Alternative Title

Retrospective cohort study exploring the association of mental health status of parents with a deterioration in weight for age z score (as an indicator of under-nutrition) of children under the age of 4 in a cohort living in an impoverished urban community in West Bengal, India

Publication Date

2017

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Study Type

Quantitative

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Malnutrition in infants-India-West Bengal, Malnutrition in children-India-West Bengal, Children of mentally ill mothers-India-West Bengal, Mothers-Suicidal behavior-India-West Bengal, Children of suicide victims, Malnutrition, Suicide, Suicidal ideation, Infant, Child, Maternal health, International, India, Public health, Gender inequality

Abstract

Underweight malnutrition is considered the underlying contributing factor in 45% of all child deaths worldwide. Employing a retrospective cohort study design, we explored the association of mental illness symptoms of parents with a deterioration in weight for age z score (as an indicator of under-nutrition) of their children under the age of 4 in a cohort living in an impoverished urban community in West Bengal, India. Results, inconsistent with other studies, indicate that the association is not statistically significant among the studied population. The likely explanation is the intensive, multi-faceted nutrition interventions of Calcutta Kids, an organization working for many years with this population. Mothers with suicidal ideation, however, are observed to be three times more likely to have a malnourished child than mothers who do not have suicidal ideation. It is recommended that Calcutta Kids introduce maternal suicide assessments and safety net systems for pregnant women and mother beneficiaries.

Language

English

Comments

vi, 76 pages. Includes bibliographical references (pages 60-64)

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