A Study to Assess the Knowledge & Practices of Anganwadi Workers & Availability of Infrastructure in ICDS Program, at District Mandi of Himachal Pradesh

The Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) in which Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) are the focal point for delivery of services, has been considered as one of the largest and unique grass root level early childhood development programme to address health, nutrition and development needs of children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and adolescent age group girls.Objective: Purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge and practices of Anganwadi workers (AWWs) and availability of infrastructure for AWC under ICDS. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted on 60 AWCs and 60 AWWs of selected ICDS blocks of District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh by simple random sampling method. Observation,
brief structured interview and structured questionnaire techniques were used to collect responses from the AWWs. Results: All the AWWs and (97%) of Anganwadi helpers (AWHs) were trained and had been rendering adequate services but they were not much reflective of the same when being questioned on the knowledge parameter. Majority, (98%) of AWWs provided different services to the adolescent girls, like IFA & deworming tablets, non-formal health education and supplementary nutrition. Majority of AWCs,(85%) had single room for sitting, cooking and storing food items, LPG for cooking food, (98%) and Pucca house, (98%). All AWCs had doors, drinking water and toilet facilities, while (93%) AWCs had adequate posters and charts.
Some AWWs,(27%) reported discontent with their remuneration. Conclusion: AWCs need to be strengthened in structure and supplies and AWWs need to be given more salary so that they can be motivated to take interest in all activities of the project. There is genuine need to repair/replace the storing bins and other infrastructure time to time.