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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-8, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

Status of Nutrition and Health among the Slum Girls: a case study of Slums of .

Sulata Hembrem, Assistant Professor of Geography, College, N. 24 Parganas, West

Abstract: Health condition and nutrition both are economic aspect. Main target groups are girls who essential for the development of physical and generally reside in the slums and ` lanes developed mental development. The type of thinking and near the Jute Mills. Major / attitude changes with the status of health. It is often corporations covered under the study area are said that a healthy mind or good thought develops Chandannagar, Bhadreswar, Champdany, in a healthy body. A person with sickness, Bidyabati, Srirampur, , -Kottrang, weakness and diseases generally do not think in a and . positive way. In case of educational attainment a student either boy or girl should be healthy. Survey 3. Methodology, Sampling Data conducted in the slums of Hooghly industrial belt Collection and analysis of Data: shows that majority of respondents belong to lower income group. As a result they are deprived of Present study is a case study based on the data nutritious food and drinks. obtained from field through questionnaire schedule and interview method. Girls aged from 11-25 are Keywords: Nutrition, Income Status, Slum Girls, mainly part of the study. This is a study based on Anemia, Mid Day Meal. the methodology of “Individual-or Group –to- standard comparisons. A mixed methodology both qualitative and quantitative has been adopted. Regarding the collection of data Random Purposive 1. Introduction: sampling method is adopted. One sample ward of each Major / corporations of In general Health status and physical fitness is the Chandannagar, Bhadresawar, Champdany, symbol of level of nutrition in a human body and , Srerampur, Rishra, Uttarpara-Kottrang, its reflection is seen in the day to day activities of a and Konnagar are selected. In the post field session person. However, we cannot ignore the fact that data are shorted, tabled and represented through poverty is the main reason behind the fewer intakes suitable graphs and finally interpreted. of nutrients to a large section of population of our country and its consequences are observed in many 4. Objectives: forms. In case of girls those live in slums and belong to lower section of the society in respect of Present study is an effort to represent the status of income deprived not only from nutrient food but health on various indicators and its geographical also regular meal. Majority of girls take non pattern. vegetarian food in form of chicken or mutton as the substitute of protein while a very few percent girls • Present study is an effort to find out the facts take fruit or milk. As a result they suffer from that how housing condition, sanitation and various types of diseases and low weight due to food habits influence the health of girls. acute deficiency of vitamins and proteins. In • To analyze the habit of food and availability response to questions designed to know the facts of of nutrient food and its impact on health. health status girls responded that although they • To analyze the impact of nutrition and health want to take fruits and health drink in their daily on academic performance of the girls. food item for better health but their family income does not permit this. A large section of girls never went for the test of Anemia either due to lack of 5. Income Status and Housing knowledge or low income of parent. Condition:

2. Study Area: Majority of the girls under slums of Hooghly district belong family whose income is less than The study is based on some selected slums Rs. 5000 per month. In most of the cases girls live identical in the term of their Socio-cultural and in rented house. Houses are generally of small size with average number of members from 6-8 people

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 897

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-8, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

Due to low income majority of girls do not get 7. Food: quality and sufficient food. Due to lack of space deterioration of health is observed. Cleanness is Majority of girls prefer non vegetarian food over one the major issue in these slums. non vegetarian food. There is a lack of green vegetables and seeds in their food. Due to lack of green vegetables possibility of deficiency of vitamins and iron is found. Present food habit is very much responsible for deficiency of iron and subsequently Anemia. Health Drink is necessary for overall growth of both body and Mind. Majority of girls under study area do not get health drink. Those who get health drink majority of them take milk instead of market based health drink. Majority of girls take meal twice in a day, Out of the total respondents 4.74 percent are vegetarian while 95 Fig. 1: Housing Status percent are non-vegetarian. Milk which is generally considered as the most available and cheapest nutritious food is available to only 41.85 % of girls. About17.9 percent of girls use market based health drink while 42 percent of girls are deprived of any type of health drink. Most of the girl’s responded that they do not take any fruit regularly Only 15.79

