Child Health Deprivation based on Anthropometric Indicators: A Case Study of Rural Region in West Bengal

Abstract

Child deprivation is a universal problem that perseveres both in less developed as well as in developed countries in multidimensional forms. It can be analyzed from different points of view. A child is reckoned as deprived in one or more realms depending on the number and type of deprivation undergoes at different ages of the childhood period. If a child agonizes from the problem of stunting, wasting and underweight, then the country’s future growth potential may be retarded and sustainability may recede. In this study importance is given on child deprivation relating to health together with a focus on mother’s health status and financial support of the family. Children organize the future human capital for any country. Hence it is considered highly important that their competence be enhanced from early childhood so that their productive contribution to society when they grow up, can accelerate the economic and cultural improvement of an economy. So, children in every society should adore the right to food, shelter, education and healthcare. Hence it is imperative that their health-related issue be attended with great care and apprehension. There is a high connotation between children’ physical growth and its determinants. In this paper, emphasis is given to measure the facet of health deprivation of children in the age group of 0-14 years, by considering two villages of Purulia district. First part focuses on the impedance of children’s physical growth in terms of stunting, wasting and underweight. Second part emphasizes on the degree of association of health deprivation of children with mother’s health status and financial capability of the family.