were taken into study. The sample size was decided on the basis of data obtained from Medical Record Department of Institute. On the basis of 10 percent of new under-five cases