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

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Pregnant and lactating women and children under three years have high nutritional requirements due to rapid growth both physical and mental/cognitive, of the developing foetus/neonate/infant/young child. Providing a safe and hygienic environment, Anganwadi worker training, workload, status and remuneration, inadequacy and uneven distribution of staff and low prioritization of monitoring and evaluation activities are the factors which are responsible for quality of ICDS services.

OBJECTIVES

To study availability and functional adequacy of infrastructure for providing nutritional services in anganwadi of urban area

METHDOLOGY

The study was conducted at Mehrauli and Hastsal Project of Delhi. The study population includes Anganwadi supervisor and Anganwadi worker of all the Anganwadis in the study areas. It was a cross sectional and descriptive type of study. Variables of study was manpower available at AWC and Infrastructure at AWC were assessed by the researcher visiting each anganwadi centre and observation of AWC/questions from Anganwadi staff.  Data was collected by observational checklist and interview schedule.

RESULTS

All AWC of both project areas have been operational since five to more than 20 years. While all AWC had provision of safe drinking water, toilet facility was available in only 31.58% of AWC. Out of 57 AWCs covered in this study 21AWC from Mehrauli have functional Dial Salter balance with place to hang it. Training regarding handling of children with handicap/disability and child nutrition in both areas was given to some AWW. Anganwadi Supervisor in Hastsal reported that a panel of AWW was on ad hoc basis and 2 AWW were posted in new ICDS project from the month of data collection however in Mehrauli there was no list of on panel AWW. Mother held ‘Mother and Child Protection card’ was not present in any AWC. Anganwadi Supervisors’ were able to plot the weight correctly. All 51 AWW were able to identify correctly Weight within normal, moderately undernourished and severely undernourished range as per WHO norms. Visit of supervisors were to disseminate regular instructions and MPR and provide supportive supervision/guidance if required by AWWs.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Infrastructure norms for AWC especially for space for multiple activity room and storage space may need to be different for rural and urban. Coordination between the AWW and the health staff for convergence of needed health and nutrition services including referral should be enhanced for improving health and nutritional status of the children.