Exposure to second-hand smoke as a risk factor for severe under-nutrition among children less than five years - Results from a community-based case-control study from Kerala, southern India

Abstract

Background: Under-nutrition among children less than 5 years continues to be a public health problem in India. Objective: To identify various risk factors associated with severe under-nutrition among children less than 5 years in Kollam district, Kerala. Methods: A community-based case-control study was conducted with 40 severely under-weight children as cases and 80 normal weight children as controls. Mothers’ of children were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analysis for factors associated with severe under-nutrition was done. Results: Higher birth order (odds ratio [OR] 11.33 [3.80-38.82]), recurrent respiratory tract illness (OR 10.14 [1.17-88.19]), exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) at house (OR 6.12 [1.76-21.18]), and lower birth weight (LBW) (OR 11.34 [3.31-38.82]) were identified as factors associated with severe under-nutrition among children. Conclusions: Higher birth order, recurrent respiratory tract illness, exposure to SHS at house, and LBW were identified as factors associated with severe under-nutrition in this study. Strategies to prevent exposure of children to SHS should be a child health priority.