Process evaluation of health and nutrition day (Mamta day) in urban slum areas of Bhavnagar municipal corporation.

ABSTRACT

Background: Health and Nutrition Day, “Mamta Day”, a concept for interdepartmental convergence having desirable health outcomes of children below five years, antenatal and postnatal women and adolescent girls is being introduced in the State of Gujarat by the Department of Health and Family Welfare. This would provide the first point of contact for essential primary health care and would work as the common platform for convergence amongst service providers of Health, ICDS and the community. Objectives: to identifying gaps in planning and organizing Mamta Day to improve quality of services. Methods: 30 from total 261 Anganwadis (AWs) were selected by Systematic Random Sampling. A structured proforma was prepared for data collection. Results and Conclusion: Anganwadi workers had not prepared/shared list of beneficiaries on the Mamta Day and there was no active tracking of drop outs/ left outs. All children were not being weighed on the day of Mamta day and growth chart and community growth chart were not prepared and updated. The professional performance by PHN/ANMs in urban areas in the provision of antenatal care was found to be unsatisfactory. There was miss opportunity in catering health education to beneficiaries. Recommendation There is need to improve the quality of antenatal/child care through organisational review and implementation of relevant policies and on the job training to improve the skills of frontline workers. The provision of supplies and equipment and its maintenance should be a priority. There is need to strengthen supportive supervision by Health and ICDS supervisors.