THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram ranked fifth in a child health quotient survey conducted by Lifebuoy among mothers across 17 State capitals.
Thiruvananthapuram ranked above Southern cities of Chennai (7) and Hyderabad (12), but 17 percent of the mothers in Thiruvananthapuram were extremely dissatisfied with the frequency of minor illnesses in their children. Thiruvananthapuram also beat the rest of the South in the grasping power of children.
But overall, mothers in the Southern States, except Hyderabad, were happy with the health of their kids, the study showed.
Lucknow and Kolkata shared top position in the study, while Mumbai and Bhopal were at the bottom of the ladder. Frequency of minor illness, frequency of major illness, resistance to disease, weight-loss and slow growth were rated as the top five concerns of mothers across the 17 capitals. Nutritious food, pure water, hygiene, quality of education and cleanliness of surroundings were rated as the top five factors contributing to the overall health of the children.
The objective of the survey was to spread awareness on the factors which the mothers believe as affecting the health of their children, said Sudhanshu Vats, vice-president (home care) of Hindustan Lever Ltd, the company which manufactures the Lifebuoy soap brand.