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A longitudinal study of morbidity in children in a rural area of Punjab

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Abstract

The present study consisted of weekly observations for one year on 120 children in two villages of Ropar district, Punjab. The mean episodes of illness per child per year were 10.7 and mean number of days of illness per child per year were 51.1. This number was significantly higher in the 0–5 years age group as compared to those aged more than 5 years. The main causes of morbidity in descending order were skin infections, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, fevers of miscellaneous origin, eye infections and ear discharge. This study clearly demonstrates that a rural child suffers from numerous illnesses in a year and none of the existing services are sufficiently effective.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh

    K. B. Gupta M.D., D.C.H. & B. N. S. Walia M.D., M.A.M.S.

Authors
  1. K. B. Gupta M.D., D.C.H.
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  2. B. N. S. Walia M.D., M.A.M.S.
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Gupta, K.B., Walia, B.N.S. A longitudinal study of morbidity in children in a rural area of Punjab. Indian J Pediatr 47, 297–301 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02831322

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