Effects of water and sanitation on childhood nutrition in Pakistan

Objective: To examine the impact of type of household water supply & toilet facilities on the nutritional status of children < 3 yrs of age. Study design: Descriptive study. Place and duration of study: Rural areas of district Malir, Karachi. From November 2000 to April 2001. Patients and methods: 400 children < 3 years of age were assessed by anthropometric examination. A pre-designed questionnaire was filled, collecting information on type of water supply and toilet facilities in each of the selected household. Results: Only 190 out of 400 families interviewed had access to piped water and only 185 of 400 families had proper flush toilets. Lack of piped water and toilet facilities had a significant correlation. Statistics for stunting were not significant, probably because it represents a more chronic process. Conclusion: Provision of unpolluted water supply with proper toilet and sewerage facilities play an important role in preventing childhood malnutrition and solutions to address this problem are the need of the day.