Volume : 3, Issue : 5, May - 2014

Evaluation of ICDS in Five districts of Gujarat

Dr Arun Chaudhari, Dr V S Mazumdar, Dr. R K Baxi, Dr. J R Damor, Dr. Kedar Mehta

Abstract :

Introduction: Integrated Child Developmental Services (ICDS) is today the world’s largest community based outreach programme for early child development. A major challenge lies in implementation gaps that arises out of inadequate resource investment, inadequate funding, lack of convergence, lack of accountability of those managing and implementing the programme, especially, at the level of Anganwadi centres and supervisory level, lack of community ownership and the general perception about ICDS being a “feeding” programme and not an Early Childhood Development programme.Objective: To evaluate the services offered by ICDS scheme among five districts of Gujarat.

• Methods and Material: Cross sectional study was conducted from 2011 to 2012 for monitoring of ICDS activities in Dang, Valsad, Panchamahal, Baroda and Navsari. In each district five Anganwadi were selected randomly and evaluation forms were filled on the basis of National Institute of Public Co–operation and Child Development(NIPCCD)proforma. The following components have been analyzed using Excel sheet: Physical infrastructure, Supplementary Nutrition, Growth monitoring, Nutritional Status. Results: Nearly half of AWCs have pucca house, separate kitchen and tap water supply. Around 85%of AWW said that food is acceptable by beneficiaries and were satisfied with the quality of food. But still 45% of AWCs had interruption in SN during last 6 months which was mainly due to shortage of food supply.Conclusion: Even after 38 yr of ICDS implementation there is need to improve the services offered by them. Infrastructure of AWW is not adequate in majority of places. Acceptability of food and services provided under ICDS is satisfactory.