RESUMO
Background: Anganwadi centres under integrated child development services is the largest Project in India to improve not only child health but reproductive, maternal and adolescent health. The aim of the present study is to compare the infrastructure of urban and rural anganwadi which is one of the basic need to provide quality services.Methods: A total of 30 anganwadi centres are involved in our study in which 20 are from rural and 10 are from urban field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore. This study employed interview method with anganwadi worker’s and observation of anganwadi centre using pre-designed, semi structured questionnaire and checklist.Results: 85% of rural and 60% urban anganwadi centres have their own buildings to carry out the services. 20% of rural anganwadi centres lack fixed name boards compared to urban anganwadi centres. 55% of rural anganwadi centres and 90% of urban anganwadi centres lack separate storage for raw food materials. 15% of rural anganwadi centres lack functional toilet facility. 40% of rural anganwadi centres lack functional weighing machine.Conclusions: Anganwadi centres are remote contact point of health care system within the community. The infrastructure of anganwadi centre such as type of building, space for cooking and activities, availability of functional equipments ensure the quality service deliveries which in turn are enhanced by timely supervision from higher authorities.
RESUMO
Background: Anganwadi centres (AWCs) remain hub for promoting nutrition in children. For an effective functioning of programs, Anganwadi workers (AWWs) need to have a sound knowledge and perception regarding under-nutrition. A qualitative study (Focus Group Discussion) was conducted with aim to assess perceptions and knowledge of AWWs regarding under-nutrition in 6 domains like about term under-nutrition in children, its causes, identification of it, its community management, advices to be given to parents and knowledge of program related to under-nutrition in their locality.Methods: 2 Focus group discussions (each consisted of 12 members and took around 40-45 minutes) were conducted in December 2018 among AWWs of Berhampur through purposive sampling. One author played role of facilitator who carried out discussions, another acted as recorder who took notes and sociograms were recorded by another author. Audio-visual recordings were done. Data were analysed and a report was created based on grounded theory.Results: Participants had fair knowledge of term under-nutrition. They had good knowledge of causes of under-nutrition in children and knew how to identify. But none of them had proper knowledge of community management of malnutrition (CMAM) in children. Though most of them have knowledge of screening of malnourished children and referral to Nutritional rehabilitation centre, they were unaware of other key components of CMAM. Many AWWs didn’t know much about programs for combating malnutrition; however they were well acquainted with ICDS and VHND.Conclusions: Quality training programs and more sensitisation should be done for Anganwadi workers. Specific training on CMAM should be carried out for them.