Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: June | Volume: 7 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 162-167
Utilisation of Anganwadi Services among Pre-School Age Children in Rural Telangana: A Cross Sectional Study
Harikrishna BN1, Kishore Y Jothula2, Nagaraj K3, Prasad VG4
1Dept of Community Medicine, ESIC Medical College, Sanath Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana
2Dept of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibinagar, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District, Telangana
3Dept of Community Medicine, Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women,SVIMS University, Tirupati, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh
4Dept of Community Medicine, Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally, Nalgonda District, Telangana
Corresponding Author: Kishore Y Jothula
ABSTRACT
Background: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) was launched in 1975 with the objectives to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age group 0-6 years, to lay the foundations for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child, to reduce mortality and morbidity, malnutrition and school drop-out by delivering a package of services. It has been found that there is a gap in expected and actual delivery of services and less than expected utilisation of services from beneficiaries.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 270 women with a pre-tested, semi structured questionnaire in order to assess utilisation of anganwadi services. Data collected was analysed using SPSS software.
Results: Immunization (85.18%) was the most common Anganwadi service utilized by children followed by supplementary nutrition (83.4%), health check-ups (77.4%), Non formal pre-school Education (68%) and referral services (55.5%). Child didn’t like the taste of the food was the most common reason for not utilising supplementary nutrition.
Conclusions: Apart from supplementary nutrition and immunisation, there is a need to sensitise and motivate beneficiaries to utilise the other services offered by anganwadi centre.
Keywords: Anganwadi centre, Children, Supplementary nutrition, Immunisation
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