Detection and prevention of childhood disability with the help of Anganwadi workers
Mathur, G.P.; Mathur, S.; Singh, Y.D.; Kushwaha, K.P.; Lele, S.N.
Indian Pediatrics 32(7): 773-777
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 8617553 Document Number: 450875
This study was conducted in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) urban project of Gorakhpur in 10 randomly selected Anganwadi centers from October 1984 to September 1985. Anganwadi workers (AWW) were given in-service orientation and training to detect various types of disabilities in children below 6 years, 4 hours per day for 6 days at BRD Medical College. The study evaluated the role of AWWs in detecting and preventing disability in children younger than age 6 years. The trained AWWs identified disabilities and instituted preventive measures such as immunization and supplementary nutrition, together with the simultaneous independent verification by pediatricians, and a repeat survey after 6 months of follow-up. Among the 1545 children, the AWWs identified disability in 126 subjects which were verified in 118 cases by pediatricians. The disability rate was 7638 per 100,000 population. Visual, mental, orthopedic, speech, and hearing disabilities rates were 4790, 2654, 583, 518, and 453 per 100,000 population, respectively. In the repeat survey, 35 of the 74 children with visual disability (mainly xerophthalmia), 4 of the 9 with orthopedic disability, and 3 of the 7 with hearing disability could be managed satisfactorily. It is concluded that AWWs can help in the early detection and appropriate management of incipient and preventable childhood disabilities.