Objective: To assess the nutritional status and morbidity pattern of primary school children.
Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study was administered in the five governmental schools located in Dhankuta
town (Dhankuta district) and Ineruwa town (Sunsari district). The schools were selected using simple random
sampling technique. From these selected schools, a total number of 818 students studying from Grade I to V were
enumerated in the study using census survey method. Results: Among 818 students, 61% of the students were found
to be malnourished. The students were more stunted (21.5%) than wasted (10.4%). Only 5.4 % of the students were
found to be both wasted and stunted. The collected blood and stool samples from the students revealed parasitic
infestation of 65.8% and anaemia of 58%. The most common diseases in those schools were: skin diseases (20%),
dental caries (19.8%), and lymphodenopathy (10.5%). Among skin diseases, pediculosis was more common among
girls while ringworms and scabies were common among boys. Conclusion: The study revealed that high percentage
of primary school students was malnourished. It was found that there was a high prevalence of parasitic infestation
and anaemia. The study result revealed the urgent need for initiation of school health program with specific
emphasis on prevention of diseases, improvement of personal hygiene and nutritional status with the collaboration
of governmental and non-governmental institutions.