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Background: The ICDS program aims at enhancing survival and development of children from the vulnerable sections of the society. The present study was conducted to assess supplementary nutrition (SN) activities and its related issues at anganwadi centres. Material and methods: Total 60 anganwadi centres were selected including 46 anganwadi centres (AWCs) from rural area and 14 AWCs from urban area during April 2017 to March 2017 from 12 districts of Gujarat. Five AWCs were selected from one district randomly. Detailed information was collected related to beneficiary’s coverage for SN, type of food provided under SN, and various issues related to supplementary nutrition at anganwadi centres.Results: High coverage of receiving SN among enrolled was ed in pregnant mothers (88.3%), lactating mothers (91.7%) and adolescents (86.7%). Only 25% AWCs were providing hot cooked food (HCF) to 3 to 6 years children. Less than half of the AWCs were providing ready to eat (RTE) food to 6 months to 3 years children (48.3%), pregnant (46.7%) and lactating (46.7%) mothers, and adolescents (45.0%). Total 38.3% AWCs ed shortage of SN supply, more in rural (41.3%) compare to urban (28.6%). Various problems were ed by anganwadi workers related to SN like lack of storage facility, non availability of separate kitchen, poor quality of food, irregular supply, inadequate supply, and fuel problem. Conclusion: The regular and adequate supply of SN will improve the provision of hot cooked food, ready to eat food and take home ration to the beneficiaries as per the norms, leading to improvement of overall nutritional status of the community. Introduction Launched on 2nd October 1975, today, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme represents one of the world’s largest and most unique programs for early childhood development. ICDS is the foremost symbol of India’s commitment to her children – India’s response to the challenge of providing pre-school education on one hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and mortality, on the other. [1] Integrated Child Development Services program continues to be the world`s most unique early childhood development program, which is being satisfactorily operated since more than three decades of its existence. [2] The ICDS scheme is a long term development program for community and all efforts should be continued to strengthen to make it more successful. It serves as an excellent platform for several development initiatives in India. It serves the extreme underprivileged communities of backward and remote areas of the country. It delivers services right at the doorsteps of the beneficiaries to ensure their maximum participation. [3] The ICDS program aims at enhancing survival and development of children from the vulnerable sections of the society. As a world's largest outreach program targeting infants and children below six years of age, expectant and nursing mothers, ICDS has generated interest worldwide amongst academicians, planners, policy makers, administrators and those responsible for implementation. [4] The program includes a network of “Anganwadi Centre” (AWC) literally courtyard play centre, provides integrated services comprising supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-up, referral services to children below six years of age, adolescent girls and expectant and nursing mothers. High priority is accorded to the needs of the most vulnerable younger children under three years of age in the program through capacity building of care givers to provide stimulation and quality early childhood care. [2] Material and Method The government of India has decided to set up a regular monitoring and supervision mechanism of ICDS scheme through National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) with Monitoring and Evaluation unit in the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The national level monitoring of ICDS scheme is being done by the Central Monitoring Unit (CMU) set up at NIPCCD. The monitoring and supervision of the ICDS scheme at secondary and primary level involves state level monitoring, district level monitoring, project level monitoring and community level monitoring.[7] Results From 12 districts of Gujarat, total 60 anganwadi centres were selected including 46 from rural areas and 14 from urban areas. Details of beneficiaries receiving supplementary nutrition from anganwadi centres included 6 months to 3 years and 3 to 6 years children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and adolescent girls (Table 1). In 70% anganwadi centres, all enrolled children of 6 months to 3 years were receiving the supplementary nutrition, which is 51.7% for age group 3 to 6 years (Table 1). High coverage of receiving SN among enrolled was ed in pregnant mothers (88.3%), lactating mothers (91.7%) and adolescents (86.7%). In 10% anganwadi centres, less than 50% of enrolled children were receiving SN. Conclusion The study has ed interruption in supply of SN and also inadequate provision of SN foods to the beneficiaries. The regular and adequate supply of SN will improve the provision of hot cooked food, ready to eat food and take home ration to the beneficiaries as per the norms, leading to improvement of overall nutritional status of the community.()，英语论文，英语论文 |