Fig. 2: Income Status

6. Drinking Water and Sanitation Facilities:

Majority of the girls under slums of Hugli district Fig. 3: FFig. 3. Nature of Food do not get safe water for drinking. In majority percentage girls drink raw water supplied through percent takes fruits regularly for a good health. the municipal taps. Due to consumption of unsafe water most of the girls suffer from gastrointestinal 8. Health: diseases. In most of the cases it is found toilets are generally situated outside the house. Some of the Girls under study area mainly belong to very poor girls also use open space for toilets. Both the habits family and so they are unable to afford costly are responsible for various kinds of infectious treatment. Therefore, they depend on low cost diseases as well sexual diseases. About 28.16 treatment. Majority of girls go to general physician percent respondents live in their own houses while for their treatment followed by medical shops, majority of respondents (45.53 percent) live in hospitals, and homeopathy and specialist doctor. In rented houses. If we analyze the data on the basis case of most of the municipalities under study area of municipalities we find that Champdany, and expenditure on health is less than Rs. 500. In case Konnagar have the maximum number of girls of Chandannagar, Rishra and Srirampur health with own house followed by Bhadreswar, Uttarpara expenditure is more than Rs. 1000. having the minimum number of respondent having their own house. Only 25 percent houses have facilities of toilet inside their houses, while 47.11 percent of toilets are community toilets those are located outside the houses. Except this 1.58 percent population use open space for defecation. Only 23.42 percent respondents get drinking water inside their houses while majority of girls (50.26 percent) get water outside houses.

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 898

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-8, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

• Tendency of consumption of non vegetarian food and less consumption of green vegetables may reasons for the deficiencies of various vitamins and iron which may cause different kind of diseases including night blindness, low vision, less growth and even anemia. • Less availability of fruit and milk also reason behind low density of bone or weak bone, less growth, lack of vitamin and protein within the body. • Chicken is the main source of protein in their food. • Pulses are available in their food. • Lack of space and unavailability of safe drinking water causes various kinds of infectious diseases. Gastrointestinal diseases are common. • Use of dirty and common toilets Fig. 4a-4b: Health Facilities sometimes reason behind spread of infectious and sexual diseases. This is an average annual expenditure. If we see the • Due to low income of the family majority facilities of health and method of treatment 21.32 of girls go for low cost treatment and percent girls in case of illness they go to Genera sometimes avoid the problem due to Doctor, 18.16 percent take medicine from medical unavailability of sufficient money. shop, 19.21 percent go to specialist doctor while • There is absence of proper functioning of 21.84 percent and 15.26 percent girls go to NGOs and other government or local body Hospital and Health Center respectively for their institutions for health facilities. Although treatment. health centers and ICDS centers are located in this area.

10. Recommendation/Suggestion: Following suggestions or recommendations are suggested to minimize the problem:

 Girls should include more green vegetables in their food.

 Egg should be included as source of protein food in place of fish, mutton and Fig.5: Health Expenditure chicken. The average annual expenditure on health of a girl  Water should be consumed after boiling. is less than Rs. 500 per year for nearly 30.79 percent. About 31.1 Percent girls’ medical  Low price fruits are the better alternatives expenditure is Rs. 501-1000 while 32.1 percent in place of costly fruits. Seasonal fruits are girls’ medical expenditure is more than rupees better alternative. 1000. About 32.62 percent benefited by the health facilities provided by the government while 16.04  Use of dirty community toilets should be percent girls are benefited by the NGOs. avoided and should be cleaned on regular interval. 9. Major Findings:  Regular health check up is necessary. Major findings of the present study are as follows:  Local government should take initiative to • Due to high incidence of poverty under improve the facilities for treatment. study girls are generally deprived of proper nutrition.

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 899

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-8, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

 Proper, safe and healthy mid day meal is a good alternative.

 Awareness at all level is required.

11. Conclusion:

Girls under different municipalities of Hooghly belong to poor families for which they do not get the quality and nutritious food and as a result their health deteriorates with time. Lack of space, unsafe drinking water and dirty environment make them sick and weak. A simple life style and controlled and planned food habit can end their nutrition problems. Seasonal fruit. Egg and green vegetables are the option by which better health can be gain. Support of local government and willingness are required to solve these problems .

Bibliography:

1. Bhatia, Navin and Chatterjee Arnav, Financial Inclusion in Slums of Mumbai, Reddy, C Rammanohar , Economic & Political Weekly J , volume XLV no.42, Mumbai, October, 2010 2. Chattopadhyay, K.P. (1952): A socio- Economic Survey of Jute Labour, , Union Press 3. Jain, Manisha, Strengthening and Restructuring of ICDS scheme, Pal, R. Manogyan, Yojana J Volume 57, New Delhi, January 2013 4. Krishnamoorthy, Nirmala (2009) : Children In - A Legal Perspective, New Delhi, Publications Division 5. Singh, Devika; Dreze,Jean; Nayak, Nandini and Prasad, Vandana (2008): ANGANWADIS FOR ALL – Action for the Rights of Children Under Six: A Primer, New Delhi, National Book Trust, India

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