Effectiveness Of Government Nutrition Programs On Child Growth (Maternal And Child Health)

Abstract

Child growth is a sensitive marker of maternal and child health because linear growth, weight gain, immunity, cognitive development and school readiness are shaped by nutrition, infection control, maternal care, household food security and timely public health services. India has implemented large-scale government nutrition and maternal health programmes such as Integrated Child Development Services, Poshan Abhiyaan, PM POSHAN, Janani Suraksha Yojana and supplementary nutrition services to reduce child undernutrition and improve access to growth monitoring, counselling and food support. Recent global estimates show that child undernutrition continues to remain a major public health concern, and India’s national surveys show improvement but persistent levels of stunting, wasting and underweight among under-five children. A descriptive analytical crosssectional study design was used among 120 mothers of children aged 6-59 months attending selected Anganwadi and community health service areas. A structured questionnaire, programme utilization schedule, maternal knowledge scale and anthropometric assessment form were used. Weight, height/length and mid-upper arm circumference were assessed and interpreted with reference to standard growth. Overall, 90.8% of mothers had heard of ICDS, 76.7% knew about indicators.3 supplementary nutrition, 65.0% knew about growth monitoring and 70.8% knew about maternal health support. High utilization of nutrition services was observed among 38.3% of families, moderate utilization among 31.7% and low utilization among 30.0%. Normal growth status was observed in 48.3% of children, while underweight, stunting, wasting or multiple growth deficits were observed among the remaining children.