"Dietary practice, health status and hygiene condition of children living in an orphanage in Bangladesh"

Abstract

Children residing in orphanages often face neglect and potential malnutrition. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the Dietary Practices, Health Status, and Hygiene Conditions among orphaned children in selected orphanages in Gaibandha district, involving a sample size of 150. Data was collected using pre-tested, modified interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires. Non-randomized, purposive sampling was utilized for convenience. The study revealed that 61.5% of respondents were aged between 9 to 11 years, with a mean age of 10.535 years. Most were in classes one to three, and 22.3% had been in the orphanage for 3 to 6 years. Among them, 60.25% had no living parents, with 55% admitted due to parental demise. Orphanage dietary practices included breakfast comprising various items like hotchpotch vegetables, chicken, and mashed potatoes. Handwashing before meals was 55%. Practicing handwashing after using the toilet 90.5%. About 64.0% bathed daily, and 51.5% wore tidy clothes sometimes, while 48.5% did so daily. Approximately 57.6% regularly trimmed their nails. The majority (58.5%) had a normal body mass index, while 41.5% were underweight. Consequently, there is a clear need for implementing health education programs addressing malnutrition and personal hygiene.