Socio-demographic Variables Affecting Services Utilization Under Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in Bikaner - A Cross-Sectional study

Abstract

Introduction The Integrated Childhood Development Services (ICDS) scheme is India’s foremost program imparting comprehensive and cost-effective services related to women and child beneficiaries. Still the level of coverage of the services is matter of concern in present day scenario. To find utilization of ICDS services and relation of various socio-demographic variables with utilization of services the study was proposed. Objective: To assess utilization and various socio-demographic variables affecting utilization of Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) services. Methods A cross-sectional study was done in 1548 beneficiaries residing in service delivery area of Rural and Urban Health Training Centers of Bikaner, to assess effect of various socio-demographic variables on utilization of services provided under ICDS. The information was collected and entered in MS excel. Results This study revealed that 815(52.65%) beneficiaries utilized at least one service provided under ICDS. 50.69% urban study population and 54.71% of rural study population utilized the services. Among the significant variables affecting utilization of ICDS were religion, caste, nature of family, socioeconomic status and occupation. Conclusion This study revealed that utilization of services among rural and urban beneficiaries was almost similar, nearly half of the beneficiaries utilized the services. The role of various socio-demographic variables was significant in level of utilization of services in a particular group. IEC and BCC activities should be done in community to increase utilization of ICDS services by beneficiaries residing under service area of an Anganwadi.