Evaluation of socioeconomic and nutritional status in an arsenic-exposed population of Bihar, India

Suman, S

Abstract

Background: Arsenic contamination of groundwater and food has become a challenging public health problem in the world. This study is a part of the UK-India bilateral project NutriSAM (2017-2020) and includes a population-based household survey in arsenic-affected areas of Bihar to determine how social and economic parameters and nutritional status are affecting the arsenic toxicity and vice-versa, in the exposed population of Bihar.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was completed in Bihar (n=192) and data were collected on social status, nutritional status, food habits, and health status including signs and symptoms of arsenic toxicity along with commonly consumed foods, and water samples from 20 villages of eight arsenic exposed districts during April 2017 – December 2020.
Results: Findings of this study revealed that most of the participants were living in poor housing conditions (63%), as a joint family (84%), with poor financial status (84%) with an annual household income of less than one Lacs Indian Rupees, and most of them used agriculture wastes as kitchen fuel (73%) and untreated groundwater for drinking (63%). Cereals, especially wheat was the major food consumed, providing more than 60 per cent of total calories preceded by milk and milk products (10.5%), fruits and vegetables (9.4%), pulses (7.2%), and oil (6.6%). More than half of the participants (62%) did not meet the recommended calorie requirement. Nutritional adequacy in females from the lower socioeconomic class was significantly lower than the male and higher socioeconomic status group. The prevalence of undernutrition was significantly higher in males (21%) whereas overnutrition was more prevalent in females (31%). The estimated total arsenic exposure and arsenic toxicity were significantly higher in males, underweight, and participants from lower socioeconomic status groups. The folic acid, cooking oil, and vitamin K intake has a protective effect on arsenic toxicity while higher manganese intake was positively associated with arsenicosis.
Conclusions: The male participants who had poor nutritional status and those from households with lower socioeconomic status were at an increased risk of arsenic-induced toxicity in an arsenic-exposed population of Bihar.
Key Words: Socioeconomic status, food intake, nutrients intake, vitamins, minerals, arsenic exposure, arsenicosis

Citation

Suman, S. Evaluation of socioeconomic and nutritional status in an arsenic-exposed population of Bihar, India. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Apr 12, 2023
• Award Date: Sep 24, 2022