SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS AFFECTING ANEMIA AND THEIR EFFECTS ON MOTHER, AND CHILD HEALTH IN RURAL AREAS OF DISTRICT FAISALABAD, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

This present study was conducted to investigate socio-cultural factors and their effects on mother, child health. Cross-Sectional study was conducted in rural areas of District Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. A random sample of 400 mothers aged 18-49 with at least one child (under five year) was taken through probability sampling design to explore causes of anemia in mother and children. Blood samples of mothers and children were obtained to know of hemoglobin. Descriptive, inferential and multivariate analysis was carried out to explore the research objectives. It was found that with the increase of mother education and family income, the symptoms of anemia decreased and level of hemoglobin increased both for the mother and child. Gender preferences, attitudes towards utilization of health facilities, smoking and gender based violence were also found significant affecting the mothers and children health. Improving female education, enabling women for generating income, and motivation for utilizing health facilities at the health outlets, knowledge, attitude and practice towards the balanced diet and discouraging non-food items are suggested as appropriate measures to enhance health status of mothers and children. Sensitization of gender issues in health care, and nutrition needs special attention in relation to improved mother-child health status.