Introduction- One of the major issues the world is facing today is malnutrition. This problem is especially acute as well as chronic in children of the developing countries. Children below the age of five years constitute nearly 15% of the total population of country and from the nutritional standpoint constitute a vulnerable segment and suffer the highest rate of morbidity and mortality. Birhor” tribal community of Dharamjaigarh block, Raigarh district has long remained a separate entity in terms of the demographic, health and socioeconomic characteristics. Present study has been attempted to provide an insight into the present scenario of nutritional status in these untouched and remote tribe.



Material &method;- The present cross sectional study was carried out in Dharamjaigarh block of Raigarh district. The study was conducted from January 2013 to June 2014. 63 children of 0-3.5 year’s age group from 148 families of 15 villages of Primitive Birhor Tribe were randomly selected where the population of Birhor tribe is more as shown in map. Pretested structured questionnaire was used to gather data from parent/head of family by door to door visit of every household Nutritional assessment was done by clinical examination and anthropometric measurement using standard equipment and procedures.District & Block head were contacted and informed before purpose of study; parental consent was obtained for collecting the tribal children information.Clinical examination of every child was done.Data was compiled in MS-Excel and checked for its completeness and correctness. Then it was analyzed.

Result- Out of 63 children studied 31 (49.2%) were female and 32 (50.8%) were male. Most of the children studied belong to the age group of 13-36 months, which constitute 71% female & 60.3% male children. The mean children size of family is 3.12 & means family size 5.41.Respiratory infection is most common cause of morbidity in Birhor children had 9(14.3%), followed by URI 7(11.1%), Diarrhoea 5(7.9%), worm infestation 2(3.2%) and Malaria 1(1.6%). Out of 63 children studied commonly the Mean height of boys was on higher side in most age groups except 0-3 months & 37-48 months by 1.5 cm & 0.8 cm respectively. 30.2% children found moderately malnourished, 11.1% severely malnourished, 60.3% found stunted and wasting found in 15.9% children.

Conclusion- Present study demonstrates that children in this tribe are at very high risk because of poor nutrition, nutritional deficiency and poor immunization coverage. The literacy level and poverty, social & cultural practises are added factors which aggravate existing condition.