A STUDY ON FUNCTIONING OF THE NUTRITIONAL SERVICES IN ANGANWADIS FOR 0 – 3 YEARS CHILDREN UNDER ICDS PROGRAMME IN DELHI FROM USER'S PERSPECTIVE.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional services under the ICDS programme aims to improve nutritional status of children in India. Perception of the user regarding the nutritional services provided by the anganwadi, reasons for non-utilization of services is important to understand to achieve its aim.

OBJECTIVE: To assess perceptions of users regarding nutritional services provided in anganwadi of urban area and reasons for non-utilization of the nutritional services by anganwadi among non-users.

METHDOLOGY: Cross sectional and descriptive study conducted at Mehrauli Project of South District and Hastsal Project of West District. Mothers were interviewed based on the pre-tested interview schedule.

RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in profile of user and non-user, population with years of stay less than 2 years are utilizing the services less as compared to those who have comparatively more years of stay in the area. Utilization of anganwadi services is less among families with children in age group up to 12months, lower birth order and families with relatively higher monthly income of household. Awareness about anganwadi services for pregnant women was low (83.3% for supplementary nutrition and 68% for NHE). Utilization of supplementary nutrition and NHE services for pregnant women was also low 57.5% and 9.6% respectively. Among the non-users 34% were not aware of the location of AWC and awareness level for the growth monitoring services was 57.5% and 62.7% for supplementary nutrition / Take Home Rations. Among users 23 (13%) were not aware of importance of growth monitoring and 17 (9%) were not aware about importance of SNP/THR. Awareness among the user about feeding the child during illness and after illness was 72.8% as compared to 33% in the non-user.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION:  Active efforts to include the migrant young population, families with relatively higher household monthly income in the nutrition and health services for growth monitoring to enable detection of under or over-nutrition in these children and appropriate advice for corrective measures.