Perceived Responsibilities of Anganwadi Workers and Malnutrition in Rural Wardha

Objectives: To find out the nutritional status of under-six children attending ICDS scheme and to study Anganwadi workers’ (AWW) perceived work load and operational problems. Material and Methods: A triangulated research design of quantitative (survey) and qualitative (Venn diagram, seasonal calendar) methods was used. Nutritional status of children was assessed by a survey. Participatory methods like Venn diagram and Seasonal calendars were used to collect qualitative data regarding AWWs perceived work load and food security with malnourished children. Results: Overall, prevalence of underweight and severe underweight among children under-six was found to be 53% and 15% respectively and among children below three years it was 47% and 15% respectively. Venn diagram showed AWWs’ multiple responsibilities. In seasonal diagram exercise, the mothers of severely malnourished children showed enough food availability in their house across all months of a year. Conclusion: To efficiently tap the potential of AWWs for reducing multidimensional problem of malnutrition, ICDS needs to design and implement flexible, area-specific and focused activities for AW