Implementation of Information, Education andCommunication (IEC) activities of Integrated Housing AndSlum Development program (IHSDP) under JawaharlalNehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) toaddress social determinants of health for sustainabledevelopment of underprivileged in Karnataka, India.

Abstract

Background Urbanization is an index of transformation from traditional rural to modern urban economies. Even though cities and towns have a vital role in socio-economic changes in any country most of them are severely stressed in terms of infrastructure and service availability. The Government of India GOI has launched JnNURM to encourage cities to initiate steps to bring financially sustainable improvement in the existing service. IHSDP a component of JnNURM aims for holistic under privileged area development with a healthy and enabling urban environment by providing adequate shelter and basic infrastructure facilities.Objective To improve the quality of life of slum residents to increase the standard of Health Education and Community life in the slums to provide sustainable improvements in standards of living social status health and education to provide skill up-gradation increase earning potential of people living in slums and to take up health promotional programmes such as maternal and child health MCH family welfare FW and nutritional programmes.Methodology The activities were implemented in 7 slum settlements comprising a total of 707 houses distributed over four areas with 2451 beneficiaries. The survey tool was a semi structured questionnaire prepared to get the general information of the household as well as the details of individuals in each household. In each house a responsible adult member was identified and briefed about the SE survey before taking their verbal consent for the interview.Results At the successful completion of this project our impression was that for the most part the beneficiaries were satisfied with the houses and basic amenities provided by the government. The problems identified were poverty open air defecation practices indiscriminate solid waste management and lack of male participation. We found that in 256 36.21 out of 707 households all the family members were in the habit of open defecation in spite of having sanitary latrines. We sensed a lack of community ownership among the individuals hindering the government efforts.Conclusion Hence the success of such novel projects depends on the implementing agency which is committed competent in community diagnosis creativity and innovation. There should be adequate time for the project to change the behavior of the community towards the social responsibility which helps in self reliant sustainable development.nbsp