Abstract
Background: Millions of children who live in orphanages and other forms of residential care are most vulnerable in the world. They are at an increased risk of abuse and neglect due to the poor standard of care found in many institutions. Children are at risk of permanent developmental damage as a result of the lack of family-based care. Long-term stays in institutions can have a lasting negative impact.
Methods: For this study, 206 children staying in various hostels of Udaipur district, who either had no parents or were devoid of parental care and were staying in various hostels run by different NGO’s were studied. A detailed history of each and every child was obtained after gaining his/her confidence. The help of hostel warden/ caretaker/school teacher/NGO worker was taken, wherever needed. The dietary patterns, history of any significant illness in the past, history of any communicable disease were obtained. The family history was obtained regarding profession of parents, their educational status and history of any addiction.
Results: A total of 206 children were included in this study. Majority of children were in 12-15 year of age (40.29%), Males were 70.87% and females were 29.13%, maximum number belonged to Scheduled caste (60.19%). Most of the parents were uneducated (92.23% fathers and 98.06% mothers). Most of the children were living in joint families. Anaemia (71.35%), Dental caries (66.99%), skin disease (60.19%), worm infestation (55.82%), malnutrition (53.88%), acute respiratory infection (47.57%) and pain abdomen (46.60%) were the most common encountered morbidities in institutional children. Care about nutrition and hygiene was poor in them. Some of them suffered from physical abuse (12.14%). Most of them wanted to become teacher (19.60%) and doctor (16.17%) in future.
Conclusion: Most of the institutional children belonged to under privileged caste, were living in joint families and were addicted to Gutkha and tobacco. Some of them were physically abused. Majority of them were having poor nutritional status, were suffering from common morbidities like dental caries, worm infestation, anaemia, pain abdomen and skin diseases. They were ambitious to become teacher or doctor in future life.