IMPACT OF CHILD MALNUTRITION ON STUDENTS` PERFORMANCE IN RURAL AREAS OF SINDH

Abstract

A serious ailment that transpires when the diet is not properly continued or the failure of food to provide the appropriate number of nutrients is called malnutrition, malnutrition is a dangerous ailment. It implies that inadequate nutrition may include undernutrition or insufficient nutritional intake. Malnutrition is commonly classified into several broad categories, such as, undernutrition, which includes stunting, wasting, underweight, and deficits in certain micronutrients. If we compare Pakistan to other emerging nations, we find that child malnutrition is among the most widespread. One of the main issues that exists in Sindh's rural areas is malnutrition, which results in a significant number of underweight and undersized children and an increased death rate. In this research study the descriptive type of the research and mix method approach was used to conduct this research study. The tool to conduct this research study was consisting of the Likert scale 5.0 and open-ended questionnaire for interview to collect the data from teachers, whereas, the AGRA Tool was used to measure students` ability to read write and understand the letters words and narrations. The class five children's height and weight were measured using anthropometric measuring instruments (Stadiometer and a weight scale) in their classroom in accordance with the recommended methods of the World Health Organization (2007). In order to determine what constitutes underweight, normal, and overweight, the pupils' age, weight, and height were used to calculate their body mass index (BMI). The child's height, weight, and age were verified, computed, and interpreted appropriately. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 26 (SPSS 26), was utilized for data analysis. For additional study interpretation, the conventional BMI table with the weight for age, age for height, and height for weight was utilized. The deprived taluka of Badin Shaheed Fazil Raho/S.F Raho was selected for the study. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample/students from the selected schools of UC Tarai, 200 students were selected and measured. Moreover, the AGRA tool was adapted to measure their performance. Whereas, 10 teachers were given close ended questionnaire Likert Scale 5.0 and 10 Head teachers were selected for measuring their response about malnutrition and students` performance through interview. the results of the research study that the child malnutrition has a strong impact on students` performance. the students` performance is severely affected due to malnutrition. The children with malnutrition are found inactive, lazy and passive during the teaching and learning process, they are commonly found absent reasoning different health issues. The study discovered that the child with malnutrition are unable to read and write Sindhi, Urdu or English, even some of the them are unable to identify the letters