ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This pilot study is about to assess the feasibility and acceptability of introducing dehydrated drumstick leaves, (DDL) (Moringa oleifera), as a source of vitamin A, into the salty recipes provided by the supplementary food (SF) component of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) along with nutrition communication (NC). METHODS: An integrated approach was adapted in this study which included comprehensive training sessions for the staff of the ICDS and Non-government organization (NGO) involved in the SF preparations. Prior to the acceptability trials, data were elicited on the socio-economic profile and knowledge about vitamin A, from 60 children of 1-5 year of age attending two anganwadi centres of the ICDS. RESULT: From these, 40 children attending one anganwadi were supplemented with pre-tested DDL incorporated recipes (5-7 g DDI/100 g product) along with NC for one month. Spot observations and organoleptic evaluation results indicated high compliance of the DDL-recipes by the children. The results also indicated that the recipes were highly acceptable to the ICDS authorities as well as the NGO staff. CONCLUSION: The pilot study indicated that integration of NC along with the introduction of unconventional DDL, into the ICDS-SF, was feasible and can be endeavoured for a longer duration in the existing national programmes.