Status of growth monitoring activities in selected ICDS projects of Rajasthan
Kapil, U.; Saxena, N.; Nayar, D.; Gnanasekaran, N.
Indian Pediatrics 33(11): 949-952
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 9141831 Document Number: 306280
Growth monitoring (GM) is conducted in India on a regular basis as part of the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) scheme operative in over 3900 administrative blocks. GM can serve as a focal point for offering child and family welfare services and provide data for the assessment of a community's nutritional status. To evaluate GM knowledge and practices among Anganwadi workers (AWWs), a survey of 120 AWWs from ICDS projects in Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Bharatput, and Bikaner districts was conducted. 67% of AWWs had worked in the ICDS program for more than 5 years and 88% had completed primary school. Although 88.3% received pre-placement training and 67.5% participated in subsequent in-service training, GM was not included. Growth charts were available to 83.3% of AWWs, but 75% were unable to use weighing scales properly. Half plotted weights incorrectly on the chart, and 57% were unable to interpret a flattened growth curve. 90% lacked knowledge of the sequence of steps involved in GM. Only 33% conducted GM, primarily to identify malnourished children. A record review indicated the weights of only 60% of children were being recorded regularly. 40% of the severely malnourished children were not being weighed regularly. Mothers' participation in improving their child's nutritional status was not solicited. These findings suggest that the potential of GM activities in India is being impeded by inadequate knowledge and training on the part of AWWs, faulty equipment, and a lack of community participation.