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@article{204536,
        author = {ROJA GHOSH and Heleena Jati},
        title = {Maternal Knowledge on Health, Sanitation, and Micronutrients and Its Impact on Nutritional Outcomes among children aged 0-5 years at Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {1},
        pages = {4169-4176},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=204536},
        abstract = {Maternal and child health and welfare are determined by nutrition and health status, especially when looking at at-risk populations who live in poor environments. In India, Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is still a major Public Health issue that causes children under-five years of age to suffer from increased hospitalization and deaths. The current study was conducted to assess health and sanitation behaviours, mothers’ knowledge of nutrition and micronutrients, and the nutrition status of children admitted with SAM at the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar. A descriptive observational cross-sectional design was undertaken, involving 100 children under 5 years old who had been diagnosed with SAM and their caregivers. Mixed methods including pre-tested, structured questionnaires; anthropometric measures; medical record reviews; and interviews were used to collect data. Anthropometric methods used to describe the nutrition status of children included weight, height/length, body mass index, and mid-upper arm circumference. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted to describe quantitative data; and thematic content analyses were used for qualitative data. Improvements in anthropometric indicators are seen during institutionalized care and indicate that NRC-based nutritional rehabilitation intervention is effective. However, the study revealed gaps in maternal understanding concerning appropriate feeding techniques, micronutrient supplementation, and aftercare following discharge. There were also some notes on poor sanitation and hygiene practices contributing to repeated episodes of infections and nutritional deficiencies. Strengthening health care provider education, community-based follow-up, and integrated health and nutrition interventions will be needed to create sustained improvements in child nutrition outcomes.},
        keywords = {Severe Acute Malnutrition, Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre, Anthropometric Measurements, Maternal Knowledge, Sanitation Practices, Child Nutrition},
        month = {June},
        }