Impact of ICDS services in urban and rural area beneficiaries children of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India: a comparative evaluation study

Abstract

Background: The rich experience of ICDS has brought about a welcome transition from welfare orientation to a new challenging perspective of social change. It aims at enhancing survival and development of children from the vulnerable sections of the society. Being the world's largest outreach program targeting infants and children below 6 years of age, expectant and nursing mothers. Methods: A longitudinal and comperative study of morbidity (Prevalence and Incidence) among children bellow 6 years of age was conducted in two adjoining areas ,conducted in adjoining area of Rural health training centre and urban health training centre of both area ,covered by ICDS Centre of a concern medical college of Ghaziabad Uttar Pradesh.Impact was assessed ( nutritional status and incidence of illness) in children of both the area. Results: The overall incidence of morbidity was significantly higher in rural ICDS covered area (7.97episode per child per year) than in urban ICDS area (5.43 episodes per child per year) . On initial survey, overall prevalence of morbidity was significantly higher in rural ICDS area(54.14%) than urban area ICDS.(45.85%). Conclusions: There are program gaps in coverage of supplementary nutrition in rural ICDS area children, its regular supply to the beneficiaries, in pre-school activities coverage, recording of immunization, and regular health check-up of beneficiaries and referral of sick children.