Health Problems of Children in Women Jail (Karachi)

Abstract

Objective:The purpose of this study was to assess the health status & problems of children in women jail Karachi. Methods:A cross sectional study was carried out in Women Jail which is part of Central Jail, Karachi. Convenient sampling technique was adopted and the data was collected through interview of mothers and anthropometric measurements of the children. Results: There were 22 children in jail and male to female ratio was same. Analysis of the data indicated that 54.5% children were exclusively on breast feeding up to 4-6 month and were given homemade food at weaning. Eighty two percent of children were born by normal delivery, 68.2% children suffered from different illnesses and most of them had frequent attacks of diarrhea. Children faced a lot of problems Moreover they had no recreational facility and separate area, to avoid mixing with criminals. Hence the living conditions of the children were not acceptable. Most of the mothers (66.7%) were uneducated, 57.1% mother had 3-4 children, 54.5% mothers had received tetanus toxoid vaccination during pregnancy. Sixty eight percent (68.2%) mothers received antenatal care in jail. Conclusion: It was concluded that the living conditions were not suitable for the physical and the social growth of the children in women jail. Immediate measures should be taken to handle these problems.