Peer-reviewed article

To Study the Association between Maternal Depression & Agency and Child Under-Nutrition, Stunting and Wasting Among Children Less Than 2 Years Age from the Rural Underserved Area

Geetu Harit, Lovely Kumari, K B Sourabh, Dr Abhishek Joshi · 5 Nov 2022

Abstract

Early childhood development is the key to a full and productive life for a child and to the progress of a nation.1 The early stage of life is a period of rapid growth and development from the first day of pregnancy until 2 year of age, the so called “first 1000 days”. Thus, this period offers a critical window of opportunity to shape long term health. It is a period of enormous potential, but also of enormous vulnerability.2 Depression can have negative effects on early infant growth, a problem that might be more pronounced in low income countries with less favourable environments. This was Community based cross sectional study conducted in 50 identified villages for near “Bor” forest area and the total sample size was 488. Out of the total participants 488.majority of mother belongs to 23-27 age group315(64.55%).majority of the mother were secondary education 267(54.71%). Most of them are wealthy (4thQuintiles) 104(21.31%). Most of children belongs to age group 13-24 month (323) and among them majority are female child 246(50.41).The average score of maternal agency was 26.32± 5.15 and maternal depression was 14.21± 9.56.wealth index was statistically significant with maternal depression & agency. In present study found severe stunting present in Male child i.e. 36(14.88%), Moderate stunting was present in Female child 83 (33.73%%). Education of mother and Stunting in children were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Severe wasting present in Female child i.e. 31(12.61%) and moderate wasting present in male child 45 (18.59%).Severe and Moderate Under-nutrition present in Male child i.e. 52(21.11%) and 53(21.90%). Out of 488 children, 220(45.08%) children were found to stunted, 201(41.19%) children had Underweight and 142(29.1%) children had wasting.The association was tested using t -test, there is no statistically significant association of maternal depression with stunting, wasting and underweight. There is association of maternal agency with wasting. As the maternal agency is increased, the child is less likely to be wasted. The result in this study on maternal depression is not associated with stunting, wasting, under underweight.