Health status of rural school children in Western Orissa

A clinical survey of 916 school children in a rural area in Western Orissa was carried out. Immunization coverage for primary small-pox was 100 per cent while that for B.C.G. was 69.5 per cent. Anthropometric measurements revealed that the height of these children was more than the ICMR standard while weight was lower than the ICMR standard. Chest circumference was more or less similar to the ICMR standard. Common causes of morbidity were vitamin B complex deficiency (42.9 per cent), vitamin A deficiency (28.6 per cent), anemia (25.7 per cent), upper respiratory tract infections (22.1 per cent), gastro-intestinal tract disorders (8.7 per cent), scabies (16 per cent) and dental diseases (8.5 per cent).