Integrated child development services in India: objectives, organization and baseline survey of the project population
Tandon, B.N.; Ramachandran, K.; Bhatnagar, S.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 73: 374-384
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 7275233 Document Number: 529906
Integrated Child Development Service Scheme, started in 33 project blocks in 1975, provides a package of nutrition, health and educational service to preschool children, pregnant and lactating women and non-formal education to all women in the age group of 15-45 yr through an organized system located in each village of 1000 population. Baseline survey of 10% of the population of 27 project blocks was carried out by a team of consultants. Data from 15 rural and 8 tribal blocks is presented. Of the households 66% lived below the poverty line. Illiteracy rate was nearly 60%. Health coverage of the population for the essential services was poor. Revaccination for smallpox, DPT [diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) and BCG had been given only to 7.2, 7.2 and 16.7% of the rural children and 10, 4.8 and 22.3% of the tribal children. Prophylactic vitamin A and supplementary nutrition had been received by 12.9 and 22.2% of rural and 3.9 and 30.3% of the tribal children, respectively. Moderate and severe malnutrition was recorded in 44.4% of rural and 40.4% of tribal children; 4.0% children had clinical evidence of vitamin A deficiency. Some 9% of the rural and 7.3% of the tribal children were sick at the time of survey. Less than 6% of the pregnant women received tetanus toxoid, and only 16% received iron and folic acid tablets and supplementary nutrition. Untrained personnel and neighbors were preferred for conducting deliveries. Despite good awareness of primary health center and subcenter services, they were very infrequently utilized for maternal and child care.