Utilisation of Anganwadi Services among Pre-School Age Children in Rural Telangana: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) was launched in 1975 with the objectives to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age group 0-6 years, to lay the foundations for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child, to reduce mortality and morbidity, malnutrition and school drop-out by delivering a package of services. It has been found that there is a gap in expected and actual delivery of services and less than expected utilisation of services from beneficiaries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 270 women with a pre-tested, semi structured questionnaire in order to assess utilisation of anganwadi services. Data collected was analysed using SPSS software. Results: Immunization (85.18%) was the most common Anganwadi service utilized by children followed by supplementary nutrition (83.4%), health check-ups (77.4%), Non formal pre-school Education (68%) and referral services (55.5%). Child didn’t like the taste of the food was the most common reason for not utilising supplementary nutrition. Conclusions: Apart from supplementary nutrition and immunisation, there is a need to sensitise and motivate beneficiaries to utilise the other services offered by anganwadi centre