Influence of Household Environment and Living Conditions on Incidence of Diarrhea and Acute Respiratory Infections among Slum Children of Eight Major Cities of India

Mahesh Nath Singh, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Chander Shekhar, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

In India, Millennium Development Goals cannot be achieved without taking into account the health status of urban poor. Among them, slum dwellers are the most vulnerable to face several health risks due to inferior basic amenities and poor sanitation environment and hygienic living conditions. As a result, children under age six are exposed to major diseases like Diarrhea and Acute Respiratory Infections(ARIs). First time, the National Family Health Survey(2005-06) provides the information on living conditions, household environment and children’s health status of children of slum dwellers of eight major cities of India. Type of toilet facility, drinking water quality and feces unhygienic practices do affect incidence of diarrhea. Poor toilet facility coupled with unsafe drinking water raise the odds for diarrhea. Poor ventilation and type of house affect ARI incidence significantly. Slum children, whose mothers are exposed to mass media, have much lower odds (almost half) to suffer from ARIs.