Nutritional Status and Anganwadi Services Utilization Among Under 5 Children in Aligarh: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Child health should be of prime concern. Their protection is the greatest investment for the country’s economic
and political stability. This cross sectional study was conducted at the Anganwadi centres under registered areas
of the Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Aligarh Muslim University,
Aligarh. The study was conducted from July, 2017 to June 2018 among 400 children of age 3-6 years registered
at the Anganwadi centres of field practice area. It was found that although the age group distribution among
registered population was almost equal, majority of the children were found to suffer from stunting. along with
this, children belonging to lower middle class socio economic status had the most registeration under ICDS scheme.
The statistical association between underweight, stunting and socio-economic status was found to be statistically
significant (p<0.05) while it was not associated with wasting (p>0.05). It can be understood that socio economic
status also has role to play in access of these services. It is therefore necessary that people are made aware of ICDS
program and motivated to reap benefits of the same for improved nutritional outcome of their children.