Age Assessment of Rural Pre-School Children by the Use of Local Calendars

Abstract

Anthropometric indices like height and weight are frequently used in the evaluation of nutritional status and growth performance of infants and children. For proper interpretation of these data, correct assessment of the ages of the children is a pre-requisite. It is the general experience of field workers that assessment of correct ages of children, specially in rural communities is beset with difficulties since documentary evidence of dates of birth is rarely kept. Also, due to ignorance and illiteracy, many mothers in rural areas are unable to recall the dates of birth of their children. However, they are often able to provide information regarding the birth of the child in relation to some local event or festival.