Knowledge of anganwadi workers about integrated child development services: a study in Sitamarhi district of Bihar, India

ABSTRACT

Background: The anganwadi worker (AWW) is the backbone of integrated child development services (ICDS) for delivering the services of the program. Being a key functionary, her level of knowledge regarding various components of ICDS is linked to the ultimate outcome of the ICDS program. Thus, this study was aimed to assess the level of knowledge among AWW regarding services of ICDS.Methods: This was a cross sectional study in which level of knowledge regarding ICDS among anganwadi worker was assessed using structured questionnaire. The primary outcome of the study is the knowledge of AWW about ICDS component services. Descriptive statistics was presented as frequency and percentage for categorical variable. The knowledge of AWW was assessed by knowledge score made under all the themes of the questionnaire and was presented as mean and median score. Analysis was done in STATA version 14.2.Results: Nearly 55% of the respondents were not aware about ICDS services. Whereas majority had knowledge on growth monitoring and immunization respectively, above the median score, only 39% of AWW had knowledge on nutritional supplementation above median score. The variables such as education level and training of AWW showed significant association with the knowledge of ICDS components.Conclusions: There is need for improving knowledge and awareness about various ICDS components and the training quality provided to AWWs.