Impact of Health Education on Nutritional Status and Hygiene Among Visual Impaired Preschool Children in Varanasi City

Abstract

Introduction: India, being a country in developmental transition, faces the dual burden of pre-transition under-nutrition as well as post-transition obesity. The present study was conducted to assess nutrition and hygiene status and analyze the impact of health education to improve the nutrition and hygiene of preschool children in both standard and visually impaired (V.I.) groups.

Methods: The study was conducted among children going to Nursery schools (average 38, V.I. 26) and home children not going to school (04 regular, 12 V.I.) in Varanasi city by analyzing the data related to nutritional and hygienic status collected on self- constructed questionnaire based on personal hygiene practices and anthropometric examination before and three months after imparting health education. 

Results: In addition to desired weight in 47.62% of normal children, 19.05, 28.57 and 4.76% of children had mild, moderate, and severe malnutrition; their nutritional status improved (28.57%, 19.05%, and 4.76%, respectively) after imparting health education. Average weight was found in 57.89% of V.I. children, and 42.11% had moderate malnutrition; their nutritional status improved after health education (mild 31.58%, moderate 10.53%). Malnutrition in both groups was higher than the national figure of 46%, and more than 41.6% of the U.P. home environment was found more favorable for nutrition. A positive impact of health education was also observed on hygiene practices. 

Conclusion: The nutrition and hygiene status of ordinary and V.I. children is poor, but health education is essential for improvement. Periodic health/nutrition status monitoring and regular health education are needed to tackle today's dual nutritional problems.