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Background <p>Migrant contractual labourers working in brick kilns of India are vulnerable to poor health status. There is a dearth of studies on children of these workers, especially those in the toddler and preschool age. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of children of brick kiln workers aged between 6&#xa0;months to 6&#xa0;years.</p> Methods <p>This cross-sectional study included children from selected 15 brick kiln sites in Mulshi taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra. The sites were selected by convenience sampling based on workers’ availability and permission from brick kiln owners. 133 children were assessed for weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, and clinical symptoms. Their parents were interviewed using a validated questionnaire to obtain information about immunization status, clinical history, and breastfeeding practices. Ten Focussed Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted with parents using FGD guides. Five in-depth interviews were conducted with and kiln owners using Interview guides. This study was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. Malnutrition parameters were assessed using the standard World Health Organization growth parameters. Inferential analyses were conducted using logistic regression analysis. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis.</p> Results <p>The prevalence of ‘Undernutrition’, ‘Stunting’ and ‘Wasting’ was 36.8%, 39% and 34.2% respectively. Male children had lesser odds for ‘Stunting’ (OR = 2.69, <i>p</i> = 0.02, CI:1.21–5.96). Children in age group 25 to 34&#xa0;years had significantly lower odds of being stunted than infants (OR = 0.17, <i>p</i> = 0.04, CI: 0.03–0.96). Second-born children had significantly lower odds of wasting than first-borns (OR = 0.22, <i>p</i> = 0.03, CI:0.06–0.83). Prevalence of ‘Moderate Acute Malnourishment’ (MAM) &amp; ‘Severe Acute Malnourishment’ (SAM) was 20.1% and 1.7%, &amp; 14% and 2.6%, based on ‘weight and height’ and ‘MUAC’ measurements, respectively. Lack of availability of relevant documents with workers during migration affected provision of government-run nutritional support schemes and programs to children.</p> Conclusion <p>Malnutrition was prevalent in around one-third children participants. Policies should be updated to facilitate the provision of nutritional support to these children through government schemes at the migrant site. The workers should be sensitized to carry relevant documents during migrations and to follow healthy behaviours.</p>

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Malnutrition among children of brick kiln workers in Mulshi taluka of Pune district

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月16日

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  • Samir Barve,
  • Reshma Patil,
  • Rahul Maniyar,
  • Revati Pathak

摘要

Background

Migrant contractual labourers working in brick kilns of India are vulnerable to poor health status. There is a dearth of studies on children of these workers, especially those in the toddler and preschool age. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of children of brick kiln workers aged between 6 months to 6 years.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included children from selected 15 brick kiln sites in Mulshi taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra. The sites were selected by convenience sampling based on workers’ availability and permission from brick kiln owners. 133 children were assessed for weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, and clinical symptoms. Their parents were interviewed using a validated questionnaire to obtain information about immunization status, clinical history, and breastfeeding practices. Ten Focussed Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted with parents using FGD guides. Five in-depth interviews were conducted with and kiln owners using Interview guides. This study was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. Malnutrition parameters were assessed using the standard World Health Organization growth parameters. Inferential analyses were conducted using logistic regression analysis. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

The prevalence of ‘Undernutrition’, ‘Stunting’ and ‘Wasting’ was 36.8%, 39% and 34.2% respectively. Male children had lesser odds for ‘Stunting’ (OR = 2.69, p = 0.02, CI:1.21–5.96). Children in age group 25 to 34 years had significantly lower odds of being stunted than infants (OR = 0.17, p = 0.04, CI: 0.03–0.96). Second-born children had significantly lower odds of wasting than first-borns (OR = 0.22, p = 0.03, CI:0.06–0.83). Prevalence of ‘Moderate Acute Malnourishment’ (MAM) & ‘Severe Acute Malnourishment’ (SAM) was 20.1% and 1.7%, & 14% and 2.6%, based on ‘weight and height’ and ‘MUAC’ measurements, respectively. Lack of availability of relevant documents with workers during migration affected provision of government-run nutritional support schemes and programs to children.

Conclusion

Malnutrition was prevalent in around one-third children participants. Policies should be updated to facilitate the provision of nutritional support to these children through government schemes at the migrant site. The workers should be sensitized to carry relevant documents during migrations and to follow healthy behaviours.