European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Orphan children are vulnerable group in the society due to lack of affection, care love, emotional attachment and phycological support from parents which leads depression, malnutrition. There is decreased immunity due to malnutrition which leads to infections. Hence the present study was done with an objective to assess morbidity profile and to estimate the prevalence of depression among the children residing in the orphanages Methods: A community based cross‑sectional study was carried out in 5 selected Orphanages and 210 children residing in those orphanages selected by the simple random sampling method. Data was collected by interview method using pretested semi structured schedule. Results:   Prevalence of Depression was 38.6 % and it was more among girls compared to boys and the difference is statistically significant. The major morbidities observed were dental caries 55.2 %, underweight 55.2 %, stunting 53.2 %, and pallor   20.5 %Conclusion: Depression, malnutrition and dental caries were the major health problems among the children in the orphanages and needs to be addressed and regular monitoring of nutritional status and improving the oral hygiene by health education and regular counselling will help to cope up with depression and other health problems.